DCU Comic Book Reviews

BIRDS OF PREY #117

New Frontiers

June 2008

Written by Sean McKeever

Pencils by Nicola Scott

Inks by Doug Hazelwood

Cover by Stephane Roux

Synopsis

In Platinum Flats, Manhunter is searching for Arthur, the one who was responsible for the destruction in Metropolis, when she is attacked by three metahumans.  Without Blackhawk and Huntress nearby, Oracle sends Misfit to help.  However, the metas are able to capture both.  Meanwhile, Oracle tries to trace the duo, but Arthur hacks into her system and puts a stop to it.  Later, the meta leader, Visionary, literally cleans Manhunter’s memories of the past two weeks.  Visionary tries the same with Misfit, but she manages to fight long enough until Huntress and Blackhawk arrive.  Visionary, however, manages to escape.  Later, Oracle decides she is going to move to Plantinum Flats as her now base of operations.  Elsewhere, Arthur is visited by the corporeal form of Tabby.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was a frustrating issue and although I have a few quibbles with it for a variety of reasons, I still enjoyed it.  I liked the swerve at the end with the hint Oracle would be mad at Zinda and Helena, but she really isn’t.  I also liked what happened to Manhunter, even if the follow-through left something to be desired.  And, of course, I always appreciate a little Dark Vengeance and seeing Misift kick some ass.  I also must admit that I liked McKeever’s run on this book; it started off rocky with the attack in Metropolis, but this issue seemed to suggest that he was heading someplace with it and the moment was not there just for shock value.  It will be interesting to see what happens with the next writer. 

What made this issue frustrating is that for some of the good scenes, they are a few bad ones, such as the ease in which Manhutner and Misfit are captured.  It is even more mind-boggling when you consider it happens moments after they had beaten them.  Manhunter should not have been that relaxed to allow someone to get her from behind. 

If someone hasn’t already said it, I’ll say it:  there is just no way to effectively create a new comic character anymore that won’t come across as lame or derivative of something else.  This issue is living proof.  Just look at the metas introduced in this issue.  You can’t tell me these are decent or original characters by any stretch of the imagination.  Even Visionary, who is probably the best of the bunch, seems like a rip-off of the Haitian from Heroes. 

Is it just me or does Manhunter’s suddenly “clean” mind get pushed off to the side and forgotten.  I mean, I realize this isn’t her comic (and thankfully Manhunter will be back), but it seems like an important plot point that is pushed to the side.  Part me of me thinks the story had more of Manhunter, but McKeever either decided (because he was leaving as writer and wanted a happy ending) or was forced (by the editor to set up the next writer) to write the scene where Babs decides it is tiem to stay into Plantinum Flats. 

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Last updated: 08/06/11.