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RECOMMENDED READING

Birds of Prey Trade Paperback
Before you see the show get familiar with the comic book that inspired it. The Birds trade paperback reprints the original Birds of Prey comic book one-shots and mini-series. Now if only DC would reprint Birds of Prey #8, arguably the best issue of the series...

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Frank Miller's classic four-issue story about an older and bitter Batman made a lot more people take comics seriously. What would Batman do in the future? What if he made Superman angry? This is one of the definitive Batman stories, and a perfect primer for the book's sequel...

The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Vol. 1
Now, Frank Miller has brought out The Dark Knight Strikes Again, a sequel to his classic story involving older versions of MANY DC Comics heroes. At under $8, this book is well worth the money, and a perfect gift for someone who's never read a comic before. This is the first of three volumes of the series.

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Any purchases through the Amazon.com link keep Gotham Clock Tower going. (Webspace sadly isn't free when you want your own domain!) So if you do purchase something through one of these links, thanks! Also, any donations through PayPal are greatly appreciated.

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The WB's Birds Page Now Up
Confirming the show's pickup, the WB's Birds of Prey page is now up at TheWB.com. To take a look at it, click here.

Birds of Prey Lands On The WB's Fall Schedule
The WB announced their 2002-2003 Fall Schedule on Tuesday, May 14 in New York City, and as sites such as The Futon Critic and Zap2it.com leaked, Birds of Prey has been picked up and will be airing in the Wednesday at 9pm spot, following Dawson's Creek.

It has also been revealed that Smallville will be staying on Tuesdays at 9 -- a perfect chance to promote Birds the night before..

Birds Pilot Review At Dark Horizons
(6/10) Dark Horizons is the latest website to feature a review of the Birds of Prey pilot.

"The potential is there though. The writing needs to focus on solid plots and character development in the mold of the 'investigatory' style used in the early "Batman" animated series. If it avoids The WB style teen drama issues and "Mutant X" style cheesy sci-fi tech, rather opting for straightforward drama/mystery combined with comic mythos and offbeat dark humour, this show could work wonders. The base is layed out, the stage is set, and if the writers & producers can apply themselves like the great Paul Dini or Bruce Timm did to their "Batman" series then this will rock. Certainly one to watch to see how it will develop over the next year or more," reviewer Garth Franklin said.

To read the entire review, click here.

Comics2Film Features Birds Pilot Review & Screencaps
(5/30) The excellent website Comics2Film (them again!) has just posted their review of the Birds of Prey pilot, which you can get to by clicking here.

At that same page you can find some screen captures from the show's pilot, including images of Dina Meyer in the Batgirl costume, some shots of the Joker, and more. For great preview images of the show this selection really can't be beat.

Special thanks to Comics2Film for allowing us to use the Batgirl image with this article, and the Alfred shot further down this page.

Birds Cast Members Featured In 2002 WB "Image Campaign"
(5/25) The WB has launched their 2002 "Image Campaign" with new images and a video featuring Ashley Scott (Helena) and Dina Meyer (Barbara).

Click here or on the images adjoining this article for a look at the video or to look at the WB's image gallery.

Ain't It Cool News Reviews Birds Of Prey
(5/19) Ain't It Cool News gives Birds a positive review, and for those of you who like spoilers, there are plenty of them posted. To read AICN's review, click here.

Alfred Revealed!
(5/19) We now know the identity of the actor playing Alfred in Birds of Prey, and it is Ian Abercrombie.

The London-born Abercrombie's past credits including playing Elaine's boss Mr. Pitt for a season of Seinfeld. He was also in "Addams Family Values," "Army of Darkness," Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek: Voyager, and hundreds of other television and movie appearances spanning many decades. He has also done a great amount of theater work. If that was not enough, he is also used for many voiceovers. He has even played a butler before, in the movie "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and on the soap Santa Barbara.

Birds of Prey Cast Photo!
(4/8) To your left you can find the a much better looking copy of the first released cast photo from Birds of Prey.

From left to right, you can see Ashley Scott (the Huntress), Dina Meyer (Oracle), and Rachel Skarsten (Black Canary).

