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Batgirl and the Birds of Prey
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Vol. 1: Who is Oracle?
Barbara Gordon is no stranger to secrets. She's the daughter of GCPD Jim Gordon, the vigilante known as Batgirl and was once Oracle, the most powerful hacker on the planet.
Someone new has resurrected the Oracle mantle that Babs once controlled, and whoever is behind it is sending Batgirl on a wild chase all across Gotham City. By her side are two equally dangerous vigilantes--Dinah Lance, the rock star-turned-hero known as Black Canary, and Helena Bertinelli, the lethal spy code-named the Huntress.
Can this mismatched trio come together in time to solve the mystery of the new Oracle and defeat the villainous forces arrayed against them? Or will these Birds of Prey have their wings clipped before they can even get off the ground?
Find out in BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY VOL. 1: WHO IS ORACLE? The start of a whole new era for Gotham City’s greatest superhero team! From writers Shawna and Julie Benson (TV’s The 100) and artists Claire Roe (VERTIGO QUARTERLY SFX) and Roge Antonio (NIGHTWING), it’s an action-packed adventure on the streets of Gotham. Collects issues #1-6 and the BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY: REBIRTH one-shot.
Someone new has resurrected the Oracle mantle that Babs once controlled, and whoever is behind it is sending Batgirl on a wild chase all across Gotham City. By her side are two equally dangerous vigilantes--Dinah Lance, the rock star-turned-hero known as Black Canary, and Helena Bertinelli, the lethal spy code-named the Huntress.
Can this mismatched trio come together in time to solve the mystery of the new Oracle and defeat the villainous forces arrayed against them? Or will these Birds of Prey have their wings clipped before they can even get off the ground?
Find out in BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY VOL. 1: WHO IS ORACLE? The start of a whole new era for Gotham City’s greatest superhero team! From writers Shawna and Julie Benson (TV’s The 100) and artists Claire Roe (VERTIGO QUARTERLY SFX) and Roge Antonio (NIGHTWING), it’s an action-packed adventure on the streets of Gotham. Collects issues #1-6 and the BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY: REBIRTH one-shot.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
April 7, 2017
Oh Rebirth, you are so boring! Batgirl and the Birds of Prey (emphasis on Batgirl I guess because people like Babs and don’t give a fuuuuuck about Black Canary and Huntress – to be fair, I don’t either!) is another pile of wanky, tedious comic sludge.
The Birds of Prey go looking for someone going by Babs’ old secret identity, Oracle, while fighting snake-themed baddies (cos birds and snakes are natural enemies, geddit?) and mafia goons. It’s so ordinary, uninteresting, and overall blah I was never once entertained.
The sisterly writing team of Shawna and Julie Benson, writers of TV shows Emma Approved and The 100 (never heard of either), drearily go through the motions of a typical superhero team comic. I suppose the story is clear, which is something given that it’s an Afterbirth book, and each of the characters’ origins are retold for new readers’ benefits making this a decent jumping on point for them. For guys like me though who already know all that jazz, re-reading it all made me want to blow my brains out from boredom. And the answer to Who Is Oracle? is underwhelming to say the least. More like Who Fucking Cares?!
Claire Roe and Roge Antonio’s art is dogshit. The first panel we see Babs, I thought she was in the middle of sexual reassignment, she looks so manly! And when did she get so unattractive? She’s suddenly got a weird horsey, Secretariat Jessica Parker face. And, Christ, that stupid mask – it conceals nothing! I can’t buy that Jim Gordon doesn’t know that Batgirl’s his daughter when they’re face to face in a lit room! I would’ve loved it if at the end of their conversation he turned away and said “By the way Babs, get a better fucking mask, you clueless dope – only a complete retard wouldn’t know it’s you under there.”
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey is uninteresting, uninspired drivel. All it did was remind me that I liked Barbara Gordon better when she was Oracle. I’m starting to think DC stands for Dire Crap!
The Birds of Prey go looking for someone going by Babs’ old secret identity, Oracle, while fighting snake-themed baddies (cos birds and snakes are natural enemies, geddit?) and mafia goons. It’s so ordinary, uninteresting, and overall blah I was never once entertained.
The sisterly writing team of Shawna and Julie Benson, writers of TV shows Emma Approved and The 100 (never heard of either), drearily go through the motions of a typical superhero team comic. I suppose the story is clear, which is something given that it’s an Afterbirth book, and each of the characters’ origins are retold for new readers’ benefits making this a decent jumping on point for them. For guys like me though who already know all that jazz, re-reading it all made me want to blow my brains out from boredom. And the answer to Who Is Oracle? is underwhelming to say the least. More like Who Fucking Cares?!
Claire Roe and Roge Antonio’s art is dogshit. The first panel we see Babs, I thought she was in the middle of sexual reassignment, she looks so manly! And when did she get so unattractive? She’s suddenly got a weird horsey, Secretariat Jessica Parker face. And, Christ, that stupid mask – it conceals nothing! I can’t buy that Jim Gordon doesn’t know that Batgirl’s his daughter when they’re face to face in a lit room! I would’ve loved it if at the end of their conversation he turned away and said “By the way Babs, get a better fucking mask, you clueless dope – only a complete retard wouldn’t know it’s you under there.”
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey is uninteresting, uninspired drivel. All it did was remind me that I liked Barbara Gordon better when she was Oracle. I’m starting to think DC stands for Dire Crap!
January 17, 2018
This felt more like Gail Simone's run on Birds of Prey. The story was ultimately nothing special, just a way for the team to get back together. Someone's using the Oracle to name to sell information to the highest bidder. So the team goes on the hunt for Faux-racle as Dinah keeps referring to them.
Received an advance copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Received an advance copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 5, 2017
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
Very much like the previous arc of Birds of Prey comic book series, I absolutely loved this one. Not just because it’s a female-centered group of kickass women, but because they are some of the best comic book characters I have ever read and they compliment each other really well.
Of all the DC women, Wonder Woman and Batwoman have always been my favorites, with Batgirl a bit further down the list. This first volume of the new Rebirth line, however, might have just changed that. Batgirl is a surprisingly strong leader while both Canary and the ‘Purple Girl’ (I won’t reveal her name as it’s a spoiler) play equal important roles to her Alpha image.
