Birds of Prey #1 is written by Kelly Thompson and published by DC Comics. Art is by Leonardo Romero, colours by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is by Romero and Bellaire.
Birds of Prey #1 is available now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
Every mission matters. Every life saved is a miracle. But this time, it’s personal. Dinah Lance is one of the DCU’s most elite fighters, and combined with her sonic scream, she’s a fearsome foe in any scenario…but sometimes even the Black Canary needs help. Faced with a personal mission brought to her by a mysterious new ally, and up against near-impossible odds, she re-forms the Birds of Prey with an unrivaled group of badasses-Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Harley Quinn-and only one goal: extraction without bloodshed. What could possibly go wrong?
Review
It’s been five years since the Birds of Prey title was gracing the shelves of comic book stores. The DC team is the stuff of legend, first seen in 1996 the all-female team-up as has spawned multiple line-ups, a short-lived (but much loved) TV series and, of course, the brilliant Birds of Prey… and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn movie. Now they’re back in a brand new series which sees the equally legendary Kelly Thompson making her DC debut.
Thompson brings with her a unique new line-up to the team, one which may cause die-hard fans to pause for thought. Gone is Barbara Gordon, the original linchpin of the Birds team. Instead the soul founding member in this new title is Dinah Lance, aka Black Canary, with Thompson’s debut issue focussing on building the team around her. But fear not, whilst I won’t spoil the circumstances, the absence of Gordon is felt and dealt with in the story.
Joining Lance is Cassandra Cain, aka Batgirl. It wouldn’t be a Birds of Prey title without at least one Batgirl on the team. It feels natural for Cass to be here, particularly with Barbara currently splitting her time between Batgirl and Oracle status. With Thompson taking the team on a very physical and situational adventure it needed a character with the freedom to leave Gotham (and Blüdhaven) without impacting other stories. It’s clear that Dinah needs fighters and who better than Cass to support her, right?
Two new faces in the book are Big Barda and Zealot, both surprising choices but excellent characters to add new flavour. Zealot, a creation of Jim Lee, comes to DC via Wildstorm and has all the characteristics needed for a Birds of Prey member. An expert fighter who is as unpredictable as she is brutal. Most of my knowledge of the character is contained in this issue and Wikipedia but I’m excited to see what she brings to the team. Thompson is no-doubt aware the audience is less familiar with her and so her intro and dialogue in this issue serve as a perfect quick-fire introduction to new fans.
Barda I’m more familiar with thanks to appearances in other books. Her presence looms large – literally – but it’s cool to see her edging closer to the centre of DC continuity. Particularly because of the doors that opens to the world of Jack Kirby and the New Gods. Her introduction is equally blockbuster, teaming her with Batgirl for a brisk fight sequence that gives glimpses of the kind of sparky dynamic that is to come.
The fifth-and-final piece of the puzzle is Harley Quinn. Yes, THE Harley Quinn. Fifty percent of your likely just rolled your eyes – “another Harley book?” – whilst the other half can’t wait to see the chaos she causes. Thompson more than justifies Quinn’s inclusion in the book via her introduction and her interactions with the team. This is going to be classic Harley. Where she has become a central focus of Task Force X, here she is back to being an outsider. She isn’t necessarily trusted but Thompson makes it clear the others know they need her. This could be explosive!
Issue #1 is reserved for getting all the pieces together. Slowly folding in each of the team members around Dinah before their mission is revealed. There’s a neat flow to the issue which snowballs in pace. Dinah reaches out to Cass, then each goes solo to reach out to the next member before the bombastic entrance of Harley. It’s a satisfying read which culminates in the perfect cliffhanger ending. The final panel grasps at the audience, thrusting them head first in to the real story.
To cap it all, artist Leonardo Romero and colourist Jordie Bellaire have created a unique new aesthetic. One which feels like picking up a pulpy, 70s comic book off the shelf. Hopefully a sign of things to come from the story. Even reading my copy digitally I could sense the browned, frayed edges of the paper and small the mustiness of the old print. It’s a visceral experience I hadn’t anticipated but which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Visually, there is nothing else like it on DC’s docket right now. Romero has created something which simultaneously feels like looking at stills from 70s comic book cartoons. Action scenes feel lively whilst faces have a very classic design and are brilliantly emotive. Whilst Bellaire’s colours have a lived-in texture and crunch to them which I could just eat up. Faultless.
Verdict
Kelly Thompson arrives at DC with a fierce debut for the Birds of Prey. The excellent story of bringing the team together is matched by the outstanding visual aesthetic of Romero and Bellaire. As it says on the cover, a “face-breaking first issue”.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
