What do you think?
Rate this book
Huntress #1-6
Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads
As the last survivor of a crime family eliminated by bloody rivalries among the mobs of Gotham City, the orphaned Helena Bertinelli grew into the mysterious vigilante known as the Huntress. Huntress creator, Paul Levitz, returns in this action packed journey through the bowels of Italy's most deadly crime syndicates. Huntress sets out to uncover and destroy a deadly human trafficking and gun-smuggling operation that extends to the highest reaches of the government.
Collects: Huntress #1-6.
Collects: Huntress #1-6.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
14 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 28, 2014
Prepare to have your mind blown!
No, just kidding. But it's not a bad comic. Kind of meh, but not bad.
I like Huntress on the general principle that she's a stone-cold killer when the situation warrants it. There is something I find very satisfying about someone evil getting shot in the face.
Whether or not this makes me a bad person is up for debate...
So in that way, I really enjoyed Crossbow at the Crossroads.
The story itself was ok, but nothing really stood out to me. Well, except for Huntress' mask. That thing stood out like four feet on either side of her head. It was like she had these weird purple cat ears or something.
In fact, my daughter thought she was Catwoman...
But other than the odd headgear the art was pretty nice.
So.
Read it. Don't read it.
This one is definitely not what I would consider required reading.
No, just kidding. But it's not a bad comic. Kind of meh, but not bad.
I like Huntress on the general principle that she's a stone-cold killer when the situation warrants it. There is something I find very satisfying about someone evil getting shot in the face.
Whether or not this makes me a bad person is up for debate...
So in that way, I really enjoyed Crossbow at the Crossroads.
The story itself was ok, but nothing really stood out to me. Well, except for Huntress' mask. That thing stood out like four feet on either side of her head. It was like she had these weird purple cat ears or something.
In fact, my daughter thought she was Catwoman...
But other than the odd headgear the art was pretty nice.
So.
Read it. Don't read it.
This one is definitely not what I would consider required reading.
June 10, 2016
HUNTRESS TOOK DOWN A HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMPANY.
Good grief, this was good.
Good grief, this was good.
November 16, 2012
On a mission in Italy to stop a shipment of illegal guns leaving the port of Naples, Helena Wayne (I’m not sure if that’s her surname in this book as it’s never stated but if this is Earth 2 then that’s right) aka Huntress stumbles across a human trafficking operation where young girls from countries going through the Arab Spring are being taken from their families and sold into sex slavery. Incensed, Huntress sets out to bring the perpetrators to justice, crossbow style!
I’ve never read a book with Huntress as the lead but after reading this I thought she was a pretty interesting character. Clever, a little bit cheeky, and downright ruthless, Huntress held my attention for the whole book, rooting for her every step of the way.
Besides these problems – and the even bigger one of why Huntress even bothers with a mask, you can clearly identify who she is with it on – “Crossbow at the Crossroads” is a decent read with a strong female lead taking down some deserving villains. The fact that the villains are based in reality makes it easier to root for Huntress; nobody reading this is going to empathise with human traffickers or third-world military dictators. And I like that she does have an edge to her – unlike other DC heroes like Batman, Huntress kills!
It’s not an amazing book and it does have some minor problems but it’s a decent read that introduces a cool vigilante, dishing out justice against a beautiful Mediterranean backdrop (making a change from the Gotham gloom). Even though I have no idea what the crossroads of the title refers to.
I’ve never read a book with Huntress as the lead but after reading this I thought she was a pretty interesting character. Clever, a little bit cheeky, and downright ruthless, Huntress held my attention for the whole book, rooting for her every step of the way.
Besides these problems – and the even bigger one of why Huntress even bothers with a mask, you can clearly identify who she is with it on – “Crossbow at the Crossroads” is a decent read with a strong female lead taking down some deserving villains. The fact that the villains are based in reality makes it easier to root for Huntress; nobody reading this is going to empathise with human traffickers or third-world military dictators. And I like that she does have an edge to her – unlike other DC heroes like Batman, Huntress kills!
It’s not an amazing book and it does have some minor problems but it’s a decent read that introduces a cool vigilante, dishing out justice against a beautiful Mediterranean backdrop (making a change from the Gotham gloom). Even though I have no idea what the crossroads of the title refers to.
August 31, 2014
Bullet Review:
This is one of those comics that is good solid fun, but probably won't stick with you for very long. I can't say that there's anything particularly WRONG with the comic; it just isn't very memorable and pretty standard, run-of-the-mill story- and character-wise.
The Huntress goes after some smuggling baddies and finds out they are smuggling women. Cue investigation and fight scenes. It's all very by-the-book, standard fare. (NOTE: There are scenes of implied rape, so if that isn't your thing, you are warned.)
But it does star Huntress, a woman who is quickly becoming one of my favorite female superheroes.
