Comic Book Review: Birds of Prey #56
by R.J. Carter
Published: June 23, 2003
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Birds of Prey #56 |
Of Like Minds |
Gail Simone
Ed Benes
Alex Lei |
DC |
$2.50 US, $4.25 CAN |
A |
For more information: DC Comics |
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Gail Simone takes the helm of the title with this issue--and what a welcome change it is! This fresh perspective on the relationship between Babs and Dinah allows the readers to see them interact more like real people, like friends, rather than like two crimefighters who are partnered up for the sole sake of a cool masthead.
Oh, there's action and there's drama, that's for sure. The issue opens with Black Canary on a preemptive mission to stop a CEO from scamming his stockholders and fleeing the country. It's information Oracle picked up on by scanning the CEO's home computer (an invasion of privacy that Dinah later questions the ethics of) and leads to Dinah putting the frights into the poor fellow, a confrontation that contains--intentionally or otherwise--one of the more blatant double-entendres I've seen in a comic book:
Fisher: Take the wheel, for God's sake!
Canary: Now, I can hardly be expected to pout and drive at the same time, can I?
Canary: This is fun, isn't it? I'm glad we had this chance to chat.
Fisher reaches for his handgun.
Canary: Oh, Mister Fisher...
Canary: ...it's really a bit late to find your courage, don't you think?
Canary: This looks like a nice spot.
Everything seems to have worked, and the readers are treated to some of the interpersonal characterization I mentioned, when Oracle finds that Fisher--having been frightened out of his wits--is typing up his suicide note. The action turns frantic as Canary races to save the man--but does he really need saving, or is there something else afoot? It's a cliffhanger ending the Birds never expected as they encounter a new enemy in the form of Savant!
 As good as Simone's storytelling abilities are, they're made even more so by the artistic interpretations of Ed Benes and Alex Lei. The linework is sharp, there are no overly-busy backgrounds to distract from the dialogue, and--sexist though it may be to speak of imaginary characters thusly--the birds have never looked sexier.
Great writing. Great art. Great new jumping-on point for new readers. If you're not reading this book already, this is when you should start.
Where's the comic shop in your area? Dial the Comic Shop Locator toll free at: 1-888-COMIC BOOK (1-888-266-4226).
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