The storyline is gripping with just enough action and drama to keep me fully entertained. I wasn’t expecting things to take an emotional turn towards the end but I am glad for it nonetheless as I think it made me like ‘Purple Girl’ out a bit more.
I am DYING for the next volume already.
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated are my own and not influenced by the exchange.
Very much like the previous arc of Birds of Prey comic book series, I absolutely loved this one. Not just because it’s a female-centered group of kickass women, but because they are some of the best comic book characters I have ever read and they compliment each other really well.
Of all the DC women, Wonder Woman and Batwoman have always been my favorites, with Batgirl a bit further down the list. This first volume of the new Rebirth line, however, might have just changed that. Batgirl is a surprisingly strong leader while both Canary and the ‘Purple Girl’ (I won’t reveal her name as it’s a spoiler) play equal important roles to her Alpha image.
The storyline is gripping with just enough action and drama to keep me fully entertained. I wasn’t expecting things to take an emotional turn towards the end but I am glad for it nonetheless as I think it made me like ‘Purple Girl’ out a bit more.
I am DYING for the next volume already.
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated are my own and not influenced by the exchange.
April 12, 2017
2.5 stars. Definitely there is potential with this past, but the story and art needs A LOT of work. Full review to come.
September 10, 2021
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey is an on-going series published by DC Comics and is the Rebirth reboot of a team of women vigilantes with Barbara Gordon as Batgirl as the head of the group. Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Who Is Oracle? collects the first six issues of the 2016 on-going series and Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth special, which covers one story line: "Who is Oracle?" and the one-issue Rebirth story.
The untitled Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth is a rather good introductory or issue zero issue that introduces this iteration of the Birds of Prey: Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, Dinah Lance as Black Canary, and Helena Bertinelli as Huntress. Together, they form a team to go against Oracle, a mysterious data broker, who isn't Barbara Gordon.
"Who is Oracle?" is a five-issue story line (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #1–5) with a finale (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #6), which has the Birds of Prey: Batgirl, Black Canary, and Huntress trying to figure out this new Oracle and contending with a new villain group: The Snake Gang, which is composed of Asp, Copperhead, Cottonmouth, and Lady Viper.
The writing team of Julie Benson and Shawna Benson penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well, the group is formed rather quickly and tackles a difficult storyline that many authors had struggled with since the beginning of the New 52 reboot – to coincide the Oracle persona with Barbara Gordon, while keeping her Batgirl one.
Roge Antonio (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #2–6) and Clair Roe (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebith, #1–3) are the pencilers for the trade paperback. For the most part, the penciling styles complement each other rather well, albeit distinctive, making the artistic flow of the trade paperback somewhat smooth for the most part.
All in all, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Who Is Oracle? is a rather good start to what would hopefully be an equally wonderful series.
The untitled Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth is a rather good introductory or issue zero issue that introduces this iteration of the Birds of Prey: Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, Dinah Lance as Black Canary, and Helena Bertinelli as Huntress. Together, they form a team to go against Oracle, a mysterious data broker, who isn't Barbara Gordon.
"Who is Oracle?" is a five-issue story line (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #1–5) with a finale (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #6), which has the Birds of Prey: Batgirl, Black Canary, and Huntress trying to figure out this new Oracle and contending with a new villain group: The Snake Gang, which is composed of Asp, Copperhead, Cottonmouth, and Lady Viper.
The writing team of Julie Benson and Shawna Benson penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well, the group is formed rather quickly and tackles a difficult storyline that many authors had struggled with since the beginning of the New 52 reboot – to coincide the Oracle persona with Barbara Gordon, while keeping her Batgirl one.
Roge Antonio (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #2–6) and Clair Roe (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebith, #1–3) are the pencilers for the trade paperback. For the most part, the penciling styles complement each other rather well, albeit distinctive, making the artistic flow of the trade paperback somewhat smooth for the most part.
All in all, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Who Is Oracle? is a rather good start to what would hopefully be an equally wonderful series.
February 8, 2020
3.5 stars
Despite some absolutely cold-blooded murders (both depicted and implied) this was otherwise an enjoyably breezy, sort of light-weight conspiracy / crime story. Sure, it's not perfect - there's a plot 'twist' that any reader over 13 years old will likely spot from miles away; the artwork varies in quality - but the spirited bantering and competence of the trio make up for the shortcomings.
Despite some absolutely cold-blooded murders (both depicted and implied) this was otherwise an enjoyably breezy, sort of light-weight conspiracy / crime story. Sure, it's not perfect - there's a plot 'twist' that any reader over 13 years old will likely spot from miles away; the artwork varies in quality - but the spirited bantering and competence of the trio make up for the shortcomings.
February 17, 2025
Eu achei esse primeiro volume da Aves de Rapina com um tom semelhante a Batgirl da Hope Larson. É um volume ok, com histórias divertidas, mas nada surpreendente. Vale para quem gosta da dinâmica das personagens que compõem as Aves de Rapina e querem ler histórias das mesmas, tendo em vista que elas dificilmente possuem HQs solo.
Um fator que me desagradou foi a mudança que colocaram nesse Rebirth para a Caçadora. Todo a sua vingança com a família sendo morta, acabou modificada por conta de uma vilã (não vou falar porque é spoiler), e pelo fato de que o Batman aparece e simplesmente não sabe da existência da Caçadora, logo ele que sabe tudo de todos os heróis.
Dito isso, a trama é conduzida por um tom investigativo, em que primeiramente a Barbara e a Dinah estão procurando por uma nova figura denominada Oraculo, roubando o nome antes utilizado pela Batgirl. Assim, durante a investigação, acabam cruzando com a Caçadora e fazendo com que elas comecem a atuar juntas.
De início, a trama pessoal da Barbara, tentando encontrar a pessoa que está usando o seu antigo nome, somado a vingança da caçadora, estava indo bem, mas logo o surgimento dos meta humanos cobra e o desfecho da “rainha” do crime que conduz a trama, fizeram com que o roteiro se perdesse um pouco.
Um fator que me desagradou foi a mudança que colocaram nesse Rebirth para a Caçadora. Todo a sua vingança com a família sendo morta, acabou modificada por conta de uma vilã (não vou falar porque é spoiler), e pelo fato de que o Batman aparece e simplesmente não sabe da existência da Caçadora, logo ele que sabe tudo de todos os heróis.
