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Birds of Prey (2023)
Birds of Prey, Vol. 4: On the Run
Kelly Thompson’s critically acclaimed Birds of Prey series continues, delivering high-stakes action, sharp humor, and a powerhouse team that refuses to back down!
The Birds of Prey are back in another pulse-pounding chapter of Kelly Thompson’s hit series! With an unstoppable lineup—including Black Canary, Harley Quinn, Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Barbara Gordon—this fearless team takes on its next impossible mission. Filled with dynamic action, sharp wit, and the character-driven storytelling that has made this run an instant classic.
Collects Birds of Prey #20-28.
The Birds of Prey are back in another pulse-pounding chapter of Kelly Thompson’s hit series! With an unstoppable lineup—including Black Canary, Harley Quinn, Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Barbara Gordon—this fearless team takes on its next impossible mission. Filled with dynamic action, sharp wit, and the character-driven storytelling that has made this run an instant classic.
Collects Birds of Prey #20-28.
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
Kelly Thompson
796 books1,093 followersKELLY THOMPSON has a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah College of Art & Design. Her love of comics and superheroes have compelled her since she first discovered them as a teenager. Currently living in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend and the two brilliant cats that run their lives, you can find Kelly all over the Internet where she is generally well liked, except where she's detested.
Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.
Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.
Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.
Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 11, 2025
Thompson's Birds of Prey run continues to entertain and excite with brilliant bird banter and fun shenanigans. The team has definitely found their footing now, and whilst they may not be as iconic as other line ups, they offer interesting dynamics and a nice undertone of found family. It's all incredibly easy to read thanks to its fast paced flow, and the main complaint ends up being the fact that it flies by and leaves you wanting more almost immediately.
November 4, 2025
Lovely, somewhat dark and fun. Thompson is rolling through and making books I love to read. The art is spectacular, too.
Review of advance copy
The Birds are in the sights of the Shadow Army, a group of...kinda random supervillains who want to steal all the data that Oracle has on the superhero world for their own nefarious ends.
The last few arcs of Birds of Prey have been a bit shaky, but these final two stories bring everything home. The team pulls in almost every character that had been with them thus far in their fight against the Shadow Army, including a transplant from Batman Beyond I never expected to see, and keeps the character drama front and centre as Black Canary and Oracle butt heads, Big Barda keeps getting ignored, and Sin and Megaera continue their weird little buddy comedy in one body.
There's a good sense of fun here too. The Birds might be in danger, at the stakes are super high, but especially in the last four issue arc, there's still time for witty dialogue, some costume changes, and some heartfelt hugs. Honestly, sometimes the motivations for the villains are a bit wooly, but the story itself is so much fun that I kinda didn't care.
The art is almost exclusively by Sami Basri and Vincente Cifuentes, who've been with the book since the last arc, with some assistance from Cliff Richards for the extra-sized issue #25. Clean, clear lines and bright colours keep the proceedings from being too gloomy, even when headquarters keep blowing up and the good guys are all mopey.
A solid end to an uneven, but enjoyable run.
The last few arcs of Birds of Prey have been a bit shaky, but these final two stories bring everything home. The team pulls in almost every character that had been with them thus far in their fight against the Shadow Army, including a transplant from Batman Beyond I never expected to see, and keeps the character drama front and centre as Black Canary and Oracle butt heads, Big Barda keeps getting ignored, and Sin and Megaera continue their weird little buddy comedy in one body.
There's a good sense of fun here too. The Birds might be in danger, at the stakes are super high, but especially in the last four issue arc, there's still time for witty dialogue, some costume changes, and some heartfelt hugs. Honestly, sometimes the motivations for the villains are a bit wooly, but the story itself is so much fun that I kinda didn't care.
The art is almost exclusively by Sami Basri and Vincente Cifuentes, who've been with the book since the last arc, with some assistance from Cliff Richards for the extra-sized issue #25. Clean, clear lines and bright colours keep the proceedings from being too gloomy, even when headquarters keep blowing up and the good guys are all mopey.
