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tshepiso's review against another edition
3.0
I'll always love the Birds of Prey especially written by Gail Simone but I won't lie this volume had some issues that were hard to ignore. The biggest was the art. As someone whose read the entire original run of Birds of Prey I'm used to the left-handed drawing that haunts this series. But no matter how hard I try I cannot help but find the abundance of ass shots and convoluted scenarios that finds the girls half naked or seductively posed beyond distasteful. Ed Benes joins the ranks of skeevy Birds of Prey artists like Butch Guice and James Fry, a truly dishonarable position in my book. And Gail Simone isn't free of the criticism either because why was there and entire two-page spread dream sequence of the Birds seducing Penguin? It genuinely haunts me.
But while I generally didn't like the art in this volume the characters, as always, had my heart. Endrun's first arc sees the team back together in Gotham to solve a blackmailing conspiracy threatening their friends, families and allies. The story itself was a tad convoluted and its ultimate villain the White Canary was flat and shallowly characterized. But the way this crisis brought the girls together was legitimately moving.
What made the story for me was how it demonstrated the love between the girls. Dinah and Helena are at their most self sacrificing and their deep connection is palpable. I equally loved moments like the girls at Zinda's bedside after she's taken down by Penguin. This volume is just littered with moments of that unspoken connection between the Birds that really highlight exactly why this series works.
The story also ties in Creote and Savant, the villains turned allies from the very beginning of Gail Simone's run. While their role adds a tad of convolution to the narrative even their moments with Barbara were emotional and moving. I do wish the narrative engaged more with Savant's mental illness as it is a crux of the narrative, but the way it tied into the narrative was gripping nonetheless and especially tied well into Barbara's own character arc.
Overall Endrun was a solid entry in the birds of Prey series. While I have quibbles with its structure and despite its egregious of the art I'll always love my girls and they were done justice here.
But while I generally didn't like the art in this volume the characters, as always, had my heart. Endrun's first arc sees the team back together in Gotham to solve a blackmailing conspiracy threatening their friends, families and allies. The story itself was a tad convoluted and its ultimate villain the White Canary was flat and shallowly characterized. But the way this crisis brought the girls together was legitimately moving.
What made the story for me was how it demonstrated the love between the girls. Dinah and Helena are at their most self sacrificing and their deep connection is palpable. I equally loved moments like the girls at Zinda's bedside after she's taken down by Penguin. This volume is just littered with moments of that unspoken connection between the Birds that really highlight exactly why this series works.
The story also ties in Creote and Savant, the villains turned allies from the very beginning of Gail Simone's run. While their role adds a tad of convolution to the narrative even their moments with Barbara were emotional and moving. I do wish the narrative engaged more with Savant's mental illness as it is a crux of the narrative, but the way it tied into the narrative was gripping nonetheless and especially tied well into Barbara's own character arc.
Overall Endrun was a solid entry in the birds of Prey series. While I have quibbles with its structure and despite its egregious of the art I'll always love my girls and they were done justice here.
itsnotalakeitsanocean's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Mental illness
christajls's review
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Background
I can’t remember where I first heard of The Birds of Prey but I do know as soon as I learned that it had a female writer and was a superhero teams made up almost entirely of kick ass girls, I had to have it. The Birds of Prey team was first convened in 1996 by Chuck Dixon and it is part of the Batman universe. But I think it was under Gail Simone that the team really took off. This particular comic series – End Run – is part of the second era of the team, but it is still written by Simone. At this point the team is made up of the following characters – Oracle (formerly Batgirl a.k.a Barbara Gordon), Black Canary, Huntress, Lady Blackhawk, Hawk & Dove. It was eventually cancelled in 2010, but has since been relaunched as part of DC’s New 52 event.
Story
This volume collects Issues #1-6 of Birds of Prey II. In this particular arc, the team is dispersed by Oracle is doing her best to reassemble them. They (and some other Gotham residents) are being threatened by new enemy. They’re forced to align themselves with some of Gotham’s own criminals in order to ensure their survival.
