World Famous Comics: Birds of Prey, Vol. 1: Of Like Minds
Birds of Prey, Vol. 1: Of Like Minds
By: Gail Simone Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 144 Publication Date: March 01, 2004 Release Date: March 01, 2004
Graphic SF Reader Gail Simone's work with Birds of Prey is of an high order. This trade is a compilation of four issues dealing with the kidnapping of the Black Canary by the cult leader known as Savant, after a mission gone wrong.
The other Birds, with a bit of help, must work out how to get to her, and get her out.
Good Stuff The star of the show is certainly Gail Simones writing, there is nobody working in US comics today who writes better female characters and more enjoyable dialog in general. The artwork is very capable and slick, though tending towards the cheesecake poses rather too often. If you like well made US superhero comics then you will like this.
I own the single issues of this collection This should collect issues 56 through 59 of Birds of Prey, and that being the case, this doesn't cover the story where Huntress investigates the religious cult and meets Vixen (that would be Between Dark & Dawn). Instead, it deals with blackmail and intrigue.
These are the first issues of BOP in which Gail Simone has taking over writing duties and served as a jumping-on point for many readers, including me. The book has never been this good. Whereas the series meandered before, it has now become an ongoing story. There is action, humor, great characters, and usually great art (there have been a few filler artists during Gail's run which is still ongoing in issues numbered in the 90s). Gail has also taken steps to add Huntress to the regular cast. She is a favorite of mine, and I'm glad she's here.
This is the first two graphic novels to feature art primarily by Ed Benes. Few people draw the female form as well as Benes. You'll either love him or hate him, depending on your feelings for "good girl" art.
A decent story with decent art - three and a half * This title , along with Teen Titans, has got me interested in DC comics. There are better old and new DCs like Superman: Man of Steel one and two , but this is Gail Simone's work you NEED to have to read Sensei and Student.
Gail Simone should be cloned so that her brilliance lives on! Birds of Prey are a team of women who prove that they are just as good, if not better, than the male superheroes of the DC universe.
Gail Simone, the genius writer of BoP, writes these three woman (Oracle, Huntress and Black Canary) as not just a team of superheroes but as real women. While these women can kick all kinds of supervillian ass, they also come across as real women because they joke, laugh, talk about guys, fall in and out of love and discuss their feelings. It's a refreshing change from the majority of women superheroes who are drawn with large breasts and very little emotion. The story arc in this TPB is also very gripping as Black Canary is captured by an insane information broker (and blackmailer) named Savant while Oracle and Huntress do whatever they can possibly do to rescue her.
If you're looking for a fun and entertaining read, Birds of Prey: Of Like Minds is the book for you.
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