Birds of Prey (TV series)

This article is about the 2002 American TV series. For the 1982 British serial, see Bird of Prey (TV serial). For other uses, see Birds of Prey (disambiguation).

Birds of Prey
Genre
Based on
Developed byLaeta Kalogridis
Starring
Opening theme"Revolution" by Aimee Allen
ComposerMark Snow
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers
Production locationLos Angeles
Running time39–47 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkThe WB
ReleaseOctober 9, 2002 (2002-10-09) –
February 19, 2003 (2003-02-19)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Birds of Prey is an American superhero television series that was developed by Laeta Kalogridis for The WB and is loosely based on the DC Comics series of the same name. The series takes place in a Gotham City abandoned by Batman.

The suits used in the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman films were used (albeit repainted) in the series, and the initial trailers for the series used footage of Michael Keaton (as Bruce Wayne / Batman) and Michelle Pfeiffer (as Selina Kyle / Catwoman) from Batman Returns, indicating that at one point in the series’ development, it was intended to exist in a continuity adjacent to the Tim Burton Batman films.[2][3] Additionally, artwork featuring the Burton incarnations of Batman and Catwoman was commissioned to promote the series as a TV Guide cover, but ultimately went unused - as the show was cancelled before the artist finished the piece. [4] [5]

Despite the series debut garnering ratings of 7.6 million viewers (at the time, the network's largest premiere in the 18–34 demographic), the series was canceled after ratings fell sharply in subsequent weeks.[6] Thirteen episodes were produced and aired in total.[7]

  1. ^ Kurland, Daniel (January 17, 2018). "16 Superhero TV Shows That Have Aged Terribly". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Birds of Prey TV (2002) Long promo. YouTube.
  3. ^ Birds of Prey TV (2002) Long promo original. YouTube.
  4. ^ Dan Wicklone (August 14, 2014). "Joe Jusko's Unused Art For TV Guide Magazine Cover". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Adam Poncharoen sub (August 16, 2014). "Artist Joe Jusko Releases Unused TV Guide Cover for 'Birds of Prey' TV Series". Dark Knight News. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Mon (November 18, 2002). "'Birds of Prey' wings clipped by WB". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Albiniak, Paige (November 24, 2002). "Here's How to Take Care of the Backend". Broadcasting & Cable. NextTV. Retrieved May 24, 2022. Last week, The WB also was deciding the fate of its Wednesday-night drama, Birds of Prey. It's still in production, and The WB plans to air it through mid December, using all 13 episodes of the original order.