Birds of Prey, Vol. 9: Dead of Winter

Birds of Prey (1999) (First Editions)

by Gail Simone, Nicola Scott, Doug Hazlewood

Acclaimed writer Gail Simone's run on BIRDS OF PREY comes to its devastating conclusion in this can't-miss graphic novel!

After being paralyzed by The Joker, former Batgirl Barbara Gordon became Oracle and formed a crime-fighting team with other female heroes, including Black Canary, the martial artist with a devastating sonic scream, the vigilante known as the Huntress, and the mysterious Lady Blackhawk!

In this volume, the Birds of Prey cross paths with the villainous group the Secret Six, just as Spy Smasher takes the dismantling of Oracle's operation into her own hands! Who will end up with control of the Birds of Prey?

Collects Birds of Prey #104–108

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Gail Simone is a comic book writer well-known for her work on Birds of Prey (DC), Wonder Woman (DC), and Deadpool (Marvel), among others, and has also written humorous and critical commentary on comics and the comics industry such as the original "Women in Refrigerators" website and a regular column called "You'll All Be Sorry".

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm not Batman. It's not about fear. It's not about control . . . I'm Oracle. I help people. People who have no one. People in need. And that's good enough." -- Barbara 'Babs' Gordon, a.k.a. Oracle

Although it's not the end of the series, Vol. 9: Dead of Winter is a bittersweet finale for me - this book marks the end of Gail Simone's outstanding run as writer for the series, and coincidentally my library system does not carry the subsequent volumes. However, Ms. Simone exits on a high note here by crafting a tight, action-packed story featuring the new and much-enhanced BoP roster. The team is on a covert mission in dark and snowy Russia, and they soon match wits and fists with the Secret Six. It concludes with a not surprising but very welcome cameo by Black Canary, and there is a great multi-page spread featuring BoP allies / companions arriving in the nick of time for a 'show of force.'

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice fun crossover with secret six and birds of prey. This is the end of Gail's run so she has alot of fun putting both her series together. I didn't love it but I enjoyed it. A 3 out of 5.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a step up from the last few volumes. The plotting seems a little tighter, even if the story itself doesn't interest me much. The character lineup works much better for me. Secret Six! Villains United might have been the best thing to come out of Infinite Crisis, and I was thrilled to see them again, with most of the team intact. Also very welcome were Hawkgirl and Barda (who had been in the previous volume). And I'm pleased to note that the art in this volume isn't particularly exploitative. Isn't it sad that it's a welcome surprise to me on this book? I still can't quite give it four stars, because I found the plotline underwhelming.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The team expand their roster to make the story even more epic, but I do fear this may be the shark jumping moment in the series.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't seem to read these in order but I adore this series! This volume was a blast from start to finish and it would totally make an excellent film! The ending actually made me tear up a little because if how moved I was by everyone coming back to show their support for Babs.

All in all, out of order or not, I'm really enjoying this series!

[William Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-Nu 52, Gail Simone was the best writer at DC. Even though the books she worked on were not wildly popular, they were all damn near perfect. Wiithout usiing huge crossover shenanigans or the big blockbuster mentality, Simone made these books matter to the readers with her strong characterization and... well, that's just about it. Her stories weren't altogether memorable or daring, but what the readers remember are the characters. They felt so real, and they insinuated themselves into our hearts and minds. Its just damn good.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Six arrive to spoil the Birds' rescue efforts! Oracle clashes with her new boss! Huntress flirts with Catman! Ice returns for some reason, only this time, she's a goddess!

This last volume before a later Simone relaunch is full of great moments, and a great resolution for Oracle's struggles to prove herself. Black Canary shows up to lend a hand, and the women are reunited in a scene that demonstrates how much they've learned from one another.

[Aidan]

Read this for the Secret Six, and now I’m considering checking out Gail’s whole Birds of Prey run. The art and coloring in here is really fantastic if low key, and while the main story lacks the character’s own investment (the Birds are being forced against their will to do a heist, the Six are just hired muscle) the character interactions make this so much fun to read. Admittedly I would probably get more out of this if I had read the rest of the Birds of Prey run leading up to this final chapter, but the humor, action, and once again HORNY ass characters (a Gail Simone trademark) kept me from ever putting this down.

I am now convinced that Catman is the sexiest man in DC Comics.

[Simon Traschinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail Simones Birds of Prey features and foreshadowes her sublime "Secret Six" Run to come. What more could you wish for?
For everybody who enjoyed the last Suicide Squad Movie for its dark humor, weird characters and comic bookie storyline: feel free to check out Simones "Secret Six" & "Birds of Prey" to find a quite similar feel as comic books.

[Haviva Avirom · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing what a difference it makes having Nicola Scott on art.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending, wow!

[Ribrarian Not · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro de historietas con ISBN propio. Creo que en castellano se publicó en tomos más gordos.

[machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Dony Grayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noveno tomo de la serie de Bird of Prey que arrancó a fines de los 90s, séptimo con guiones de Gail Simone.

[Emily Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birds of Prey: Dead of Winter by Gail Simone is my first introduction to this series, and I am certainly interested in continuing to follow. A group of female superheroes, led by Barbara Gordon in her stationary position as Oracle, work together to battle evil. In this volume, the crew has been coopted by Spy Smasher to steal a weapon from the Russian military. As it turns out, Spy Smasher has not been completely honest about weapon, and the group must fight another superhero team, the Secret Six. The weapon, as it turns out, is not at all what either team expects, as they become enfolded in the plot of a warlock.

But it’s all in a day’s work for Birds of Prey. The team is a bit big, and by the end of the book, I did not feel like I knew any of the characters terribly well, except for Huntress and perhaps Oracle. The rest were perhaps significant for their powers. Not sure what Harley Quinn was doing in the mix, but she was there. The fight scene between the two teams was less interesting than the unfolding plot about the weapon and the warlock, and actually seemed a bit unnecessary. Regardless, I will read more, and hope that the female characters unfold into actual personalities.

[Ben Truong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birds of Prey: Dead of Winter collect the next five issues (Birds of Prey #104–108) of the 2003 on-going series and covers one story: "Whitewater".

"Whitewater" is a five-issue storyline (Birds of Prey #104–108) has the ultra-patriotic Spy Smashers, who sends the Birds of Prey to deal with the Secret Six in Azerbaijan. Cameo appearance of Harley Quinn, who temporary joins the Secret Six.

Gail Simone penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Simone's scripts are very strong on character. However, the narrative was not convincingly plotted and the revolving characters of the team is a tad too big and the intimacy of previous trade paperbacks is sorely missing – it doesn't help that the Secret Six is also a big team with new members to introduce for the uninitiated.

Nicola Scott penciled the entire trade paperback. Since she was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Scott's penciling depicts the narrative rather well with the occasional odd-looking flat face.

All in all, Birds of Prey: Dead of Winter is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of my dive into graphic novels. This is clearly part of an ongoing story about the team called Birds of Prey, but it also works as a stand-alone story about them and their missions. I've not read any stories before that feature teams of superheroes going up against super villains, and have really only seen this on the screen in X-Men. I really enjoyed the way that the pictures allowed the fights to be shown both in close-up and panoramically, encompassing the entire fight - something that movies manage and that books just can't get across in words with much impact.

I liked the characters a lot, even though I struggled to keep track of a few of them (they kinda melded together). However, Oracle really was my absolute favourite: a former Batgirl, now in a wheelchair (... well, in a wheelchair here; I know that NOW they've rebooted it and she's able-bodied again) and with awesome techno-fu. And defending her team from a usurper. She's brilliant.

Again, I really enjoyed the art - some ridiculous costumes but some not, and usually dealt with as if they're practical, if that makes sense. I enjoyed the story, and I enjoyed the interactions between the characters too.

[stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is awesome. i had a hard time, because i get confused with so many characters, so i had to keep flipping back to the "cast of the characters" at the front. but that was great!

huntress and oracle so should be in love, and it was so cool to see women superheroes working together. not that i know lots about comics or anything, but this is a series i could get into. and that's hard for me to say.

manhunter is pretty cool too, but i think my favorite is hawk girl. and scandal. but she's a villian, so.

the library sadly doesn't have any more volumes, but i'll find them somewhere else.

i now know who these people are! yay!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this BoP volume, the fan-favorite Secret Six make an appearance. With the two teams poised against each other - and Harley Quinn added to the Six's roster - the Russian winter may claim any of the combatants in Spy-Smasher's little game. Not before a royal rumble, of course! Honestly, this was just picked up for the Secret Six appearance (of which Harley as an addition makes me cringe). Luckily Gail Simone does a better job of the Six in their own ongoing.

[Neil McCrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a distinct fondness for C-list superheroes and supervillains, and a storyline involving a showdown between the Birds of Prey and the Secret Six gives me plenty of them running alongside the handful of B-listers that the title revolves around. Gail Simone is a solid writer, and I enjoyed this quite a bit. However, I suspect that the story would be little more than gobbledygook to someone not invested in the DC Universe.

[Oliver Hodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice end to a run. The range of characters was really cool and the journey of the main birds of prey has been really fun. Kind of sad that canary's character progression here was over-ridden by the appearances in her and green arrow's book, meaning that she goes from adopting sin to probably marrying ollie. Not that the two can't happen, but it seemed like she was going in a different direction.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really short, finished it in less than an hour, but I loved the Spy Smasher storyline. The characters had some great moments and lines like Helena throwing a meatball at Thomas Blake and Zinda's "I knew the original Spy Smasher. He wouldn't like you very much." And it was great to see Babs out of the chair kicking butt. I'm sad to be done reading the entire BoP series by Gail Simone.

[SA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to bridge Villains United & Secret Six, and it was a thoroughly entertaining waltz between two teams I wouldn't naturally pair. The Six were entertaining, as always, and it was great to watch Barbara get her own back. Also nice to read some of the start of the Arrow-Canary marriage. Good book, lots of fun.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat this multi-volume run of Birds of Prey by Gail Simone has been to read!

Start with Birds of Prey, Vol. 3: Of Like Minds to enjoy it from the beginning. It plays out with larger character story arcs across all those issues.

Female superheroes kicking ass with and without superpowers. But even better is their humor and developing/evolving friendships. Great read!

[Nate Deprey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Blackhawk is such a surprise in this series. She is fun and pleasantly out of time in a way that DC characters never are. This slugfest of a collection is long on action but still has plenty of character development as you get to see the inner lives of the team even as they are punching bad guys.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure this is the adventure that should have concluded Gail Simone's run, but she ends this with a heartfelt conclusion. This has been a great series. Sad to see it end (I know it continued with other writers.)

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very full trade paperback. An old friend was resurrected from the dead. A an old enemy was kicked to the curb and Barbara has a new ward. I love Birds of Prey because it has tons of fantastic, strong, human female superheroes.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Birds of Prey isnt my favorite book you get to see the the secret six again before the start of their own full series and you get to see them mix it up with some powerful people and it is a worth while read for sure.

[Carl Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simone/Scott on Birds of Prey was the greatest! I had forgotten just how great, frankly. Throwing in the Secret Six here at the end of her run just make it perfect. If you start here, though, you'll probably be lost, to be honest.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Plot: The Birds of Prey cross paths with the Sinister Six.