Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
Check out Premier Collectible Auctions for your chance to own an amazing assortment of high-end collectibles.
For a great selection of superhero action figures and collectibles, check out fine retailers BigBadToyStore.com, CornerStoreComics.com, WhiteWizardToys.com, ToyWiz.com, ToyRocket.com, Alter Ego Comics, HobbyLinkJapan.com, StatueToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, and Elm Street Online.
For a great selection of superhero and pop culture apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.
Tony Bedard may only be on the second issue of this run, but he's certainly back at ease with the cast of Birds of Prey. Following a stint by writer Sean McKeever, Bedard returned to the series last issue and has dived head first into the continuing mystery of Platinum Flatts, a high-tech Mecca that hides the monstrous work of a new villain, The Visionary.
The crew faces some growing pains in the area as the first scene revolves around The Huntress taking down Carface, a throw-away villain who is hardly a threat to someone of her skill, yet she is treated as the threat by the locals who view her as an interloper and a magnet for trouble. We also see them moving into their new HQ, Clocktower Systems, a ‘clock-window’ installation company that Oracle has set-up to be an actual business as well as secret lair.
Oracle herself is dealing with the fact that her latest source for information is her evil twin, The Calculator, who is helping the heroes fight against The Visionary to keep the villain off of The Calculator’s tail. Plus, Oracle has seemingly sent the missing Birds of Prey member Manhunter on a secret mission to spy on former member Black Canary. There are two or three other plot threads happening at the same time, displaying Bedard’s ability to juggle an amazing array of events without losing focus. Even a first time reader will have very few problems following along, despite the 118 issues that precede it.
Artist Nicola Scott renders each character with a grace and poise like none other. Her work may not be as fully refined as some of the heavyweights in the industry, but she brings a certain level of class and anatomic mastery that few others posses. It’s a shame that she’ll be leaving the title soon.
Birds of Prey 119 is difficult to find major faults in, and the minor faults are so over-shadowed by the goodness inside that you can easily forget them. This issue is available now with a cover price of $2.99.