Cultural WI: "Birds of Prey" TV Series Successful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds_of_Prey_(TV_series)

Despite high ratings, the show was not very successful and was cancelled after 13 episodes, unlike the wildly successful "Smallville."

So how might we have made this show successful?

One idea I've got is a better explanation for Batman not being in Gotham anymore. Apparently the Joker killed Selina Kyle (Catwoman, who bore Batman a daughter in this continuity) and Batman, grief-stricken, left the city.

I remember people complaining that this made Batman into a wimp--he basically ran away.

So here's my thought: The Joker kills Selina Kyle, then Batman flips out and kills him. Batman then has a Heroic BSOD and retires--the modern explanation for Batman's no-kill policy is that he fears he won't be able to stop if he starts.

(This is explicitly stated in the "Under the Red Hood" animated film and in an alternate continuity where he kills off most of his Rogues Gallery and turns into a serial killer.)

This would make the series more popular with those who objected to its characterization of Batman, at the very least.
 
Well, part of the problem is the relatively unknown characters. Most non-comics fans wouldn't have heard of any except Barbara Gordon. In addition, the heroines differed in several ways from their counterparts.
(Of course, if this series had worked, then my favorite heroine might have gotten a movie in 2004. (Of course, she'll get that and more in an upcoming timeline...))
 
Rogues Gallery?

I'm pretty sure they spent most of there time going after mundane criminals.

I dunno. I don't really remember the show even though I remember watching it.
 
If you manage to make some of the old villains into legacy types, it might work well. Mia Sara made for a great grownup Harley Quinn, and I could see her recruiting the literal and metaphorical descendants of Batman's greatest villains. Let's also not forget Ra's Al-Ghul, who as an immortal would be a constant threat, or his daughter, who would provide a decent foil to the Birds.

As far as a longer-term effect, I'll guess at more money and attention being thrown at team-style superhero shows, meaning that we might actually see a quality Justice League show, or a Teen Titans.
 
Top