This is one of those comics that is good solid fun, but probably won't stick with you for very long. I can't say that there's anything particularly WRONG with the comic; it just isn't very memorable and pretty standard, run-of-the-mill story- and character-wise.
The Huntress goes after some smuggling baddies and finds out they are smuggling women. Cue investigation and fight scenes. It's all very by-the-book, standard fare. (NOTE: There are scenes of implied rape, so if that isn't your thing, you are warned.)
But it does star Huntress, a woman who is quickly becoming one of my favorite female superheroes.
October 28, 2014
Considering some of the truly atrocious titles DC has pushed in the past few years, there was an admittedly low bar of quality to hurdle; but Huntress held her own in a story that was neither ridiculous or contrived. Slightly disappointed to find out this was a planned mini-series and not an ongoing title in the New 52.
April 5, 2016
I love the Helena Bertinelli version of Huntress a lot more than I do the Helena Wayne/Kyle version. I picked this book up not knowing which version it was gonna be, but I knew I'd enjoy it either way. The ending of this book shows Power Girl and there is a comment about the story continues in Worlds' Finest, Vol. 1: The Lost Daughters of Earth 2. It wasn't until reached that last page that I realized that it was Helena Wayne from Earth 2 since she is never mentioned by her last name in the book.
I know that I've read some of writer Paul Levitz's work through the years, but I honestly can't think of anything else he has done right off the top of my head right now. He handles Huntress really well in this collected mini series that debuted during the first wave of New 52 books that came out back in 2011. Levitz has Huntress helping out some women that are being sold into slavery by a couple of tyrannical leaders of a Middle Eastern country. Even though there were no other costumed heroes or villains that played a large role in the series and it was just Huntress fighting regular bad guys, I enjoyed the series a lot and can't wait to see what more Levitz has in store for Huntress. Writing gets 4 stars.
Marcus To is the artist for the series. His Helena/Huntress looks really good. She is the best looking character in the book which fits since it's her book. I never came across any panels in the book that didn't look good. His art is consistently solid. I don't think Marcus To is one of the elite artists in comics today, but he is ever so close to being one. There are only a handful of names that I would pick over his to be artist on a series that I loved. I don't know why I don't see his name more often on big projects since his art is so great. Art gets 4.5 stars.
Writing and art averaged out to 4.25 stars which I rounded down to 4 stars. This book was really enjoyable and I can't wait to get into that Worlds' Finest series. As I was sitting here typing this review, the mail came and it was my copy of volume 1 of World's Finest so I know what I'm reading tonight. If you like the character of Huntress at all, give this one a read. If you don't know anything about the character, but are interested in reading something with her in it, this is a great place to start.
I know that I've read some of writer Paul Levitz's work through the years, but I honestly can't think of anything else he has done right off the top of my head right now. He handles Huntress really well in this collected mini series that debuted during the first wave of New 52 books that came out back in 2011. Levitz has Huntress helping out some women that are being sold into slavery by a couple of tyrannical leaders of a Middle Eastern country. Even though there were no other costumed heroes or villains that played a large role in the series and it was just Huntress fighting regular bad guys, I enjoyed the series a lot and can't wait to see what more Levitz has in store for Huntress. Writing gets 4 stars.
Marcus To is the artist for the series. His Helena/Huntress looks really good. She is the best looking character in the book which fits since it's her book. I never came across any panels in the book that didn't look good. His art is consistently solid. I don't think Marcus To is one of the elite artists in comics today, but he is ever so close to being one. There are only a handful of names that I would pick over his to be artist on a series that I loved. I don't know why I don't see his name more often on big projects since his art is so great. Art gets 4.5 stars.
Writing and art averaged out to 4.25 stars which I rounded down to 4 stars. This book was really enjoyable and I can't wait to get into that Worlds' Finest series. As I was sitting here typing this review, the mail came and it was my copy of volume 1 of World's Finest so I know what I'm reading tonight. If you like the character of Huntress at all, give this one a read. If you don't know anything about the character, but are interested in reading something with her in it, this is a great place to start.
May 10, 2018
This is one of those comics that I just have no idea why it was made. The story is rote as all hell, with absolutely nothing new to say or do. This was a limited series, so someone had to go out of their way to greenlight this thing that feels 100% like filler. It tells us nothing about Huntress as she fits into the New 52. It's just... nothing.
Unfortunately, it's not even a well-written nothing. Huntress travels to Italy to take down a human trafficking ring that's found its way to Gotham. For some reason, she holes up with a couple of journalists, revealing her identity to them and telling them everything she's doing to take down these bad guys. It's never clear why she needs to do this, as the journalists never even publish a story about her, and give her no real help. She seems to already know everything she needs to know. They're just there so she has someone to talk to, I guess?
As for the crime-fighting, it is mind-numbingly empty, straightforward, and boring. There's no real over-arching plot to follow. She just takes down shipment after shipment from the bad guys and then decides to go after the Big Bads directly, and, well, succeeds on every front. There's never any sense of danger or that she might lose. There's no sense that these bad guys have a bigger plan, or that they're the least bit smart or capable. Everyone she faces seems like a complete idiot who simply loves having their ass kicked.
