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Birds of Prey (1999) (New Editions)
Birds of Prey, Vol. 2
The continued adventures of the loveliest and deadliest crime-fighters in the DCU from the critically acclaimed superstar team of Chuck Dixon, Greg Land and Drew Geraci.
The Birds of Prey have become a tight-knit partnership, even though Black Canary has never seen Oracle face to face. But their friendship and their lives could be cut short when Black Canary finds herself in the middle of a deadly hunt led by the ruthless cult leader Kobra for a long-forgotten piece of Russian technology. And as Black Canary fights for her life, Oracle has her own troubles when the U.S. Army begins tracking down the person hacking into their systems. All of this, plus guest stars Batman, Nightwing and—Guy Gardner?
Collected for the first time in chronological order: BIRDS OF PREY #1-11 and BIRDS OF PREY: RAVENS #1.
The Birds of Prey have become a tight-knit partnership, even though Black Canary has never seen Oracle face to face. But their friendship and their lives could be cut short when Black Canary finds herself in the middle of a deadly hunt led by the ruthless cult leader Kobra for a long-forgotten piece of Russian technology. And as Black Canary fights for her life, Oracle has her own troubles when the U.S. Army begins tracking down the person hacking into their systems. All of this, plus guest stars Batman, Nightwing and—Guy Gardner?
Collected for the first time in chronological order: BIRDS OF PREY #1-11 and BIRDS OF PREY: RAVENS #1.
296 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,252 books760 followersCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 4, 2020
A reprint of the original Birds of Prey ongoing series from the 90's. The series features some of Greg Land's first comic art and you can even see here just how good of an artist he would grow into. The series focuses just on Oracle and Black Canary as they investigate missing persons and free political prisoners throughout the globe.
July 1, 2020
A fun second volume. I really enjoy Babs and Dinah's friendship, though it does feel a little one-sided at times since Babs knows almost everything there is to know about Dinah, but Dinah remains in the dark about who it is she is talking to.
I loved the Nightwing issue especially - I'm not completely up on his dating history, so I'm not sure how long he and Babs were together for, why or when they broke up etc. Did her being shot have anything to do with it? He seems to still love her, but is he in love with her? I interpreted it as he was, but without the background knowledge I'm not sure.
Also, I would have been angrier with Batman
I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
I loved the Nightwing issue especially - I'm not completely up on his dating history, so I'm not sure how long he and Babs were together for, why or when they broke up etc. Did her being shot have anything to do with it? He seems to still love her, but is he in love with her? I interpreted it as he was, but without the background knowledge I'm not sure.
Also, I would have been angrier with Batman
I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
December 29, 2020
2.5 stars, if I'm feeling nice.
I've said it before, I can only recommend Gail Simone's volumes of this series. The first volume of Dixon's was meh and this one was worse, somehow. Save one haunting issue, the women are drawn as stereotypically as you'd expect (so thin at times it's a wonder they have any organs). The plots come just this side of almost being progressive before there's some chauvinist storyline to remind you that they are women (being written by men). And it's just... hard.
There were some things I liked: Dinah and Babs' relationship, Dinah finding out more about Babs, Babs going to the circus, Babs and Dinah kicking ass. That's it.
The "Ravens" were so bland I forgot about their arc immediately after it ended. I get that part of it was meant to contrast the trust in Dinah and Babs' partnership but it just made Cheshire look incompetent. I found Bruce's "Big Brother" act annoying. Dick pops in and he's not charming, he's smothering. The last arc with Dinah and the rapey Guy Gardner clone was just disgusting.
The Dick of it all was just hard to read. In all my jumping around in reading DC comics, I've only ever read the aftermath of DickBabs where they talk about how they ran their romantic relationship into the ground and in reading this issue of Birds of Prey, I think these two should never try to date ever again. I mean Cetus-Lupeedus, they're awful for each other.
Anyway, there was not enough good to outweigh the meh and the bad definitely outweighed the good so... not a recommend from me.
I've said it before, I can only recommend Gail Simone's volumes of this series. The first volume of Dixon's was meh and this one was worse, somehow. Save one haunting issue, the women are drawn as stereotypically as you'd expect (so thin at times it's a wonder they have any organs). The plots come just this side of almost being progressive before there's some chauvinist storyline to remind you that they are women (being written by men). And it's just... hard.
There were some things I liked: Dinah and Babs' relationship, Dinah finding out more about Babs, Babs going to the circus, Babs and Dinah kicking ass. That's it.
