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Posts tagged birds of prey
See Ya Later Starling? Is a DC Reboot Success Getting the Boot?
When DC Comics rebooted their universe in September of 2011 we were told the one of the “spirits” of the new 52 was to introduce new characters. And it did. And one of the new characters that received almost universal accolade was Ev “Starling” Crawford who first appeared in Birds of Prey #1.
The reboot of Birds of Prey was one of the toughest things about the new 52 for me and I had a lot of reasons to not even want to read the book. But I did. And I ended up really liking it and much of that was because of the character of Starling, created by writer Duane Swierczynski and Jesus Saiz with editor Janelle Asselin.
Starling was singled out for praise in a number of the reviews of the first issue including Newsarama show said.
We have the both of them to thank for one of the best things to come out of the relaunch: Ev Crawford, better known as Starling. This potty-mouthed, tattooed master strategist is a force to be reckoned with. She is good for a belly laugh, too.
It looked like with Starling, DC may have “cracked the code” on one of the toughest things to do in comics - creating long term new character that fans and critics both appreciate. Or did they?
Christy Marx Talks Birds of Prey
Christy Marx joined DC Comics last year to write the highly anticipated relaunch of Amethyst, Sword of Sorcery. That book has now had its last issue but Marx is staying on at DC as the new head writer of Birds of Prey, taking over from Duane Swierczynski who relauched the book in the new 52. Marx’s run on BoP began with issue 18. Recently, I spoke with Christy by email about the book and what readers can expect. Note: if you have not yet read issue #20, you will be spoiled.
Christy, how familiar were you with Birds of Prey and the characters before coming on board? Did you do any back reading of the older series?
I had a slight familiarity with the characters in previous years and a passing awareness of the TV series. I did read and study the entire run of the New 52 reboot, as well as Gail Simone’s current work on Batgirl. I’m a strong believer in doing research.
July Cover and Solicit for Birds of Prey
Okay this is second “team” cover without Starling. That makes me sad. But there are two women on the credits for the book, so that’s good. But, nope, needs more Starling.
BIRDS OF PREY #22
- Written by CHRISTY MARX
- Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR and JONATHAN GLAPION
- Cover by RICKEN
- On sale JULY 17• 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
- Betrayed by one of their own and homeless, the last thing the Birds need is another shock. But what is Condor’s link to BASILISK?
(Source: ign.com)
Preview of Birds of Prey #18
New writer Christy Marx jumps on this issue just in time for a visit from Mr. Freeze. Glad to see Starling’s still around … although she doesn’t look very happy.
(Source: dccomics.com)
June Cover and Solicit for Birds of Prey
Hmmm, needs more Starling.
BIRDS OF PREY #21
Written by CHRISTY MARX
Art and cover by ROMANO MOLENAAR and VICENTE CIFUENTES
On sale JUNE 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The Birds are forced to work with Calvin Rose in order to protect one of their own in this confrontation that continues in this month’s TALON #9!
Cover and Solicit for Birds of Prey #20
The traitor revealed! Who will aid Mr. Freeze as he continues his onslaught against The Court of Owls—and how can the Birds hope to stop him?
So one of the Birds joining up with Mr. Freeze? I’m looking forward to reading Christy Marx on this book.
Cover and Solicit for Birds of Prey #16
Well it looks like despite a number of good characters on the bench Birds of Prey is getting TWO new characters with the addition in this issue of the female Talon.
I enjoyed Court of Owls but I am SO over the Talons.
BIRDS OF PREY #16
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art and cover by ROMANO MOLENAAR and VICENTE CIFUENTES
On sale JANUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
• The team gets a deadly new member in the form of Strix, a former Talon from the Court of Owls!
• Who is she and what does her appearance mean for the rest of the Birds?
• Plus: Something goes terribly wrong for Black Canary…
Birds of Prey TV Show Now Online for Free Viewing
The agony and the ecstasy that is the Birds of Prey live action drama is now available for watching online at the CW.
BoP was on the WB (now part of CW) network’s 2002 schedule and was one of the highest rated debuts for the network until that time. The show was loosely based on the DC Comic retaining only one character from the cast - Barbara Gordon as Oracle. The remaining part of the trio are Earth 2 Huntress, the daughter of Batman and Catwoman and now a metahuman, and another metahuman named “Dinah” who will be revealed to the daughter of Black Canary. (By the end of the run you will begin to dread the word “metahuman”, trust me.) Harley Quinn is the show’s principal villain and cast is rounded of with Shemar Moore as part of the “New Gotham” PD and Alfred Pennyworth the show’s opening narrator and in his natural role as all around king of buttling.