Dito isso, a trama é conduzida por um tom investigativo, em que primeiramente a Barbara e a Dinah estão procurando por uma nova figura denominada Oraculo, roubando o nome antes utilizado pela Batgirl. Assim, durante a investigação, acabam cruzando com a Caçadora e fazendo com que elas comecem a atuar juntas.
De início, a trama pessoal da Barbara, tentando encontrar a pessoa que está usando o seu antigo nome, somado a vingança da caçadora, estava indo bem, mas logo o surgimento dos meta humanos cobra e o desfecho da “rainha” do crime que conduz a trama, fizeram com que o roteiro se perdesse um pouco.
June 17, 2018
Honestly I am sucker for some good ole' kickass heroines. I like it even better when those kickass heroines create a badass squad. I never had the pleasure of reading the older Birds of Prey comics, but this book makes me wish I did. The writing is pretty good, doesn't feel super stiff when characters talk and the story makes for a good team introduction. I am glad I gave this one a try and look forward to reading the next one. My hopes are that it will get even better!
April 10, 2017
I'm being generous with a three star rating. The story is a bit of a snooze for the first few issues, and doesn't do a great job of putting Huntress on a team with Batgirl and Black Canary. It seems obvious, to me, that she's being brought in because she was an important member of the pre-Flashpoint Birds of Prey, but in universe she seems like a random addition. Fortunately, the book does improve as it goes. The dialog is a high point throughout, and the last few issues are actually quite good. There's a few decent twists, and the collection closes out with a sudden unanswered question that is making me consider the next volume. But I don't particularly care for the art. It isn't terrible, just not my cup of tea, and a bit inconsistent. Really, I'm a bit torn about this book, and whether or not I want to continue with it. There's some promise, but I'm just not sure it's enough for me.
May 10, 2018
Choppy but well intentioned.
World: The art is good, it’s one of the best parts about the series, the characters are full of personality and the color and the detail are just wonderful. The world building is also solid, bringing these pieces from the New52 together to form the Birds again was not an easy thing but the pieces do fit. The idea of creating piece of Gotham for them to play in is good. However there are a few pieces that are left on the floor from Burnside Batgirl which they should have used. Solid.
Story: I liked the story, it called to the past of Babs and also each of the characters and tied them all together. It was a bit choppy and the story did jump around a bit but overall the idea of the story was good. What I did not like was that Oracle turning out who it was, I did not enjoy. I truly feel that Frankie should be the new Oracle, she’s an amazing character and has earned that role, this new character didn’t, no.
Characters: I like the Birds they are a good bunch and putting them together is good. However the character moments here were a bit janky and motivations and dialog is also a bit janky. I did not like how they treated Frankie which as above I have strong feelings for.
It was okay, could have been better, a bit choppy a bit janky in story but the pieces are there, just not all the pieces I want.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is good, it’s one of the best parts about the series, the characters are full of personality and the color and the detail are just wonderful. The world building is also solid, bringing these pieces from the New52 together to form the Birds again was not an easy thing but the pieces do fit. The idea of creating piece of Gotham for them to play in is good. However there are a few pieces that are left on the floor from Burnside Batgirl which they should have used. Solid.
Story: I liked the story, it called to the past of Babs and also each of the characters and tied them all together. It was a bit choppy and the story did jump around a bit but overall the idea of the story was good. What I did not like was that Oracle turning out who it was, I did not enjoy. I truly feel that Frankie should be the new Oracle, she’s an amazing character and has earned that role, this new character didn’t, no.
Characters: I like the Birds they are a good bunch and putting them together is good. However the character moments here were a bit janky and motivations and dialog is also a bit janky. I did not like how they treated Frankie which as above I have strong feelings for.
It was okay, could have been better, a bit choppy a bit janky in story but the pieces are there, just not all the pieces I want.
Onward to the next book!
June 20, 2017
A very fun read! I like the team dynamic a lot, and each character is distinct and easy to empathize with. I think Huntress may be my favorite, but I like Black Canary a lot. I hope I don't have to wait too long for Vol 2 to come out.
March 1, 2017
I received this from Edelweiss and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.
Story - - 5 stars. I really liked how the back stories played so heavily into the plot. I felt like I should have seen it coming, but it surprised me.
Art - - 2 stars. The artwork was very weak. I don't care for the style used for most of the book. Sort of a mashup of western cartoon and Japanese anime. Not for me.
Total - - 3.5 stars, rounded up. I'll keep reading this one for now.
Story - - 5 stars. I really liked how the back stories played so heavily into the plot. I felt like I should have seen it coming, but it surprised me.
Art - - 2 stars. The artwork was very weak. I don't care for the style used for most of the book. Sort of a mashup of western cartoon and Japanese anime. Not for me.
Total - - 3.5 stars, rounded up. I'll keep reading this one for now.
April 1, 2017
[Read as single issues]
Considering the state of the three main lynchpin characters of the Birds Of Prey coming out of the New 52 and into Rebirth, I was very surprised with how easily Black Canary, Batgirl, and the Huntress come together in this brand new Rebirth series.
With the mystery of a new Oracle uniting the trio, they go on a fun-filled romp through the Gotham City underworld as they attempt to reconcile their differences, try not to kill everyone (Huntress, we're looking at you) and unravel the secret of the identity usurper.
The dialogue and character beats in these issues are great, and the girls are at their best when they're allowed to chat and quip while they fight. Where the story falls down is being overly bloated with supporting villains, and the final Oracle reveal is a little underwhelming (although it has potential moving forward since there's more to the character than meets the eye). Shawna and Julie Benson's scripts are pretty tight, but they try to do a little too much at once at times.
Claire Roe, whose work I'm not familiar with, opens the series with some gorgeous visuals, and is then assisted by Roge Antonio whose art I've grown to appreciate a lot on his fill-in work over on Grayson and issues of Batman. There's a good balance drawn between the grim and gritty underworld of Gotham and the ease at which these three characters bring light into any room they find themselves in.
While not without flaws, Batgirl & The Birds Of Prey is definitely a good step in the right direction for the franchise.
Considering the state of the three main lynchpin characters of the Birds Of Prey coming out of the New 52 and into Rebirth, I was very surprised with how easily Black Canary, Batgirl, and the Huntress come together in this brand new Rebirth series.
With the mystery of a new Oracle uniting the trio, they go on a fun-filled romp through the Gotham City underworld as they attempt to reconcile their differences, try not to kill everyone (Huntress, we're looking at you) and unravel the secret of the identity usurper.