The "Ravens" were so bland I forgot about their arc immediately after it ended. I get that part of it was meant to contrast the trust in Dinah and Babs' partnership but it just made Cheshire look incompetent. I found Bruce's "Big Brother" act annoying. Dick pops in and he's not charming, he's smothering. The last arc with Dinah and the rapey Guy Gardner clone was just disgusting.
The Dick of it all was just hard to read. In all my jumping around in reading DC comics, I've only ever read the aftermath of DickBabs where they talk about how they ran their romantic relationship into the ground and in reading this issue of Birds of Prey, I think these two should never try to date ever again. I mean Cetus-Lupeedus, they're awful for each other.
Anyway, there was not enough good to outweigh the meh and the bad definitely outweighed the good so... not a recommend from me.
April 3, 2016
So in the comments it was mentioned that this is a re-print. I didn't realize that, I did check the date that my library had for publication and the only one they had listed was 2016 so I thought this was a newer comic. This comic isn't that great. It only follows two of the Birds of Prey. Oracle and Black Canary. There is another team of ladies that Black Canary runs into and I have no idea who they are. This was a long comic. If I had known it was a reprint I wouldn't have bothered with it and I would tell you to do the same. Hoping for a new Birds of Prey comic soon.
August 10, 2022
Wow, i really wasn't hoping that i would like that book, that much! This was super fun!
It's a good ol' book, where we got two "secret" agents, one on the field and other with the high tech on the back, solving missions and doing the dirty work. Yes, we got some silly situations, as time travel and all, but it really didn't take away the fun of the book.
And on this one, we have the famous story with Dick and Babs on Haly's. And i believe i need to say something about it. Nightwing is my favorite hero ever, and usually, this issue is on some lists about the "Best Nightwing stories ever". But, really, this is a Babs story. It's really beautiful what Dick does for her. It's Dick being what he is. But it's where Babs finally understands what she had suffer in the past years and what she needs to do to keep being over it. It's what she needs to become. Amazing.
About the art, Greg Land is a monster. Yes, i know what a lot of people say about this girls, but i like it. And his Dinah is stepping over men's heads as we all like to see. On to the next one!
It's a good ol' book, where we got two "secret" agents, one on the field and other with the high tech on the back, solving missions and doing the dirty work. Yes, we got some silly situations, as time travel and all, but it really didn't take away the fun of the book.
And on this one, we have the famous story with Dick and Babs on Haly's. And i believe i need to say something about it. Nightwing is my favorite hero ever, and usually, this issue is on some lists about the "Best Nightwing stories ever". But, really, this is a Babs story. It's really beautiful what Dick does for her. It's Dick being what he is. But it's where Babs finally understands what she had suffer in the past years and what she needs to do to keep being over it. It's what she needs to become. Amazing.
About the art, Greg Land is a monster. Yes, i know what a lot of people say about this girls, but i like it. And his Dinah is stepping over men's heads as we all like to see. On to the next one!
March 23, 2021
While this does suffer from that 90s "always gotta be thinking about a man" thing, this is still mostly a fun book! I love the banter between Dinah and Babs - even though Dinah doesn't know Oracle's identity yet. The Babs/Dick date was cute, but I don't get why they can't be together? And Babs keeps insisting she's "over it", but clearly she isn't so... Maybe that's what it is? I dunno. I also don't understand the whole plot with Cheshire and the Ravens? Why are they in the book? Look, I love Cheshire, especially when she interacts with Black Canary, but they had one punch in the face together and that's it, and their stories didn't really intertwine.
Ps. I am very fond of this characterization of Dinah.
Ps. I am very fond of this characterization of Dinah.
August 31, 2020
Despite only two birds in the nest, the undercover adventures still bring plenty of action packed panache with a few guest appearances and some romantic tension. A- (91%/Excellent)
March 12, 2017
I was immediately a bit nervous about this when I spotted that the majority of the art was pencilled by Greg Land. I'm not a fan of his more recent work, particularly for how he draws women. Given that this is mainly a book about two ladies saving the day, I was reasonably concerned.
I hate to use the phrase "good, for the '90s" when talking about art in comic, but given this is from 1999, I was surprised to find I actually quite like the art. Land's faces and expressions particularly are far less bland than they are now, and you can see quite a lot of Dodson's style in his work (this is definitely a good thing!).
