Written by Gail Simone
Art by James Riaz; Robin Riggs; Hi-Fi Design; & Travis Lanham
Cover Art by Jerry Ordway & Brian Miller
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for December 2006, Headhunt concludes with “Part Four: Class Dismissed.” Black Canary & Huntress pursue the ruthless Turkish gunrunner, Yasemin, into a derelict apartment building. A hostage situation separates the Birds, as Yasemin faces a wrathful Huntress alone. At the team base, Oracle defends herself from a mysterious teen intruder claiming to be the new Batgirl. Trying to discourage the kid’s wonky enthusiasm, Oracle schools the would-be Batgirl as to the mantle’s grim reality. Later that night, upon sharing her memoir with Oracle, Black Canary poignantly reveals to Oracle and Huntress why she is leaving the Birds.
REVIEW:
In a ‘series finale’ of sorts, writer Gail Simone brings her A-game. Depicting all three Birds (plus Blackhawk Zinda’s amusing cameo) at their best, Birds of Prey # 99 delivers a worthy cross-roads leading into a game-changing 100th issue. The art team’s visuals also make a solid contribution. For fans of the original Birds of Prey series, this issue is definitely worth the read.
Note: There’s an artistic gaffe: the wanna-be Batgirl’s red hair is omitted in her last two panels.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Dan DiDio’s DC Nation column refers to DC event brands as means of promoting Year One mini-series projects for Green Arrow, Metamorpho, Black Lightning, Teen Titans, & Huntress. Thumbnail cover reveals are for Birds of Prey # 100; Action Comics # 844; Justice # 8; and Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers # 1.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
