The last issue I reviewed of Birds of Prey was initially a fun issue that had some dark twists to it and this issue goes in directions you might not expect. Gail Simone and Jesus Saiz have all the Birds of Prey are in action for anyone new to the book Oracle has a group of agents that work with her on special operations. For this issue you have the entire team out on different missions. Right now you have Huntress with the Question on a mission in trying to figure out what’s happening with certain people in the sewers. On the other end of the book you have Black Canary, Lady Blackhawk, Dove, and Hawk being directed by Oracle infiltrating a building with something mysterious going on. this one definitely went in directions that I wasn’t expecting in a good way now which ones could they be?
Gail Simone is one of those for when she’s at her best she can lace together humor, drama, and action effortlessly. This issue is her at her best for at one point you have Huntress and Question in the midst of their adventures in the sewers then you’re into Lady Blackhawk flirting with a guy working their way into a building. This is what makes Gail well Gail. She’s a characterization expert of the highest caliber. For the dialogue as they talk to each other feels completely natural and nothing feels forced into the script. It’s why whenever you hear Birds of Prey people gravitate towards either Gail Simone or Chuck Dixon but mainly Gail Simone by this point. For it’s become just as much her book as Dixon’s by this point in time. For when Gail writes it she makes it her own book and has carved out her own world in this series. Jesus Saiz also does a great job art wise on this book and it’s great to see him on it. The facial expressions amd the body movements of Lady Blackhawk’s flirting sequence alone are wonderfully done.
The whole issue is this just perfect piece of just when you think you see where this issue is going it hits you with a curve ball that for people that follow Gail Simone’s work regularly will be surprised to see again. That last page made me gasp as to what I witnessed. When you see this character you definitely will wonder how in the world is this going to play out. I probably don’t have to reiterate it but if you aren’t picking up this book go to it. This issue is Gail Simone at her finest.
