Birds of Prey 108 and 109

Birds of Prey #108
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

Gail Simone’s final issue on this title is a tear jerker. You really feel that the writer is saying goodbye to her characters this issue. I don’t even know how to explain how good this issue is. Just read it. Characters from Simone’s entire run come back to defend Oracle against Spy Smasher. The “core team” cries together as they say their goodbyes and we find out who Misfit really is. It was amazing. Gail, thanks for making Birds of Prey a great read through your entire run.

Birds of Prey #109
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Nicola Scott

Bedard begins his fill-in run with this issue. This was a very enjoyable read that I believe lives up to what Simone has done with this book. Oracle and Black Canary discuss the Green Arrow-Black Canary relationship and I like how Oracle basically says she shouldn’t marry him. It was a nice way of looking back at each character’s histories. There were some major continuity error though, the use of the Ventriloquist when Batgirl was around (he didn’t come about until after she was crippled) and the mention that Connor’s mother was Shado. Shado was not Connor’s mother. Other than those errors, this was a great issue. My personal favorite about it must have been Big Barda playing with Pokemon Cards! Oh and this tied into Countdown perfectly.

Barbara Is Pissed

Birds of Prey #107
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

Gail Simone is leaving this title on a very high note. Sean McKeever (he still is taking this over right?) has very big shoes to fill. This is the conclusion of the Secret Six vs. Birds of Prey arc and it couldn’t have ended better. I am happy to say Ice is alive and back to her normal self. I was worried for a second there they were going to kill her off as soon as they ressurected her but nope, luckily I was wrong. Seeing Ice recognize Guy Gardner’s name put a smile on her face, it was his name that took her out of her evil spell. Any fan of the JLI would know why that would be. It will be fun to see those two re-unite. Barbara seems really pissed at Spy Smasher at the end and rightfully so. Spy Smasher is a bitch and a half. Oh and I am going to miss Lady Blackhawk, hopefully she will be back soon.

Did Ice Just Say Bastards?

Birds of Prey #106
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

Sadly, from next month’s cover, I get the feeling that Ice’s resurrection is going to be short-lived. Anyways though, this was a wild ass issue!!! I loved it!! Simone writes some of the greatest banter between two opponents in comics like ever. Everyone who likes fun comics should read this. It is fun and action-packed. Some people were really looking forward to the Knockout/Big Barda fight teased on the cover and it was well and good, but I think all of the fights were good. Hawkgirl and Scandal, Harley Quinn and Misfit (Hilarious), Catman and The Huntress, Manhunter and Ragdoll (I loved how Manhunter noticed ragdoll’s balls are missing haha. Forget those naysayers who say this series is not as good without Dinah, I say it is better. I love the Black Canary but it was time for her to move on. This was just awesome.

And The New Member Of The Secret Six Is…

Birds of Prey #105
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

Hella ya! I am just loving this book. It is a lot of fun and good at the same time. The beginning about Rasputin was interesting and gross along with the murder. I am not sure what exactly is going on but I am really into it. I have no idea how that guy brought Ice back to life or what Spy Smasher wants to do with the Birds of Prey. But I am loving every moment of it all. The last page cliffhanger was amazing and I can not wait to see a full on fight between the Birds and the Secret Six. Oh and Harley Quinn being the new Sixth member is genius! (Actually anything with Harley in it is genius). I love the new Birds of Prey. It is such a refreshing change of pace for this book. Oh and did I say how much Nicola Scott lives.

Birds of Prey 103 and 104

Birds of Prey #103
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

Overall, I have to say that the new status quo of the Birds of Prey is a lot of fun and is a refreshing change. I really do think it was the right time for Dinah to move on. This issue was action-packed and a lot of fun. Spy Smasher is certainly making Oracle’s life a living hell. It was cool to see how she had a past with Barbara, you almost like Spy Smasher after reading this. I definitely recommend this issue.

Birds of Prey #104
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

Wow, I did not expect the last page surprise of this issue! And I don’t think anyone did. I am not going to spoil for you all, but definitely go out and buy this issue. It is one hell of a shocker. It was also really fun to see the Birds interact with the Secret Six. The six are a fun villain group and it is good to see them anywhere. I liked the mention of how the former JLI has taken some hits over the last few years and talk of Rocket Red. It makes a fan boy like me smile. Simone is fantastic writer if I haven’t already said that enough. This was a hell of an issue.

Barbara Vs. Lois

Birds of Prey #102
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

Now this was a good issue. Lots of action and tension, it really keeps you at the edge of your seat. Misfit is a fun character and I hope she stays around for a while. The only thing that kinda bothered me about this issue is doesn’t Lois know that Barbara Gordon is Oracle? Didn’t her husband tell her? Does Superman even know? That just confused me and got me thinking. And why was Babs acting like Lois would take her down. Shouldn’t she know that Lois is a good person and won’t take down heroes just for a good story? I mean she has never revealed her husband is Superman, why would she reveal Barbara is Oracle? These are some interesting questions. I really am enjoying Nicola Scott’s art, he draws beautiful women but not in a sleazy way. We still do not know much about Judomaster, I would like to hear more about her. Oh and it was great to see Gypsy hasn’t been forgotten about. This issue really shows how much of an asset she is the birds. Oh and this issue also showed how badass and crazy Manhunter is. Highly reccomended.

Barda Like To Play With Her Mega-Rod

Birds of Prey #101
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

This is a pretty good issue, it was fun to see all of the new Birds working together and I am enjoying the new direction the book is taking. There is a little too much boohooing over Canary leaving the team but I really think it was time for her to go. Even in the comic, Barbara is too upset about it. I loved the moment where Huntress and Judomaster are making fun of the fact that Big Barda calls her staff a mega-rod. Very cute. That was a great moment. I don’t know much about Spy Smasher, I think I should do some research on her. She seems like such a bitch. The only problem I had with this is I do not really find myself caring at all about the whole prison sub-plot. It doesn’t interest me. I just like the character interactions. But I guess that is just a minor problem in what is a very enjoyable issue.

A Brand New Era For The Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey #100
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott, Doug Hazlewood, Paulo Sequiera and Robin Riggs
Cover by Jerry Ordway

It’s exciting to see a book like Birds of Prey reach its 100th issue, it is like the little engine that could. Gail Simone and Chuck Dixon before her have created a great series out of the adventures of Oracle and her agents. Here is to another hundred issues! This issue introduces a new era for the Birds, with Dinah leaving the team it looks like Oracle is turning the Birds into a who’s who of DC females as shown by the cover of this issue (which is great by the way.) It was fun to see all the lady super-heroes get their invitations into the Birds. But what about Gypsy, wasn’t she going to be a permanent member now? She is not even mentioned in this issue. Strange. While I enjoyed the main story, I enjoyed the back-up a lot more. I love how Dinah tells her life story to Sin. I am actually kindve excited to see that Dinah and Ollie might get back together, even though I know it has been hinted a million times in the past. Will their always be Black Canary back ups in this series? I guess time will tell but I certainly enjoyed this one. Fantastic milestone issue.