The storytelling is fun - lots of great action stuff (was very pleased to see Kobra as well as Dinah vs off-brand Nessie). There's also some charming character stuff, I really liked the issue where Babs and Dick have a cute circus "date".
Given I've only read Simone's BoP before this, I was expecting quite a lot from this series, knowing what it could be. This impressed me a lot and I'll be tracking down the other recently published collections.
I'd recommend for anyone who wants some fun all-ladies action fluff with dynamic art; knowledge of the characters not really necessary.
I hate to use the phrase "good, for the '90s" when talking about art in comic, but given this is from 1999, I was surprised to find I actually quite like the art. Land's faces and expressions particularly are far less bland than they are now, and you can see quite a lot of Dodson's style in his work (this is definitely a good thing!).
The storytelling is fun - lots of great action stuff (was very pleased to see Kobra as well as Dinah vs off-brand Nessie). There's also some charming character stuff, I really liked the issue where Babs and Dick have a cute circus "date".
Given I've only read Simone's BoP before this, I was expecting quite a lot from this series, knowing what it could be. This impressed me a lot and I'll be tracking down the other recently published collections.
I'd recommend for anyone who wants some fun all-ladies action fluff with dynamic art; knowledge of the characters not really necessary.
Read
February 12, 2020Oracle and Black Canary settle into their ongoing series in this volume, which is a slight improvement over the first. These stories follow the same fun espionage formula, with the two leads developing their friendship personally and professionally as they free political prisoners around the globe. With an ongoing series, the stories are given more room to develop and Dixon can spend more time on character drama. Case in point: the issue with Nightwing. I love Dick and Babs’ together, and this issue is a nice look at their blossoming romance. Elsewhere, there’s an ongoing plot of the U.S. government trying to locate Oracle (good luck with that). We also see Black Canary stumble upon Jason Bard and a Guy Gardner clone. The Ravens story, on the other hand, did nothing for me.
This book isn't Earth-shattering, but it’s a fun way to spend a few hours. Dinah and Babs already have a good dynamic at 11 issues.
This book isn't Earth-shattering, but it’s a fun way to spend a few hours. Dinah and Babs already have a good dynamic at 11 issues.
July 6, 2022
Some outdated terms, but otherwise a good read. I'm still really enjoying seeing Oracle in action!
July 29, 2016
Still hunting down the sleaze of the world Black Canary (with Oracle at the assist) stumbles into a slave ring with a twist. These slaves are also kidnapped heiresses, business moguls and other member of the One Percent. The scheme is a good one (forced labor and ransom? Score!)
Also included in this volume is a semi-romantic interlude with Nightwing, and the adventures of the female mercenary group, The Ravens, who cross paths with the Birds off and on. And sea monsters, for good measure.
Dixon expands all of our troubled favorite ladies and challenges them in less than physical ways. Oracle dodges the military and Batman's babying. Black Canary tries to help people who really need it, sometimes even if they don't deserve it. It's nice to see them come together to a place where they're standing up for people because it's what's right, not because they're invincible or martial arts masters.
Dixon also touches on the issues that super powered people would bring, like people suddenly becoming weapons in the nuclear arms race.
This volume has its fun moments, but also has a more sober tone that the first book. Still, it's a fantastic read, very recommended for comic fans, and public libraries wanting to build a collection.
Also included in this volume is a semi-romantic interlude with Nightwing, and the adventures of the female mercenary group, The Ravens, who cross paths with the Birds off and on. And sea monsters, for good measure.
Dixon expands all of our troubled favorite ladies and challenges them in less than physical ways. Oracle dodges the military and Batman's babying. Black Canary tries to help people who really need it, sometimes even if they don't deserve it. It's nice to see them come together to a place where they're standing up for people because it's what's right, not because they're invincible or martial arts masters.
Dixon also touches on the issues that super powered people would bring, like people suddenly becoming weapons in the nuclear arms race.
This volume has its fun moments, but also has a more sober tone that the first book. Still, it's a fantastic read, very recommended for comic fans, and public libraries wanting to build a collection.
November 28, 2016
Overall, enjoyed the writing here, but the art is just not my cuppa. It's nice to see the relationship between Dinah and Oracle develop, but I can't understand why Oracle's identity was such a secret at first. Then it seems Dinah figures out who Nightwing is when he's manning the com that time, but nothing indicates how she did that. Kobra is the bad guy for one arc, then we have a nice one shot featuring Oracle and Nightwing that hit some good spots.