Mark Hamill Reprises Famous Batman Animated Role For Birds of Prey
(3/31) Gotham Clock Tower has learned that Mark Hamill, famous for playing Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, the Trickster in The Flash, and a certain maniacal laughing villain in Batman: The Animated Series, will be reprising his role in doing a voiceover for Birds of Prey.

The role is listed in the script as "Voice from Shadows." The character, with its cadaverous white hands, green hair, and of course huge smile is going to be portrayed by a stunt double in an action-packed scene that details Barbara Gordon's final moments as Batgirl. But when he delivers his lines -- ending the career of Batgirl -- the voice will sound very familiar.

If these hints weren't subtle enough, you can find a picture of the animated version of the character to your right. Yeah, thought you'd like that! Keep watching GCT for more Birds news.

Birds of Prey Appears On Hollywood Reporter Front Page
(4/17) The April 17th edition of the Hollywood Reporter features an outer cover celebrating "100 episodes of Dawson's Creek," but the inside "front page" features a blurb on Fall 2002 pilots and includes the Birds cast photo which has been circulating.

The issue itself has a special section devoted to this year's pilots, a list of what's in development, and an interview with WB Entertainment President Jordan Levin.

Birds Mention & Photo In USA Today
(4/4) The April 4 edition of USA Today has a feature on Fall 2002 television pilots on page 3D of its Life section.

The article describes Birds as "a Batman comics spinoff about three female crime fighters." The article is also accompanied by the photo of the show's three leads.

"Harley Quinn" Creator Thinks Fenn Will "Add A Nice Dimension" To Dr. Quinzel
(3/1) The Comics Continuum website caught up with Paul Dini, award-winning creator of the "Harley Quinn" character for Batman: The Animated Series. Regarding the choice of Sherilyn Fenn as Harley, Paul had this to say:

"I think she's a good choice, especially as the creators have re-imagined not just Harley, but all the characters as darker and more intense than their comic-book and cartoon counterparts. I was a big fan of Sherilyn's work on Twin Peaks. She'll add a nice dimension to Dr. Quinzel and her deeply twisted other side."

For more information on Fenn at the Comics Continuum, click here.

Gotham Clock Tower Reviews The Birds of Prey Pilot Script
(2/27) Gotham Clock Tower has obtained a copy of the pilot episode script for the Birds of Prey pilot, which should begin shooting within a week. To see what GCT's Craig Byrne thought of the script, click here -- but be warned, many plot elements will be spoiled!

Dr. Quinzel, Twin Peaks Woman
(2/25) Gotham Clock Tower has learned that actress Sherilyn Fenn of Twin Peaks fame has landed the role of Dr. Harleen Quinzel in the pilot episode of Birds of Prey. Dr. Quinzel will be Helena Kyle's shrink (and Dr. Melfi thought she had it bad), and fans of the comics and the animated series will know that the character also has a villainous alter ego.

You can find a picture of Ms. Fenn to your right.

UPDATE: Fenn's casting has been confirmed by the WB. (2/27)

Shemar Moore Cast In Birds of Prey
(2/21) Fabio2 of the Superheroes At The Movies website points us to reports at SciFi Wire and the Hollywood Reporter that Shemar Moore has been cast to appear in the Birds of Prey pilot.

Gotham Clock Tower has learned that Shemar will be playing the role of Detective Jake Reese, a character who may prove to be a recurring ally to the Birds.

Moore previously starred as Malcolm Winters for eight years in the soap The Young & The Restless. He is also currently the host of the syndicated Soul Train.

Casting Continues For The Birds of Prey
(2/20) Casting is continuing for the Birds of Prey pilot, which will be filming next month. The latest casting searches have included the characters of Detective Jake Reese, Detective McNally, "Nice Guy," Larry Ketterly, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, and Alfred. Yes, some of those names should sound a bit familiar! [UPDATE: If you've read the previous two news items, you'll know the roles of Reese and Harley--err, Dr. Quinzel have now been filled.]

For more information on some of these characters, and for more Birds tidbits, visit the Birds spoilers page.

