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Birds of Prey (1999) (New Editions)
Birds of Prey: Fighters by Trade
The Birds of Prey face off against mysterious viruses…and maybe even find themselves the prey.
When Huntress goes AWOL and a techno-virus invades Oracle’s body, Canary will have to team up with Wildcat as they fight for their lives in Singapore…
These Birds will have to work with members of the Bat-Family while battling legendary assassins and fighting off attacks from inside themselves.
Collects Birds of Prey #81-91.
When Huntress goes AWOL and a techno-virus invades Oracle’s body, Canary will have to team up with Wildcat as they fight for their lives in Singapore…
These Birds will have to work with members of the Bat-Family while battling legendary assassins and fighting off attacks from inside themselves.
Collects Birds of Prey #81-91.
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
11 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Gail Simone
1,078 books1,237 followersGail 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".
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 13, 2021
The team heads to Singapore to take down some drug dealers that are supplying Gotham. Meanwhile, Huntress is going undercover in the Gotham mob to collect intel. Then the Society of Super-Villains tries to uncover Oracle's identity after she stole a bunch of their satellites. I really liked this story. The end of the storyline with Huntress was really awesome too. You rarely see Batman eat crow. A lot happens in the last couple of issues of the book. Barbara reveals her alter ego to Commissioner Gordon too. This also collects a lost fill-in issue about a mobster that needs a kidney and other villains are trying to make sure the donor never shows up.
June 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book a lot more than the guest book. Everything picked up. The story was much better, I really think the characters developed the dialogue was much better as well.
The book is about second chances, earning respect, building bridges, and lots of action. I think the revelations in thus book were also way overdue, though I am glad that they happened here. I am really glad that all the Birds of Prey had a chance to shine here.
The bookis very action packed, not the best fights (usually a lot of cool looking kicks) but lots of them, but I really to like the tactics and martial arts strategy especially employed in the first story arc. Though the second arc was for me, the Birds of Prey stepped out of the shadows and really became a team. It is also a good story to finish with as well as moral decisions.
The book is about second chances, earning respect, building bridges, and lots of action. I think the revelations in thus book were also way overdue, though I am glad that they happened here. I am really glad that all the Birds of Prey had a chance to shine here.
The bookis very action packed, not the best fights (usually a lot of cool looking kicks) but lots of them, but I really to like the tactics and martial arts strategy especially employed in the first story arc. Though the second arc was for me, the Birds of Prey stepped out of the shadows and really became a team. It is also a good story to finish with as well as moral decisions.
October 17, 2021
Still good but not as good as the first 2 books. Could be as the we are getting less focused and much more characters involved at this point.
April 19, 2025
This is taken from my 3am notes app so bare with me:
Even with all of the 2000's-typical questionable moments, I did enjoy this. More than anything I am taken aback by what a difference there is between DC's treatment of female and disabled characters then versus now.
I know what you're thinking: oh yeah it must have been terrible back then! I have bad news, I mourn for the writing of this era terribly. This was a time in which characters like Oracle were fleshed out and treated with a level of dignity we no longer see. She is a vital part of the hero community and has a role so much more far reaching than what it was as Batgirl. She doesn't need to he able-bodied to make an impact.
While there are still things that I wasn't too keen on in this (do #not ask me about that Dinah and Batman scene...), when I look at this era of comics as it relates to female characters, then look at Barbara bow being often relegated to a supporting figure for Batman and Nightwing, with her ability erased. When I see how Wonder Woman, a character who served as a mascot for the feminist movement and women not needing to be wives and mothers to be fulfilled, now having every other adaption cancelled and in her main comic being made into a tool for US propaganda and motherhood, all I can do is sigh and say DC editorial know that I will be making a list if things don't change! Most comics they released between 2011-2018 (though more like 2007-2022) did things that these books are still struggling to recover from, but I'm starting to feel like this has become more of a critique of the publisher in general, rather than focusing on the content of the book.
If you want to read a women-centred superhero book, I'd suggest reading Gail Simone's Birds of Prey! I totally see here what she was talking about in some of the X-Men interviews regarding her enjoyment of the international aspects of those stories -- each story arc here takes the characters from country to country. We see Dinah travel from Singapore, to Gotham, to Metropolis (with an Aztec-inspired interlude), to Istanbul, and then some! While I'm not certain on the accuracy of some of these, I feel like placing the Birds of Prey on an international stage distinguishes them from other hero groups and makes their impact so much wider than the typical villain of the week, even if they also play into the villain of the week format, because they target entire gangs instead of just "mr bad!"