Still, Chuck Dixon generally writes some good Bat-books, and it was a nice surprise seeing Jason Bard again. There's plenty of action and character development, even with secondary characters. Looking forward to the next volume in this series.
Still, Chuck Dixon generally writes some good Bat-books, and it was a nice surprise seeing Jason Bard again. There's plenty of action and character development, even with secondary characters. Looking forward to the next volume in this series.
March 27, 2017
While I've always enjoyed Birds Of Prey, this early collection is not very good. The Birds are better served with more grounded action, not time travel and alien clones. Dinah and Barbara's relationship isn't as symbiotic as it is later in their relationship and here its still awkward. There was a great chapter exploring Dick and Babs past but overall the story is forgettable. The art, mostly by Greg Land is very good but not a lot to work with here.
August 27, 2020
Review: I'm not really a fan of Birds of Prey, and I did not enjoy the first volume/collection. But my goodness, this collection makes up for it! While I still can't say I'm a huge fan of BOP, this volume was really enjoyable regardless. It didn't get bogged down with too-long stories, sticking instead to 3-issue stories, and balancing out Barb and Canary's sides of the stories a bit better. It also felt finally like they were a team, even friends, whereas before it felt more like Barb/Oracle was running the show and Canary was a hired agent. The stories were enjoyable, with ongoing threads ("who's watching Barbara?" "When will Canary find out Oracle's identity?" "Who are the Ravens, and what are they up to?") that popped up and were nice, complementary sidestories to keep you interested.
The art is also really nice- big improvement over the last volume. Action scenes, relaxed scenes... everything looks great. Also, the artist manages to avoid making everything super-sexualized, which, as a female reader, is a relief.
Overall, definitely a good read. I would recommend this over Birds of Prey volume 1; as long as you know the general "superhero Charlie's Angels" sort of premise, you'll be okay jumping in here.
Issue-by-Issue Synopsis: The first three issues deal with a case on the tropical island of Rheelasia. Canary is sent in to investigate a shady figure, Jack Pamerjanian, who, it turns out, has been kidnapping rich people from around the world and forcing them to work on his plantation, keeping them alive only as long as their families and/or businesses pay up. Canary has to face Jack's lackey Hellhound and runs with former detective Jack Bard in her attempts to escape. Meanwhile, Barbara opens up to an internet friend "Beeb" and gets help from Robin (probably Tim) while trying to help her friend and partner.
The next issue introduces the Ravens, a team lead by Cheshire and consisting of Vicious, Termina, Pistolera, facing off international crime syndicate S.I.M.O.N. Again, this story happens in Rheelasia (why is this series so obsessed with this one island? Is there nothing else going on in the whole world?) Their actions alert the Birds of Prey, who probably don't know about them yet but know something is going on in Rheelasia (why doesn't Canary just move there...) Meanwhile, the US government starts trying to track whomever is using their intel...
The next three issue sees the Ravens and Black Canary cross paths in Minnesota and end up in the Jurassic Period... it's complicated. She's on vacation, they're on a secret mission, there's a Loch Ness Monster.... you kinda have to read it yourself. Good comics fun. Meanwhile, the government zeroes in on Barbara's location... Fun issues.
An interesting one-off issue in which Canary attempts to extradite a general known for his heinous crimes against humanity back to his home country for justice... and learns that there is always more than one side to the story.
The next issue is more of a flashback, as Nightwing remembers a night out (not a "date" technically) with Barbara, having a good time at his circus and talking about life. Very enjoyable.
The last set of issues deals with Canary on a mission in a Russian-like country, freeing a scientist from a gulag. Only, it turns out he isn't exactly a prisoner, and he's not alone... he's accompanied by "Joe Clone," . It turns out the BOP have been set up and are in over their heads, risking an international incident at best. It sort of wraps up, but leaves a mysterious villain working in the background and a "to be continued..."
The art is also really nice- big improvement over the last volume. Action scenes, relaxed scenes... everything looks great. Also, the artist manages to avoid making everything super-sexualized, which, as a female reader, is a relief.
Overall, definitely a good read. I would recommend this over Birds of Prey volume 1; as long as you know the general "superhero Charlie's Angels" sort of premise, you'll be okay jumping in here.
