Birds of Prey is a 2020 American superhero film based on the DC Comics team the Birds of Prey. It is the eighth film in the DC Extended Universe and a spin-off sequel to Suicide Squad (2016). The film follows the superheroine Harley Quinn as she joins forces with Black Canary, the Huntress, and Renee Montoya to save Cassandra Cain from Gotham City crime lord Black Mask.
The film features several DC Comics superheroines, including the Huntress. So which version of the Huntress appears in Birds of Prey?
The Helena Bertinelli Version of the Huntress
In Birds of Prey, the Huntress is portrayed by actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead. This version of the character is Helena Bertinelli, the third DC Comics character to use the Huntress moniker.
The Origins of Helena Bertinelli
Helena Bertinelli first appeared in Huntress #1 in April 1989. She is the daughter of Franco Bertinelli, a mafia boss in Gotham City. When she was a child, her family was murdered by a rival mafia family. She dedicated her life to avenging her family and fighting organized crime as the vigilante Huntress.
Unlike previous versions of the Huntress, Helena Bertinelli has no direct connections to Batman or the Wayne family. She operates independently in Gotham City as a vigilante antihero who is willing to kill criminals to achieve justice.
The Huntress’ Abilities and Weapons
As Helena Bertinelli, the Huntress has no superpowers. However, she is an expert martial artist and has extensively trained in hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. She is an Olympic-level athlete and gymnast.
The Huntress uses an arsenal of weaponry in her war against crime. She carries a customized crossbow as her primary ranged weapon. She also utilizes an assortment of blades, knives, swords, and other weapons. The Huntress is skilled in infiltration and information gathering techniques.
The Huntress in Birds of Prey
In Birds of Prey, Mary Elizabeth Winstead portrays the Helena Bertinelli version of the Huntress. This iteration of the character remains largely faithful to the comics.
Helena seeks revenge against the mob for killing her family. She crosses paths with Harley Quinn and the other Birds of Prey while hunting down Gotham’s criminals. Her ruthlessness and willingness to kill set her apart from the other heroes.
Over the course of the film, the Huntress begins to form a bond with the other women. She starts to realize that killing her enemies won’t take away her pain. The Huntress completes her character arc when she spares villain Victor Zsasz, representing her growth into a hero who abides by a moral code.
While the costume and trademark crossbow stay true to the comics, Birds of Prey deviates in one notable way. In the film canon, the Huntress is aware of her family’s mafia background from a young age, while in the comics, she only learns the truth as an adult.
The History of the Huntress
While Helena Bertinelli is the version of the Huntress featured in Birds of Prey, she is the third DC Comics character to use that superhero identity. The Huntress has a winding history intertwined with Batman and Catwoman.
The Golden Age Huntress
The first Huntress, Paula Brooks, debuted in Sensation Comics #68 in 1947. On Earth-Two, the parallel world home of DC’s Golden Age characters, Paula Brooks was a supervillain who fought the Justice Society of America. She used the aliases Tigress and the Huntress while committing crimes.
Later, Paula gave up her life of crime, joining the Justice Society as the Huntress and even briefly joining the Batman Family. The Golden Age Huntress was a short-lived character who disappeared from comics by the 1950s.
The Silver Age Huntress
After DC Comics introduced the Multiverse concept in the 1960s, the Golden Age Huntress was established as being from Earth-Two while a new Silver Age version appeared on Earth-One.
This new Huntress, Helena Wayne, debuted in All Star Comics #69 in 1977. Helena Wayne was the daughter of the Golden Age Batman and Catwoman – the original Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle of Earth-Two.
Helena Wayne grew up to follow in her parents’ heroic footsteps. She trained extensively under her parents and Ted Grant/Wildcat, eventually becoming the vigilante Huntress. She joined the Justice Society of America and was a prominent member of Earth-Two’s superhero community until Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Post-Crisis Huntress
After the 1985 miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths rebooted and merged DC’s Multiverse into one universe, both Golden Age versions of Huntress were removed from continuity.
Helena Bertinelli, an entirely new take on the vigilante, was introduced in 1989. As detailed earlier, this Huntress had no connections to Catwoman or Batman and used more violent methods against criminals.