A solid end to an uneven, but enjoyable run.
May 6, 2026
Endings are hard. Even in a really good ongoing comic, sticking that landing is immensely difficult, even when all the components are there: stellar art, a great cast with chemistry, and narrative thrust.
I didn't know anything about this volume ahead of reading it, but I was able to tell early on that it was wrapping up based on the page count. After all, the DC gods at marketing are not so generous these days to put 9 issues in one book now, when we live in a time when 5 issues can make the cut. (*croaky elderly voice* Back in my day, there were even 6 issues in a typical trade).
And yet, Thompson provides a solid in-story rationale for why this book has to end that I bought and made sense given who we know these characters are. The Shadow Army, the main antagonist of this book, was incredibly dull. Besides the double-crosser on their team, there was no indication as to who these characters are or why we should be concerned about the threat they pose.
When the book was through, what I felt strongest about was that I'd love to see a mini with small bat and Big Barda that explores their beautiful sibling dynamic. Willing that one into existence. :)
I didn't know anything about this volume ahead of reading it, but I was able to tell early on that it was wrapping up based on the page count. After all, the DC gods at marketing are not so generous these days to put 9 issues in one book now, when we live in a time when 5 issues can make the cut. (*croaky elderly voice* Back in my day, there were even 6 issues in a typical trade).
And yet, Thompson provides a solid in-story rationale for why this book has to end that I bought and made sense given who we know these characters are. The Shadow Army, the main antagonist of this book, was incredibly dull. Besides the double-crosser on their team, there was no indication as to who these characters are or why we should be concerned about the threat they pose.
When the book was through, what I felt strongest about was that I'd love to see a mini with small bat and Big Barda that explores their beautiful sibling dynamic. Willing that one into existence. :)
May 10, 2026
This was a book of highs and lows. The highs are that I love the character work here, especially Cass as my favorite. Cass's friendship with Barda, the fact that everyone loves her so so much, and that the narrative deftly navigating her extreme skills while also keeping her non-superpowered and successful in her lane. Barabra is another character I enjoy when she's written well. She's a pragmatic, hyper-competent asshole who loves her people but can let pragmatism interfere with managing other's emotions sometimes, and Thompson successfully threads the needle with her characterization.
The lows are just that the plot and events are incredibly sloppy. Things come out of nowhere, build up seems like it should have happened and I just forgot but they never actually did happen, plot threads don't have a chance to come back and be settled.
The lows are just that the plot and events are incredibly sloppy. Things come out of nowhere, build up seems like it should have happened and I just forgot but they never actually did happen, plot threads don't have a chance to come back and be settled.
January 20, 2026
The fact this is the final issue of the current Birds of Prey is so deeply sad to me. An all-woman team with some of the most intriguing characters and a fantastic writer should have stayed on at DC but alas, here’s to another Batman ongoing!
These arcs are both super confusing and felt kinda pigeon-holed in to make the stakes super high. But I can’t help but love everything these characters do. Excited to read Batgirl’s ongoing now, and whenever these woman show up again I will be there.
These arcs are both super confusing and felt kinda pigeon-holed in to make the stakes super high. But I can’t help but love everything these characters do. Excited to read Batgirl’s ongoing now, and whenever these woman show up again I will be there.
Review of advance copy
Sad to see this series end. Thompson gets these characters and creates fun interactions for them to have, much like Gail Simone back in the day. Still, my interest was flagging after a bit. I like seeing them take action on problems, but so often they were undercover or getting caught and even mind controlled.
read-seq-art
December 25, 2025Read in single issues.
April 25, 2026
This was a fun read again. The fact that has genuinely changed my life. Also Barda/Cass forever.
April 27, 2026
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
January 25, 2026
The Birds are targeted by the Shadow Army that's been plaguing them. Not my favorite run in this book but still good nonetheless.
FYI, this was originally solicited as 20-24 but became 20-28 when the book was unfortunately canceled.
FYI, this was originally solicited as 20-24 but became 20-28 when the book was unfortunately canceled.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews