Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1 Review

Writers: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson / Artist: Claire Roe / DC Comics Next to Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey might be one of the most challenging series DC creators undertake. For one, most of your main characters (depending upon the version you read, of course) rely on hand-to-hand combat, basic weapons, and hacking genius rather than flashy powers or incredible gadgets, so the stories have to be intricate mysteries or emotionally strong to pack a punch. Another glaring reason is that the all-women group is strongest when depicted by one of DC Comics’ least favorite demographics: women (for an example you can check out one of my particular favorite runs between powerhouse writer Gail Simone with the masterful Nicola Scott on interiors). Then, of course, there’s the delicate situation about what to do with Barbara Gordon.

I won’t lie, even though it’s been years I still cringe seeing Babs outside of wheelchair thanks to her BS magical complicated surgery, and I know I’m not alone. Sister duo Julie and Shawna Benson seem fully aware of their readers’ worries, however, because they tackle this topic head on almost immediately by having our first villain call themselves Oracle and diving straight to flashbacks. As many of you might already know, I’m not a huge fan of The Killing Joke and would prefer to avoid any references to it if possible, but given that the two panels depicted focus on Babs to the point of cutting off half the Joker’s face and the narrative remains on her jour…