Helena Bertinelli went on to become the defining incarnation of the Huntress throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. While not as prominent as Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman, she appeared consistently in Batman and Birds of Prey comics.
The brief return of the Helena Wayne version in the early 2000s led DC Comics to clarify that both Helenas were part of the new DC Universe. Helena Bertinelli remained the primary Huntress, with Helena Wayne relegated to the alternate universe of Earth-Two again.
The Huntress and the Birds of Prey
While the Huntress often operates independently, she has been affiliated with the superhero team the Birds of Prey for significant portions of her crimefighting career.
How the Huntress Joined the Birds of Prey
The Birds of Prey consisted of Oracle/Barbara Gordon, Black Canary, and a rotating roster of female heroes. Though she did not appear in the original Birds of Prey comic in 1996, the Huntress quickly joined the team for several arcs starting with Birds of Prey #8 in 1999.
Oracle initially dislikes the Huntress’ brutal tactics but realizes her skills could be used for good. Over several missions, the core Birds of Prey members build a rapport with the Huntress. Even after leaving the team, the Huntress remains loosely aligned with the Birds of Prey for years.
The Huntress and Oracle
The tense but growing friendship between the Huntress and Oracle became a consistent subplot during the Huntress’ time with the Birds of Prey.
Oracle is appalled by the Huntress’ willingness to kill and tries to guide her towards a more ethical code. The Huntress chafes under Oracle’s strict leadership but comes to see her wisdom. In turn, Oracle learns to appreciate the Huntress’ tenacity and courage in battle.
Their contrasting backgrounds, values, and temperaments result in a complex relationship built on trust earned through shared trauma and understanding. Oracle develops into the Huntress’ closest ally among the Birds of Prey.
The Huntress’ Partnerships with Black Canary and Others
As part of the Birds of Prey, the Huntress also bonded with Black Canary, Lady Blackhawk, Hawkgirl, Catwoman, and other heroines at different points.
These partnerships highlight the Huntress’ ability to work with other heroes despite her lone wolf tendencies. Over time, she becomes a trusted teammate to Black Canary, Lady Blackhawk, and others, demonstrating character growth from her early days.
Her time with the Birds of Prey results in meaningful relationships with other women in the DC Universe that endure even when she operates independently. The team inspires the Huntress to soften her edges and believe in others again.
The Huntress and Question’s Romance
A major romantic subplot during the Huntress’ years with the Birds of Prey was her relationship with fellow street-level vigilante the Question. Their contrasting worldviews result in both conflict and attraction.
How the Huntress and Question Meet
The Question, aka Vic Sage, first meets the Huntress in the 2004 comic Huntress: Year One #4 during a case involving Sicilian gangs. Initially, the Question is suspicious of the Huntress’ motives and disapproving of her lethal methods against criminals.
Despite their differences, the Question becomes intrigued by the Huntress’ dedication to justice at any cost. Over subsequent missions, he attempts to guide her in more ethical directions. A mutual attraction grows despite their contrasting philosophies.
The Development of Their Relationship
For years, the Huntress and Question maintained an undefined romantic chemistry without fully pursuing a relationship. But in the 2006 miniseries Huntress: Year One, their flirtation becomes explicit.
After rescuing the Huntress from a vengeful mob boss, the Question kisses her passionately. They soon begin a romantic relationship, with the Question hoping his influence will curb the Huntress’ dark tendencies.
The Question comes to appreciate the Huntress’ fierce independence and unwillingness to compromise her values. The Huntress sees past the Question’s cold pragmatism to the noble humanitarian beneath. Their affection counterbalances their opposing stances on justice.
Tragedy for the Huntress and Question
The happiest point of the Huntress and Question’s romance was during Lex Luthor’s rise to power following Infinite Crisis, as seen in the 2006 comic series Detective Comics.
Unfortunately, their idyllic time together was cut short. In the 2008 miniseries Final Crisis, the Question contracts cancer after years of smoking. With weeks left to live, he and the Huntress enjoy one final adventure against corrupt corporations.
After the Question passes away, the Huntress is devastated by the loss. She avenges his death and for a time adopts his name and costume to honor his legacy. Their relationship ends tragically but transforms the Huntress’ outlook on life.
