Birds of Prey (2023-) #1

Birds of Prey (2023) (Single Issues) #1

by Kelly Thompson, Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Leonardo Bastos Romero (Penciller)

Every mission matters. Every life saved is a miracle. But this time, it’s personal. Dinah Lance is one of the DCU’s most elite fighters, and combined with her sonic scream, she’s a fearsome foe in any scenario…but sometimes even the Black Canary needs help. Faced with a personal mission brought to her by a mysterious new ally, and up against near-impossible odds, she re-forms the Birds of Prey with an unrivaled group of badasses-Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Harley Quinn-and only one extraction without bloodshed. What could possibly go wrong? Kelly Thompson (Captain Marvel, Black Widow) makes her long-awaited DC Universe writing debut, and is joined by her Hawkeye partners-in-crime Leonardo Romero (Batman) and Jordie Bellaire (Wonder Woman) to debut an all-new, all-deadly Birds of Prey series…still breaking hearts and faces after all these years!

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

28 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2023

About the author

KELLY 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.

Reviews

[Molly™☺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centering around an unexpected yet very welcome team, Thompson has set the ground work for an engaging story and interesting dynamics in a fun and feel good way.

[Murphy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Birds of Prey and it's great to see the team in their own title again. I'm not very familiar with Leonardo Romero's work, but the art here is really good. Romero's pages suggest, to me, strong influences of Manga and John Romita Sr. It's great! I just wish Lady Blackhawk was still around...

[Krystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really feeling this one, tbh.

I love Black Canary but I also love her as part of a team with Oliver so her striking out on her own for this mission seems a bit off to me.

This was an interesting issue in terms of creating the team but there's not enough about what's to come to really pique my interest. Plus the artwork really wasn't working for me - it's got a real classic look which some people might love but just isn't polished enough for me.

Could be interesting for others but I'm not sold.

[Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

achei esse team up super caótico, adorei
gostei da arte, acabou caindo no "todas as mulheres tem o mesmo rosto", mas como as personagens são bem diferentes uma das outras não tem como confundir, imagina confundir a big barda com a harley, impossível

"But yeah, I don't like when people mess with cool-ass little girls. And any girl that's a ninja before ten is pretty damn cool. So yeah, I'm here to make sure cool-ass little girls get to grow up and become cool-ass women."

[Paxton Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Thompson on a team book again! And this time at DC!

Well this is an excellent start. I love eclectic badass teams like this. Thompson wrote another favorite of mine, West Coast Avengers. This has that same potential. Thompson’s dialogue and character work is excellent as usual. The art is pretty good as well, it has a very classic minimalist style.

I’m totally looking forward to continuing this one.

[Cybernex007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing start, I originally jumped into this series from the all in point but now I’m throwing it back to the start and I’m so disappointed it took this long because this is amazing. The art immediately drew me in, that’s not to say the current art style is bad but this is so distinct and unique and I love it so much. But the characterizations are off the charts amazing, the team has changed quite a bit from here to the all in point, so jumping in as we are supposed to get acquainted with them feels like a breath of fresh air. ESPECIALLY with Harley Quinn, can we please move Kelly Thompson over to Harley Quinn now that this series is coming to a close because I feel like I should stop pulling Harley Quinn now solely because of how poor her characterization is in her main series compared to this. But jumping into the issue itself we find that Black Canary is tasked with putting together a super secret very trustworthy team to help her sister Sin aka Cynthia Lance who has been taken. But who does she trust enough to take on this endeavor and who is the secret person she is working with that won’t allow Barbara to know about it? All of that and more to be revealed as we meet the team. First person on the list, the most dangerous person Dinah knows aside from Barbara…Cassandra Cain of course! And the best way to get on her food side out the gate is a gorgeous two page spread fight scene and asking to help you out with your sister…how can Cass say no. We she might of said no if she knew where she was heading next for the second recruit. Dinah sent Cass on down to Los Angeles to try and recruit big Barda, who Cass found busting the heads of a group of vampires and inadvertently slammed Cass into a wall in the process. I love how their first meeting in this series Barda is calling Cass “small bat,” and is immediately impressed by Cass being able to take and dodge the full force of her punch. How do you get on Barda’s good side…the same way you do Cass…bust some heads! After all the vampires were taken down Cass explains that Dinah sent her, at first Barda wasn’t interested but then she heard Sin was in danger and was all ears.

