Bluebird (Harper Row) is a fictional character, a superhero and supporting character of Batman, appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Harper Row was created by writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo,[1] first appearing in Batman #7 (2012), before debuting as Bluebird in Batman #28 (2014).[2] Harper Row's Bluebird identity was designed by artist Dustin Nguyen.[3] Within the fictional DC Universe, Harper Row takes on the role of Batman's sidekick during the events of Batman Eternal, a year-long weekly maxiseries.
| Bluebird | |
|---|---|
Harper Row in costume as Bluebird, posing with her weapons. Art by Dustin Nguyen | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | As an unnamed woman: Batman #1 (September 2011) As Harper Row: Batman #7 (March 2012) As Bluebird: Batman #28 (February 2014) |
| Created by | Scott Snyder Greg Capullo |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Harper Row |
| Supporting character of | Batman |
| Abilities |
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Instead of taking on the mantle of Robin, which is traditionally that of Batman's sidekick, Harper Row instead adopts an entirely new superhero identity, Bluebird. Unlike Batman himself, Bluebird has no problem with using a gun.[4] Her appearance marks the arrival of the first new "Bat-family" character in Batman comics since DC relaunched its entire line in 2011 as part of its The New 52 publishing event.[5]
Publication history
Harper Row first appeared as an unnamed cameo in Batman #1 (Nov. 2011).[6] She later made her first full appearance in Batman #7 (May 2012), where it is noted that she and Batman have met before. Their previous encounter was detailed in Batman #12 (Oct. 2012), illustrated by Becky Cloonan; this issue marked the first time a female artist has worked on the Batman title.[7] Harper Row next appeared in Detective Comics #21 (Aug. 2013), the first time a writer other than Snyder has written her.
In Batman #28 (Apr. 2014), a sneak peak into the future of Batman Eternal, Harper Row makes her debut as Batman's new sidekick Bluebird.
Scott Snyder reportedly based Bluebird on a design created by the daughter of prominent cosplayer Kyrax2.[8] "Harper & Row" was also the name of the major American publishing firm Harper from 1962 to 1990.[6]
Fictional character biography
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2014) |
In early stories featuring Harper Row, she is introduced as a streetwise young woman from the Narrows, one of the roughest neighborhoods in Batman's locale of Gotham City. She and her brother are also revealed to be from a broken family with a deceased mother and a deadbeat father who would later end up in jail.[9] With such humble beginnings, Row did not seem naturally inclined to be a hero. In fact, she made her first appearance stealing food from a Wayne charity gala.[6] However, her life changed when Batman saved her brother Cullen from being gay-bashed, although not before the bullies managed to butcher Cullen's hair with a pair of scissors.
Batman's intervention left a lasting impression on the young woman. In addition to shaving her own head in solidarity with her brother, Harper began trying to learn more about Batman in order to assist him in his fight against crime in Gotham. She even managed to discover the devices Batman uses to disable the city's security cameras, and improved them with technology of her own design.[6]
Her efforts only earned the Batman's ire; at one point he rewarded Harper's attempts at helping him by breaking her nose.[9] Even saving Batman's life by pulling his unconscious body out of Gotham Bay and restarting his heart using only jumper cables and a car battery failed to win him over.[2]
Despite these setbacks, near-future flash forward shows that Row eventually manages to overcome Batman's reservations and joins him in fighting crime as the costumed vigilante Bluebird.[5]
References
- ^ Santori-Griffith, Matthew. "Interview: Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Revisit Batman's ZERO YEAR". Comicosity. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- ^ a b Rogers, Vaneta (February 12, 2014). "Robin Is Dead, So Meet Batman's New Comic Book Sidekick". MTV.com News. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ Zalben, Alex (February 12, 2014). "SCOTT SNYDER Talks BLUEBIRD, SPOILER & BATMAN's 'New Generation of Allies'". Newsarama. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ Franich, Darren (February 12, 2014). "Batman has a new female sidekick: Meet Bluebird". Entertainment Weekly Popwatch. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ a b Burlingame, Russ (February 12, 2014). "Batman, Meet Bluebird: Harper Row's Role Revealed in Today's Issue". Comicbook.com. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Johnston, Rich (August 8, 2012). "A History Of Harpers Row In Batman #12". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- ^ Nagorski, Alex (August 8, 2012). "Spotlight on BATMAN #12 Guest Artist Becky Cloonan". DC Comics. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (February 13, 2014). "How Scott Snyder Turned The Batgirl Of San Diego's Daughter Into DC's New Batman Superhero, Bluebird". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ a b "Alternating Currents: Batman 18, Mikyzptlk and Scott". Retcon Punch. March 14, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
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