Harper Row: Bluebird Appreciation 2022

[Stars & Stripes]

Yes, despite DC's best efforts, Bluebird is still relevant as she's a co-main character in the Punchline backup stories within The Joker, presumably until April 2022 due to Tynion leaving the Bat-books. She's also shown up in the latest season of Young Justice, with the hopes of her being a major player.

Here's the 2021 Appreciation thread for Bluebird

So, new year, new opportunities. With Harper recently appearing in Punchline Special 1 and Dark Knights: Death Metal 5 and there being groundwork for her and Leslie Thompkins in the Punchline backup stories, 2021 looks to be a year where she can get a bit of the proverbial limelight.

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For new readers, I have compiled a list of appearances, with major issues being placed in bold.

Batman Volume 2 #1 First non-speaking appearance.
Batman Volume 2 #7 First speaking appearance, name dropped as well.
Batman Volume 2 #12 "Origin" issue, circling back to Batman Volume 2 #1. First appearance of Cullen Row.
Batman Volume 2 #18 First time Harper is in the prototype suit. First appearance of Marcus Row.

Detective Comics Volume 2 #21 Follow-up to Batman Volume 2 #18.

Batman Volume 2 #25 Flashback, gives insight to Harper's problem solving skills.
Batman Volume 2 #28 Batman Eternal preview, first appearance of Harper as Bluebird.
Batman Volume 2 #29 Cameo appearance during Batman: Zero Year.

Batman Eternal 2
Batman Eternal 5
Batman Eternal 12- 17
Batman Eternal 19
Batman Eternal 25-26
Batman Eternal 36
Batman Eternal 41
Batman Eternal 42
Batman Eternal 43-52

Batman Volume 2 #35 Cameo appearance during dream sequence, showing some future iteration of the Bluebird suit.
Batman Volume 2 #39 Fighting with the Bat-family.

Detective Comics: Endgame #1 Cameo appearance.

Batman Volume 2 #40 Fighting with the Bat-family.

Batman and Robin Eternal 1-14
Batman and Robin Eternal 17-26

Batgirl Volume 4 #47 Teams up with Batgirl, Spoiler, and Operator.
Batgirl Volume 4 #49
Batgirl Volume 4 #50
Batgirl Volume 4 #51 Makes front page.
Batgirl Volume 4 #52 Cameo appearance with Spoiler.

Detective Comics Volume 1 #943 First Rebirth appearance.
Detective Comics Volume 1 #944
Detective Comics Volume 1 #945 Reveal that Harper is bisexual.
Detective Comics Volume 1 #946
Detective Comics Volume 1 #950 Cameo appearance, tries to console Cassandra Cain.
Detective Comics Volume 1 #956
Detective Comics Volume 1 #964 Cameo appearance.

Punchline Special #1 Major part of the story, takes Harper out of retirement, Bluebird comes back.

The Joker Appears in Punchline backup stories as a co-lead

Future State: Gotham #5 One-panel cameo where she teams up with Batwoman to take down Killer Orca.

Dark Knights Death Metal #5 Cameo appearance.

[Frontier]

Happy New Year to Harper Row and fans .

[ZuLuLu]

Happy New year, 2021 was a good year for Harper with the backup series in the Joker, here is hoping that there is more to come in 2022.

[Stars & Stripes]

Really hoping she shows up on Batwoman and the Gotham Knights spinoff (as well as the game of the same name, but is otherwise unconnected).

[9th.]

In, i'll always be team Harper.

[Stars & Stripes]

Really hoping she shows up on Batwoman and the Gotham Knights spinoff (as well as the game of the same name, but is otherwise unconnected).

I guess I kinda called it?

[Stars & Stripes]

Now that the Punchline backups in The Joker have wrapped, how did everyone feel about how Bluebird was used in these stories? Will it be enough for you to seek the continuation if Harper shows up in it?

[charliehustle415]

Happy New year, 2021 was a good year for Harper with the backup series in the Joker, here is hoping that there is more to come in 2022.

I would love to see Dustin Nguyen written and drawn mini about Blue Bird especially in his new watercolor phase he has got going on now

[Westbats]

Thank you Stars & Stripes, I was preparing to make this thread, I should have better prepared towards the end of December. Guess I'll launch the 2023 thread when the time comes.

Yes, despite DC's best efforts, Bluebird is still relevant as she's a co-main character in the Punchline backup stories within The Joker, presumably until April 2022 due to Tynion leaving the Bat-books.

Here's the 2021 Appreciation thread for Bluebird

Can't break a good idea .

Really hoping she shows up on Batwoman and the Gotham Knights spinoff (as well as the game of the same name, but is otherwise unconnected).

Considering that the plot of Gotham Knights (the game) is inspired by Court of Owls/Night of The Owls, I hope that she'll make a cameo appearance as a NPC.

I would love to see Dustin Nguyen written and drawn mini about Blue Bird especially in his new watercolor phase he has got going on now

Well 2022 is the 10 year anniversary since she debuted, I'm hoping we get a Secret Files: Bluebird one-shot either in April (to coincide with her debut issue) or August (to coincide with her origin issue). Similarly, I feel like editorial is setting up Punchline and The Royal Flush Gang to be relevant post-The Joker, and I don't doubt where-ever Cullen and Punchline go, Harper won't be far behind.

[Westbats]

Read Punchline: Chapter 11 today and it certainly feels like editorial is setting up a status quo for Harper after April, though it is a tad frustrating to see her do little but be moral support for Kelly at this point. Once Tynion departs, I do think Sam Johns should continue as writer for this storyline, in whatever format it continues in.

At one point I speculated that Cullen would steal Harper's court pass and masquerade as her to get close to Kelly to pressure her, and while I still think that'll happen, chances are Kelly will make a run for it after running into the Royal Flush Gang member of the prosecution. Meaning that the prosecution will accept Kelly's right to testify, meaning that Chapters 12 thru 14 will be Harper trying to locate her again. I'm really hoping Harper gets some more panel space in the upcoming instalments.