DCU Comic Book Reviews

BIRDS OF PREY #114

Shark Attack!

March 2008

Written by Sean McKeever

Pencils by Nicola Scott

Inks by Doug Hazelwood

Cover by Stephane Roux

Synopsis

In Los Angeles, Manhunter is searching for Anton Pierce.  In Metropolis, Oracle has been working nonstop since the accident that destroyed a part of Metropolis in an attempt to determine exactly what happened.  Meanwhile, Huntress and Zinda Blake deal with the accident by getting drunk.  After Zinda sends Helena home in cab, she recognizes someone down the street.  She follows, but finds nothing.  That night she is sleeping when she feels someone in her place.  She runs to the rooftop where she finds Killer Shark, who tells Zinda he wants to set her free.  Meanwhile, Oracle is in the middle of a training session when Black Alice arrives to tell them that she’s “in.”

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I am still uncertain what to make of the destruction of parts of Metropolis from the previous issue, but I really like the way McKeever has followed that event up in this issue.  The various members of the team are dealing with their reactions to the event in their own way.  From Oracle’s new Dark Knight-ish obsession to Misfit’s guilt about not saving Tabitha, the character’s behaviors all feel natural and normal reactions (although Helena getting drunk seems odd, but I do like her complaining about Superman).  Mostly I think I like the fact that Zinda seems to getting more and more panel time; it is great to see a minor character step into the spotlight.  The discussion about her difficulties surrounding her birth year and identification was great.  And I also like the one-shot guest appearances of various female heroes helping out Oracle in various ways.  With this single page, McKeever continues the continuity Simone had established that Oracle was opening up her operation after Black Canary left the team.

Penciller Nicola Scott has a great comedic touch and it shows again in this issue with Helena’s spit take and Charlie’s cry about the dishes.  I love the fact the dishwasher is visible on the top of the page where Misfit is cleaning the dishes. 

I even like the way Oracle has been training Misfit.  I am getting a Batman and Robin vibe from their relationship.   Although she is a teenager, Misfit feels younger than her years and as such she comes across as the same age as Dick Grayson had been when he was first training.  This is a portion of this book that I hope continues for some time.

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