Commentary: Why You Should Read Birds Of Prey (DC)

Birds of Prey is a truly groundbreaking title for a multitude of reasons but what it really all boils down to is the writer. Gail Simone has done wonders with a potentially flat title, and having a woman writer in comic books step to the forefront like Simone has really shows you the difference. (Spoilers ahead)

Simone took over Birds of Prey about 2 years ago with issue 56 (81 just came out). This is also when I read from, as I intentionally went back to read all of Simone's seamless run thus far. Birds of Prey follows Black Canary, Huntress, and Oracle on their various missions around Gotham (until the recent destruction from War Games) and around the country. To start off, the characters are an odd blend here, and without Simone's intricate character designs, these personalities would fall flat. We have the potentially intriguing Barbara Gordon / Oracle - intriguing because of her relationships to the other heroes, her history, and so much more. Black Canary really has little to offer, but with Simone she became another interesting persona who struggles with her lineage, her skills and powers, and so much more. And finally Huntress, who while arguably an already developed character, has now become so complex that her struggle over being powerless and even weak, her faith, and her motivations are psychologically enthralling.

Now for the writing overall. This is truly the first time you can hear a woman's voice. It's not sexist, it's not feminist - it's simply something that you rarely (if ever) hear anywhere else. Who can even name another big deal, major publisher female writer? I certainly can't, especially in the world of Marvel. The difference is almost impossible to pinpoint, but is evident in the dialogue between these women feeling more real and more natural than anything else I've read (including, sadly, Wonder Woman). This is not the woman through the male gaze, this is the woman as a person with intricacies, complexities, humor, struggle, and personality. You really need to pick the book up to see this in action.

The book has interesting plots that seem to steer away from the serialized good vs. evil battles (again, I find myself saying this about DC, kudos to them). The plots don't feel contrived and the outcomes interest me and matter to me. It is rare these days (at least with the books I've been reading for the last 15 years) to find a story that I care about. Birds of Prey gives it to me. It interweaves pieces of the DC Universe (with guest appearances by Batman, Nightwing, Wild Cat, Superman, Blue Beetle, and more) with a new sensibility and story telling that is utterly refreshing to find.

Read this title if...
You like Wonder Woman for its kick ass woman and femininity
You like Astonishing X-Men for its natural dialogue and psychological characterization
You like Xena: Warrior Princess for its action and female camaraderie