I also really miss the formatting of arcs running over just a couple issues, instead of the sprawling 13-issue thing. As amazing as those can be, sometimes, something something shutting up is the soul of not boring the hell out of readers.
Even with all of the 2000's-typical questionable moments, I did enjoy this. More than anything I am taken aback by what a difference there is between DC's treatment of female and disabled characters then versus now.
I know what you're thinking: oh yeah it must have been terrible back then! I have bad news, I mourn for the writing of this era terribly. This was a time in which characters like Oracle were fleshed out and treated with a level of dignity we no longer see. She is a vital part of the hero community and has a role so much more far reaching than what it was as Batgirl. She doesn't need to he able-bodied to make an impact.
While there are still things that I wasn't too keen on in this (do #not ask me about that Dinah and Batman scene...), when I look at this era of comics as it relates to female characters, then look at Barbara bow being often relegated to a supporting figure for Batman and Nightwing, with her ability erased. When I see how Wonder Woman, a character who served as a mascot for the feminist movement and women not needing to be wives and mothers to be fulfilled, now having every other adaption cancelled and in her main comic being made into a tool for US propaganda and motherhood, all I can do is sigh and say DC editorial know that I will be making a list if things don't change! Most comics they released between 2011-2018 (though more like 2007-2022) did things that these books are still struggling to recover from, but I'm starting to feel like this has become more of a critique of the publisher in general, rather than focusing on the content of the book.
If you want to read a women-centred superhero book, I'd suggest reading Gail Simone's Birds of Prey! I totally see here what she was talking about in some of the X-Men interviews regarding her enjoyment of the international aspects of those stories -- each story arc here takes the characters from country to country. We see Dinah travel from Singapore, to Gotham, to Metropolis (with an Aztec-inspired interlude), to Istanbul, and then some! While I'm not certain on the accuracy of some of these, I feel like placing the Birds of Prey on an international stage distinguishes them from other hero groups and makes their impact so much wider than the typical villain of the week, even if they also play into the villain of the week format, because they target entire gangs instead of just "mr bad!"
I also really miss the formatting of arcs running over just a couple issues, instead of the sprawling 13-issue thing. As amazing as those can be, sometimes, something something shutting up is the soul of not boring the hell out of readers.
April 20, 2022
Fighters by Trade is another great entry in Gail Simone's Birds of Prey run.
The character moments were great. This volume saw Barbra get reinfected with Brainiac's virus and seeing her friends and especially Dinah support her in her time of need was moving. From Bruce quietly bankrolling her operation to Dinah being with her every step of the way, the character relationships during this arc were moving. I also loved seeing how Barbara faced the possibility of regaining use of her legs. The combination of hope for recovery while accepting and being proud of all she accomplished while disabled was wonderfully balanced.
I also loved seeing the development of Huntress and Barbara's relationship. The last volume, Hero Hunters ended with a major schism between the two and the process of them rebuilding trust was well handled. I loved seeing Babs finally trust Helena and defend her against people like Batman. The Birds of Prey were back to being a well-oiled machine in this volume and seeing them have each other's backs without question was amazing. Also—minor point—but I'm so glad they finally gave Helena the costume update she so desperately needed this volume. I cannot convey how much the short shorts and belly widow annoyed the hell out of me.
Fighters by Trade also surprisingly convinced me of Creote and Savant as a part of the team. These former blackmailers turned reluctant backup for the Birds of Prey were solid support I actually became fond of being around.
The comic also had great romantic moments for the characters. Seeing Dinah finally clear the air with her ex Oliver Queen was refreshing. Simone captured the chemistry between these two while allowing Dinah the space to put a close to their relationship for the moment. Their moment together was honestly really sweet and a great emotional moment for Dinah in particular.
I'm also happy to say I enjoyed the art in this book. This entire run since Chuck Dixon's era has had some major ups and downs but this group of pencillers notably Joe Bennett Jack Jadson and Adriana Melo kept a consistently high quality and everyone stayed model between issues.
Birds of Prey as a series continues to be a solid run. The characters are well written and Gail Simone has a lightness of touch with her characters and an eye for compelling character drama that makes burning through a volume a breeze.
The character moments were great. This volume saw Barbra get reinfected with Brainiac's virus and seeing her friends and especially Dinah support her in her time of need was moving. From Bruce quietly bankrolling her operation to Dinah being with her every step of the way, the character relationships during this arc were moving. I also loved seeing how Barbara faced the possibility of regaining use of her legs. The combination of hope for recovery while accepting and being proud of all she accomplished while disabled was wonderfully balanced.
