Splitting The Focus — Reviewing ‘ Birds Of Prey’ #18

Nothing like a girls’ trip to a mountain retreat. Probably some good meals, lots of chatting, maybe toasting marshmallows. What’s that? A bunch of ninjas are on the way because it’s a trap situation?

Well, damn, sure sounds like just a typical situation for the Birds Of Prey.

Traps, magic, demons, and coded talk abound in the latest issue from Kelly Thompson, Adriano Lucas, and Clayton Cowles who are joined by artist Juann Cabal for this two-part story.

It’s been a bit since I’ve gotten a review down for this book, but trust me, it’s still one that I duly love. Life is just a wild thing (as we all know at this point for sure). Being able to read these characters doing their thing is part of what helps make the harder days just a little less difficult. We love comics for a variety of very good reasons.

As the intro notes, the issue is centered around breaking the very thin cast (Black Canary, Sin/Megara, Big Barda, and Batgirl) between two missions. Canary and Sin must set a trap for the ninja clan that wants to acquire her. Meanwhile, Barda and Cassandra deal with helping a possessed Constantine get the demon across a dimensional plane. You know, just a bunch of easy things.

What Thompson has done with this core group — including Oracle/Batgirl/Babs — is the heart of the book. Their dynamic is so strong, humorous, and heartfelt. Barda and Cassandra Cain are the dynamic duo that I never knew I was missing. Every time Barda utters the term Little Bat, I’m nothing but smiles.

Both strong warriors coming from hard younger lives, who take no crap, and will stand to defend anyone that is in need without question. Hell, I’d read a regular book with them in a heartbeat.

Similarly, the dynamic between Dinah and Sin is one that has always been solid. Seeing them explore it more is a bonus. Especially as they have “normal” conversation while secretly communicating about their mountain retreat trap. As Babs says, I sure hope they at least get to eat their meal and bond for a moment before the battle begins.

Love seeing Cabal over here. His is artwork that I’m always a fan of. Just so energetic, lively, bold, and slick. Giving characters big emotional swells as their body and faces do all the talking outside of their words.

How detail is utilized always is something that I find intriguing about Cabal’s style. Shifting from higher to lower depending on what the sequence needs focus or tonal wise. Using the space to its fullest extent to capture the moment in time with such life. Giving every panel a bigger energy than might be required but is very pleasing and welcome.

Colorists have such variety when it comes to handling books. Lucas’ style is one that I really have come to appreciate since first coming across it over in Nightwing a few years ago. Perfect for superhero stories with the vibrant palette, but able to shift dramatically to fit other artistic styles and tones. Here, there is a smooth and dynamic feeling that permeates through all the color choices.

Shifts in the overall variety of colors gives most spaces a real feeling to them. Keeping the backdrops and spatial beats toned down in many cases. Saving the flashier stuff for the costumes, action, and other elements. Hitting that perfect sweet spot of mixed palettes.

Characters deliver some great zingers and solid dialogue, per usual. What Thompson writes out is given even more power thanks to how Cowles approaches the lettering. Finding the ways to perfectly emphasize or punch up a moment so that it hits even harder. Playing with colors, fonts, and bubbles as necessary to strike the right chord. All while making sure it flows smoothly and accurately through the various pages.

Lettering is still taken for granted in many respects, both by the audience and the industry, which is beyond a shame. Keeping their names off covers is just so criminal at this point, because their work is a massive part of the visual power of any given book.

Birds Of Prey #18 is now available from DC Comics.