Issue-by-Issue Synopsis: The first three issues deal with a case on the tropical island of Rheelasia. Canary is sent in to investigate a shady figure, Jack Pamerjanian, who, it turns out, has been kidnapping rich people from around the world and forcing them to work on his plantation, keeping them alive only as long as their families and/or businesses pay up. Canary has to face Jack's lackey Hellhound and runs with former detective Jack Bard in her attempts to escape. Meanwhile, Barbara opens up to an internet friend "Beeb" and gets help from Robin (probably Tim) while trying to help her friend and partner.
The next issue introduces the Ravens, a team lead by Cheshire and consisting of Vicious, Termina, Pistolera, facing off international crime syndicate S.I.M.O.N. Again, this story happens in Rheelasia (why is this series so obsessed with this one island? Is there nothing else going on in the whole world?) Their actions alert the Birds of Prey, who probably don't know about them yet but know something is going on in Rheelasia (why doesn't Canary just move there...) Meanwhile, the US government starts trying to track whomever is using their intel...
The next three issue sees the Ravens and Black Canary cross paths in Minnesota and end up in the Jurassic Period... it's complicated. She's on vacation, they're on a secret mission, there's a Loch Ness Monster.... you kinda have to read it yourself. Good comics fun. Meanwhile, the government zeroes in on Barbara's location... Fun issues.
An interesting one-off issue in which Canary attempts to extradite a general known for his heinous crimes against humanity back to his home country for justice... and learns that there is always more than one side to the story.
The next issue is more of a flashback, as Nightwing remembers a night out (not a "date" technically) with Barbara, having a good time at his circus and talking about life. Very enjoyable.
The last set of issues deals with Canary on a mission in a Russian-like country, freeing a scientist from a gulag. Only, it turns out he isn't exactly a prisoner, and he's not alone... he's accompanied by "Joe Clone," . It turns out the BOP have been set up and are in over their heads, risking an international incident at best. It sort of wraps up, but leaves a mysterious villain working in the background and a "to be continued..."
June 20, 2017
Although this graphic novel has a high level of drawing/design/color/lettering etc - I didn't think it coalesced into a comprehensible story - there was way too much skipping back and forth, but not in a way that was particularly helpful to plot development. It is great that women are portrayed as powerful and confident, but there were subtle, perhaps snickering hints of sexism as well - not in your face sexism, but simply hinted at, as when the protagonist is obviously conflicted between her abhorrence vs her attraction to the boorish "macho" male clone in the final chapter. Is that supposed to mean that underneath her principles, she would still be drawn to the brawny boor, because of his brawn?
I thought the idea of the contact - Oracle - being wheel-chair bound after an accident - yet participating virtually in the adventures of the Black Canary - was great. A flashback hints at a romance post Oracles partial paralysis which never goes anywhere.
I suppose this bright, ultra colorful graphic novel is today's version of action hero comics of a former age, which were printed on much cheaper paper, were thinner, and had less brilliant colors. Obviously, the comics or graphic novel industry has developed and improved since the days of my youth more than 50 years ago. I wasn't much of an action hero comic book fan but I remember eyeing the comics at the corner candy store, and occasionally buying an Archie and Veronica comic. Comics were in general frowned on in those days, as cheap entertainment. If a kid wanted to read for amusement, then there were children's books. Comics weren't considered a replacement for books in those days. Mad Magazine was sort of in the same category - a "guilty" pleasure, that would inevitably turn up, but be considered a waste of time nonetheless, compared to reading an edifying book or studying. Actually, in my family, me and my siblings were all voracious and omnivorous readers and would tend to devour anything that came along. We'd read each others books and discus them - or the older kid might discuss a book that a younger kid was just getting to in school that the older sibling had read the year or a couple of years before. Since I was the youngest kid, it was great for me since I could benefit from the accumulated wisdom/books of the older kids. None of us really were comic book buffs. The recreational reading was mystery novels, Agatha Christie, any sort of novel, tons of paperback books which in those days were relatively inexpensive. There was a constant traffic of books moving from one kid to another, once the book was read it might end up on a shelf but then was read by another sibling. I would say this ferment of reading went on for several years - definitely for me from pre-school years to when the older kids began moving out one by one, I guess around 15 years or so. I have no idea what might have happened had it not been for this extra reading and discussion at home - would I have discovered books on my own? Still, luckily, all of us seemed to become readers which was extremely useful in later life -- I think the tendency to read also translates into study (somehow). If you like reading, then you probably like studying, even if you are only reading sections of textbooks etc.
