DCU Comic Book Reviews

BIRDS OF PREY #102

Blood & Circuits:  Part Three.  Freedom Of Motion

March 2007

Written by Gail Simone

Pencils by Nicola Scott

Inks by Doug Hazelwood

Cover by Stephane Roux

Synopsis

In Mexico, one extremely large prison guard by the name of Miguel captures Manhunter after she attempted to release a number of prisoners.  In Metropolis, Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane visits Barbara Gordon to discuss a story she is writing about a mysterious computer hacker helping superheroes.  Lois received a tip from someone within the government toward Barbara, but Lois she decides it would be better to bury the story.  At Oracle’s Command Center, Misfit (the wannabe Batgirl) intercepts a call from the Huntress seeking help:  she, Big Barda, Judomaster and Zinda are surrounded by FBI agents.  Unable to find a way to help via Oracle’s computers, she simply teleports herself next to Huntress to help out.  The team is able to fend of the FBI agents, but the agents take the Senator’s daughter before they leave.  Meanwhile, FBI agents and Mexican authorities attempt to interrogate Manhunter, but with the help of Gypsy, she is able to escape.  Before she gets too far, however, Miguel blocks her way out.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was a damn fine issue.  The scenes with Manhunter and between Babs and Lois (except for the complaint mentioned below) were handled brilliantly, especially the scene with Babs and Lois as I was not quite sure how it would end.  Maybe I am an idiot, but I really thought it was possible that Oracle could be exposed.  It is rare in comic books for so much tension to occur in the form of dialogue and I applaud Simone for tackling the issue of Oracle’s anonymity.

But there is a little niggly buzz in my ear about the entire Lois-Babs scene which makes me ask this question:  why doesn’t Lois know who she really is?  In the world in which Ray Palmer’s wife knew the identity of Lois Lane, why wouldn’t she knew the identity of Oracle, who was once part of the JLA with her husband.  It would have been nice if Lois had simply told Oracle exactly what was going on, giving her the heads up as to Katrina’s actions.  And even if Lois doesn’t know, Oracle must know Lois’ true identity.   Why not spill the truth and then start grilling Lois and what she knew about her “source.”  Granted, Babs knows its Katrina, but it might help to gather more information. 

To me, at least, the dialogue boxes interrupted the flow of the dinner conversation between Babs and Lois.  Add in the orders for the dinner and I had a hard time with the scene, mostly because I couldn’t get into the flow of the exchange.  A lot of the scene is dependent on the voices of the characters in terms of how Lois is slowly digging for information while Babs attempts to ward them off.  With the interruptions, that voice never catches on.  When I read the issue for a second time, the dialogue flowed much better and I felt Lois’ voice, especially at the end when she tells Babs she will not reveal what she knows.

If there was ever a way to really get people interested in the Manhunter series, this is one way to do.  In her scenes with the Mexican authorities she comes across as extremely intelligence and a damn good fighter.  Even the beginning part, when she was “defeated” by Miguel came off well, or at least it did for me since I had this feeling she was faking it.  There is no way she could be defeated that quickly. 

ïPREVIOUS	Main		Page	NEXTð

Home ●  Blog ● Who Are We? ● Site News
Alive and Well since April 16, 2006

 DC Universe Reviews.  All Rights Reserved
  Characters, trademarks, brands are property of DC Comics

For problems or questions regarding this website, please contact our kindly webmaster.
Last updated: 08/06/11.