The dialogue and character beats in these issues are great, and the girls are at their best when they're allowed to chat and quip while they fight. Where the story falls down is being overly bloated with supporting villains, and the final Oracle reveal is a little underwhelming (although it has potential moving forward since there's more to the character than meets the eye). Shawna and Julie Benson's scripts are pretty tight, but they try to do a little too much at once at times.
Claire Roe, whose work I'm not familiar with, opens the series with some gorgeous visuals, and is then assisted by Roge Antonio whose art I've grown to appreciate a lot on his fill-in work over on Grayson and issues of Batman. There's a good balance drawn between the grim and gritty underworld of Gotham and the ease at which these three characters bring light into any room they find themselves in.
While not without flaws, Batgirl & The Birds Of Prey is definitely a good step in the right direction for the franchise.
June 1, 2018
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, DC Rebirth Series Ratings:
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Volume 1: Who Is Oracle?: ★★★
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Volume 2: Source Code: Lost Interest in Series
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│Blog│Instagram│Twitter│Tumblr│
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Volume 1: Who Is Oracle?: ★★★
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, Volume 2: Source Code: Lost Interest in Series
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│Blog│Instagram│Twitter│Tumblr│
April 18, 2017
Squad goals!
Usually with a group of characters, there's someone I don't really like but I LOVE everyone in the Birds of Prey. Barbara is my fave but I really like how murdery Helena is. Plus, the story is exciting and original and never once lags, and the art is perfect. I loved this, start to finish. So, so happy this was good!!
Usually with a group of characters, there's someone I don't really like but I LOVE everyone in the Birds of Prey. Barbara is my fave but I really like how murdery Helena is. Plus, the story is exciting and original and never once lags, and the art is perfect. I loved this, start to finish. So, so happy this was good!!
May 15, 2017
I am beginning to think that with the exception of Wonder Woman, DC Comics just does not know what they want to do with their female characters. Its disappointing when you consider the upward trek Batgirl was on and Black Canary as well. Though DC has never really seemed to know what to do with the Huntress.
March 9, 2020
I didn’t like this at all. Granted, Gail Simone’s run on Birds of Prey defined my early comic book reading, but I won’t judge this series based on nostalgia, even though this story draws directly from said predecessors. Nope, Who is the Oracle? was pretty disappointing all on its own.
“Who are the Birds of Prey” is a far more important question than “Who is [impersonating] the Oracle,” especially now that the Rebirth universe cherrypicks from both pre-Flashpoint and post-New 52 universes. The strongest part of any team book, regardless of writers or artists, is the relationships between its members, who become each other’s family. Birds of Prey is about sisterhood, rather than any villain or particular mission.
If Julia and Shawna Benson, sisters themselves, had nailed a sisterhood dynamic, a boring and weak mission wouldn’t matter as much. But there’s no spark between Babs and Dinah, who now carry the relationship core of the book, with Huntress as the new member. They reunite and talk about being “family,” but there’s no banter or familiarity at all (as best friends should have), until far too late in the book – a random and wedged-in Star Wars reference, followed by a much more natural and amusing panel of singing in the elevator. That have been their vibe from page one, and would have set up a far more entertaining and satisfying adventure.
I’m not sure why Huntress was retconned as an original member. Her slow turn to becoming a member of the team is as unsurprising as it is unoriginal, both for her character as well as team books overall. The family twist was also predictable and Helena resolves things in seconds that would take a normal person years of therapy, so her character can, I assume, return to the status quo instead of having an opportunity to grow. It’s a crappy trope in superhero books.
mild spoilers. The writing was very weak overall. A mystery villain reveal never lives up to the mystery, and the same is definitely true here. I cared even less about the reveal than Oracle’s persona being misused in the first place. The “villain” setup and “fanboy” reveal was really uneven, and teasing another “big bad” for further volumes made it even less satisfying. (I know some might consider these major spoilers, but they are so predictable among most other superhero stories.) The dialogue got incredibly cheesy as the Birds fight their snake-themed group (because SNAKES and BIRDS, get it?) with punny one liners; and do men, even if they are gangsters, still call women dollface? Is that a thing that still happens?
Also, it is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE that Jim Gordon would sit in a car or a room with his daughter, in a mask that conceals nothing, and not know that she is Batgirl. This is laughable (not to mention literally the oldest thing in the book) and I can’t stand it. If Jim were that stupid he wouldn’t be commissioner, and frankly it insults the intelligence of the reader too.
Okay, and now we have to talk about Roe’s art. Women do not have to look super feminine and gorgeous to be superheroes, but this was all over the place, especially with Babs. In some panels Babs had huge teeth, doe eyes and a huge chin, and just looked bizarre. Some panels her mouth was a straight line, others, super pouty lips. BC and Huntress were also pretty uneven, but not as much, because she was more consistently overly sexualized (I guess in a group of women, one of them still has to be), and Huntress didn’t have pupils. And there were a few other noticeable, sloppy inconsistencies like a window with curtains turning into blinds. If we’re going to compare for a second, this book was far less gratuitous than most of the art in Simone’s run (not a product of Simone and the artists, I think, rather the era); their costumes were better but the art still wasn’t good at all.
Ironically, it was my love for the previous incarnation of Birds of Prey that kept me holding out hope and reading to the end. But aside from a few lines here and there, I couldn’t find much to enjoy. I won’t continue reading this unless someone convinces me it gets a whole lot better!
“Who are the Birds of Prey” is a far more important question than “Who is [impersonating] the Oracle,” especially now that the Rebirth universe cherrypicks from both pre-Flashpoint and post-New 52 universes. The strongest part of any team book, regardless of writers or artists, is the relationships between its members, who become each other’s family. Birds of Prey is about sisterhood, rather than any villain or particular mission.
If Julia and Shawna Benson, sisters themselves, had nailed a sisterhood dynamic, a boring and weak mission wouldn’t matter as much. But there’s no spark between Babs and Dinah, who now carry the relationship core of the book, with Huntress as the new member. They reunite and talk about being “family,” but there’s no banter or familiarity at all (as best friends should have), until far too late in the book – a random and wedged-in Star Wars reference, followed by a much more natural and amusing panel of singing in the elevator. That have been their vibe from page one, and would have set up a far more entertaining and satisfying adventure.