Oh, and to top it all off, there's a scene where, in order to get the drop on these dumb bad guys, Huntress BLOWS UP PART OF POMPEII. She pulls down a giant chunk of an amphitheater ruin on the men, when we've seen nonstop she can dispatch pretty much anyone with ease. It's like she WANTED to destroy a priceless artifact. I am a reasonable amount of upset about this!
Anyway, this book is not worth it unless you are a person who loves it when Roman ruins are taken down a notch.
Unfortunately, it's not even a well-written nothing. Huntress travels to Italy to take down a human trafficking ring that's found its way to Gotham. For some reason, she holes up with a couple of journalists, revealing her identity to them and telling them everything she's doing to take down these bad guys. It's never clear why she needs to do this, as the journalists never even publish a story about her, and give her no real help. She seems to already know everything she needs to know. They're just there so she has someone to talk to, I guess?
As for the crime-fighting, it is mind-numbingly empty, straightforward, and boring. There's no real over-arching plot to follow. She just takes down shipment after shipment from the bad guys and then decides to go after the Big Bads directly, and, well, succeeds on every front. There's never any sense of danger or that she might lose. There's no sense that these bad guys have a bigger plan, or that they're the least bit smart or capable. Everyone she faces seems like a complete idiot who simply loves having their ass kicked.
Oh, and to top it all off, there's a scene where, in order to get the drop on these dumb bad guys, Huntress BLOWS UP PART OF POMPEII. She pulls down a giant chunk of an amphitheater ruin on the men, when we've seen nonstop she can dispatch pretty much anyone with ease. It's like she WANTED to destroy a priceless artifact. I am a reasonable amount of upset about this!
Anyway, this book is not worth it unless you are a person who loves it when Roman ruins are taken down a notch.
July 10, 2014
I liked the story, it was interesting but I gave it four stars mainly for the artwork of Marcus To. However, I was very disapointed with DC Comics for blatantly doing a bait and switch with Huntress. They promoted this as Helena Bertinelli but after several issues they released a spoiler that Bertinelli is just another alias for Helena Wayne.
I was excited to read the mini-series when it first came out but when I started reading the first few issues the character didn't feel like Helena Bertinelli's Huntress. I had put this aside until I figured I would just go ahead and finish reading it. As I stated I liked the story I just wished they had of just been honest about which Huntress this really was.
I was excited to read the mini-series when it first came out but when I started reading the first few issues the character didn't feel like Helena Bertinelli's Huntress. I had put this aside until I figured I would just go ahead and finish reading it. As I stated I liked the story I just wished they had of just been honest about which Huntress this really was.
September 10, 2019
This was a quick read. Not terribly inspiring in the tell & slightly predictable. I did very much enjoy the art.
February 17, 2022
Story: 3/5 stars
Huntress' level of badass: 5/5 stars
Huntress is super sharp and kicks butt in this comic. She was definitely having a fab time throughout this fast-paced story.
The events of the Arab Spring are happening in the background, and Huntress having to stop the evil dictator from seeking asylum in Italy was interesting. However, her interaction with the Arab women is a bit problematic. They have no agency and need the Huntress to save them all the time (also the only Arabic word they seem to know is Inshallah).
While reading, I couldn't help but think this is just a generic superhero comic. It didn't have to be the Huntress that solves the mystery. Maybe I am just use to her origin stories where she is determined and has a purpose when she fights. Also, I found that the story ended quite abruptly - the character that appears at the end of the comic seems SUPER random.
I must say I did like the cat references in the comic and appreciate that Huntress is a cat person. =)
Huntress' level of badass: 5/5 stars
Huntress is super sharp and kicks butt in this comic. She was definitely having a fab time throughout this fast-paced story.
The events of the Arab Spring are happening in the background, and Huntress having to stop the evil dictator from seeking asylum in Italy was interesting. However, her interaction with the Arab women is a bit problematic. They have no agency and need the Huntress to save them all the time (also the only Arabic word they seem to know is Inshallah).
While reading, I couldn't help but think this is just a generic superhero comic. It didn't have to be the Huntress that solves the mystery. Maybe I am just use to her origin stories where she is determined and has a purpose when she fights. Also, I found that the story ended quite abruptly - the character that appears at the end of the comic seems SUPER random.
I must say I did like the cat references in the comic and appreciate that Huntress is a cat person. =)
July 29, 2019
Huntress is a mini-series published by DC Comics and centers on Helena Wayne who comes across a crime ring in her country of Italy that stretches all the way back to Gotham City. Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads collects the all six issues of the 2011 mini-series and includes one story: "Crossbow at the Crossroads".