I found this story pretty easy to follow, even though I’ve never read a Birds of Prey comic before. Because it’s set in the Batman universe there were some familiar names/places (like Penguin or the Batcave) which helped eased me into. It is, however, incredibly fast paced and I had to force myself to slow down a little so that I wouldn’t miss anything crucial.
Characterization
Gail Simone is a fantastic writer, and I think the main thing that makes her so fabulous is how well she writes her characters. Each member of the team has a distinct personality and I loved the internal dialogue of Black Canary. She is truly the star of the volume, and I found her very easy to relate to despite the fact that I’ve never been in a situation even remotely similar to what she’s going too. In addition, I loved the friendship between her and Huntress. They were so loyal to one another and I think the sense of female camaraderie isn’t something we see enough of.
I liked Oracle too, though we didn’t get to see as much of her as I assumed. I mean she’s basically the glue that holds the team together, but she really takes a back seat to Black Canary, Huntress and Lady Blackhawk. I do like that this is a disability positive comic though, and that she faced with real obstacles because of that.
The only two I didn’t really care for were Hawk & Dove. Hawk is the only male member of the team and well…he’s kind of an ass. He’s so stubborn and self important it’s hard to feel anything another than annoyance toward him. And while Dove’s personality is better, I find she really doesn’t DO all that much. I could have done without both of them to be perfectly honest.
Artwork
The artwork in this volume is a little peculiar. It’s pretty obvious that partway through they switched artists and I’m glad they did. Because if the first one had carried on I probably would have stopped reading altogether.
Why? Well this series is very female positive. Strong female characters, dynamic relationships, no unnecessary boy drama. And then you throw in a kick ass character in a wheel chair and a (male) gay couple and I am cheering over how inclusive this series is. But then you pair it was art like this and all that is for naught:
Oh and I have I mentioned the obscene amount of panels taken up by ridiculous ass shots?
But then there was an abrupt change in art. Their clothes became less revealing (though unfortunately their costumes didn’t change) and we spent more time looking at their faces than we did their butt and chest. It made for a much more enjoyable and interesting read and totally saved the comic for me.
Final Thoughts
Despite my reservation about the art in the first half, I did really enjoy reading this collection and I will be picking up part two. I love the action and I love the way they work together. I think it’s a great cast and I’m excited to see what other Gotham regulars might be incorporated into the series. Plus I think it’s important to support a talented female writer and strong female characters in what is traditionally a male-centric industry/genre.
Background
I can’t remember where I first heard of The Birds of Prey but I do know as soon as I learned that it had a female writer and was a superhero teams made up almost entirely of kick ass girls, I had to have it. The Birds of Prey team was first convened in 1996 by Chuck Dixon and it is part of the Batman universe. But I think it was under Gail Simone that the team really took off. This particular comic series – End Run – is part of the second era of the team, but it is still written by Simone. At this point the team is made up of the following characters – Oracle (formerly Batgirl a.k.a Barbara Gordon), Black Canary, Huntress, Lady Blackhawk, Hawk & Dove. It was eventually cancelled in 2010, but has since been relaunched as part of DC’s New 52 event.
Story
This volume collects Issues #1-6 of Birds of Prey II. In this particular arc, the team is dispersed by Oracle is doing her best to reassemble them. They (and some other Gotham residents) are being threatened by new enemy. They’re forced to align themselves with some of Gotham’s own criminals in order to ensure their survival.
I found this story pretty easy to follow, even though I’ve never read a Birds of Prey comic before. Because it’s set in the Batman universe there were some familiar names/places (like Penguin or the Batcave) which helped eased me into. It is, however, incredibly fast paced and I had to force myself to slow down a little so that I wouldn’t miss anything crucial.
Characterization
Gail Simone is a fantastic writer, and I think the main thing that makes her so fabulous is how well she writes her characters. Each member of the team has a distinct personality and I loved the internal dialogue of Black Canary. She is truly the star of the volume, and I found her very easy to relate to despite the fact that I’ve never been in a situation even remotely similar to what she’s going too. In addition, I loved the friendship between her and Huntress. They were so loyal to one another and I think the sense of female camaraderie isn’t something we see enough of.