The Legacy of the Huntress
While not as iconic as contemporaries like Wonder Woman or Catwoman, the Huntress has left a distinct mark on DC Comics history since her creation in the late 1970s.
Influencing Comic Book Heroines
As one of the earliest morally ambiguous female antiheroines in comics, the Huntress helped pave the way for similar complex characters written with nuance. Her vigilante methods and vengeful motivations broke the mold for superheroines.
The Huntress proved that not every female character needs to be an idealistic role model. Flawed women driven by trauma could carry stories as protagonists. The Huntress’ successful 30+ year publication history makes her an influential predecessor for characters like Marvel’s Punisher and Elektra.
Representing New Archetypes
The Huntress also expanded the possibilities for superwomen beyond traditional comics archetypes like the kid sidekick, the love interest, or the token female team member.
As an edgy loner heroine focused on her personal vendetta over team dynamics, the Huntress resonated with readers. She carved out a distinct solo niche that later allowed comic book women greater freedom in archetypes written.
Inspiring Her Own Lore and Supporting Cast
Originally intended as a reimagined Earth-Two replacement for the Golden Age Huntress, Helena Bertinelli grew into a fully realized character with her own villains, love interests, and ongoing storylines.
The Huntress anchored several limited series and guest starred across various DC titles. Her memorable relationships with Oracle, Question, and other characters endured in fan culture. The Huntress proved that new comic book women could successfully sustain engaging solo adventures.
The Future of the Huntress
While the Helena Bertinelli incarnation of the Huntress has dominated DC storylines since the late 1980s, the character’s future directions remain unpredictable. There are a few potential options for her path forward.
More Stories Balancing Heroism and Morality
The core drama and appeal of the Huntress comes from her moral contradictions as someone who fights for good through violent, illegal means. Future writers could continue exploring this struggle through new vigilante missions where she must weigh her ethical limits.
There are endless possibilities for stories highlighting her complex philosophies on justice and forcing her to reassess her worldview through relationships with other heroes. Fresh character development examining her dichotomy as both hero and criminal would enrich the Huntress’ mythos.
Making Her a More Prominent Figure in the DC Universe
Thus far, the Huntress has primarily operated as a street-level Gotham City figure, with occasional stints in ensemble teams like the Birds of Prey. She has starred in her own limited comics runs but never truly broken into the A-list.
Future creative teams could raise the Huntress’ profile by making her a lead voice in Justice League Dark, Batman Incorporated, or even a revamped Gotham City Sirens alongside Catwoman and Poison Ivy. Giving her a central role in major comics events or storylines would expand the Huntress brand.
Tying Her History More Closely to the Bat Family
While the post-Crisis Helena Bertinelli has no inherent ties to Batman, creative teams could rewrite or reveal new connections between them. With Batman’s sprawling family of Robins, it would be simple to work the Huntress in as an estranged former sidekick.
Strengthening her bonds to the core Bat mythos has the potential to make the Huntress more resonant while exploring fresh character dynamics. Lean into her existing Batman parallels instead of separating the Huntresses.
Ultimately, the Huntress remains a flexible character ripe for reinvention while staying true to her vigilantism origins. The femme fatale of the DC universe deserves even greater attention in comics storytelling. Wherever her unpredictable journey leads, the Huntress is destined for further heroics with her signature moral complexity.
Conclusion
In Birds of Prey, the Huntress is portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli, the third version of the character introduced in DC Comics in 1989. This Huntress is not connected to Batman or Catwoman but rather the daughter of a mafia boss waging a ruthless war against organized crime in Gotham City.
The Helena Bertinelli incarnation headlined the Huntress comics of the 1990s and 2000s, joining the Birds of Prey team for several story arcs where she formed close partnerships with heroes like Oracle. Her prominent romantic relationship with the Question added depth to her development.
Overall, the Huntress has had a lasting impact on DC storytelling through her moral ambiguity and archetype as a fiercely independent antiheroine. As the character continues to evolve in comics and on screen, the rich potential of her backstory promises more compelling adventures balancing justice, vengeance, and redemption. The Huntress remains a fascinatingly complex figure among DC’s pantheon of iconic women.