"Crossbow at the Crossroads" is a six-issue story line and has Helena Wayne as Huntress takes on Mr. Moretti, a crime boss from Italy who has links to crime in Gotham City and Ibn Hassan from Libya. Huntress sets out to uncover and destroy a deadly human trafficking and gun-smuggling operations that is rather extensive. Cameo appearance of Kara Zor-El as Power Girl makes an appearance in the final issue.
Paul Levitz penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, it gives a new re-imagining of Helena Wayne as Huntress. Although, it was written before the New 52 reboot, the story seems like a prelude to the Worlds' Finest series in the rebooted imprint. It is a simplistic story that was done rather well.
Marcus To penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I rather enjoyed his penciling style, as he has become one of my favorite pencilers.
All in all, Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads is a rather wonderful graphic novel for a somewhat minor character in the DC Universe.
"Crossbow at the Crossroads" is a six-issue story line and has Helena Wayne as Huntress takes on Mr. Moretti, a crime boss from Italy who has links to crime in Gotham City and Ibn Hassan from Libya. Huntress sets out to uncover and destroy a deadly human trafficking and gun-smuggling operations that is rather extensive. Cameo appearance of Kara Zor-El as Power Girl makes an appearance in the final issue.
Paul Levitz penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, it gives a new re-imagining of Helena Wayne as Huntress. Although, it was written before the New 52 reboot, the story seems like a prelude to the Worlds' Finest series in the rebooted imprint. It is a simplistic story that was done rather well.
Marcus To penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I rather enjoyed his penciling style, as he has become one of my favorite pencilers.
All in all, Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads is a rather wonderful graphic novel for a somewhat minor character in the DC Universe.
September 2, 2022
Highly unusual that our protagonist, Huntress, faced almost no adversity and had nothing personal at stake on her mission to break up a sex trafficking ring. Sure there were some confrontations but she never really seemed at serious risk of anything.
Fun character and decent enough art but unfortunately the storytelling comes off as antithetical to the issue at hand. Aside from a few angry moments from Helena and some images of forlorn sex workers, there is no emotional depth or punch to this.
Fun character and decent enough art but unfortunately the storytelling comes off as antithetical to the issue at hand. Aside from a few angry moments from Helena and some images of forlorn sex workers, there is no emotional depth or punch to this.
January 31, 2022
In this six issue run, Huntress tries to track down the source of a human trafficking ring and plug it for good. As she investigates, she learns that she has stumbled on something big. The story doesn’t attempt at deep philosophy or over-the-top super hero antics, instead reading a bit more like a spy thriller. I think this is to its strength, as telling a concise story that reads like a summer blockbuster is much preferred over some pseudo-intellectual nonsense.
May 10, 2022
This is an interesting comic. It follows Huntress as she uncovers a human trafficking ring in Italy.
I really like the Huntress's character and costume. She's come to Italy to kickass and chew bubble gum and she's all out of gum. It manages to have several good action scenes where she's beating up bad guys or running away from police.
Alas, this comic has some serious issues as well. There are only two occasions where there's an implication that the Huntress might be in danger and they're impressively boring. They play out the exact same way both times.
There are two reporter characters that Levitz uses as a crutch. Any time he needs Huntress to make a quick getaway they're there to carry her away. Any time he needs Huntress to receive exposition they're there to lay some on her. There are times when he doesn't use them and those are the strongest parts of the story. For instance This is a great way to have her receive exposition. And she manages to escape all on her own without these inane characters.
Also, Huntress often calls the cops to arrest people after she's beaten these traffickers up. Even though it's made abundantly clear all the cops are dirty. This really isn't ever addressed.
And then there's the ending which is just so unnecessary and out of place. Perhaps this would make sense if I was more familiar with the events around this story but I'm not and as it stands it's awkwardly tacked on.
2.5 stars
I really like the Huntress's character and costume. She's come to Italy to kickass and chew bubble gum and she's all out of gum. It manages to have several good action scenes where she's beating up bad guys or running away from police.
Alas, this comic has some serious issues as well. There are only two occasions where there's an implication that the Huntress might be in danger and they're impressively boring. They play out the exact same way both times.
There are two reporter characters that Levitz uses as a crutch. Any time he needs Huntress to make a quick getaway they're there to carry her away. Any time he needs Huntress to receive exposition they're there to lay some on her. There are times when he doesn't use them and those are the strongest parts of the story. For instance This is a great way to have her receive exposition. And she manages to escape all on her own without these inane characters.
Also, Huntress often calls the cops to arrest people after she's beaten these traffickers up. Even though it's made abundantly clear all the cops are dirty. This really isn't ever addressed.
And then there's the ending which is just so unnecessary and out of place. Perhaps this would make sense if I was more familiar with the events around this story but I'm not and as it stands it's awkwardly tacked on.
2.5 stars
August 17, 2013
This is one of the first collections of Paul Levitz's upon his return to writing after stepping down as essentially the EIC at DC Comics for a couple of decades. Can he still write, my answer is yes with a caveat. When last Levitz was on a regular title he was able to do slow builds, something he was famous for on the Legion of Super Heroes.
In today's market you have to write for the TPB collection. That means no laying plot point that you might pick up two years down the road, even if you do that well. Now it must be a story of four to six issues (rare cases 12) that be collected and sold in the bookstores and specialty shops.
So Levitz, to my mind, took some shortcuts with Helena, a character he co-created some time back. She is less the female Batman he had helped create, and more of an avenger not above killing. It is assumed that we all know her back story, which depending on which version of her origin you have read (and I'm not counting the new one that came after this collection) she was the daughter of a Mafia family that was wiped out. Knowing that would help explain why she is fluent in Italian and maneuvers through Italy so easily.
The tale is well paced, and the dialogue is adequate. A visual plus is that Levitz had artist Marcus To put Helena in full costume. They got rid of the bare midriff and shorts look, and thank you for that.
BTW the end includes a nice little cameo that leads in the World's Finest series Levitz is writing now.
In today's market you have to write for the TPB collection. That means no laying plot point that you might pick up two years down the road, even if you do that well. Now it must be a story of four to six issues (rare cases 12) that be collected and sold in the bookstores and specialty shops.
So Levitz, to my mind, took some shortcuts with Helena, a character he co-created some time back. She is less the female Batman he had helped create, and more of an avenger not above killing. It is assumed that we all know her back story, which depending on which version of her origin you have read (and I'm not counting the new one that came after this collection) she was the daughter of a Mafia family that was wiped out. Knowing that would help explain why she is fluent in Italian and maneuvers through Italy so easily.
The tale is well paced, and the dialogue is adequate. A visual plus is that Levitz had artist Marcus To put Helena in full costume. They got rid of the bare midriff and shorts look, and thank you for that.
BTW the end includes a nice little cameo that leads in the World's Finest series Levitz is writing now.
May 2, 2013
Huntress has always been a favorite of mine so I knew I was going to love this story right off the bat. Huntress has my favorite attire and weaponry in the DC Universe, and all are featured in full force. The storyline about her putting an end to human trafficking and kicking some serious ass while doing so was just great. I'm sad this isn't a series, but it was worth the read and I'm glad I read it in it's entirety.
October 27, 2015
Wow. Really disappointed in this. Very dull for a superhero that has both Batman and Superman connections. Takes place entirely in Italy and has no supervillains, just a plain international intrigue story and no connections to the DC universe whatsoever. Except for a confusing appearance of another superhero on the final page. Waste of time. Doesn't even have a Huntress backstory. Some decent art.
October 3, 2012
Great graphic novel with an action packed story and great artwork to boot.
November 4, 2012
Levitz has a wonderfully easy writing style and the art by To is amazing. Definitely one of the best solo Huntress stories I've ever read.
March 4, 2013
Damn good yarn with a nice action centre. Don't go in expecting a cerebral depressing emotion-fest, this is a far simpler James Bond-esque narrative with some really bloody good artwork.
October 30, 2023
”Don’t just look the part, smell the part… be the part. To fool them, you have to first fool yourself. Sad thing is, I think I’ve played roles so well… Most of the time even I don’t remember who I really am… but that’s how it has to be.”
Helena Bertinelli, also known as the vigilante Huntress, is working a job in Italy. When she uncovers a human trafficking ring, she ends up entangled in a web of secrets, corrupt officers and shady deals between Italy and Kufra.
I enjoyed this miniseries quite a bit. The art is beautiful and the story was cool if rather simple. I've read a few other stories where female vigilantes end up taking down traffickers of girls and women, and there are quite a few comics about rich assholes doing business with other rich assholes. But that does not mean this story was bad, just that it was a bit predictable at times. I did like getting to see Huntress protect these innocent girls and women and take out crappy men on the side. I enjoy a good space alien invasion or a grand scifi battle with robots and all that good stuff in my DC comics, but every now and then I want a story about heroes or vigilantes like the Huntress taking down real-life monsters, such as corrupt rulers or human traffickers. It's somehow quite comforting seeing these larger-than-life characters go up against villains that litter the real world and save people from horrifying fates too many experience in reality.
I really vibed with Huntress as a character. I liked how she is a genuine vigilante, not someone overly bothered with laws and rules or traditional codes of morality. She is ready to kill and injure if she needs to, and she has her own code. She I also enjoyed how the story didn't go into her tragic backstory, but hinted at it, giving the reader little glimpses of the fact that Helena isn't alright at all. She has gone through a lot in her life and we can see some of the consequences of those things: she is fiercely solitary, she is always playing a role and unable to ever quite be herself, and, overall, I don't think many very stable people end up becoming masked vigilantes ready to submit themselves to all kinds of dangers at a daily basis. I also liked how the author gave her all these little human moments: she thinks about wanting an espresso during a takeout, she stops to pet a cat in Italy, she goes to buy pastries. The reader gets a sense that there is more to Huntress than her vigilante role through these small moments.
