Final issue of Volume 1 of the Huntress, Helena Bertinelli, but by no means is this the end. Please e-mail us at feathersandfoes@gmail.com or Twitter @HuntressPodcast Visit our website and leave a message at www.thehuntresspodcast.com
Monday, September 16, 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Episode 37: Father's Day
Father's Day has never hit this hard. Batgirl 33 deals with a new menace on the streets, and David Cain has the answers, but is Cassandra willing to listen. Write to us at feathersandfoes@gmail.com or @HuntressPodcast on Twitter.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
The #Batgirl Podcast Episode 36 (Morituri)
The Fab Four, Batgirl, Spoiler, Tim Drake, and Green Arrow, crashes the pseudo 9th Legion's party to save Eddie Fiers from being Crucified, and we don't mean that figuratively. Check out the stunning conclusion of this three part story arc by guest writer Chuck Dixon.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Episode 18: #TheHuntress (Rage Under Pressure)
The Huntress Podcast discuss the second saga of this abrupt Batman appearance. We have a triangle going in "Rage Under Pressure". Batman, Huntress, and James, each have suffered the brutal loss of a parent. These three unlikely characters come together in the penultimate story...sort of, of volume 1 of the Huntress.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
#TheHuntress Episode 17: Days of Rage
The Huntress is trying to stop, or quell an all out turf world in her New York territory, so she might have to rough up the Batman in order to maintain the peace in her neighborhood, no matter if she has to allow strange bed fellows in her orbit or not.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
#Batgirl Episode 35: Catafracts
Batgirl and Conner Hawke, the Green Arrow, put down the fists and pick up the team-up to take on the threat that is attacking Gotham's elite. And if this pairing wasn't enough for you, writer Chuck Dixon throws in one of the most endearing pairings of all of DC Comics, Stephanie Brown and Tim Drake, which is awesome, for now we can get more Stephanie/Cass time! Visit our website at www.thehuntresspodcast.com
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Episode 16: #Huntress 16 :Welcome to the Wrecking Ball
Again, the Huntress is fighting a war on multiple fronts, some internally, and a number of them are externally. She has been through many trails; however, that doesn't stop the fire. Things are heating up and simmering in issue 16 of The Huntress.
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Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Episode 15: Out There In TV Land
A new vigilante is in the neighborhood, and Helena doesn't know whether she should take this as an inspiring compliment, or a sign of disrespect. This new guy, The Waterfront Warrior, is hogging all the spotlight. And although The Huntress likes to move in the dark, she can't help but be a little ticked off that her work is not getting recognized.
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Episode 34: Batgirl issue 30
Wealthy, influential elites around Gotham are fatally taken out by a mystery assassin...in broad daylight! Batman is not in town, for Bruce Wayne was jailed for murder, and now he is a fugitive! Never fear, Gotham is still protected by...The Green Arrow??? Connner Hawke edition.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
Batgirl Episode 33: Bruce Fugitive Part 13
The Dynamic Duo, Batwing and Robin...I mean Nightwing team up to solve the case: Who murdered Vesper Fairchild?
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Sunday, July 7, 2019
Episode 14: Crossfire
Helena Bertinelli moves into a new rent controlled apartment in an at risk part of town, keeping her low profile while trying to figure out who she, Helena Bertinelli, really is. Meanwhile, we have an early 90's shock talk show host, a mobster with ambitions of exploitation of the masses, and a potential all out gang/race war.
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Friday, July 5, 2019
The Silent Knight
Back in July 1999 Cassandra Cain, created by Kelly Puckett and Damion Scott, made her debut in Batman 567, a chapter in the huge event, Batman: No Man's Land. Reading the saga several years after publication, I was intrigued by Batman having to go back to basics, the Bat Family placed in positions that showcased their skill set and vulnerabilities, the rogue gallery making do with scarce resources, and a peripheral ascension of an errand girl turned ward for Barbara Gordon, the Oracle.
The story about a fallen Gotham told in over 50 issues, assembling dozens of creative teams crafting a narrative of how Batman and Fam regained Gotham interested me a great deal. And in all the adversity, a silent hero was born, Cassandra Cain.
