Written by: Kelly Thompson
Art by: Javier Pina
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
Cover art by: Leonardo Romero, Jordie Bellaire
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: March 5, 2024
Birds Of Prey #7 begins the hunt for a time traveler who may be targeting the Birds of Prey, past and present. How far will the team go undercover to get to the truth?Is Birds Of Prey #7 Good?
Birds Of Prey #7 is a peculiar comic. It’s not necessarily awful, but it fails to captivate. Several aspects remain unexplained or illogical, but the downsides are not as discouraging as the initial arc, so this issue shows improvement… perhaps.
When last we left the Birds OF Prey (BoP), Meridian, aka Maps from the future, waved away the reason Oracle couldn’t participate in the first mission and other glaring plot holes using foreknowledge from the future. In every scenario, Barbara Gordon meets her demise, leading Meridian to conclude that a time traveler is altering the timeline to target the BoP.
Meridian then provides Barbara, aka Oracle, with a wealth of time traveler data to help identify a pattern in the time manipulation (because Oracle’s technology is apparently more effective than advanced tech from Meridian’s future?). Oracle determines that Meridian’s time travel technology connects to the Green and that similar “spikes” appear in the Red.
Seeking expertise on the Red (since Meridian seems unaware of it), the BoP enlists Mari McCabe, aka Vixen, for assistance. However, Vixen has her own issues after waking up in a mansion while attempting a heist. Dinah suspects Vixen’s troubles may be linked to the Red, so Vixen proposes a plan to lure out the time-traveling troublemaker by having the BoP pose as runway models for a lingerie fashion show(?).
What stands out in Birds Of Prey #7? Despite the plot’s shortcomings, Thompson excels in portraying the team’s interactions with ease and chemistry. Their mutual respect and camaraderie shine through.
On the downside, Thompson’s plot is a chaotic mix of developments that arise abruptly without much explanation or setup, ranging from mildly irritating to concerning.
In terms of artwork, it has improved. Javier Pina’s style is more suitable for action-packed superhero comics than Leonardo Romero’s. However, Jordie Bellaire’s unconventional coloring technique can be distracting. While experimentation is commendable, it may not be ideal for establishing a rebooted title.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site focusing on indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Birds Of Prey #7 kicks off a new arc in an unconventional manner. Meridian’s role as a time traveler lacks coherence when she appears clueless about the present. The narrative jumps between scenes without adequate setup or transitions, and characters make significant leaps in logic that happen to be correct. Vixen’s plan seems more like an excuse for the characters to dress up in revealing outfits.
5.5/10