This is easily one of the best first issues I remember out of DC in a long time, and it's clear Thompson already loves and knows this universe. This could be a match made in absolute creative heaven. Read Full Review

Kelly Thompson arrives at DC with a fierce debut for the Birds of Prey. The excellent story of bringing the team together is matched by the outstanding visual aesthetic of Romero and Bellaire. As it says on the cover, a “face-breaking first issue”. Read Full Review

BIRDS OF PREY #1 is an absolute winner as a first issue. Thompson lays out all the groundwork for why Dinah gathers the team and whos on it. Romero, Bellaire, and Cowles create a particularly distinct visual look for the series. This is a first issue that offers the possibility of an altogether different experience than almost every other team superhero book on the stands. Read Full Review

Why are you reading this?! Go to your comic book shop and get your copy of BIRDS OF PREY #1. Read Full Review

Seriously, pick up this comic, you do not want to miss out. I'll be shouting about this one for a while. Read Full Review

I know some fans were nervous about this new Birds of Prey, given the absence of Barbara Gordon and Huntress. Trust me, however, when I say that this is explained as part of the story and there is a good, logical reason for their absence. This is, simply put, the best Birds of Prey has been since the days of Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. If you like comics, you will love this book. Read Full Review

Birds of Prey #1 is a shining example of what makes the "Dawn of DC" initiative work so well, and I am incredibly excited to see where it goes next. Read Full Review

Birds of Prey #1 is a wonderful first issue. The chemistry between the characters is delightfully funny and heartfelt, with the potential to go dark and menacing at a moment’s notice. There’s a whirlwind of action from start to finish. Read Full Review

Thompson has done a good job of slowly adding layers to the first chapter of the story. She gives away just enough added depth and detail with each scene. The mystery of what it is that's going on is slowly revealed until the big final reveal at the end of the issue. At that stage, there are so many more questions that are brought up that make the second issue feel that much more impressive. It's going to be a fun ride with Thompson. Read Full Review

When the Canary cries, the Birds Of Prey answer the call. A stellar debut issue sets the tone for this series revival, tapping into the past while presenting something modern and refreshing. A perfect jumping-on point for fans new and old ready to see these women kick butt and maybe take names later. Read Full Review

All told, this is, perhaps, the best #1 DC has put out in some time and looks to be the best “Birds of Prey” book since its first volume and, perhaps, even the best since Gail Simone left that volume in September of 2007. It may sound hyperbolic to heap such praise on the book after just a single issue and, yes, it could all go sideways next month, but this book has been bad since that first volume. The New 52 version wiped out any charm the series had, and the Rebirth era never clicked. But beyond that, those books felt like perfunctory stabs at giving a DC legacy team a title. This book feels like a Black Canary story that is worthy of the name. That makes all the difference. Read Full Review

Birds of Prey is a triumph with slickly and efficiently staged action with the comic's great strength in its characters. Read Full Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this issue and cant wait for issue two to drop. Fans of Kelly Thompson, DC Comics, or kick ass teams with a creative force behind them, are sure to enjoy this issue. So make a plan, and pick this up at your LCS. You wont regret it. Read Full Review

This issue has everything you need for a strong relaunch of a comic like this. Great characters, fun introductions, an enticing story and artwork that really sings. Read Full Review

I love Romeros art in the issue. The visual style is perfect for the tone of the story and the characters. Read Full Review

The line-up put together is going to be one of legend in the hands of Thompson, Romero and the team. Superb writing sets the stage for an explosive mission while the art keeps leveling off the high paced action with the emotions fueling this very personal assignment. You absolutely dont want to miss checking this book out on New Comic Book Day! Read Full Review

Birds of Prey #1 is a fun start to the series. It delivers action and laughs in a familiar formula, but it's one that works and works well. We know what to expect and by the end of the comic, things are very clear with some nice surprises. Overall, it's a great start that promises a hell of a lot of entertainment to come. Read Full Review

Thompson has a solid command of the characters' voices, which should make the book engaging even with some questionable additions to the team dynamic. Read Full Review

I don't know that there's enough to get me to stay with the series more than an issue or two, but the structure (and Barda's offhand comments about Batgirl) make it an enjoyable read. Read Full Review

The tone of the book is kind of odd. At points, it is quite dark, in others it's quite fun with a recurring joke running through the book in contrast to the art that lacks seriousness, whilst building on the fun. With so many vibes in play, it will be interesting to see which, if any of them, will become the major focus. Read Full Review

All in all, your enjoyment ofBirds of Prey#1 probably comes down to how much you love the Birds of Prey as a team. For readers who haven't read or have no attachment to the original series or Simone's follow-up run, I can imagine this book will be a lot more enjoyable. Read Full Review

