Birds of Prey’s governance continues its 25th issue as one of Stands’ best team books. This is a groundbreaking achievement in the current comics market, even though DC treats it like a merely another issue. After rescuing the Barda from Demon Prime’s clutch and his shadow army, the birds reconvenes to plan, train and learn how reliable they can trust their new member, Inque.
Inque has a lot to do to convince her that she can trust. No one is there except Barda, who is still dealing with the use of being used as an ink puppet in the Demon’s plan. After a relatively quick information dump that took us into the future, Bird learned how Inkake reached today, and was willing to find an employer at Demon in search of quick cash. However, after she learned of the next stage of his plan, Ink Inkick was released on bail and went to the birds to stop the demons completely. Using a combination of tech and new experimental drugs, Shadow Army wants to get their own name on the street with the “next big experience” despite the untested combo that could kill many innocent people by making virtual crimes a real crime. After a quick Shadow Army-based robbery where Barda revenges on the Demon and gets a hero moment with Ink, the bird returns to her temporary hideout to try out new techniques. After creating a strange, strange character in the game, the bird enters the test area and is exposed to drug ingredients. This will quickly give you the worst-case scenario results for your team.
The 25th issue of Birds of Prey has many traits that I like about the series, but I have to admit that the main plot points behind the new phases of Daemon and Shadow Army’s planning seem a little vague. The idea of mixing new street drugs and forms of virtual reality technology is interesting, but many of the “how it works” and, more importantly, “why this is dangerous” is still hidden from us. It may be part of writer Kelly Thompson’s plan, but to actually sell the ink turn to the good side (at least temporarily), I wanted to get a little more about this plan that was appealing to her employer.
Nevertheless, Thompson’s character work remains important to the cast of birds. Not many writers dedicate the amount of pages Thompson is going to talk to his superhero team about his plans. These moments, and the very fun opening where Barda destroys the rocks, bring out her attacks (cheered by construction workers) and create some of the best character pieces in the stands. These moments are so well done that they lift the weaker elements of the problem.
DC
I admit I’m a bit worried when I first saw that this issue is characterized by both Cliff Richards and Sambasuri in art duties. Typically, two artists are indications that editors are intervening to ensure that the book is reaching deadlines, leading to a jarring reading experience. Thankfully, the artwork from Richards and Basri came together so well, I was honestly not aware that there were two artists on this issue if the opening page didn’t know me. The two have slight differences, but combined it gives a truly engaging experience that doesn’t disrupt the book’s flow at all. Richards will now have more action segments from the series, but Byrds will choose new outfits before entering the VR game, allowing them to have a great time in the “Character Creator” segment.
It made the Demon’s current plans so dangerous that we could have used more information, but this issue is a great encapsulation that makes birds of prey work well as a team book. With the first stake set, we hope to get more revelation behind those stakes and the demon’s plan to raise drama.
“Birds of Prey” #25 Review: Enter Unreality!
Bird of Prey #25
We could have used more revelation as to why the birds chase the Demon’s current plans, but the character moments are very well done, and this issue is a great encapsulation of all the things the series does well as a team book.
Excellent character work
Despite having two artists, you never know how well it flows together
All the truly amazing encapsulations that raptors offer in one issue
Barda looks great smashing rock at first!
Sometimes it feels very exposition
The main thrust of the “why” demon’s plan is bad, and it is precisely ambiguous
Inque may have used more developments on why she opposed the demon
