Written by Gail Simone
Art by Diego Olmos; Nei Ruffino; & Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Art by Jesus Saiz
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Hostile Takeover, Part Two of Two,” it was released by DC Comics for August 2011. With Renee “The Question” Montoya backing her up, the Huntress races to save her fellow Birds from a Gotham high-rise deathtrap. Needing additional intel, Barbara “Oracle” Gordon calls upon a Secret Six member.
While Hawk and Lady Blackhawk contend with separate threats, Black Canary and a critically-wounded Dove face the nightmarish enigma known as Junior in the skyscraper’s pitch black basement. Regrouping the squad, Barbara makes a command decision re: the Birds’ field leader.
REVIEW:
Although the visual quality falters a bit in a few panels, this issue’s artwork is generally excellent. It’s an ideal partnership with writer Gail Simone’s tightly-played script. Lifting the eeriness of the slasher film genre, Simone deftly blends action-adventure, suspense, and some genuine terror into this issue’s mix.
Plausibly threatening even a JLA veteran Dinah’s nerves with the ghoulish Junior is a brilliant touch by Simone. Perhaps best of all is that the inconclusive ending suggests that the Birds aren’t out of jeopardy yet vs. Junior, Mr. Tripe, & Co. The only significant plot element missing is how Hawk fares or escapes his predicament, let alone his reaction to Dove’s possibly grim fate. Also, the Question’s gunshot wound from Issue # 12 is conveniently ignored, as if she instantly recovers from it — or is her ensemble somehow bulletproof? It’s an implausibility left unaddressed in the script.
Aside from these few faults, “Hostile Takeover” (both this issue and Issue # 12) is well worth exploring for adult fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The two-page letters-and-answers column reveals Phantom Lady’s guest presence on the cover of Birds of Prey # 14. Ian Sattler’s DC Nation column plugs Green Lantern movie tie-in video games. With its own Alex Ross front cover and a back covers, an eight-page comic book promo for J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 film is inserted
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
