Birds of Prey #3

The past two issues of this series have been one of the most exiting things in the past year. (besides Shadowland) But I found this issue really disappointing. It was mainly just recap and fighting. It did have one or two unexpected twists, but not enough. I'm very much looking forward to the end of this story arc. Recently I've noticed writers aren't starting off series in the way that they should. They're all trying to jump right into the middle of a series apposed to starting off with an introductory arc where the villains come back. Birds of Prey, X-Men, and the Flash are all good examples of this. While I love Birds of Prey and the Flash series I would just like some action with the Calculator, and Captain Cold instead of things like a hero going to jail or an identidy being revealed. In this issue the Birds of Prey are hiding in the Iceberg Lounge. When a group of rogue cops blow it up. After that fight, Black Canary goes to confront White Canary.

         I really didn't see why Penguin's perverted thoughts were necessary. It was just a tool to be shocking. Maybe three panels would have been acceptable, but an entire two page spread? That's a little rediculouse. The art was also bad, most of the faces looked distorted. Plus I'm very disappointed that Hawk is becoming a major player in the series, and Dove is very underplayed. I really wish it was the other way around. I hate Hawk, I understand that his character is supposed to be annoying but I really can't stand him. As I said before, DC is pushing to hard to make him the new Punisher and it is looks very contrived. I did like the end when Black Canary says she won, but then White Canary explains that she was wrong and that she, had won. I'm not very exited about next issue (unless it is the conclusion of this arc) but I am more than psyched for the next arc, but the only reason I would recommend this comic is so you know what happens in this series which I have very high hopes for.

Grade: 6.5/10
Buy at: www.mycomicshop.com

Birds of Prey #2

               Gail Simone continues the series that had the best first issue I've ever seen. So naturally I had very, very high expectations for this issue. This issue began with the continuation of an epic fight between the Birds and White Canary. Every panel in the entire fight looks like it could be on a poster. My only complaint is there was one panel where Black Canary punched White Canary in the face, and I saw the panel I've seen so many times in so many different books. The same nose crunching panel. I've seen it in every comic universe I've ever read, and it is always there. The comic  was drawn very well, this time it wasn't the colorist, it was the penciler. Especially when they zoomed in on White Canary's face to show the hatred in her eyes, you could see the genuine loathing in her eyes. It was done very well. After that Oracle calls in Lady Black-Hawk who brings Hawk and Dove. Hawk being in the Birds of Prey is my least favorite part of the series, he just doesn't work in the story, mainly it is because I don't like his character. I said this in an earlier review, but I will say it again. DC is trying to make Hawk the DC equivilant of the Punnisher, but they are trying to force him to be edgy.  Black Canary said it right, I also enjoyed it when Hawk got thrown into a wall.
               So after the fight scene, you figure out that White Canary was stalling so the press and the police could get there and Black Canary would be filmed resisting arrest. Now Black Canary's identity is public. That is the flaw. Why? Why? Why? Why? I hated that they did that with Green Arrow, now they have done it to Black Canary! On the Second issue! I think all of the Birds are going to the Iceberg with the Penguin. That will be cool for a couple issues, the Birds being mixed with the law. Trying to be good but relying on the Penguin. So this issue wasn't as good as the last one, but this series has so much promise.


Grade: 8.5/10
Buy at: www.mycomicshop.com

Batman #698

           THIS IS MY 50th REVIEW EVER
      

           This comic was very good, except one thing that I will bring up later. This story is about a villain, who later I think will be called the Copy Cat Villain, (named by the Riddler) and Batman and Riddler were tracking him down. I do hope that the Copy Cat Villain will show up later in the Batman series. People who have just been let out of Blackgate have been murdered in the different styles of the Batman villains. Tallies, pecked to death by birds, frozen. This comic also started out with a dream of  Dick Grayson's where he was in the flying Graysons again, but instead of his parents there is Catwoman, Jason Todd, and Oracle. The art was also exceptional the sketchiness and the sketchy collar worked in such a way that was very pleasing to the eye.
           What I really didn't like is that Edward Nigma (Riddler) figured all of the clues out before Batman, and he ended up just sitting their like a dolt. Batman is the smartest person in the DCU, he can't be outsmarted by one of his own (ex) villains. I hate that Dick Grayson is Batman, and this just makes it worst, if Robin (not Batman) is playing Batman and isn't even smart, how am I supposed to like him. Although the comic was still very good, and at least he was still physically fit.



Grade: B
buy at: www.mycomicshop.com