DCU Comic Book Reviews

BIRDS OF PREY #111

The Fan Club

December 2007

Written by Tony Bedard

Pencils by Nicola Scott

Inks by Doug Hazelwood

Cover by Stephane Roux

Synopsis

In an effort to learn the true identity of the Oracle, Noah Kuttler (aka the Calculator) worms his way into a computer conference held at MacroWare headquarters.  There, he hopes to access the intranet where a former employee had saved what he knew of the Oracle.  Attempting to retrieve the same saved data is Barbara Gordon (aka Oracle).  While on their search, Babs and Noah run into each other.  To avoid the other becoming suspicious, they eat lunch together.  Afterwards, the two return to finding the saved data when they realize what the other is up to.  When Oracle successfully gets what she wants, she lets out a victory yell, which alerts the Calculator that she is nearby.  He finds his lunch date and guesses she works for Oracle.  The Calculator also calls for help:  Hellhound, who is able to subdue her.  With the data gone, Calculator decides to take Babs to find Oracle.  Before they can take her away, the attendees of the computer conference show up in force to protect her.  They had been contacted by “Oracle” to protect the lady in the wheelchair.  In reality, it had been Misfit who IM’d everyone, using Oracle’s status as a hero to nerds everywhere to save Oracle herself. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Yet again, Tony Bedard manages to craft a well-written story that features many of the trademarks of the Birds of Prey that Gail Simone brought to this book:  witty dialogue, great characterizations, and excellent stories.  Beyond that, I am not sure what else to say.  This was an enjoyable issue. 

Before I read this issue, I had heard it was a cyber-space battle between Calculator and Oracle.  I had this fear the “fight” was going to be in the same vein as Countdown, which had been interesting conceptually but not very logical in computer terms.  Granted, the worm attack and Oracle’s defense didn’t seem very realistic either, but at least it was kept to a minimum.  Plus, we had the fisticuffs at the end representing the action of the story.  And, the events from Countdown, I don’t even think, were not even mentioned, so I didn’t get that sour taste in my mouth.  What Bedard manages to do is keep the cyber-fight to a minimum and concentrate the story on the characters.

I am at odds with the ending.  On the one hand I like scenes were groups of people band together to protect someone they love, but on the other hand, would you really put yourself in harms way to protect someone who may or may not exist.  It just does not seem to make sense.  Besides, I am not entirely sure what to make of the “urban legend” of the Oracle.  When thinking about the character, urban legend is not something that I would have used to describe her.  I would have thought she was person non gratis, except to the super hero community.  But, if you were to assume the commonality of the super hero world in the DC universe, then I can accept that her identity might cause a lot of speculation.  However, it feels weird.  I was never comfortable with Batman being an urban legend and I get the same feeling about Oracle. 

At one point, Noah Kuttler was a common criminal, named the Calculator because of the ridiculous costume he wore (which resembled a calculator), which also enabled weapons he had designed.  Because of this past, I have a hard time believing that Oracle (who would have the ability to access most public records, including when Noah was in court or went to jail) would not recognize him.  The ending kinda hints that she knew it was the Calculator who was attacking her, but the sudden lunch date doesn’t give the reader any hint.  I mean, if she knew who he was (and she should have) then it would’ve been prudent to call someone, subdue him, and then go after the data.

Finally, the artist seems to have drawn Calculator much younger than I think he should be.  In this issue, he looks in his early 20s when I would guess he should be in his late 30s or even in his early 40s. 

The Riemann hypothesis (developed in 1859) is one of the most famous and important unsolved problems in mathematics.  A million dollars has been offered for anyone who can provide the first correct proof.

Comic Connection

The battle with Black Mask in the Gotham Tower that led to its destruction occurred in Batman, issue #633. 

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