I liked Oracle too, though we didn’t get to see as much of her as I assumed. I mean she’s basically the glue that holds the team together, but she really takes a back seat to Black Canary, Huntress and Lady Blackhawk. I do like that this is a disability positive comic though, and that she faced with real obstacles because of that.
The only two I didn’t really care for were Hawk & Dove. Hawk is the only male member of the team and well…he’s kind of an ass. He’s so stubborn and self important it’s hard to feel anything another than annoyance toward him. And while Dove’s personality is better, I find she really doesn’t DO all that much. I could have done without both of them to be perfectly honest.
Artwork
The artwork in this volume is a little peculiar. It’s pretty obvious that partway through they switched artists and I’m glad they did. Because if the first one had carried on I probably would have stopped reading altogether.
Why? Well this series is very female positive. Strong female characters, dynamic relationships, no unnecessary boy drama. And then you throw in a kick ass character in a wheel chair and a (male) gay couple and I am cheering over how inclusive this series is. But then you pair it was art like this and all that is for naught:
Oh and I have I mentioned the obscene amount of panels taken up by ridiculous ass shots?
But then there was an abrupt change in art. Their clothes became less revealing (though unfortunately their costumes didn’t change) and we spent more time looking at their faces than we did their butt and chest. It made for a much more enjoyable and interesting read and totally saved the comic for me.
Final Thoughts
Despite my reservation about the art in the first half, I did really enjoy reading this collection and I will be picking up part two. I love the action and I love the way they work together. I think it’s a great cast and I’m excited to see what other Gotham regulars might be incorporated into the series. Plus I think it’s important to support a talented female writer and strong female characters in what is traditionally a male-centric industry/genre.
mjthomas43's review
3.0
White Canary tries to destroy Black Canary, and the rest of the team with her.
philippmk's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Torture
misssusan's review
2.0
guys! did you know dc has this character named zinda who's a wwii fighter pilot who somehow ended up in the present day? all i want is for christmas is a dc/marvel crossover where she hangs out with captain america, like just give me that and we're golden
(i don't actually celebrate christmas but that's no reason to get in the way of a good sentence)
anyways i think i'm going to have to peace out of dc comics now. this volume pretty much maxed out my tolerance for the male gaze, if i never see another t&a pose inflicted on a female superhero again it'll be too soon. if i were in charge of the world i'd set a quota on this sort of thing. straight boys only get two blatantly fanservice oriented titles a month and they'll be clearly marked so the rest of us can go enjoy something else. 2 stars
(i don't actually celebrate christmas but that's no reason to get in the way of a good sentence)
anyways i think i'm going to have to peace out of dc comics now. this volume pretty much maxed out my tolerance for the male gaze, if i never see another t&a pose inflicted on a female superhero again it'll be too soon. if i were in charge of the world i'd set a quota on this sort of thing. straight boys only get two blatantly fanservice oriented titles a month and they'll be clearly marked so the rest of us can go enjoy something else. 2 stars
wanderlustlover's review
5.0
Part of my massive Barbara Gordon Re-read which I had a glorious amazing time with. Birds of Prey, under the hands of Gail Simone, was a gorgeous thing and It made me super happy to have all my amazing women back together doing amazing things! This was a last additional story which I loved so, so, so much. I'm so glad Gail got to have this chance.
renatasnacks's review
3.0
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this given that I have no idea who any of these characters are. I guess at this point I've read enough comics to not bat an eyelash when a character is described as a "WWII pilot misplaced in time." Like, sure, of course. Anyway there were a lot of references to character backstory/motivation that I did not understand at all, but basically the message I got was: do not fuck with these ladiez. And I won't, I swear. Basically a really smart, fun bunch of ladies kicking ass in Gotham City led by the best librarian everrrr