Next up we have Big Barda. Barda is definitely a heavy hitter. For a fight she's a good choice, but on the stealth side of things, maybe not. She could've learned some things from husband, Scott (Mr. Miracle) Free in this area. Even so, she's the muscle of the team and that works well enough. This is a solid start to the team and the path that Dinah takes to recruit these two is done well, especially as it continues to rely on Dinah's relationship to the target, Sin. Read Full Review

The first issue of the newest Birds of Prey series is all about assembling the team. While we get the team's first mission introduced it is done in a way that it'll take the second issue to fully put over its importance. That leaves Birds of Prey #1 being the basic "get the team together intro that by the end is solid but not game changing. Read Full Review

Birds of Prey #1 is a mixed bag of a comic with a strong central premise and solid interpretation of the characters' voices. However, Dinah's roster selection lacks sense, especially for Harley Quinn, and the art is serviceable at best. Read Full Review

For a setup issue, Birds of Prey #1 is kind of weak both in writing and art, but one hopes it'll pick up with the impending invasion of Themyscira. Read Full Review

I'm always cautiously optimistic with new DC series and despite really digging this first issue and loving the art I want to wait to see if this can really shine beyond the flashy opener. Notice how I barely have anything to say about the actual story? Hopefully it doesn't stay that way.Score: 6/10 Read Full Review

LOVED THIS.
THE ARTWORK. OMG THE ARTWORK. I have so much hope for this series.

I enjoyed this a lot. The writing and art just exude a sense of fun that DC couldn't properly manifest for... let's be nice and just say a decade. That's what I expect from this team. I'm engaged in a way that not many titles can make me. I think maybe the lukewarm response from some is a result of some mismanaged expectations. For me, I completely overlooked that Leonardo Romero was the artist, and the team did not excite me so to finally read the issue, I was very happy with what I ended up getting.

Excellent issue.

Dialogue is on point. Art is phenomenal and action scenes are thrilling. I LOVE THIS ROSTER. Wierd folks are complaining about Harley being Harley lol.

I forget sometimes that comic book readers, ironically tend to scoff at things like smiling, fun, or anything signifying joy in their comics. If you ask me that sentiment is a plague.

You could've dropped this book in the 90s and it would probably work as well. Heck, in the 80s. Its solid.

I hope we get some Hawkgirl.

I will admit that I was expecting a bit more from this issue based on how much I enjoyed Thompson's Black Widow series, but I still did enjoy it a good amount. The bulk of this issue is setting up the team, which is completely understandable. I'm not super knowledgeable with most of these characters, so that may have attributed to my score. Harley is the one I know the most about. Black Canary and Batgirl I know a little bit about. As for Big Barda and Zealot, especially, I know little-to-nothing. That said, I did enjoy all of the team members. I think the team has an interesting dynamic that will be shown more as we really get into this story. Plus, I really liked how this book ended. Meridian showing up and finally laying out the mission after it wasn't really talked about at all in the issue was cool, but I loved Harley's reaction to it. As a matter of fact, I don't really get the outrage surrounding Harley here. I do understand some of the disappointment about her inclusion on the team, I don't think it's anything to be THAT upset about and I didn't think she was ever really overbearing or annoying in this issue. All things considered, this was a good debut issue that shows potential for this series to just get better as the story develops. more

I love BoP, I loved Thompson & the chronically-underrated Romero's Hawkeye, and anything Bellaire colors is going to look amazing, so at a time when I've been feeling more like spending my leisure time playing BG3 than reading comics I was pretty excited for this book. But it's a bit of a slow start, lots of gathering the team stuff and while none of it is bad, Harley is the only character who really shines here (particularly in a flashback where Cass's worldview is used to magnificent effect to highlight Harley's strengths). It's not a bad start at all, but this issue isn't the most exciting thing any of the involved creators have done. A good start, but not a great one. Still, the cliffhanger is solid, and I'm optimistic that now that the setup is out of the way things will pick up in the next issue. more

A ‘get the team together’ issue. The new Birds of Prey line-up is varied. A couple of less used characters alongside some favourites from the batman comics. The artwork is clean but the use of pastel colours was a little odd to begin with, to the point it felt like it was a misprint. However, the establishing of characters is great. There is a good Harley section from the perspective of Cassandra Cain which perfectly sums up Harley as a character. The interactions of Big Barda are great. Looking for more from that duo.
Ending provides good shift to the purpose of the team and great lead into issue 2.

Kelly Thompson is exactly what DC needs. I've been eager for her to come over to DC for a while as I feel she's the best female writer at the big 2 and DC really lacks quality writers on their female characters' books. Birds of Prey is perfectly suited for her style and had a decent start that I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Hoping/expecting she evolves the team dynamics and character relationships further as it continues.

Though it's not my favorite, I really liked the art and have to applaud the classic comic feel Romero brings to the table to make this book unique and the colors compliment the art extremely well.