I will pick up more comics about Helena Bertinelli at some point in the future. Before this, I had only ever encountered her in the Birds of Prey movie, and I am so glad I took a chance with this comic and picked it up at a book fair. She is an intriguing lady!
Helena Bertinelli, also known as the vigilante Huntress, is working a job in Italy. When she uncovers a human trafficking ring, she ends up entangled in a web of secrets, corrupt officers and shady deals between Italy and Kufra.
I enjoyed this miniseries quite a bit. The art is beautiful and the story was cool if rather simple. I've read a few other stories where female vigilantes end up taking down traffickers of girls and women, and there are quite a few comics about rich assholes doing business with other rich assholes. But that does not mean this story was bad, just that it was a bit predictable at times. I did like getting to see Huntress protect these innocent girls and women and take out crappy men on the side. I enjoy a good space alien invasion or a grand scifi battle with robots and all that good stuff in my DC comics, but every now and then I want a story about heroes or vigilantes like the Huntress taking down real-life monsters, such as corrupt rulers or human traffickers. It's somehow quite comforting seeing these larger-than-life characters go up against villains that litter the real world and save people from horrifying fates too many experience in reality.
I really vibed with Huntress as a character. I liked how she is a genuine vigilante, not someone overly bothered with laws and rules or traditional codes of morality. She is ready to kill and injure if she needs to, and she has her own code. She I also enjoyed how the story didn't go into her tragic backstory, but hinted at it, giving the reader little glimpses of the fact that Helena isn't alright at all. She has gone through a lot in her life and we can see some of the consequences of those things: she is fiercely solitary, she is always playing a role and unable to ever quite be herself, and, overall, I don't think many very stable people end up becoming masked vigilantes ready to submit themselves to all kinds of dangers at a daily basis. I also liked how the author gave her all these little human moments: she thinks about wanting an espresso during a takeout, she stops to pet a cat in Italy, she goes to buy pastries. The reader gets a sense that there is more to Huntress than her vigilante role through these small moments.
I will pick up more comics about Helena Bertinelli at some point in the future. Before this, I had only ever encountered her in the Birds of Prey movie, and I am so glad I took a chance with this comic and picked it up at a book fair. She is an intriguing lady!
November 21, 2017
Reprints Huntress (Limited Series) #1-6 (December 2011-May 2012). Huntress is on a mission. Guns and girls are being trafficked through Naples into Gotham, and Helena intends to stop it. With the mafia working with an international despot and the police, Huntress might be up to her neck in danger…but stopping saving the women caught in the middle is a must!
Written by Paul Levitz, Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads is a six issue miniseries that was released as part of the New 52 relaunch of the DC Universe which occurred after Flashpoint. The series features art by Marcus To.
Huntress wasn’t a very interesting character in the ’90s. The character was originally the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selena Kyle on Earth-2 and a member of the Justice Society of America, but in the late ’80s they reconned her into the regular DC Universe after Crisis on Infinite Earth as Helena Bertinelli (who was a generic mob boss daughter that didn’t like her father). This Huntress borrowed from the Punisher’s grittiness and Elektra’s attitude but felt a bit generic in that sense. Here, the original Helena Wayne is back and that at least is a good thing.
Unfortunately, Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads isn’t that interesting of a miniseries. Without supervillains, Huntress outclasses the gangsters every step of the way. She is smarter and more resourceful than they can ever be. It leads to feeling that Huntress is never in much danger…and without supervillains, suspense is about all you have. Instead, Huntress easily walks from target to target and deals with them methodically with little risk to her life. It isn’t that entertaining.
The best part of the whole series probably is the last couple pages. The identity of Helena is pretty vague, and Flashpoint created a big reset for the DC Universe (something DC frequently does). You learns that Huntress is not only the original Huntress from Earth-2, but that she and Power Girl are working together. It is a nice payoff that is too little too late however.
The art is solid which is good because the story banks on the art a lot. With little plot development, the comic is a lot of fighting and Marcus To does a good job creating the fighting art…I just wish Levitz has created a more compelling story for him.
Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads isn’t very inspiring. The New 52 was pumping a lot of titles out when it launched (52 of course), but it already was dipping into additional miniseries like this one which felt like it was already straining readers’ wallets. With so many titles (some of them good, some of them bad), Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads wasn’t worth the time. It leads into the slightly better Worlds’ Finest 1: The Lost Daughters of Earth 2.
Written by Paul Levitz, Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads is a six issue miniseries that was released as part of the New 52 relaunch of the DC Universe which occurred after Flashpoint. The series features art by Marcus To.
Huntress wasn’t a very interesting character in the ’90s. The character was originally the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selena Kyle on Earth-2 and a member of the Justice Society of America, but in the late ’80s they reconned her into the regular DC Universe after Crisis on Infinite Earth as Helena Bertinelli (who was a generic mob boss daughter that didn’t like her father). This Huntress borrowed from the Punisher’s grittiness and Elektra’s attitude but felt a bit generic in that sense. Here, the original Helena Wayne is back and that at least is a good thing.
Unfortunately, Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads isn’t that interesting of a miniseries. Without supervillains, Huntress outclasses the gangsters every step of the way. She is smarter and more resourceful than they can ever be. It leads to feeling that Huntress is never in much danger…and without supervillains, suspense is about all you have. Instead, Huntress easily walks from target to target and deals with them methodically with little risk to her life. It isn’t that entertaining.
The best part of the whole series probably is the last couple pages. The identity of Helena is pretty vague, and Flashpoint created a big reset for the DC Universe (something DC frequently does). You learns that Huntress is not only the original Huntress from Earth-2, but that she and Power Girl are working together. It is a nice payoff that is too little too late however.
The art is solid which is good because the story banks on the art a lot. With little plot development, the comic is a lot of fighting and Marcus To does a good job creating the fighting art…I just wish Levitz has created a more compelling story for him.
Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads isn’t very inspiring. The New 52 was pumping a lot of titles out when it launched (52 of course), but it already was dipping into additional miniseries like this one which felt like it was already straining readers’ wallets. With so many titles (some of them good, some of them bad), Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads wasn’t worth the time. It leads into the slightly better Worlds’ Finest 1: The Lost Daughters of Earth 2.
October 4, 2017
Synopsis: "As the last survivor of a crime family eliminated by bloody rivalries among the mobs of Gotham City, the orphaned Helena Bertinelli grew into the mysterious vigilante known as the Huntress. Huntress creator, Paul Levitz, returns in this action packed journey through the bowels of Italy's most deadly crime syndicates. Huntress sets out to uncover and destroy a deadly human trafficking and gun-smuggling operation that extends to the highest reaches of the government."
My Review: So this one looked intriguing and I thought it may have been a stand alone since it wasn't numbered, well clearly there is more to the story. If I hadn't read the synopsis I wouldn't have known who the Huntress was, how she came to be or what exactly she was trying to do. This one felt very incomplete even the story itself, there are scenes and characters that jump around a lot and it really isn't clear what is going on. I do like the premise of it though, a woman saving other woman from human trafficking, it just could have been executed better.
My Review: So this one looked intriguing and I thought it may have been a stand alone since it wasn't numbered, well clearly there is more to the story. If I hadn't read the synopsis I wouldn't have known who the Huntress was, how she came to be or what exactly she was trying to do. This one felt very incomplete even the story itself, there are scenes and characters that jump around a lot and it really isn't clear what is going on. I do like the premise of it though, a woman saving other woman from human trafficking, it just could have been executed better.
March 26, 2020
So this is a lead in to Worlds Finest and Earth 2 series.
I actually own New52 Earth 2 Vol 1-5 and Convergence. I love those books but I can't recall what roll Huntress played.
I also own Worlds Finest Huntress Power Girl Lost Daughters of Earth 2. I've not yet read this one yet though I've tried a few times... not sure why I haven't finished it.
As far as Huntress Crossbow at the Crossroads I can't say this is particularly much of a lead into those other books.
This book is focused on a sex trafficking ring...
The story in and of itself held my attention though largely cause I expected it to connect with the Earth 2.
Ultimately this is a self contained story about Huntress kicking some ass.
The art is great, Huntress looks amazing.
Its 3 stars for me because it felt so self contained and I prefer my stories to build to a larger story...
I'll need to read my Worlds Finest book and revisit the Earth 2 series... maybe then I can give this story another star.
I actually own New52 Earth 2 Vol 1-5 and Convergence. I love those books but I can't recall what roll Huntress played.
I also own Worlds Finest Huntress Power Girl Lost Daughters of Earth 2. I've not yet read this one yet though I've tried a few times... not sure why I haven't finished it.
As far as Huntress Crossbow at the Crossroads I can't say this is particularly much of a lead into those other books.
This book is focused on a sex trafficking ring...
The story in and of itself held my attention though largely cause I expected it to connect with the Earth 2.
Ultimately this is a self contained story about Huntress kicking some ass.
The art is great, Huntress looks amazing.
Its 3 stars for me because it felt so self contained and I prefer my stories to build to a larger story...
I'll need to read my Worlds Finest book and revisit the Earth 2 series... maybe then I can give this story another star.
January 2, 2023
The Huntress is so fierce. She’s not afraid to kill, and she rocks the color purple.
Helena is off to Italy to fight crime or whatever. She ends up crossing this guy who is involved with sex trafficking.
It leads into our hero being the target of the law and the criminals.
Why did I like it? The art. The story. The use of the color purple. Truthfully I was going to give it 3 Stars, but I changed it when I realize this is a mini-series that launches into other tiles called “Earth 2” and “World’s Fines” which gave it the extra star.
I like Huntress because she’s not agent of the law; she’s an agent of Justice. Which means she isn’t afraid to kill the really really evil men.
Also giving her the save sex trafficked women tracks with her because she’s all about strong women and taking on the mob.
Helena is off to Italy to fight crime or whatever. She ends up crossing this guy who is involved with sex trafficking.
It leads into our hero being the target of the law and the criminals.
Why did I like it? The art. The story. The use of the color purple. Truthfully I was going to give it 3 Stars, but I changed it when I realize this is a mini-series that launches into other tiles called “Earth 2” and “World’s Fines” which gave it the extra star.
I like Huntress because she’s not agent of the law; she’s an agent of Justice. Which means she isn’t afraid to kill the really really evil men.
Also giving her the save sex trafficked women tracks with her because she’s all about strong women and taking on the mob.
September 17, 2023
4 stars for Marcas To's art. It's gorgeous and possibly the only reason to read this mini series.
That means the story gets 2 stars.
I didn’t read the synopsis so I thought that Huntress was Batman and Catwoman's daughter from Earth 2. This seems to be confirmed when Kara appears at the end of #6 (for no apparent reason) and flies her away. There's nothing that implies any sort of back story for Helena, she could either version. There's one crack about a 'waste of a boat, but Daddy says things are for using' (paraphrased) which I attributed to E2 Bruce Wayne but I suppose could equally apply to a crime lord.
So what was already a basic story with wtf moments (why did she make friends with reporters as Helena and reveal her entire plan? Or why did she destroy part of Pompeii?) now becomes a confused mess because apparently the character wasn't who I thought it was.
That means the story gets 2 stars.
I didn’t read the synopsis so I thought that Huntress was Batman and Catwoman's daughter from Earth 2. This seems to be confirmed when Kara appears at the end of #6 (for no apparent reason) and flies her away. There's nothing that implies any sort of back story for Helena, she could either version. There's one crack about a 'waste of a boat, but Daddy says things are for using' (paraphrased) which I attributed to E2 Bruce Wayne but I suppose could equally apply to a crime lord.
So what was already a basic story with wtf moments (why did she make friends with reporters as Helena and reveal her entire plan? Or why did she destroy part of Pompeii?) now becomes a confused mess because apparently the character wasn't who I thought it was.
July 15, 2020
This story was quite entertaining. We basically follow Huntress (Helena Wayne, as in the daughter of Bruce Wayne/Batman and Selina Kyle/Catwoman from another Earth in the multiverse) as she hunts and methodically takes down an Italian/North African organized crime group specializing in weapons smuggling and human trafficking during the Arab Spring.
I liked the soft colour palette used. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen such a soft colour palette in a comic book before. The art was consistently good, although I personally didn't like Guillem March and Tomeu Morey's covers. The story was well written, especially the fight scenes which were very clearly sequenced and framed. In fact, this book probably had the best fight scene depictions in a comic that I have seen in a long time.
I liked the soft colour palette used. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen such a soft colour palette in a comic book before. The art was consistently good, although I personally didn't like Guillem March and Tomeu Morey's covers. The story was well written, especially the fight scenes which were very clearly sequenced and framed. In fact, this book probably had the best fight scene depictions in a comic that I have seen in a long time.
July 20, 2018
I love the concept of Huntress, and as a hero I give her a 4/5. Her dialogue is witty, her skills and gadgets are cool, and I like that unlike some superheroes there's more nuance to her sense of morality.
Now to the bad parts of the comic. The bad guys are racist caricatures, which unfortunately seems to be par for the course when it comes to a lot of superhero comics. Additionally, the comic seems to only have one character model for all of the women, whereas the male characters have more variation in their features and bodies.
The comic might be worthy of only two stars, but I really do like Huntress despite all the terribleness, so I gave it three.
Now to the bad parts of the comic. The bad guys are racist caricatures, which unfortunately seems to be par for the course when it comes to a lot of superhero comics. Additionally, the comic seems to only have one character model for all of the women, whereas the male characters have more variation in their features and bodies.
The comic might be worthy of only two stars, but I really do like Huntress despite all the terribleness, so I gave it three.
September 14, 2019
thats my first time to read Huntress and it was not bad.
Helena goes to Italy on track of a shipment thats going to Gotham, and what she discovers is an arab young girls trafficking ring.
a note for the writer: you don't have to use arabic words if you don't really now when or how they are used, i find tons of inshallah in the conversations which is totally misplaced and doesn't make sense.
the art was the best thing in the comic
Helena goes to Italy on track of a shipment thats going to Gotham, and what she discovers is an arab young girls trafficking ring.
a note for the writer: you don't have to use arabic words if you don't really now when or how they are used, i find tons of inshallah in the conversations which is totally misplaced and doesn't make sense.
the art was the best thing in the comic
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews