REVIEW: ‘Birds of Prey,’ Issue #1

Birds of Prey #1 is published by DC Comics, written by Kelly Thompson, art by Leonardo Romero, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and letters by Clayton Cowles. Black Canary’s sister, Sin, is in big trouble, and a new Birds of Prey team must be gathered to help her.

The plot of this first issue has a simple structure that works brilliantly. Starting with just Black Canary, there is a gradual increase in the cast as she enlists the help of the best fighters. The opening page can be confusing, and it is purposefully so, as it seems like joining the middle of a conversation between Ollie and Dinah. While the pacing is slow, that provides each new member ample time to introduce themselves. But the action is nearly constant, which reignites interest every couple of pages.

It is rather funny that each character is in the middle of doing a similar thing, fighting a group of goons pertinent to their own corner of the DC Universe. And whilst it’s clear who they are being drafted in to save, why, where, and any other major details are left out. Additionally, major mysteries are being hammered home very early. Barbara, the leader and heartbeat of previous iterations of the Birds of Prey, is spoken about in hushed tones, not allowed to know about anything this new team is doing. It gives the group a rag-tag, clandestine vibe, going into something wholly dangerous. It isn’t until the last few panels that the mission’s location is revealed, and it is a big surprise.

Birds of Prey #1 is a very different lineup from what might be expected, blending characters from the live-action movie and some of Thompson’s favourite characters. At the helm is Black Canary, the only remnant of what could be considered the original crew. She is joined by Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Harley Quinn, and Zealot. It is definitely distinctive as a group, physical and battle-hardy. They are adorned with the excellent dialogue that Thompson brings to team books. Furthermore, the conversations can be adorable and heartfelt, and the reaction from one of the members is certainly unexpected. 

The art is magnificent. Beautifully clean, the lines from Romero are extraordinary. Likewise, the facial expressions are striking. They’re very accurate and can tell a story without the dialogue. It looks like some Jack Kirby influence in how the lips and eyes are constructed. Romero can brilliantly show a whole fight scene in a splash page, using echoes to move across a room. That sense of movement is terrific, and each hero fights with their own unique style. The Birds of Prey look fantastic, combining classic and adapted costumes.

The colors are fascinating. There are scenes where the pages look like they are warping, with dashes of color added like streaks of oil on water. Additionally, it gives the characters more light around themselves whilst there are darker tones everywhere else. The lettering has a lot of characters to contend with but is always easy to read and follow.

Birds of Prey #1 is a wonderful first issue. Thompson is a master at team books, and this opening chapter is another home run. The chemistry between the characters is delightfully funny and heartfelt, with the potential to go dark and menacing at a moment’s notice. This is not the Birds of Prey team of old, but it brings in a group of brilliant characters to fill that void. There’s a whirlwind of action from start to finish, with the promise of more considering their ultimate destination.

Birds of Prey #1 is available where comics are sold.