Very nice art and a story that, being basic superhero stuff, was interesting to read. Despite being a book about girls, it wasn't toxic towards men as usual. Harley Quinn was well-handled, being charismatic but not obnoxious. What I didn't like was this being yet another story about time travellers and the end of the world (enough with that already!).

For a debut issue this was lackluster and mildly contrived. The roster is full of characters so boring; the only interesting bits are Black Canary’s inner monologues and a Flashback fight. Thompson hasn’t let me down yet, so I do have heavy faith in this title. I did expect quite a bang though.

Gorgeous art, fun enough writing.

Too bad about Harley.

Kelly Thompson is very hit-or-miss for me. I collected all 50 issues of Capt Marvel. Some were good and some were very very bad. This was set up almost beat-for-beat with the newest Avengers run with Capt Marvel recruiting. The idea of recruiting Harley Quinn was so contrived, it was scary. Let's see where this goes, but the first issue was not impressive.

My comic Reviews - https://youtu.be/m7c7jeAi4Xc

Kelly Thompson makes her highly-anticipated DC Universe debut and reunites with her Hawkeye creative team of Leo Romero on art and Jordie Bellaire on colors to kick off a new series with this week’s BIRDS OF PREY #1.

TL;DR

The issue focuses on Dinah Lance/Black Canary rounding up some of the most fearsome fighters in the DC Universe to help save her sister, Sin, from an ominous fate in Themyscira. She convinces Cassandra Cain, Big Bard, Zealot, and (unfortunately) Harley Quinn to join the team and the fivesome come together to learn about their mission.

REVIEW

If I went into this book without knowing the name of it, and thus the history of the team known as Birds of Prey, I probably would have liked this a lot better. And if Harley Quinn wasn’t on the roster, I might have been able to enjoy the other characters. Unfortunately, I couldn’t move past the fact that this didn’t feel anything like a Birds of Prey book and Harley Quinn sucked up all the oxygen in the room whenever she was present and left nothing for anyone else.

I didn’t understand Dinah’s reasons for why Barbara Gordon couldn’t know about what she was up to in forming this new team. Was it Kelly Thompson’s way of letting reads know to not expect Oracle to show up in the series? Or is it the basis of a future plot point? At least Babs gets mentioned. We only see Huntress, another iconic Birds of Prey staple and someone with a connection to Sin, in a panel where her name is crossed off as Dinah reviews her list of potential teammates. Why did Dinah think she wasn’t the right choice? I understand the desire to offer a fresh team roster, but it was an odd choice to include past members in such a forced manner, especially since Cassandra and Big Barda have previously served on the team and the only real net new members are Zealot and Harley.

That leads me to my biggest complaint about the issue, which actually takes shape in two ways. The first is the way Dinah is “convinced” by Cassandra to consider Harley for the team. Are we really supposed to believe Harley could take Cassandra in a fight? And are we really supposed to believe Dinah would trust Harley with her own sister’s fate because of one encounter Cassandra had? Again, this choice felt forced. The second complaint about Harley is probably the most obvious one — once she showed up this basically could have been called Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey. It was all Harley, all the time. And the bad kind of Harley. They Harley that has no self-reflection or filter. DC is using Harley as much as they can across various media and her inclusion here felt like a means of getting sales for this book more than anything else.

Aside from these team construction complaints, I actually thought Thompson writing showed a ton of promise, save for Harley. Big Barda constantly using some version of “Small Bat/Little Bat” to address Cassandra? Hilarious! Zealot being completely nonchalant about everything? Perfect! I wanted more of these characters and so much less of Harley.

As expected, Leo Romero’s art is gorgeous. Every action sequence is so fluid and natural that you feel like you’re watching pages in motion. His designs for each of the characters is distinct and he’s able to capture the more dramatic moments well with descriptive facial expressions. It’s going to take some time getting used to the color palette used by Bellaire for the main story. It has an overexposed approach to it, or what you’d expect a comic book from the 70s or 80s to look like now after decades in a longbox. There were moments it worked and then moments it felt really jarring. However, I LOVED the color palette for the flashback scene when Cassandra talks about her fight with Harley. The pinks, purples, and dark yellows look so good together and I’d love to see an entire Cassandra story in that look.

FINAL VERDICT

I’ve been so excited for this series when it was announced months ago. Then Harley Quinn was revealed as part of the roster and my worries crept up and, unfortunately, those became realized now that we’ve seen the debut issue. I would never bet against Kelly Thompson though, so if she can tone down the use of Harley Quinn and focus on the rest of the team that’s actually present, I will be right back anxiously awaiting this series every issue.

Rating: 5/10 more

Hey, look at me
I'm Harley
I tell jokes
I'm Crazy
You know, REALLY CRAZY
Oh boy, I'm Crazy as fuck
And fun too
Fun as hell
Did I already say I'm crazy?