This graphic novel is I suppose spectacular in its design, color, layout, but nevertheless, I found that it didn't hang together well - seemed choppy. The trio of women the Black Canary recruited in the early section, disappeared with little explanation later. Maybe they'll reappear in some future installment of Birds of Prey, but it was somewhat disconcerting that they ventured into the age of the saber tooth tigers, tried to return to their own era - but seemed to have missed it "by a long shot."
I thought the idea of the contact - Oracle - being wheel-chair bound after an accident - yet participating virtually in the adventures of the Black Canary - was great. A flashback hints at a romance post Oracles partial paralysis which never goes anywhere.
I suppose this bright, ultra colorful graphic novel is today's version of action hero comics of a former age, which were printed on much cheaper paper, were thinner, and had less brilliant colors. Obviously, the comics or graphic novel industry has developed and improved since the days of my youth more than 50 years ago. I wasn't much of an action hero comic book fan but I remember eyeing the comics at the corner candy store, and occasionally buying an Archie and Veronica comic. Comics were in general frowned on in those days, as cheap entertainment. If a kid wanted to read for amusement, then there were children's books. Comics weren't considered a replacement for books in those days. Mad Magazine was sort of in the same category - a "guilty" pleasure, that would inevitably turn up, but be considered a waste of time nonetheless, compared to reading an edifying book or studying. Actually, in my family, me and my siblings were all voracious and omnivorous readers and would tend to devour anything that came along. We'd read each others books and discus them - or the older kid might discuss a book that a younger kid was just getting to in school that the older sibling had read the year or a couple of years before. Since I was the youngest kid, it was great for me since I could benefit from the accumulated wisdom/books of the older kids. None of us really were comic book buffs. The recreational reading was mystery novels, Agatha Christie, any sort of novel, tons of paperback books which in those days were relatively inexpensive. There was a constant traffic of books moving from one kid to another, once the book was read it might end up on a shelf but then was read by another sibling. I would say this ferment of reading went on for several years - definitely for me from pre-school years to when the older kids began moving out one by one, I guess around 15 years or so. I have no idea what might have happened had it not been for this extra reading and discussion at home - would I have discovered books on my own? Still, luckily, all of us seemed to become readers which was extremely useful in later life -- I think the tendency to read also translates into study (somehow). If you like reading, then you probably like studying, even if you are only reading sections of textbooks etc.
This graphic novel is I suppose spectacular in its design, color, layout, but nevertheless, I found that it didn't hang together well - seemed choppy. The trio of women the Black Canary recruited in the early section, disappeared with little explanation later. Maybe they'll reappear in some future installment of Birds of Prey, but it was somewhat disconcerting that they ventured into the age of the saber tooth tigers, tried to return to their own era - but seemed to have missed it "by a long shot."
February 19, 2024
This was another great volume and we see Dinah go up against someone call "Jackie Pajamas", weird name for a villain, but she goes against them to stop human trafficking and all and we see her team up with Jason bard, who maybe an antagonist but isn't and their team up and chemistry and the fate of the others eyes and yeah its sad to watch and how Babs helps them from her side and I love seeing the exploration of this relationship! And there is a villain Hellhound who was meh and then a sbplot developing with someone named Carlita.
Then the big story of Cheshire's team, the Ravens and its members like Termina and how they're tryna stop some virus or something and how it involves KOBRA too and how one of their members betrays them, and Canary on this island and how she gets tangled in the mess of the Ravens and fights against them and with some weird monsters there, but its a fun face off and canary being awesome, the action sequences in that story were so well drawn and you see people targeting Barbara and where she might be, and the way she leads them to Blockbuster is funny lmao, and meanwhile online romance?? Maybe Ted Kord??
Its a fun read and them some stand alone stories which I freaking loved here, like the one where Dinah is rescuing some evil guy who she presumes to be evil and well their escape and his sacrifice trying to save hers and her learning not to judge people and politics of the time plus something with Nightwing, and we see Babs and Dick get together and the romantic tension which I just love, its so cute and leads to a fun chill issue.
And then the 2 part story involving Guy Gardener's clone named Joe and this mad scientist that Dinah rescue not knowing who they were really and how they navigate this awkward situation and its set in some foreign country, maybe east europe, and how it may start a global war and big tensions but I just love how Dinah has to stop this 'Joe' and yeah it just shows you they really made Guy Gardener weird, so this was a nice wrap up to the whole thing I am presuming.
But what I loved about this volume was the spotlight on BC and her growing friendship with Barbara and how they compliment each other so well and well her being awesome and the action scenes are so good, the art really compliments the writing, and she is shown as a sexy superhero, but also an amazing fighter, and I just love how they show that but the canary cry was differently done here and helps make it be more grounded.
Oracle gets a nice focus too and I can't wait to see how Ted Kord ties into it and that Batman-Barbara moment was kinda funny, and yeah brother eye joke here, but overall a solid read, and I loved it more than the last volume and can't wait to continue reading more!!
Then the big story of Cheshire's team, the Ravens and its members like Termina and how they're tryna stop some virus or something and how it involves KOBRA too and how one of their members betrays them, and Canary on this island and how she gets tangled in the mess of the Ravens and fights against them and with some weird monsters there, but its a fun face off and canary being awesome, the action sequences in that story were so well drawn and you see people targeting Barbara and where she might be, and the way she leads them to Blockbuster is funny lmao, and meanwhile online romance?? Maybe Ted Kord??
Its a fun read and them some stand alone stories which I freaking loved here, like the one where Dinah is rescuing some evil guy who she presumes to be evil and well their escape and his sacrifice trying to save hers and her learning not to judge people and politics of the time plus something with Nightwing, and we see Babs and Dick get together and the romantic tension which I just love, its so cute and leads to a fun chill issue.
And then the 2 part story involving Guy Gardener's clone named Joe and this mad scientist that Dinah rescue not knowing who they were really and how they navigate this awkward situation and its set in some foreign country, maybe east europe, and how it may start a global war and big tensions but I just love how Dinah has to stop this 'Joe' and yeah it just shows you they really made Guy Gardener weird, so this was a nice wrap up to the whole thing I am presuming.
But what I loved about this volume was the spotlight on BC and her growing friendship with Barbara and how they compliment each other so well and well her being awesome and the action scenes are so good, the art really compliments the writing, and she is shown as a sexy superhero, but also an amazing fighter, and I just love how they show that but the canary cry was differently done here and helps make it be more grounded.
Oracle gets a nice focus too and I can't wait to see how Ted Kord ties into it and that Batman-Barbara moment was kinda funny, and yeah brother eye joke here, but overall a solid read, and I loved it more than the last volume and can't wait to continue reading more!!
April 14, 2023
More Birds of Prey!
I bought these a few years back, but I read them a few years prior to that. I basically started collecting the reprints of all the series I read completely legally.
Bab's and Dinah friendship was really sweet, especially early on in the BoP series.
I adore the birds and bats a lot, so I started collecting all the different comics. I don't regret collecting them at all.
These books were written a couple decades ago, so that needs to be remembered.
That said I remember Chuck Dixon wasn't great at the time. He ended up being blacklisted from comics in general back then. He was fairly homophobic / bigoted. I'm unsure if things have changed in the past few decades. While his characters and writing has been memorable, I'm glad they've mostly been divorced from him in the years in between
I bought these a few years back, but I read them a few years prior to that. I basically started collecting the reprints of all the series I read completely legally.
Bab's and Dinah friendship was really sweet, especially early on in the BoP series.
I adore the birds and bats a lot, so I started collecting all the different comics. I don't regret collecting them at all.
These books were written a couple decades ago, so that needs to be remembered.
That said I remember Chuck Dixon wasn't great at the time. He ended up being blacklisted from comics in general back then. He was fairly homophobic / bigoted. I'm unsure if things have changed in the past few decades. While his characters and writing has been memorable, I'm glad they've mostly been divorced from him in the years in between
December 2, 2018
After reading the first Volume I wasn’t sure I even wanted to read this. While the first volume seemed to be phoned in at times, this was actually pretty good and had exactly what the first volume lacked. A decent storyline and less guest stars. Having a decent story arc is crucial to keeping readers vested and Prey for all of its goofy action is a lot fun to read.
I wasn’t a big fan, but after this volume I am. I may continue to read more of this just to see how it progresses. My advice to anyone who wants to check out Birds Of Prey, avoid the first volume and just start here. This is a decent look back at the series and doesn’t contain much filler.
I wasn’t a big fan, but after this volume I am. I may continue to read more of this just to see how it progresses. My advice to anyone who wants to check out Birds Of Prey, avoid the first volume and just start here. This is a decent look back at the series and doesn’t contain much filler.
