Seeing the ladies moving on inBirds Of Prey #7 and tackling their next problem is great. It would be nice for them to have some downtime to recuperate, but I get it. Someone's trying to kill Barbara, so no one sleeps until she's safe. Kelly Thompson's unraveling this story like a pro, and I really want to see what happens next. Read Full Review

This is a very good issue, if very busy and lower-stakes than the first arc, but that might be a good move. After the chaotic supernatural thriller of the first arc, this team's biggest strength is its characters and I'm excited to see how it evolves. Read Full Review

Pina delivers awesome art throughout the issue. The visuals are beautifully detailed and fun with fantastic character designs and a wonderful retro look in design and color. Read Full Review

A brand new arc, and the Birds adds Vixen to the team, which is a huge boon for me. Ive been a big fan of Kelly Thompsons stuff since her days on Captain Marvel, and watching her play in DCs sandbox is a real treat. I cant wait to see what she does with the team as the series goes on. Read Full Review

This was a fun issue with a tongue-in-cheek cliffhanger. It wasn't the most exhilarating issue, but an entertaining one setting up what looks like a solid follow-up secondary arc. Read Full Review

Lot of fun to be had as these great characters kick off a mostly new storyline. Read Full Review

Birds of Prey #8 waste no time in getting right into the mystery surrounding Barbara Gordon's future fate. The chemistry between everyone with Oracle and Vixen added to the team shines throughout this issue. It all gets you further invested in this series. Read Full Review

Thompson's script makes it feel like the entirety of the 2011 revamp has been swept away, and the overall effect is pretty awesome, while the art eschews Big Two convention to great effect. Read Full Review

Birds of Prey #7 is easily the best issue of the series so far. The inclusion of Barbara Gordon and thus connecting the book to the core Birds of Prey concept makes it feels right. This issue doesn't feel as derivative as feared with the time travelling killer plot that seems so similar to the first arc in the current Justice Society of America series. Things seem to be going in the right direction as long as future issues can wrap up the killer plot and move beyond connections to the first arc. Read Full Review

Birds of Preyis certainly on an upward trajectory, but the cracks in the pavement still haven't been cleaned up. Hopefully, the series can continue its steps in the right direction and find its footing to smooth out the rough edges. Read Full Review

Birds Of Prey #7 is an oddball way to kick off a new arc. Meridian's placement as a time traveler makes little sense when she doesn't seem to know what's happening now (her past). The story jumps from scene to scene with little setup or transitions. Everyone jumps to huge conclusions that happen to be right, and Vixen's plan appears to be an excuse to play dress-up in skimpy outfits. Read Full Review

This is looking up! The issue starts with the flat, unnecessary dialogue that's been weighing the series down, but it quickly perked up after that and for the first time in this run, it hit some notes that actually felt like BoP. I will say that I've liked the art so far, however, it doesn't always make for the most expressive faces--and that flatness may have added to the problem of some already clunky, superfluous dialogue killing the pace. I was starting to worry. I wasn't expecting it to go the fan service route, but if this is what it takes to get this story moving, I can live with it.

On the one hand, this issue delivers the things that make the BoP such a compelling concept: a fantastically diverse cast of women and the long-awaited return of Barbara Gordon to the fold. Seeing Black Canary reunite with a Babs felt like a true homecoming for the title, finally capturing the spirit of the classic BoP dynamic. However, the plot itself felt riddled with holes. The jump to a new conspiracy, especially after the unevenness of the first arc, was jarring. This new investigation felt rushed, with leaps of logic that are hard to swallow given Meridian could be using future tech to help figure out who is out to kill Babs. This is all topped off by an ending that leaves you scratching your head more than cheering. Vixen parading the BoP in lingerie? Why?? @1979semifinalist is such an amazing writer, but it has felt like she's gone for a cheap laugh or gag joke one too many times in this series' short run so far.

Despite the narrative stumbles, this is still a visually stunning book. @javierpinacomic's art is expressive and dynamic, perfectly capturing action and interpersonal dynamics. There's a noticeable shift from Leo Romero's usual linework without being a completely new approach. This shift is helped by the true star of the show, which are the colors by #jordiebellaire. Her palette & style sets this book apart from anything else on the shelves today. Its bold and inventive, adding depth to every panel and something I've come to look forward to every issue she's on.

The next issue will be the conclusion to this mini-arc, but I do hope it doesn't mean Babs gets rotated out again. This series has the potential to be truly great (and has shown it can be), and w/ a little more focus, it can be one of the best current comics. more

Much improved hope Thompson sticks with a smaller roster to maintain focus and character development.

Proof you don’t need to understand a single character to write about them.