Written by Gail Simone
Art by Paulo Siqueira; Joe Bennett; Adriana Melo; Joe Prado; Eddy Barrows; Bruce Timm; David Lopez; Adam Dekraker; Robin Riggs; Jack Jadson; Will Conrad; Dick Giordano; Fernando Blanco; Hi-Fi Design; Jared K. Fletcher; & Pat Brosseau
Cover Art by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson
SUMMARY:
Reprinting Birds of Prey # 86-90 and # 92-95 from 2005-2006, DC Comics released this 223-page paperback in 2007.
With the Birds relocated to Metropolis, a fresh start pits Dinah “Black Canary” Lance substituting for Superman vs. the Prankster. Helena “Huntress” Bertinelli is busily setting up a mob sting back in Gotham City. Regaining feeling in her toes, Barbara “Oracle” Gordon is optimistic about her future. The sinister Calculator abducts and brutally tortures a Bird associate to reveal Oracle’s true identity. While Black Canary resolves some old wounds with Green Arrow, Barbara makes a leap of faith re: her father, Commissioner Gordon.
Sensing an imminent mob massacre, Batman demands that the Birds cease all Gotham operations. Yet, the Dark Knight’s alliance with the Birds takes unexpected twists. Hired by the Calculator, Deathstroke targets the Huntress, Zinda Blake (Lady Blackhawk), and a wounded Black Canary. Going a year into the future, Dinah and Lady Shiva willingly swap places.
With help from a ruthless Lady Shiva, the Birds must protect a fugitive Crime Doctor and his young daughter from the Secret Society of Villains. In Southeast Asia, Black Canary endures a brutal training regime. Prometheus resurfaces to face the Huntress, Zinda, Gypsy, and Shiva. A transformed Dinah returns, with a surprise in tow.
REVIEW:
Kudos to writer Gail Simone for this refreshing package of storylines. Coherently mingling poignant drama, hard action, snappy banter, and well-placed humor together, Simone is at the top of her game. In particular, her cartoony team-up with Bruce Timm re: Dinah’s hilarious skirmish vs. the Prankster is this book’s wacky gem. Yet, the spot-on chemistry Simone generates among the four primary Birds (Barbara; Dinah; Helena; and Zinda) is really what gels Perfect Pitch.
Late in the game, a revitalized Gypsy adds extra glimmer. Among the scenes worth catching are: Barbara’s revelation to her father; the Gordons’ confrontation with a seething Batman; and the Dark Knight’s reaction to an unexpected kiss.
More so, an ongoing subplot between Dinah and Lady Shiva is reminiscent of the Kate Winslet-Cameron Diaz comedy, The Holiday, only with vicious martial arts. Also, Dinah’s new friendship with Sin is a welcome turn in Black Canary’s evolution. Simultaneously, Shiva’s bumpy ride with the Birds is another element that Simone can be proud of. Much to her credit, Perfect Pitch is neither sexually-charged nor cheaply relies on profanities as a substitute for dialogue. However, the action sequences and the Crime Doctor’s storyline definitely aren’t kid-friendly, especially in the book’s second half.
Including the terrific cover images, the various art teams capably support Simone’s work. Even if the visuals aren’t always high-caliber, the lesser artwork is at worst a B/B- grade. Considering this book’s length, that’s a remarkable achievement. While Perfect Pitch isn’t a viable option for kids, this compilation hits a home run for adult fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
All of the covers by are included, as each issue identifies its cover artists and the interior artists. The cover art teams are: Adriana Melo & Will Conrad (Issues # 86-90); Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson (Issues # 92-94); and Brian Hurtt (Issue # 95). There’s also a two-page ‘Cast of Characters’ that summarizes the Bird team members.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
