BIRDS OF PREY #39
"The Gun"
Recommended (7/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Pencils: Rick Leonardi
Inks: Rodney Ramos & Jesse Delperdang
Colors: Wildstorm FX
Letters: Albert T. DeGuzman
Editor: Matt Idelson
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
The "Bruce Wayne: Murderer?" storyline marches on, and it has yet to fall into the traps of so many crossovers to come before. Each chapter is quite accessible, and existing subplots are not cast aside completely in favor of the title-jumping storyline. Leonardi's style suits the adventurous tone of the book, and it all adds up to a solid and entertaining read.
Leaving out some key information (like who Bruce Wayne really is), Barbara "Oracle" Gordon sends the Black Canary to snoop around the apartment of Vesper Fairchild, the woman Wayne is accused of murdering. The Canary discovers what Vesper, a radio journalist, was working on when she was killed, and she finds someone else lurking about the place. Meanwhile, the Blue Beetle goes for a physical.
Leonardi handles the action sequences quite well. The opening scene featuring the Blue Beetle was a lot of fun. Overall, though, Leonardi's work is pretty standard, telling the story clearly, but rarely really grabbing hold of the imagination. But when he does, it's well done.
Dixon gives the reader everything s/he needs to know about the "Murderer?" plotline, even if s/he hasn't delved into any of the previous chapters of the story. The mystery is double-fold. The reader, along with the characters, are curious to know who's really behind the killing, but it's also fun seeing some of the characters -- like Oracle -- trying to keep Wayne's secret identity from others they're working with. Trust is quickly becoming an important theme in this storyline. Another strength of this script is that it's not required reading for the crossover, should readers choose to skip it (which will happen in many cases, no doubt).
My favorite part of this issue was the focus on Blue Beetle and his health. This is not the sort of thing one expects from super-hero comics, and it brings a credibility to incredible characters and plotlines. Dixon is making excellent use of the Beetle, and I hope Terry Moore continues to do so when he takes over as regular writer of the title in the future.
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