I also loved seeing the development of Huntress and Barbara's relationship. The last volume, Hero Hunters ended with a major schism between the two and the process of them rebuilding trust was well handled. I loved seeing Babs finally trust Helena and defend her against people like Batman. The Birds of Prey were back to being a well-oiled machine in this volume and seeing them have each other's backs without question was amazing. Also—minor point—but I'm so glad they finally gave Helena the costume update she so desperately needed this volume. I cannot convey how much the short shorts and belly widow annoyed the hell out of me.
Fighters by Trade also surprisingly convinced me of Creote and Savant as a part of the team. These former blackmailers turned reluctant backup for the Birds of Prey were solid support I actually became fond of being around.
The comic also had great romantic moments for the characters. Seeing Dinah finally clear the air with her ex Oliver Queen was refreshing. Simone captured the chemistry between these two while allowing Dinah the space to put a close to their relationship for the moment. Their moment together was honestly really sweet and a great emotional moment for Dinah in particular.
I'm also happy to say I enjoyed the art in this book. This entire run since Chuck Dixon's era has had some major ups and downs but this group of pencillers notably Joe Bennett Jack Jadson and Adriana Melo kept a consistently high quality and everyone stayed model between issues.
Birds of Prey as a series continues to be a solid run. The characters are well written and Gail Simone has a lightness of touch with her characters and an eye for compelling character drama that makes burning through a volume a breeze.
April 15, 2023
the best so far!! i loved this one so much, it felt like all the bleh of the last two volumes was worth it just to get to this. everything clicked: globe-hopping, blackmail over turkish coffee, orientalist (lol) ninjas named for the zodiac, doomed romances w stars uncrossing, huntress (just her), actual witty dialogue, and babs… i finally love babs ~.~ the last volume was almost completely devoted to her but here she actually shone. i wanted her to be happy so much. and i loved getting to read all her nina simone feeling good moments. confessing to her dad, calling dick, hugging helena. wiggling her toes! she’s the heart of the team (sorry dinah) and she finally got herself together enough to make it all work.
March 30, 2025
Opening the book on a racist caricature is,,,, not great.
Everything involving asian characters continues to be Not Great.
'It's been a bad year for our community' Dinah girl you said this 5 pages ago I Know.
Dinah and Barbara are gay as hell.
As much as I love critiquing the bad guy for not doing his research on the culture he's using as set dressing,,,,, I don't want to hear that from you after what we've already seen in this book Ms. Simone.
The catfight comment. Christ.
TALIA HIIIII!!!
Disappointing lack of Talia in the rest of this book.
Overall the art was pretty good for the early 2000s and the story was fine, but The Racism was also there. Additionally I had a fair few 'are we sure this was written by a woman' moments which isn't great
Everything involving asian characters continues to be Not Great.
'It's been a bad year for our community' Dinah girl you said this 5 pages ago I Know.
Dinah and Barbara are gay as hell.
As much as I love critiquing the bad guy for not doing his research on the culture he's using as set dressing,,,,, I don't want to hear that from you after what we've already seen in this book Ms. Simone.
The catfight comment. Christ.
TALIA HIIIII!!!
Disappointing lack of Talia in the rest of this book.
Overall the art was pretty good for the early 2000s and the story was fine, but The Racism was also there. Additionally I had a fair few 'are we sure this was written by a woman' moments which isn't great
March 28, 2022
Argh. I wanted to like this cause I really love Gail Simone but nope. It didn't help that I'd just listened to a podcast on Asian futures without Asians and the first thing mentioned was people in conical hats, and here were the cliche Chinese villians wearing those exact same hats without any reason to. Except I guess comics. There were a lot of cheap stereotypes in the first story.
But more it wasn't really something you could come in mid way and understand, even though the stories were contained within the graphic novel. Why our heroes were trying to get a drugs shipment made little sent. I ended up reading about half and giving up. I'm afraid it's just not for me.
But more it wasn't really something you could come in mid way and understand, even though the stories were contained within the graphic novel. Why our heroes were trying to get a drugs shipment made little sent. I ended up reading about half and giving up. I'm afraid it's just not for me.
May 25, 2022
I keep getting confused with comics having different covers and accidentally buy multiple of the same issues so that’s a problem lol. But that aside these issues had so many gems. We have Dick randomly showing up and supporting Babs even when she’s not around, we have Batman being a good father figure in one scene and a complete bafoon in another which is so on theme for him. (You just know he was flustered when Dinah kissed him and you can’t tell me otherwise) also I loved seeing Ollie because I actually haven’t gotten to read his character in the comics yet. Is it toxic for me to want him and Di back together? Anyways 10/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2025
Gail Simone knows how to write comic books, and she knows how to write Birds of Prey. If you enjoy Gail, Birds of Prey, or the Bat Family, this is a good read. The plots are one notch above standard superhero plots: there's enough going on that they're legitimately interesting. There's good character work, and the art is good. Overall, I enjoyed it. The final issue in the volume doesn't stick the landing, and I'm not sure the presence of Batman is written perfectly, but these were minor distractions. It doesn't stand out as amazing, but it's not bad.
October 13, 2022
I miss the spectacular Benes art, but the Joe Bennett art grows on you. Fortunately, Bennett is a consistent presence most of the way through the book, which is then capped off by a fill-in issue with both a different writer and a different artist.
October 17, 2021
Too often women are portrayed as not working together well- this comic and incredible series again fights the bad guys and stereotypes by trusting one another’s leadership and instincts!
November 11, 2021
Pretty solid collection.
January 13, 2023
The graphics were nice. Switching from one scene to the next was a bit confusing.
February 21, 2023
Okay continuation
It's alight, but I never liked Calculator. He's like a corporate version of the Riddler and not really any fun.
It's alight, but I never liked Calculator. He's like a corporate version of the Riddler and not really any fun.
March 28, 2025
Huntress works to become the capo of the local mob while Oracle deals with the mysterious tech embedded in her body.
December 23, 2025
Simone'un serisi uzadıkça zayıflamaya devam ediyor. Bu ciltte İstanbul'da geçen bölüm güzel başlasa da fesli adam gözükünce tadı kaçtı.
July 4, 2023
This book was a mixed combination of stories regarding pacing. Overall, the book satisfied my fix to read some stories about the Birds of Prey women. (I particularly like Lady Blackhawk).
Also, the story arc with the villain known as the Calculator was 'meh.' I remember reading about him in a previous book, possibly another Birds of Prey book, and he's not interesting.
His superpower is sitting in a chair with an evil look on his face, biding time until he's defeated.
I did react during one bit in a story ~ possibly within that Calculator arc ~ where Black Canary kisses Batman w/o his consent. (She just wanted to get the experience of kissing Batman).
Would Gail Simone ever (or had she ever) had a male kiss one of her heroines w/o consent? Or is this part of a double standard?
Still, the book was satisfactory. None of the stories were mind-blowing or memorable, but I see myself returning to reread them.
*** out of *****
Addendum:
There are a few liberties.
As someone who spent some time in Singapore, the country/state comes off as the most Western Asian environment in Asia. Yet, Simone has the henchmen of Mr. Tan wearing outfits as if they've been watching Big Trouble in Little China on repeat.
It seems odd, and it would have worked for me if she had explained why they chose to dress like that.
Also, there is a person who speaks what Simone considers Singlish when it sounds like the character is talking in his dialect. It doesn't sound like the dialect that I heard among Singaporeans, saves for the usage of 'lah.'
Also, the story arc with the villain known as the Calculator was 'meh.' I remember reading about him in a previous book, possibly another Birds of Prey book, and he's not interesting.
His superpower is sitting in a chair with an evil look on his face, biding time until he's defeated.
I did react during one bit in a story ~ possibly within that Calculator arc ~ where Black Canary kisses Batman w/o his consent. (She just wanted to get the experience of kissing Batman).
Would Gail Simone ever (or had she ever) had a male kiss one of her heroines w/o consent? Or is this part of a double standard?
Still, the book was satisfactory. None of the stories were mind-blowing or memorable, but I see myself returning to reread them.
*** out of *****
Addendum:
There are a few liberties.
As someone who spent some time in Singapore, the country/state comes off as the most Western Asian environment in Asia. Yet, Simone has the henchmen of Mr. Tan wearing outfits as if they've been watching Big Trouble in Little China on repeat.
It seems odd, and it would have worked for me if she had explained why they chose to dress like that.
Also, there is a person who speaks what Simone considers Singlish when it sounds like the character is talking in his dialect. It doesn't sound like the dialect that I heard among Singaporeans, saves for the usage of 'lah.'
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews