DC Comics' Birds of Prey #1, crafted by the brilliant team of Kelly Thompson, Leonardo Romero, Jordie Bellaire, and Clayton Cowles, marks the triumphant revival of one of DC's most iconic female superhero teams. In this much-anticipated relaunch, the Birds of Prey swoop back into action, and they're here to remind us why they're a force to be reckoned with.
Kelly Thompson's storytelling prowess shines in this issue. She wastes no time delving into the heart of the narrative, demonstrating a keen understanding of these beloved characters. The plot revolves around Dinah Lance, the formidable Black Canary, who, despite her incredible abilities, finds herself in need of assistance on a deeply personal mission. Thompson masterfully weaves in a mysterious new ally and assembles an extraordinary team consisting of Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Harley Quinn. The chemistry among these diverse personalities is palpable, with Thompson's sharp dialogue making their interactions a true highlight of the issue.
Leonardo Romero's artwork is nothing short of fantastic. Whether capturing intense action sequences or conveying deep emotional moments, Romero's linework is dynamic and expressive. He flawlessly captures the quirks and idiosyncrasies of this unique and often unpredictable team.
Jordie Bellaire's coloring work is a visual feast for readers. Her skillful use of warm, soft palettes juxtaposed with the team's bold personalities creates a striking visual contrast. The incorporation of neon hues for the present and textured, faded tones for flashbacks adds depth and dimension to the story's visual narrative.
Clayton Cowles' lettering is impeccable, as expected from a seasoned professional. His lettering seamlessly guides readers through the story, ensuring that dialogue and sound effects enhance the overall reading experience.
The issue culminates in a jaw-dropping moment that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Harley Quinn's reaction, summed up with an emphatic "Oh, no $#@% way," perfectly encapsulates the shock and excitement that this issue delivers.
Birds of Prey #1 is a triumphant return for the iconic superhero team. Kelly Thompson's iconic storytelling, combined with Leonardo Romero's stellar artwork, Jordie Bellaire's vibrant colors, and Clayton Cowles' expert lettering, make this a must-read for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. The Birds of Prey are back, and they're ready to soar, baybee!
If you’re into Kelly Thompson’s writing (and you really should be), she’s having a pretty big week! Her new Image series, The Cull, drops its second issue, and the first volume of her fantasy procedural cop drama, Black Cloak (also from Image), drops as well! We’ll actually be covering Black Cloak on this week’s Blake & Cole Read a Book. You can use the link here to set a reminder and tune in live!
Also, in some other Blake’s Buzz news, I was interviewed! I was on a local Kansas City podcast called Jake’s Take. I met Jacob at Planet Comicon, and I was so excited to catch up with him. We talked about my journey in comics, from podcaster to press to publicist, and I had a blastt chatting with him. You can check that out below!
A horror story 5 years in the making has come to its end in Dusk County Chronicles: Nightfall #3! Nightmares lurk within every cast shadow. Two sisters struggle to escape the entangling trauma. Check it out on Kickstarter!
“Boone is back! Chosen as one of IGN's Best Indie Series of 2011. Vic Boone is a blend of bizarre 50s Hollywood sci-fi and pulp detective noir set in a futuristic Portland, OR. Malfunction: Murder collects the first arc of the award winning series, including four previously unreleased Vic Boone shorts. Talking gorillas, mad scientists, and human flies-Vic Boone has it all.” Preorder it now!
“In the midst of a planetary crisis for food and fuel, a vast ecological cataclysm has spawned "The Enormous," massive beasts unlike anything ever witnessed. Displaced from atop the food-chain, humankind struggles to stave off extinction, and a shattered society scrambles for refuge in the wake of the monstrous rampage. Amidst the ashes of Phoenix, Arizona, Ellen Grace, a former school teacher who lost everything in the monstrous uprising, leads a search and rescue team into the ruins of the city in hopes of locating children orphaned by the cataclysm. But not all the remaining humans think alike, and in a world dominated by monsters, man is still the most dangerous animal of all. Collects issues #1-6.”
You can preorder Enormous from your local comic shop now!
“In a world where gasoline is but a distant memory, society found itself unraveling overnight when the government's secret about dwindling resources was exposed. To propel the nation forward, corporations joined forces and birthed "The Maglev" – a massive super highway fueled by solar power and driven by magnetic roadways. However, access to this groundbreaking invention is restricted to the wealthy and those daring enough to hijack their way in. Enter a tale of old-fashioned revenge!” Greetings from the MAGLEV will drop in shops on 9/6! Use this code to preorder JUL231738.
“Bobby Ray had it made. One last big job, then it was splitsville, set for life with his girl by his side! Then everything went wrong, and poor Dahlia took a bullet to the brain as they made their escape. Thing is, dear Dahlia didn't stay dead. Now Bobby's found himself plunged into a battle of otherworldly proportions, and if he wants to get out of dodge with his skin intact, he's gonna have to Drive Like Hell!”
“After a mysterious hole opens in the Egyptian desert, horrific creatures climb out and wreak havoc on a nearby city. They retreat as quickly as they arrived, leaving the planet in shock by this unfathomable event. A team of elite specialists from around the globe called "Canary One" are sent after the monsters to discover more about them. But when the crew never returns, the world must prepare for the possibility of another wave of attacks.” QUICKSAND has been living up to all the hype, and the first 3 issues are available now. The 4th will be out in October, and I highly encourage you to snag these back issues and get this on your pull lists! Preorder issue #4 with this code: AUG232228.
“In 1900 New York, a Jewish immigrant, Jake Gold, works in a sweatshop by day and fights in a gang at night. One night Thomas Edison performs a strange experiment in Central Park, unleashing strange energy across NYC and Jake is suddenly gifted with amazing powers. His path soon crosses with that of luminaries such as Harry Houdini, anarchist Emma Goldman, and crusading journalist Nellie Bly. Standing against the neophyte hero are Edison, JP Morgan, and, worst of all, the occultist leader Aleister Crowley. Can Jake rise to the occasion and protect everyone's American Dreams?” The well-reviewed series has wrapped up, and now you can score an epic Band of Bards bundle with all the variants! The price is TOO good, so make sure you snag this before the deal wraps up! Click here to visit the Bard shop!
“In a dystopian wasteland where humanity has long since been sterilized by radiation, a woman miraculously becomes pregnant and must find a way to stay alive as multiple groups vie for control of her and her unborn child's future.” TOXX has succeeded on Kickstarter, and it’s now releasing in the direct market! The first two issues should be showing up in your favorite comic shop, so make sure you pick them up and get the series added to your pull list! Preorder issues #3 and #4 with these codes: JUL231462 and AUG231770.
Get ready for an uproarious and spine-tingling experience as the Turner Family Terrors comic series bursts onto the scene with its thrilling Kickstarter campaign for issues 1 - 4. Created by Emmy-nominated TV Editor and writer Robert Krisch, this comic promises an unforgettable journey that seamlessly blends the charm of The Simpsons with the supernatural intrigue of Hellboy and a dash of pure unadulterated craziness. Click here to sign up for the campaign today so you’re ready when it goes live!
All five issues of Kung Fu Legume are available from Keenspot. It’s wild, hilarious, and, honestly, like nothing else on the shelves. “What happens when a can of beans is jettisoned into space, bombarded by TV transmissions from the Kung Fu Network, then struck by lightning while hurtling to Earth? Find out in this collector's item first issue when Bean, the Kung Fu Legume, meets girl genius Monkey and her technology-challenged grandpa in this crazy origin story that sets an unlikely team on the adventure of a lifetime. And start eating more legumes already, FOR YOUR HEALTH!”
I loved this first issue
Thanks for the Quicksand shoutout, Blake!