Ain't It Cool News Reviews The Birds Pilot Script
(2/20) "Princess X" from Ain't It Cool News managed to get a peek at the first draft of the Birds of Prey pilot script, and you can read her review by clicking here.

Keep in mind that any problems Princess X had with the pilot script may have been changed since that draft was written. However, there are some juicy spoilers included in her review, so you may want to give it a read!

Variety Also Confirms Birds Cast
(2/15) Lynda from the SmallvilleNews website pointed us in the direction of a recent Variety article which confirmed what Gotham Clock Tower had posted earlier this week -- that Dina Meyer will be playing Barbara Gordon/Oracle, and Ashley Scott will be playing the Huntress.

It also reported that Ashley Scott will indeed be sticking with Dark Angel for the rest of the season, and that filming on the Birds pilot should take place next month. The pilot will be directed by Tollin-Robbins' Brian Robbins.

Birds of Prey Cast - Revealed!
The identities of the actresses playing the television Birds of Prey have been revealed, and here's who we can look forward to seeing if the WB picks Birds up as a series:

Barbara Gordon/Oracle - Dina Meyer
(2/12) We have received confirmation from official sources that the role of Barbara Gordon/Oracle on Birds of Prey has been cast, and she will be played by an actress named Dina Meyer. Dina's previous credits include episodes of Friends and Ally McBeal, and the TV series Secret Agent Man, but her most memorable role may be playing Private Dizzy Flores in the movie "Starship Troopers."

Helena Kyle/The Huntress - Ashley Scott
(2/12) The role of Helena Kyle, a.k.a. the Huntress, for the Birds of Prey pilot has been cast, and she will be played by an actress by the name of Ashley Scott. Ashley's most recent credit was as "Asha" on the FOX series Dark Angel. She also played "Gigolo Jane" in the movie "A.I."

Dinah Lance/Black Canary - Rachel Skarsten
(2/11) The ToonZone website has revealed that Dinah Lance, the Black Canary, will be played in Birds of Prey by an actress named Rachel Skarsten. Here's a WB first for you -- 16 year old Dinah Lance is played by a - *gasp* - 17 year old! Rachel's past credits include episodes of Twice in a Lifetime and The Famous Jett Jackson. She also starred in the TV series Little Men and in the movie "Angels in the Infield." Zap2it.com confirms the report.

For more information consult the Birds cast page.

Birds of Prey Not Picked Up As A Series... Yet
(2/7) Many websites have assumed from trade reports that Birds of Prey has been formally picked up as a series for Fall 2002. Unfortunately, that is NOT yet the case.

While the WB has ordered, paid for, and put a commitment in for a Birds pilot episode, the final decision as to whether or not the series has landed on the schedule will likely not be announced until May. However, considering the buzz that is surrounding the series, it might be crazy for the WB not to pick it up.

A Great Birds Link!
(2/6) For very detailed information on the Birds of Prey comic book characters, you can visit the excellent Canary Noir website at http://www.canarynoir.com. It features histories of the characters and their relationships as seen in the comic book. Check it out!

Birds of Prey On For Fall 2002?
(1/23) WB Entertainment President Jordan Levin spoke to Cinescape.com about the pilot for Birds of Prey, a new series from Tollin-Robbins Productions that will feature characters from the Batman area of the DC Comics universe.

When Cinescape asked if Smallville's success would lead into more comic book related properties, Levin said "I think so. Take Birds of Prey, for example. We’re starting to go into casting right now and are [eyeing a] fall premiere. And there are some other properties that we’re playing around with, too."

Special thanks to EmotionalHermit for the lead. In other Birds news, Karen tells us that Birds is mentioned in the Jan. 26-Feb. 1 issue of TV Guide. The "Hollywood Grapevine" page reveals that producers are looking for a Huntress that would be a "party girl" who wants to "find the bad guys, kick some a--, then go get a margarita." The mention also reveals the Huntress's parentage, which of course you may already know if you've visited the spoilers page.

Birds of Prey Spoilers!
Curious about what's to come on the show? How will Barbara and Dinah be different from their comic book counterparts? And what cameos might be around to look forward to? Visit the Birds spoilers page!

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