November 5, 2019
While these comics lack a certain "wow" factor to really impress me, so far they've been consistently enjoyable, which is saying a lot. I wouldn't say there are any particularly memorable stories in this volume (although I always enjoy seeing Nightwing) but the relationship between Oracle and Black Canary shows promise, and I'm curious how that is going develop in later issues. I can see a million ways for this comic run to go wrong and disappoint me (especially considering how long it is) so I'm cautiously optimistic that that it will hold my interest for at least another few books.
(Also, I think the art in this one was better than the last one)
(Also, I think the art in this one was better than the last one)
December 8, 2022
Meh. It's fairly standard superhero comics. Oracle dispatches Black Canary to an odd corner of the world, Black Canary gets into trouble, Black Canary fights her way out of it, rinse and repeat. The book is saved from a two star review, and is made readable, by a single issue in the middle where Dick and Barb go to the circus. There are no capes, no villains even, but it is very strong character development as they discuss the difference between forgiveness and acceptance, and the ways their past traumas impact their current lives. It's a very good issue. The rest is ultimately quite forgettable and doesn't need to be read in the greater Bat Family story.
July 2, 2017
I stopped reading this books for a bit, but it wasn't because it wasn't good, I just wasn't in a mood... So the details from the bit I read in March aren't that fresh in my head anymore
But I really liked this book - it's so interesting to see the relationship between the Oracle and the Black Canary develop, both as super heroes and people. And there's a Nigthwing chapter that hit me so hard...
But yeah, it's a fun comic and I totally recommend it (even if I do prefer the more recent ones, but that's just because Poison Ivy is in them, and she's my favorite DC character :) )
But I really liked this book - it's so interesting to see the relationship between the Oracle and the Black Canary develop, both as super heroes and people. And there's a Nigthwing chapter that hit me so hard...
But yeah, it's a fun comic and I totally recommend it (even if I do prefer the more recent ones, but that's just because Poison Ivy is in them, and she's my favorite DC character :) )
December 7, 2018
Black Canary and Oracle are definitively two of the most badass heroes around, but the concept of them working together without Dinah actually knowing who Oracle is is aa bit weird to me. Truthfully as badass as these women are, it was the Nightwing issue that made this volume for me. It was so sweet and true to both Dick and Barbara and made me wish there could be more. Looking forward to the next volume!
December 17, 2017
There isn’t anything special about this series. The artwork is good. The stories are entertaining. The heroines, Oracle the brains and Black Canary the muscle of the outfit, don’t have any superpowers themselves so Superman had to intervene to take down a supervillan (oops spoiler). It is an enjoyable action comic. Nothing more, nothing less.
October 26, 2019
Some fun but fluffy stories - but lacks the cosmopolitan Charlie's Angles espionage of volume 1, which also included Huntress. I do think as Oracle, Barbara Gordon was elevated to something unique, complex, and beautiful. And Black Canary is always the coolest, even if her 90s costume and hair are completely uncool.
December 17, 2022
Si Birds of Prey no es lo mejor que escribió Chuck Dixon en los 90s pasa cerca. Trama de espionaje con Bárbara en su rol de Oracle y Dinah cómo su fuerza de ataque. Sagas de no más de 3 números con bien desarrollo. Greg Land antes de copiar modelos se luce principalmente dibujando a Black Canary pegando patadas. Más de esto.
November 25, 2018
I found this fun. I want to read the one where black canary meets oracle. And I thought there were more birds of prey on the team, oh well. I really really liked the side story with nightwing. Overall a fun read and a good amount of issues for a decent price.
December 12, 2018
The writing is really good, especially the last couple of issues. And Greg Land’s art isn’t terrible, though you can see his bad habits forming. Barbara Gordon is such a good character too. I’m glad I’m reading this era of her stories.
March 9, 2019
I find that I'm not as big of a Birds of Prey fan as I thought I could've become. The stories I've read so far haven't really grabbed my attention that much for the most part. This volume makes it to four stars because of the spectacular issue centered around Barbara and Dick.
August 14, 2019
I love the dynamic of Babs and Dinah, they’re still perfect and hilarious and badass. But god the DickBabs in this? Stole my heart? It’s everything honestly. I love Barbara Gordon with my entire heart wtf
August 22, 2020
Bird Of Prey
Wasn't a slow or long read as I thought it might have been. It was pretty good. The banter between the two women was funny, lighthearted, but when it time for business, they went to work. Can't wait to read the next book.
Wasn't a slow or long read as I thought it might have been. It was pretty good. The banter between the two women was funny, lighthearted, but when it time for business, they went to work. Can't wait to read the next book.
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