Birds of Prey has consistently been one of the strongest DC titles, yet it feels like the audience has a small reach. This “sleeper hit” status makes me worried every time solicits come out, but also adds to the charm of the series. Without a lot of eyes on it, Kelly Thompson has been able to really build out her own unique area of the DC Universe: one full of great superhero action with an espionage twist that makes the series feel like the Gail Simone series of old, yet still retaining its own style. Birds of Prey #24 continues that trend, and pays off on a lot of what Thompson has been doing since the beginning of the series. With every member of the team called in for action in a last desperate rescue mission to free Big Barda from Daemon Prime and the Shadow Army, it’s an issue that has the sense of finality to it that you’d expect from a final issue, but thankfully promises more to come.
The Barda rescue mission takes up a large amount of the issue. But unlike other comics that can feel like they are overdoing the action, Birds of Prey makes every hit and moment extremely satisfying. After issues of the Birds trying to stay ahead of the Shadow Army, the fact that they finally get to let loose on them is really cathartic, and the different former members coming in to assist is a lot of fun. Seeing Harley Quinn bounce off of members of the team that weren’t there during her tenure is a blast, and John Constantine slinking in the corner rambling off spells adds a new level of danger to the battle with the Inque-possessed Barda. Naturally, the Birds make it out, but while they end the battle with Barda back in action and with some leads on what Daemon is up to, they’re also nowhere near closer to defeating him.
While that may feel like a bummer ending to the latest storyline, Kelly Thompson’s focus on the team coming together for a giant meal to unpack the mission gives a sense of bittersweet happiness to the proceedings. The Birds may not have gained the upper hand (aside from getting Barda back), but they have each other, and that sense of camaraderie amongst the heroes is felt from page one with Black Canary’s narration. The connective tissue of the members, even when some aren’t on active duty, feels real and genuine, and it’s great to see them enjoying some down time, even though Barbara can’t help herself and starts planning ahead. The theme of “Found Family” has been the biggest strength of Thompson’s run, and one of the reasons why Birds of Prey is one of my favorite superhero books on the stands.
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Sami Basri’s art complements both aspects of Thompson’s script extremely well. Obviously the opening action set piece where the possessed Barda thrashes her former teammates is incredible, but Basri also gives just as much focus on the team enjoying their meal in a noodle bar (with Barda absolutely crushing bowls to hilarious effect). There’s also a great sense of movement and flow to Basri’s opening action. You’re drawn to the big throw down in front of you, but then when you look elsewhere in the panels you see a lot of other things happening in the background. It’s a great way to compose an action sequence and keeps the pace of the book flowing really well. Really my only wish is that they weren’t fighting in such a boring building, but then again, Daemon Prime’s probably trying to keep costs down on interior design.
Birds of Prey #24 feels like a final issue, and I’m sure that at some point it was written in a way that it could have been. But I’m very glad it’s not, cause the team has won the battle, but not the war, and Birds of Prey has been one of the most consistently great books that DC has been putting out. It remains to be seen who’s gonna be on the team next issue, but with the reputation this book has built up already, I expect it live up to the standards that have been set.
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