Kelly Puckett and Damion Scott are one of my favorite pairing in comics. Cassandra Cain, who started out nameless, voiceless, and homeless, is not powerless. Skillful in their storytelling, the creative team display language without words, yet still having voice, which is uplifted by a strong supportive cast, an interesting background, poignant moments, and action.
At times there are pages with no words, but a script that is gripping, much like the punches distributed by Cassandra Cain. Indeed learning about Cass's background post crises/pre New52, is quite gut wrenching, but what a fantastic hero we are given my this publishing company.
Folks, I'm still hung up on the music I loved from junior high and high school, scoffing at newer artists of the day, which I consider a huge character flaw of mine, and I am working on it. Yet Cassandra, who was raised to be a killer, is able to work through her origin of child abuse, motivated to do GOOD in Gotham and beyond the city limits. It's not like she started this horrific training at 14 years old. We are talking since birth her twisted upbringing has brought what could have easily been a life of tragedy and malice. Her father, David Cain, highly skilled-killer, created an environment where a young Cassandra never interacted with others, nor did she ever engage in speech or conversation, which engendered Cassandra becoming a weapon, communicating through body language, allowing Cass to go undefeated, predicting her opponents moves and bullet dogging ability.
Although this piece is all about Cass, I am also a Helena Bertinelli lover, so I must mention that the iconic Batgirl suit we see on Cassandra was actually created by Helena when she, a true Gotham Girl, remained behind during No Man's Land to defend it. Yep, while Bruce was out there finding his way, Helena never left. Feeling like her Huntress persona wasn't enough, Huntress sought after a symbol that would instill fear into those who engaged negatively in the lawlessness of the abandoned city. Although Bruce Wayne dished out his best jerk sandwiches towards Helena, she knew that the Bat, a symbol that cast fear in the cowardly, would elevate her mission in engendering some type of justice in what many considered a lost cause.
Many people think the "sealed mouth" feature of the costume is because Cassandra does not speak. However, the reason for the concealed cowl, if you will, was because Helena was spray painted in the face, leaving her mouth exposed a day after. And through trial and era of being the 3rd Batgirl, (Bette Kane counts) Helena sewed the mouth shut to disguise being identified in her dual roles. Many issues later via Batman's manipulative games, he fired Helena, donning Cassandra as the new Batgirl. All of this in the pages of No Man's Land.
Now Gotham has a new protector. Puckett and Scott did well, allowing the character to breath and grow in the pages of her own book. Each story its own, yet adding layers and dimensions to this dynamic character with movement, a change in countenance, eventually dialogue, and of course, action. 30 issues into the book and there were still key elements about the character that were not yet revealed, but looking back one knew the creators had it all plotted out. And no, the story doesn't come across as dragged out. With Batman and Oracle playing the role of pseudo parents in a way, the audience, whom may still be uneasy with a new Batgirl, have Barbara and Bruce as the ultimate co-sign.
Today her story and identity would be told in a single trade, and if that wasn't enough to intrigue the readers, the book would be dropped quickly. Cassandra is now Orphan. She is not starring in her own book, but she is on a team in the pages of Batman and the Outsiders. Also, the name I.D., Cassandra Cain will be said in the movie, Birds of Prey: The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. Many people are not fully comfortable with these interpretations of the character, but I feel like as long as the character's name is ringing out in the streets, DC Comics will always have new comers seeking out Cassandra's origins. And with these stories so readily available in their entirety in a digital platform, such as DC Universe, new readers are able to enjoy a new experience with old stories of the Silent Knight.
-Ashford
Sunday, June 30, 2019
The Huntress Special #1
Sean Ross of the Squadron Supreme Podcast joined Ashford to discuss his discovery of the The Huntress back in 1989.
Write to us at www.thehuntresspodcast.com and on Twitter @HuntressPodcast
Check out his podcast on iTunes. Catch him on Twitter @sean42AZ and pulp2pixel.blogspot.com
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