Seems that Dinah took the next easy recruit who is also all ears and she woke up from her nice empty warehouse head she was sharing with grifter with a slight whistle. Seems that the mysterious character known as Zealot owes Dinah a favor and is being cached in now. But even with this team back together in Gotham Dinah realizes they need a fifth, something unexpected, a surprise they won’t expect. Considering we don’t know who “they” are that’s a bit hard to determine but Cass has an idea…Harley Quinn. Dinah is immediately against the idea, but Cass has a story to tell. She weaves a tale about sneaking into a home to investigate a crime scene only to find Harley already there, pissed that Cass would interrupt her investigation she threw what looked to be evidence at Cass. As a fight broke out Harley seemed to go for a frying pan…only to whip out and hit Cass with a…fish? The entire fight took this same theme, of Cass believing Harley would do something only to do something completely different at the last moment to throw Cass off until the two of them crashed out a window together. From my perspective that was an amazing fight scene to everyone else Cass barely said a word and was pretty bad at telling that story, LOL, but the point still stands that Harley Quinn is unexpected and of tjats what they need then they may or may not be able to trust her. Either way they decided to scope out the prospect anyway, they found Harley in Gotham dealing with a bunch of phonies in clown costumes who were quickly taken down by a canary cry. Harley was a little confused as to why they weren’t immediately killing her, but Dinah came right out that they want her on the team. Harley gave them a once over with a few snarky remarks and Dinah immediately felt like to wasn’t going to work, but Harley snapped back saying it wasn’t going to work because they came here with a smug attitude and didn’t even ask for her help. But before dj ab could walk away Cass grabbed her by the arm and reminded her why she was doing this. And that’s when Harley found out that they are doing this for Dinah’s kid sister, and she decided to join up with them. Not because they asked nicely, because they didn’t, but because her sister is a cool ass little girl and deserves to grow up to be a cool ass woman. Hell yeah, rock on. As the issue comes to an end they all meet up in the current BOP HQ in Gotham as Dinah reveals the extent of the plan and her silent partner aka Meridian, who is a time traveler and is here to help them break into Themyscira to rescue Sin from the amazons before they bring an end of the world.

Harley: “HAHAHAHA! Oh, no $#@% way.”

[Amy Walker - Trans-Scribe Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Birds of Prey return with a whole new type of team for the first issue of this new series as Black Canary needs to assemble a group of absolutely amazing warriors to help save her sister.


Set after the events of Green Arrow issue six (spoilers for that series on the very first page of this one!), we meet up with a Black Canary that's in need of help. Her younger sister, Sin, is being held prisoner and is facing execution, something that Dinah can't just sit back and allow to happen. She also knows that she can't do it alone, and is looking to reform her old team, the Birds of Prey. Unfortunately, Barbara is unable to help her out with this one, and so Dinah is left to try and assemble a new team all on her own.
We get given a cryptic reason for Barbara not being involved, and we're told that she doesn't even want to know what's happening. This, coupled with Dinah wanting to populate her team with people that will 'make you $@#% your pants' hints at something big to come, some kind of danger or situation that is going to need a group willing to go harder than most.

Most of this first issue is spent with Dinah assembling said team, and we get introductions to each of the characters. First up is Cassandra Cain, Batgirl. Trained to be a deadly assassin since her birth, and one of the most loyal and trustworthy members of the Bat Family, Dinah picks her both for her deadly skills and because she knows Cass will have her back. Next up is Big Barda, the New God. An absolute powerhouse of a character, Barda is a big gun on a team of big guns.

Dinah also calls in a favour with Zealot, a teleporting assassin deadly with both guns and close quarters weapons. Despite the four of them being a group you don't want to mess with, Dinah feels like they're missing something, an x factor. Thus, Cass suggests the most surprising member of the group, Harley Quinn. With the team fully assembled, Dinah reveals the mission to the group, a mission that well see them having to fight a powerful army, possibly hurt some allies, and one that includes a visitor from the future.


For an issue where we're essentially just assembling a team, this does a fantastic job at keeping things fun and interesting, as well as packing a lot of stuff into the pages. Each character has a decent introduction, with a scene that brings them into the book in a decent way. The most enjoyable are probably Cassandra and Barda, as they involve fighting against ninja's, and vampires. But the book doesn't just rely of action to keep you interested, as there are some really enjoyable character interactions scattered throughout too, and you can already see some interesting bonds and relationships being formed.
When the book was announced and the roster was being slowly revealed there were some people who were unsure of the inclusion of Harley Quinn on the team. Harley has had a big push over the last few years, and there are some who don't like her new heroic turn. The book seems to have most of the characters take a similar kind of view, such as Dinah not trusting Harley, and not really wanting her on the team. But, as Cass explains, she absolutely does add a certain x factor to things, and her reason to agreeing to join up with the team to save Sin feels genuine and decent.

Whilst I really enjoyed the writing on the book the art was something that I have to admit didn't set my world on fire. There are some nice visuals in the book, and the two page spread of Dinah and Cass fighting a horde of assassins across a rooftop is a stand out for sure. But things felt a little too flat and simple for me at times. There's little detail in some of the characters, such as Batgirl being an almost fully black silhouette with a white line where the mouth part of her mask is, which makes the character fall very flat for me.

The issue ends with the reveal of what the mission is, and it's a reveal that I won't spoil as it's a genuine twist I did not see coming. It also makes it clear why Dinah had to assemble a team like this, and raised the stakes for the coming issues considerable. With big action on the horizon, and the promise that the book will feature a rotating cast of heroes, it makes this an exciting start.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aquí llega una nueva iteración de las Aves de Presa... ¿Sin Barbara Gordon?... ¿Por qué no? Una Batgirl tenemos (sí, la Batgirl criada como la asesina juvenil más letal del universo DC hasta su "llamada heroíca"). Y es que esta nueva cabecera de Aves de Presa se presenta justamente destacando su más que ecléctica formación. Así es como arranca el número. Cuestionando la decisión de los integrantes a los que aún le falta un miembro que se decide en último momento... Pero el caso es que esta agrupación surge de una necesidad personal de Canario Negro. Por lo que se ve como la espontaneidad será lo que domine este grupo y misión... La cual se descubre en la última página como algo realmente ¡#?*/


El caso es que sí que es cierto que este número entra en un empozoñoso estatus de "número de formación" que no logra hacer sorpresivo nada de cómo se van uniendo las integrantes más allá de la imagen de la portada. Y eso que Kelly Thompson aún se esmera con alguna jugada argumental como decidir la integrante "Factor X" mediante una historia personal que no es una gran historia ni realmente da buenos motivos para el reclutamiento. Tampoco el arte de Leonardo Bastos Romero y Jordie Bellaire serán del gusto general. Sí que es un reclamo fácil para quien venga de su gustoso arranque de serie propia de la Ojo de Halcón encarnada por Kate Bishop. Pero es complicado vender su estilo al lectore más común de DC. Tampoco es como que en este primer número se haya prodigado ninguna gran situación para hacerles destacar. Espero que ya en el próximo puedan sorprender de verdad.


Estas Aves de Presa quieren haceros c*garos en vuestros pantalones... ¿Lo conseguirán?

[Glowlend · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a weird comic. Many of the characters seem super out of character.
Barda speaks like Thor from the first MCU movie when she should speak like a normal human. She may be direct or blunt but she distinctly doesn't speak like she does in this book.
Cassandra on the other has the same but opposite problem. Her dialogue is very clear, casual, and conversational. This is not how Cass speaks usually. This issue she hadn't been emotional, therefore she can probably have more standard dialogue but it still seems weird and out of character. More importantly her actions in this comic are more motivated by the necessity of having Harley Quinn on the team rather than having them make sense. Cassandra Cain would not recommend Harley Quinn to an important mission to save someone. She probably doesn't hate her but she would not be confident in her abilities. Harley Quinn's subversiveness in combat is not like Deadpool. She would never best Cass in a fight.
There are plot questions obviously but it is too early to get into them.

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued when the first issue of this series was solicited. It has several characters that bring in a new infusion of interest to the Birds of Prey.

The first issue is a recruitment drive with Black Canary, an ostensible link to the original run of the Birds as field leader, calling in favors and markers to build new version of her old team.

It has Cassandra Cain, my favorite version of Batgirl. Big Barda, my favorite denizen of Fourth World, is also in. Harley Quinn is in as the ringer and obvious draw. However, the most intriguing addition is Zealot, a Wildstorm refugee and long deserving of a shot in a marquee DC book.

This roster and the Artgerm cover of my physical copy is good enough reason for me to try this new series.

[julie ☼]

I’m using this one issue to signify all 10 issues I read this month. I’m obsessed with this series and hope it never ends, give me MORE.

1st arc: #1-6 = 4.5*
This story of rescuing Sin was super interesting, especially by the end. I loved getting introduced to all the characters and I especially enjoyed their interactions with eachother. Barda calls Cass “little bat” I’m gonna SOB

2nd arc: #7-8 = 2*
While I think I’m gonna love Vixen the more she’s in this, I feel as though both of these issues were confusing as hell and really not my vibe. I especially hated putting all the girls in swimsuits,,, because why not.

3rd arc (continuous): #9-10 = ?
Well I’m loving this arc so far. The different worlds matched with the various art styles?! I’m in heaven

[Machiavelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birds of Prey #1 kicks off with pure attitude and style. Thompson brings a sharp edge and fun banter to this new crew — Black Canary pulling together Cassandra Cain, Harley Quinn, Big Barda, and Zealot is chaotic genius. The mix of personalities bounces perfectly off each other right from the jump.

Romero’s art is slick, clean, and full of energy — every panel pops with color and movement. It’s a first issue that’s all about setting the tone: punchy, playful, and packed with potential. I’m all in for this team’s messy mission.

[Colin Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one could be an all-timer. Romero’s pencils and Bellaire’s colors tap into a classic Bronze Age vibe but aren’t pegged by nostalgia - the art is so fresh and vibrant and are alone enough for me to pull the rest of this series. But Thompson absolutely brings it with the setup for an epic story, on point characterization (with such a weirdly perfect team), and stellar dialogue. This is going to quickly become one of my most anticipated books, I think.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Black Canary leads an all-star team with Harley Quinn, Batwoman, Barda, and Zealot to help save Black Canary's sister. This first issue details how Black Canary finds the team.

I loved the art style of this. It had this retro feel to it. I liked Black Canary being front and center. I like the team. Harley is always a fan-favorite. I don't know much about Barda or Zealot, but I think they would grow on me.

This was a fun issue.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a solid first issue, I’m not familiar with Big Barda or Zealot but I really liked how Cassandra Cain was depicted here. Add Harley Quinn to the mix and things are gonna be interesting to say the least as far as character interactions go.

I’m curious to see where things go from here, the art is interesting as well as it has a more retro twist that I dug for the most part

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm gonna be honest with you... I was hesitant to pick this book up. Mostly because Harley is in it. "What is she doing in Birds Of Prey?" But I picked it up because Kelly's name is on it and MAN it did not disappoint. Kelly KNOWS how to write women and it shows. Really fun y'all. Definitely check it out.

[Max Driffill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid intro

Black Canary puts together a new "Birds of Prey" team for a dangerous mission to save her sister.
Nice hook, even if we've seen it before. The art is pretty delightful, with its retro lines, and old school color palette.
I took a chance solely for the appearance of Barda Free. She isn't in enough comic books.

[Kay ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb 1st issue that has certainly captured my interest. I eagerly anticipate seeing how the plot unfolds. Perhaps my enthusiasm is partly influenced by my fondness for the character Harley Quinn. However, I must admit that the artwork did not particularly resonate with me. At times it seemed inconsistent.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

3
Does anyone actually buy these? Just basically pinups? No story? Seems like a waste of money. I have an DC Infinite subscription, so I flipped through it. I'd do the same at a comic shop, but I wouldn't buy it.

That said, loving Thompson's Bird's of Prey run so far. So if shameless pinups can pull someone in, that's a win.

[James B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enjoying this until Harley came into it. I'm no Harley hater, I love the black+white+redder comics, but this one, her vibe just felt off. It's a shame because Big Barda seems like an awesome character.

[Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this 6 stars if I could!! So SO excited for a new Birds of Prey run, and this is such an interesting lineup!

I also love the art, you can definitely tell the style is inspired by older comics.

Can’t wait to see where this run goes!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. There's a lot of potential here so I will definitely carry on. I wasn't in love with this first issue but I liked the artwork a lot and the ending has me interested to see what's going to happen next.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start. I do not know most of the characters in question but I feel the book did well in introducing me to them so quickly. Overall, a clear first chapter that sets up the stakes, mission and gives you a glimpse at the team you'll follow.

[Alexis Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read. I really like the writing of the characters, they feel unique and rich but not in a philosophical sense but in a lived in huma experience kinda way. I want more and want to see where this story goes.

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to be an amazing series. What a reveal at the end!!!!

[Jennifer Baratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal issue

Phenomenal artwork!
Awesome writing!
Good luck Dinah and Birds of Prey team.
Going up against Amazons oh yikes!
Read this issue!

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Thompson is writing an all-girl kick-ass super-team, featuring a Batgirl. What more would I want?

[Catherine Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first issue! Excited for issue 2 as a Gotham Academy fan to see a grown up Maps! :)

[KMReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the kind of entry comic to remind you why you love the birds of prey and need to invest in this years comic series.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty great "get the band together" issue. Good to have this creative team back again.