I’m not sure why Huntress was retconned as an original member. Her slow turn to becoming a member of the team is as unsurprising as it is unoriginal, both for her character as well as team books overall. The family twist was also predictable and Helena resolves things in seconds that would take a normal person years of therapy, so her character can, I assume, return to the status quo instead of having an opportunity to grow. It’s a crappy trope in superhero books.
mild spoilers. The writing was very weak overall. A mystery villain reveal never lives up to the mystery, and the same is definitely true here. I cared even less about the reveal than Oracle’s persona being misused in the first place. The “villain” setup and “fanboy” reveal was really uneven, and teasing another “big bad” for further volumes made it even less satisfying. (I know some might consider these major spoilers, but they are so predictable among most other superhero stories.) The dialogue got incredibly cheesy as the Birds fight their snake-themed group (because SNAKES and BIRDS, get it?) with punny one liners; and do men, even if they are gangsters, still call women dollface? Is that a thing that still happens?
Also, it is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE that Jim Gordon would sit in a car or a room with his daughter, in a mask that conceals nothing, and not know that she is Batgirl. This is laughable (not to mention literally the oldest thing in the book) and I can’t stand it. If Jim were that stupid he wouldn’t be commissioner, and frankly it insults the intelligence of the reader too.
Okay, and now we have to talk about Roe’s art. Women do not have to look super feminine and gorgeous to be superheroes, but this was all over the place, especially with Babs. In some panels Babs had huge teeth, doe eyes and a huge chin, and just looked bizarre. Some panels her mouth was a straight line, others, super pouty lips. BC and Huntress were also pretty uneven, but not as much, because she was more consistently overly sexualized (I guess in a group of women, one of them still has to be), and Huntress didn’t have pupils. And there were a few other noticeable, sloppy inconsistencies like a window with curtains turning into blinds. If we’re going to compare for a second, this book was far less gratuitous than most of the art in Simone’s run (not a product of Simone and the artists, I think, rather the era); their costumes were better but the art still wasn’t good at all.
Ironically, it was my love for the previous incarnation of Birds of Prey that kept me holding out hope and reading to the end. But aside from a few lines here and there, I couldn’t find much to enjoy. I won’t continue reading this unless someone convinces me it gets a whole lot better!
January 19, 2018
I love this book! I really enjoy having kick-butt superheroes that have great character, a story that's action pace, and very well illustrated. This volume Oracle is back...except it's not Barbara. There is another Oracle that is taking the name and Bat girl recruits Black Canary to help her solve the case! They happen to run into Huntress who happens to be following the same trail they are and decide to team up. This volume in particular let's bat girl really gets to shine having to see who has stole her identity. I especially love bat girl's dads (I mean Jim Gordon and her Father Figure she sees in Batman) and the interactions she shared with them, even if they were brief. The characters are spot on, this novel is really fun and action filled. The pacing is really excellent, I read it so quickly because I was captivated. They do a bit of exposition on each character from their history and what has happened in New52 to Rebirth to their characters.
This was such an excellent read. I can't wait to get the next volume. ~Ashley
This was such an excellent read. I can't wait to get the next volume. ~Ashley
May 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this, this series is pretty slept on. This is rebirth so DC was trying to blend the New 52 stuff with elements of all the stuff people loved about pre flashpoint. This series does a better job than most, it still uses the established stuff from the new 52 and finds a way to bring the birds back to their pre crisis versions. It’s not perfect but, it’s done as best as it can be. I also loved seeing Babs, Dinah, and Helena back together again I missed their friendship and dynamic so much. It was great seeing them kick ass and banter with each other.
February 8, 2018
I feel like Barbara Gordon is glaring at me from across the 11th dimension of imagination. That is because I hate EVERYTHING about this comic. It's also something that irritates me because I HATE being Comic Book Guy. I hate the guy who hates something he should ostensibly love but feels compelled to buy it anyway because it's something he used to like when it was different. Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, and the Birds of Prey are my jam but I hate present day Batgirl. It's a shame, too, because the problem is purely continuity based and that is usually a stupid reason to hate a comic.
Here's the short version, though. I love *adult* Barbara Gordon. I love her as the mature, intelligent, Machiavellian chessmaster who rose above a horrible situation to become the all-seeing Oracle. I don't, necessarily, dislike the fact she recovered enough to walk again. i hate the fact they've made her into a bubbly, goofy, and quirky teen heroine. It's not me having a thing against that kind of character--I love Stephanie Brown and goofy Supergirl--but it's such a massive character regression. For an easy comparison, it's Nightwing deciding to become Robin again and then acting as a horny oddball teen.
It gets worse putting goofy quirky Barbara in the Birds of Prey and then establishing, yes, she was Oracle in this timeline. Which, essentially, means that present day Barbara is a woman in her late twenties going around acting like an anime teenager after years of being super-mature. They've effectively made her Early Midlife Crisis Girl. It doesn't help she's drawn in a "Moe" style of big adorable Disney-esque style.
It's a shame too because there's some decent and amazingly oddball stories and character beats here. It's just doubly weird because I loved the dynamic of Huntress, Oracle, and Black Canary but they're all...off...here.
Here's the short version, though. I love *adult* Barbara Gordon. I love her as the mature, intelligent, Machiavellian chessmaster who rose above a horrible situation to become the all-seeing Oracle. I don't, necessarily, dislike the fact she recovered enough to walk again. i hate the fact they've made her into a bubbly, goofy, and quirky teen heroine. It's not me having a thing against that kind of character--I love Stephanie Brown and goofy Supergirl--but it's such a massive character regression. For an easy comparison, it's Nightwing deciding to become Robin again and then acting as a horny oddball teen.
It gets worse putting goofy quirky Barbara in the Birds of Prey and then establishing, yes, she was Oracle in this timeline. Which, essentially, means that present day Barbara is a woman in her late twenties going around acting like an anime teenager after years of being super-mature. They've effectively made her Early Midlife Crisis Girl. It doesn't help she's drawn in a "Moe" style of big adorable Disney-esque style.
It's a shame too because there's some decent and amazingly oddball stories and character beats here. It's just doubly weird because I loved the dynamic of Huntress, Oracle, and Black Canary but they're all...off...here.
April 5, 2018
"They say time heals all wounds. But time isn't a perfect nurse. It leaves behind scars."
