Sorry I’ve been missing out on a couple reviews here and there! My life is about as much of a mess as the writing in these past two issues of Birds of Prey. The second half of this fashion adventure fails to weave together a satisfying story. Everything feels rushed and unfunny with even the serious moments falling flat cause they get no time to breathe.

At first I was excited about the fact that this was gonna be a two parter because I miss reading comics that have self-contained bursts of story but my god please give Kelly Thompson another six issue arc! She is floundering with the first part being this overly wordy mess of multiple stories crammed together. I laughed a little when the Birds go visit girlboss faux-feminist icon Mari and they have to engage in a trade to accomplish their mission. Oh you have this super important mission that took a while to explain to the reader chewing up the precious little pages you have in this two-parter? Well how about we trade and you have to do this other mission first that also takes time to explain? While the fact that these two missions do intersect in a way that could’ve been satisfying we still have to read so many words to figure out why all of this is relevant.

And spoilers, it’s not satisfying! Now that we got to part two it just reeks of endless comedy that falls flat with dialogues ending in punchlines that hurt your brain with how out of place and unfunny they are. Remember all that talk about the red and the green in part one? Well it’s not mentioned once here. These elements are coming out of nowhere in this series and it’s something that can be explored so much and introduced in a similar way to the Animal Man omnibus by Jeff Lemire. Where Lemire makes it a central part of the story with lots to unpack as it relates to fundamental concepts of blood and nature.

The art by Javier Pina is also a serious step down from what I’m used to in this series. I feel like the creative decisions and incredible compositions of old have been replaced by something much more standard. I don’t think this art is particularly bad but we were getting fed some of the best art I’ve seen in a while and it’s hard to not want more of that when you realize how dull this issue can feel in comparison. I mean, take a look at the big brawl towards the end. How static all the characters are and the way everything is so self-contained. I enjoy looking at it and can follow it easily but the awe is gone.

Leonardo Romero on the colors keeps his side of the art consistent and soothingly nostalgic. I’m a bit confused by some choices when it comes to the usage of green in this issue and sometimes it feels like they really don’t care about the red and the green anymore but apart from that the colors are gorgeous. I love the way that lighting takes on this surreal aspect as an entire room foreshadows danger by being drenched in red or how the soft pink that covers Sin’s face contrasts the other characters.

Clayton Cowles on the letters is a huge stand out for this series though. While I don’t like reading the dialogue I can at least say I love looking at it. And the sound effects! That one POW that looks like it was done with black ink and brush strokes gives the needed gravitas while perfectly fitting in the softer color palette of the comic! Or the SKREEEEE that has these distorted spaces between each letter reminding you of ever awful alarm you’ve had to silence after almost having a heart attack! Just great work as usual!

Recommended if…

• You love great lettering and colors
• You’re addicted to Birds of Prey
• You’re desperately avoiding Birds of Prey withdrawal   
  
  

Overall

I’ve been really disappointed by these past two issues. I hope it picks up again and we start having a stronger balance between the comedy and serious elements. I want the art to be bold and the characters to be more than just the writer’s punchlines. I’d honestly say avoid this series until further notice. Pretend that the first arc was the only one…

Score: 3/10

DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.

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