Once you get over the liberties taken with the comic, the pilot is pretty good showcasing the best part of the show - Dina Meyer who is pretty close to perfect as Barbara. There’s also some nice camaraderie among the female characters.
And for those of you who own a pair of slash goggles, let’s just say that this TV show offers plenty of viewing.
The show was developed, produced and the pilot written by Laeta Kalogridis who in addition to working regularly in Hollywood has a familiarity with comics (she also wrote one of the many passed on scripts for a Wonder Woman movie.) Melissa Rosenberg, most recently developing a pilot for AKA Jessica Jones co- wrote the finale. But sadly the show never again reached the heights of the pilot quality or ratings wise. The money that WB poured into the pilot began to disappear and the sets, scripts and effects got cheesier and cheesier. The network interfered over and over again on plot lines and character development according to executive product Hans Tobeason there was ”considerable resistance” from the network “to Oracle being wheelchair-bound” and the show was moving to “Huntress centric.” Something to keep in mind as the CW develops a Wonder Woman show.
Despite all this, as someone who both owns the DVD and has watched it numerous times I am willing to handwave the quality.
Of the 13 shows that were produced, here are the ones I’ll suggest you to watch.
Cover and Solicit for Birds of Prey #15
So it looks like Ivy is gone and a dude has replaced her. Because what we need in the new 52 is another new dude! AMIRITE?
BIRDS OF PREY #15
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art and cover by ROMANO MOLENAAR and VICENTE CIFUENTES
On sale DECEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US• RATED T
• It’s shake-up time as the team loses one member and gains a new one!
• Meanwhile, something strange is happening to Black Canary, and Starling’s not sure what to do about it. Is this a hint of darker things to come?
New Team Members Heading to Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey writer Duane Swierczynski recently said on Twitter that we should “look for some brand-spankin’ new team members very soon…” Previous incarnations of BoP have included team changes so I’m not surprised that the second year may switch up the team.
And if you’ve been following the book as well as other news around the DCU it makes sense. Ivy seems to be moving towards the Rot crossover happening out of Swamp Thing and we saw that Katana is joining Justice League of America. No word on whether they’ll be leaving the Birds and their inclusion in other books is doesn’t prevent them from staying with the Birds as seen with Batgirl.
Here’s my speculation on who could join and the odds they’ll show up. These are my candidates; feel free to add you your own.
1. Helena Wayne. It’s still not clear if the original Birds of Prey existed in any form (or whether Barbara Gordon was Oracle) but it still makes sense for Helena to come on. We know she’s going to meet up with Damian soon so that means she heading to Gotham. Also the Birds maybe expanding their base and this Huntress is a world traveler. Odds? 25-1. The writer doesn’t seem to getting readers hopes up and I’m not sure DC is ready to cross pollinate the character.
Preview of Birds of Prey #0
Here’s a preview of Birds of Prey’s Zero issue and it also marks the debut of the series artist. This issue features the first meeting of Starling and Canary and what a meeting it is. The preview is a generous 6 pages.
Solicit and Cover for BoP #14
Please do not let the Teen Titans get involved with this book.Unless it is Starling throwing some shade on Timmy Drake’s costume.
BIRDS OF PREY #14
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR and VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by ROMANO MOLENAAR
On sale NOVEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
• The Birds of Prey are hot on the trail of a mysterious cult with ties to Katana!
• But their hunt is about to be intercepted by the powerful force of CONDOR!
• And what is the connection between the Birds and the Teen Titans?
Preview of Birds of Prey #9
Here’s the preview for the Birds of Prey “Night of the Owls” tie-in with art by new artist Travel Foreman. On sale tomorrow.
(Source: dccomics.com)
Travel Foreman artwork for Birds of Prey #9
The DC Blog has posted some pencils from BoP #9 and I have them below. I loved Travel Foreman on Animal Man. But I am really going miss Jesus Saiz on this book. Even Foreman admits that he wishes Saiz was still on the book:
April 21, 2012
April 21, 2012
As I mentioned last week the book has been dropping in sales and could use a boost. It’s a shame because it is one of the better books out of the reboot. I wish DC was not holding the trade until September as an earlier date could get some readers buying the ongoing. If you haven’t caught up with BoP individual issues including in the trade are just $1.99 in digital format.
And again this is lovely work. It’s Travel Foreman, for goodness sake. But this definitely gives the book a different feel. But I’m still buying.
Preview of Birds of Prey #5
The fine folks at DC Comics have released a preview of Birds of Prey #5. Once again Jesus Saiz’s art is to die for. By the way, this preview gets the DCWKA seal of approval for use of “kicking ass”
More after the cut!