The first volume of Batgirl and the Birds of Prey within the Rebirth follows Batgirl, Black Canary and another person (I don't want to spoil anything) as they try to figure out who's hiding behind the name of Oracle, a former alias of Batgirl.
This was thoroughly enjoyable. Like, really. I flew through this, and preferred it to a lot of the Rebirth comics I've read so far. The plot line was easy to follow, whilst not being too simple, meaning that it never got complicated or boring. Once again, the aspect of family was overly present within this volume (something I've noticed is omnipresent in the Rebirth, or at least, the Batfam part of the Rebirth), and I thought it was really well-done. On top of that, the characters were all thoroughly lovable, and I got attached to each and everyone of them. Or at least, to the main three. And of course, the illustrations played a big part in how much I loved this volume, due to how gorgeous they were.
I particularly loved the ending, which leaves me wanting the sequel right away! Still, I saw the big plot twist coming at the end, which might be the only negative thing I have to say about this volume.
The first volume of Batgirl and the Birds of Prey within the Rebirth follows Batgirl, Black Canary and another person (I don't want to spoil anything) as they try to figure out who's hiding behind the name of Oracle, a former alias of Batgirl.
This was thoroughly enjoyable. Like, really. I flew through this, and preferred it to a lot of the Rebirth comics I've read so far. The plot line was easy to follow, whilst not being too simple, meaning that it never got complicated or boring. Once again, the aspect of family was overly present within this volume (something I've noticed is omnipresent in the Rebirth, or at least, the Batfam part of the Rebirth), and I thought it was really well-done. On top of that, the characters were all thoroughly lovable, and I got attached to each and everyone of them. Or at least, to the main three. And of course, the illustrations played a big part in how much I loved this volume, due to how gorgeous they were.
I particularly loved the ending, which leaves me wanting the sequel right away! Still, I saw the big plot twist coming at the end, which might be the only negative thing I have to say about this volume.
April 15, 2017
Sometimes I worry I am too generous a rather, but the truth is that I have so little time to read I just read stuff that I pretty much know I am going to love. This was no different. Fantastic. Probably a 4.5/5.
April 21, 2017
Netgalley provided an early copy of this volume. I was veering away from requesting it, because I'm not all that familiar with Batgirl in comic books (have read about her, but not read any of her comics). But I thought to give it a shot.
It's an action-packed mystery as Barbara Gordon, now back to donning her Batgirl uniform thanks to an implant that lets her walk again, seeks out an unknown online assailant going by her former codename Oracle. She enlists the help of an old friend, Dinah the Black Canary, on this case. It's not long before they find themselves at loggerheads with another unknown vigilante. Huntress is on a mission to kill, but they have to stop her if they want to get to the bottom of the mystery.
It's not very convoluted, this story. Mostly a look at Barbara's new life. She is drawn and written as more goofy than serious, which makes her very endearing. I didn't much care for the Canary's ridiculous outfit - how she gets in and out of it still baffles me, but I like that, as she's the brawn, she's drawn with plenty of well-proportioned musculature on her. Batgirl, though, looks a little too young and small - she could do with some muscle.
The primarily female team on the page is brought to life by a majority female team behind the scenes - and you can tell the difference. No leering, lewd characters or angles, and no unnecessary condescension either. I was disappointed that they wrote Jim Gordon as untrustworthy of Batgirl; he wanted Batman on the scene. Perhaps there's some history behind that explained in other issues of different comics, but it was frustrating in this one. Thankfully, when Bats appears on the scene, he doesn't talk down to Batgirl; he gets her point of view and then leaves. And we go back to the awesome threesome.
The primary narrative voice is funny - the narrator changes partway, apparently, which is a bit confusing. I also think Batgirl and Black Canary had very similar speech patterns and sense of humour - they could have been differentiated a bit more.
There's a strange bit partway through the book that talks about online behaviour towards women. It's important, but so preachy and on-the-nose, it sort of digressed from the main story. I suppose the writers were trying to make a point with that, but it detracted from the story a bit for those few pages.
The Birds of Prey are written as fun, rounded and competent individuals, which is always a rarity in comics. They don't need saving. Which is why the ending was a bit of a disappointment. Despite evidence to the contrary, Batgirl and team decide to trust someone who really doesn't deserve it. And, 'lo and behold, that person appears to be working for someone else in the final panels.
I would love to know how all this pans out in the end. It would be great to get my hands on Volume 2.
It's an action-packed mystery as Barbara Gordon, now back to donning her Batgirl uniform thanks to an implant that lets her walk again, seeks out an unknown online assailant going by her former codename Oracle. She enlists the help of an old friend, Dinah the Black Canary, on this case. It's not long before they find themselves at loggerheads with another unknown vigilante. Huntress is on a mission to kill, but they have to stop her if they want to get to the bottom of the mystery.
It's not very convoluted, this story. Mostly a look at Barbara's new life. She is drawn and written as more goofy than serious, which makes her very endearing. I didn't much care for the Canary's ridiculous outfit - how she gets in and out of it still baffles me, but I like that, as she's the brawn, she's drawn with plenty of well-proportioned musculature on her. Batgirl, though, looks a little too young and small - she could do with some muscle.
The primarily female team on the page is brought to life by a majority female team behind the scenes - and you can tell the difference. No leering, lewd characters or angles, and no unnecessary condescension either. I was disappointed that they wrote Jim Gordon as untrustworthy of Batgirl; he wanted Batman on the scene. Perhaps there's some history behind that explained in other issues of different comics, but it was frustrating in this one. Thankfully, when Bats appears on the scene, he doesn't talk down to Batgirl; he gets her point of view and then leaves. And we go back to the awesome threesome.
The primary narrative voice is funny - the narrator changes partway, apparently, which is a bit confusing. I also think Batgirl and Black Canary had very similar speech patterns and sense of humour - they could have been differentiated a bit more.
There's a strange bit partway through the book that talks about online behaviour towards women. It's important, but so preachy and on-the-nose, it sort of digressed from the main story. I suppose the writers were trying to make a point with that, but it detracted from the story a bit for those few pages.
The Birds of Prey are written as fun, rounded and competent individuals, which is always a rarity in comics. They don't need saving. Which is why the ending was a bit of a disappointment. Despite evidence to the contrary, Batgirl and team decide to trust someone who really doesn't deserve it. And, 'lo and behold, that person appears to be working for someone else in the final panels.
I would love to know how all this pans out in the end. It would be great to get my hands on Volume 2.
December 20, 2025
In some ways, this takes away from Oracle and the original Birds of Prey’s powers. The idea that Babs couldn’t save the day as Oracle and had to jump in as Batgirl implies the fights she and Dinah won as a team earlier were just easier feats. I loved the Simone Birds of Prey stories. Simone made Barbara a contender and a very powerful figure when she was disabled. I understand (as much as an able bodied person can) why disabled fans of Barbara Gordon were disappointed when she became Batgirl again.
The art here is not my favorite. The way tears and drool were drawn were off putting. A lot of the expressions were harsh and rather jagged. I didn’t like Helena’s expressions in any panel she was in. It just made the stilted dialogue even more noticeable. This wasn’t as bad as the Cameron Stewart Batgirl run, but it wasn’t great either. The writing here has some abrupt changes of heart which were strange.
Dinah is just odd here. I felt like she was not an important character at all. She seemed here to provide exposition and hit things. There’s a backstory for her (the rebirth one) but it didn’t seem as relevant to the story as Helena and Barbara’s.
Helena Bertinelli is like Sisyphus. Every time I see her in anything, it’s like she learns the same lesson over and over again. Sometimes, multiple times in a series. She too brash, thinks she can take on things on her own, and has to realize she needs help. It makes for an annoying character because she never gets to truly learn and grow. She’s often used as a foil to the real heroes saving the day. Here is no exception. I have no clue where she is in the current universe, but I have no interest in watching her start from Go again and learn the same lessons for the thousandth time.
Barbara Gordon went out sad after DC nerfed her personality for the New 52. I read some of the Nightwing Rebirth run - as much as I could stand before I completely dropped out. In this book, Barbara reads a bit better than she did in Nightwing. She’s independent, her issue with the dad wanting her to rely on Batman makes sense, and she doesn’t seem like an idiot. I don’t know how I feel about how this book concludes, but in some ways, it’s an interesting plot. The last BoP (with Katana and a few characters I think were new to the universe) wasn’t that bad - but very short. This feels like (mostly) a return to form with more hammy writing.
I have vol 2 and 3 from the library, so I’ll give at least the next volume a shot.
The art here is not my favorite. The way tears and drool were drawn were off putting. A lot of the expressions were harsh and rather jagged. I didn’t like Helena’s expressions in any panel she was in. It just made the stilted dialogue even more noticeable. This wasn’t as bad as the Cameron Stewart Batgirl run, but it wasn’t great either. The writing here has some abrupt changes of heart which were strange.
Dinah is just odd here. I felt like she was not an important character at all. She seemed here to provide exposition and hit things. There’s a backstory for her (the rebirth one) but it didn’t seem as relevant to the story as Helena and Barbara’s.
Helena Bertinelli is like Sisyphus. Every time I see her in anything, it’s like she learns the same lesson over and over again. Sometimes, multiple times in a series. She too brash, thinks she can take on things on her own, and has to realize she needs help. It makes for an annoying character because she never gets to truly learn and grow. She’s often used as a foil to the real heroes saving the day. Here is no exception. I have no clue where she is in the current universe, but I have no interest in watching her start from Go again and learn the same lessons for the thousandth time.
Barbara Gordon went out sad after DC nerfed her personality for the New 52. I read some of the Nightwing Rebirth run - as much as I could stand before I completely dropped out. In this book, Barbara reads a bit better than she did in Nightwing. She’s independent, her issue with the dad wanting her to rely on Batman makes sense, and she doesn’t seem like an idiot. I don’t know how I feel about how this book concludes, but in some ways, it’s an interesting plot. The last BoP (with Katana and a few characters I think were new to the universe) wasn’t that bad - but very short. This feels like (mostly) a return to form with more hammy writing.
I have vol 2 and 3 from the library, so I’ll give at least the next volume a shot.
April 22, 2017
Oh, this was absolutely fantastic. As someone who is coming into Rebirth with mostly fresh eyes, I found this to be surprisingly wonderful at getting me invested in this team despite really knowing nothing about any of the various versions of Birds of Prey beyond superficial details. And aside from Beyond Burnside, I've never read any Batgirl.
I also only know very basic things about Black Canary and Huntress but at the end of the day, everything I needed to know was provided in this book, which is something that can't be said for all of the Rebirth books I've read.
This book (and also Detective Comics) highlights everything I want from a comic book: a mixture of humour, action and emotions. I'm sure some people prefer dark and gritty stuff but that's not really my thing.
Flaws? Well, the art was mostly excellent but there were a few bad faces and in the panel where Dinah kisses Babs, Babs's eyes are inexplicably blue, but it's just the one panel so...
Yeah, I can't think of anything else to complain about. This is a nearly perfect book.
I also only know very basic things about Black Canary and Huntress but at the end of the day, everything I needed to know was provided in this book, which is something that can't be said for all of the Rebirth books I've read.
This book (and also Detective Comics) highlights everything I want from a comic book: a mixture of humour, action and emotions. I'm sure some people prefer dark and gritty stuff but that's not really my thing.
Flaws? Well, the art was mostly excellent but there were a few bad faces and in the panel where Dinah kisses Babs, Babs's eyes are inexplicably blue, but it's just the one panel so...
Yeah, I can't think of anything else to complain about. This is a nearly perfect book.
September 23, 2020
Definitely one of the better Rebirth volume ones I've read so far. This has multiple storylines that converge together nicely. It does a good job of balancing the plot while also setting up future events. It pays homage to Barbara's past while re-introducing Dinah and Helena. Has good pacing. And I'm always down to read storylines about Gotham's mobsters, even if they are fairly predictable.
The low points: Dinah barely got a story, but hopefully that will be remedied in future issues. Helena is reduced to her most essential, unoriginal personality and revenge backstory; it's a little tiring, but again, I am hopeful for the future. I was also not sure about the artwork.
I like how this started though and I think this team-up is excellent. Keep fighting the Gotham underground, ladies. You got this.
The low points: Dinah barely got a story, but hopefully that will be remedied in future issues. Helena is reduced to her most essential, unoriginal personality and revenge backstory; it's a little tiring, but again, I am hopeful for the future. I was also not sure about the artwork.
I like how this started though and I think this team-up is excellent. Keep fighting the Gotham underground, ladies. You got this.
April 11, 2017
ARC REVIEW
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey vol 1 Who is “Oracle”
By Shawna and Julie Benson
Art by: Claire Roe, Roge Antonio, Yanick Paquette
Variant art: Kamome Shirahama
Story: Barbara Gordon is enjoying life with the use of her legs again catching bad guys but one night she catches one group and after opening his phone she discovers an email from “Oracle” selling information from her own Oracle top secret files. Wanting to get down to the bottom of this she tracks down Dinah, who has been in a rock band, to help find this new Oracle. Following the trail of the gangsters who have been getting information they run into Huntress whose mission is running parallel with theirs. Reluctantly Huntress joins forces with Batgirl and Black Canary.
Art: I’m torn, I didn’t care much for Claire Roe’s issues the art seemed very sketchy and dark the contrast between the black shading seemed overpowering over the color. The ones with Roge Antonio were much more balanced the color and shading with cleaner lines. I just preferred the latter half of the volume to the beginning half. I really loved the anime style variant art by Kamome Shirahama.
Characters
Oracle/Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) I love Batgirl, she is an amazing fighter, she has incredible skills on the computer and with any tech and she remembers everything. In this one she is coming to terms with who she is; having three identities is wearing on her especially since someone has stolen the Oracle identity and using for evil. Having her friend Dinah around is not only helping her solve the mystery but helping her sort things out. With guest appearances by her father and Batman.
Black Canary (Dinah Lance) With the dissolution of the Birds of Prey Dinah went on her own, happy in her way, and in need of very little convincing to help Barb. You see the wild side of Dinah but throughout you also see how loyal she is to her friends.
Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) The reintroduction of Huntress picks up while she is closing in on her revenge. Crossing paths with Batgirl and Black Canary who are at first just getting in her way but they need the gang members alive in figure out who “Oracle” is and to try and track this person down. Huntress agrees to a temporary truce to work with them. I like this incarnation of Helena better than the Batman/Catwoman love child.
Review: This was a great story! I loved it. It’s one I would have no problem reading over and over again. I really liked how it was divided into main sections each from the POV of the characters. It really is a great starting point for new readers.
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey vol 1 Who is “Oracle”
By Shawna and Julie Benson
Art by: Claire Roe, Roge Antonio, Yanick Paquette
Variant art: Kamome Shirahama
Story: Barbara Gordon is enjoying life with the use of her legs again catching bad guys but one night she catches one group and after opening his phone she discovers an email from “Oracle” selling information from her own Oracle top secret files. Wanting to get down to the bottom of this she tracks down Dinah, who has been in a rock band, to help find this new Oracle. Following the trail of the gangsters who have been getting information they run into Huntress whose mission is running parallel with theirs. Reluctantly Huntress joins forces with Batgirl and Black Canary.
Art: I’m torn, I didn’t care much for Claire Roe’s issues the art seemed very sketchy and dark the contrast between the black shading seemed overpowering over the color. The ones with Roge Antonio were much more balanced the color and shading with cleaner lines. I just preferred the latter half of the volume to the beginning half. I really loved the anime style variant art by Kamome Shirahama.
Characters
Oracle/Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) I love Batgirl, she is an amazing fighter, she has incredible skills on the computer and with any tech and she remembers everything. In this one she is coming to terms with who she is; having three identities is wearing on her especially since someone has stolen the Oracle identity and using for evil. Having her friend Dinah around is not only helping her solve the mystery but helping her sort things out. With guest appearances by her father and Batman.
Black Canary (Dinah Lance) With the dissolution of the Birds of Prey Dinah went on her own, happy in her way, and in need of very little convincing to help Barb. You see the wild side of Dinah but throughout you also see how loyal she is to her friends.
Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) The reintroduction of Huntress picks up while she is closing in on her revenge. Crossing paths with Batgirl and Black Canary who are at first just getting in her way but they need the gang members alive in figure out who “Oracle” is and to try and track this person down. Huntress agrees to a temporary truce to work with them. I like this incarnation of Helena better than the Batman/Catwoman love child.
Review: This was a great story! I loved it. It’s one I would have no problem reading over and over again. I really liked how it was divided into main sections each from the POV of the characters. It really is a great starting point for new readers.
August 2, 2017
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Batman has always won out over Superman for me. In fact, the Gotham gang is the only part of DC I like. So I was pretty excited to get a chance to read this with Netgalley.
AND YET.... here we are.
Overall, it was just 'okay'.
Batman has always won out over Superman for me. In fact, the Gotham gang is the only part of DC I like. So I was pretty excited to get a chance to read this with Netgalley.
AND YET.... here we are.
Overall, it was just 'okay'.
August 18, 2017
It was okay, but I didn't for a second buy the instalove between Babs/Dinah and Helena. Or "Oracle", for that matter. It's like the Bensons wanted the camaraderie that the previous Birds of Prey had (from like two reboots ago), but did very little to actually earn it. Claire Roe and Roge Antonio's art pretty good, though, and I give the book props for that.
May 8, 2017
I wanted to love this because Batgirl, Black Canary, and Huntress were finally back together as the Birds of Prey, but this book just lacked the fun of the previous runs. The three are very different characters from what they once were due to the changes they’ve undergone. They lack the chemistry they once had. They just felt forced together simply because they’re the original team. I couldn’t see why they’d want to work together. It just didn’t feel like a natural team-up.
The problem I had was that the book didn’t do much to make me connect emotionally to the characters. And the changes made to them have made them different characters from the ones I used to know, so I don’t have those connections carrying over from previous series. Huntress discovers one of the villains they’re facing is her mother who she thought was murdered, but watching her discover part of her life was a lie didn’t draw any reaction from me. And I’m not excited about the new character introduced to team up with the Birds of Prey. I just found him irritating.
Rather than getting me excited for the next book, this made me want to get back to reading the older Birds of Prey books.
The problem I had was that the book didn’t do much to make me connect emotionally to the characters. And the changes made to them have made them different characters from the ones I used to know, so I don’t have those connections carrying over from previous series. Huntress discovers one of the villains they’re facing is her mother who she thought was murdered, but watching her discover part of her life was a lie didn’t draw any reaction from me. And I’m not excited about the new character introduced to team up with the Birds of Prey. I just found him irritating.
Rather than getting me excited for the next book, this made me want to get back to reading the older Birds of Prey books.
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