Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1

   As a fan of the Birds of Prey, I'm glad to see the team making a comeback, this time with Batgirl headlining.

   Of course, most of Barbara Gordon's involvement with that team was in a supporting role as the computer wizard Oracle, back when she was partially paralyzed (she, uh, got better).

   This Rebirth issue brings back Black Canary (who's busy these days, as she also guest stars in Green Arrow) and introduces a new Huntress (well, she's new to me).

   This version of the character is different from the Earth-2 version - Helena Wayne, who crossed over with Power Girl and co-starred in the most recent version of World's Finest.

   The new one is very much a throwback to the original version of the character - a tough as nails vigilante.

   The question is: is this version a hero?

   The team is gathered by a new menace with a familiar name and a new mystery - just who is playing the part of Oracle now?

   So, lots of questions to be answered as the new series starts up. It's a promising (if somewhat dark) start for the new series.

Grade: B+

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World's Finest #12

As much as I hate to admit it, the World's Finest series has been a bit disappointing.

That despite including work by some of the industry's top talents, including writer Paul Levitz, who is (usually) one of DC's best writers, and Kevin Maguire, a fantastic artist who specializes in beautiful women.

And I like the main characters - Power Girl and Huntress - so what's wrong?

I think part of the problem is that the "New 52" version of the characters are from Earth-2, exiled to Earth-1 during a battle with Darkseid, and they've had virtually no contact with the other heroes of Earth-1.

You'd think Superman's cousin and Batman's daughter would reach out to their counterparts - especially since they've been on Earth-1 for years now.

The other problem is that they're completely focused on finding a way back to their reality - and that seems to be the only driving force in their life. They often don't win the fights they get involved in (they certainly don't win in this issue) and they seem to spend a significant portion of each issue running away from something.

The other other problem (sorry) is that the art in each issue is fragmented between two or three artists. That's OK when the artists are top-tier like Maguire and George Perez, but with this issue we have Maguire doing seven pages, and the rest provided by Geraldo Borges and Robson Rocha - good enough artists, but they don't match up well to Maguire's mastery.

I think it's just been a bit of a miscalculation in the original concept (I'll blame editorial interference, just for the heck of it). With some fine tuning, a stronger sense of fun, a little less death and destruction, a different direction, some decisive victories and the vision of a single artist and I think this series can turn things around.

They did finally put Power Girl back in her traditional costume - but that's just a baby step.

Grade: C+

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World's Finest #9

I've been following the new World's Finest series for a couple of reasons: nostalgia for the original title (which teamed up Superman and Batman) and because I like both Power Girl and Huntress.

There are lots of reasons to like the comic: writer Paul Levitz is an excellent craftsman, artist George Perez has been one of my favorite artists for longer than either one of us would probably like to admit, and the artists who fill out each issue (including Cafu in this issue) are top-notch.

But despite all that, this series hasn't really taken off. Part of the problem may be that both heroes are cut off from the rest of the DC Universe. Both crossed over from Earth-2 and have been spending their time and resources trying to get back - but they have avoided any encounter with Superman or Batman (though they did have a recent run-in with Robin), which makes no sense, since those heroes could (possibly) be of help.

Also, each issue has the same basic format. A threat pops up, the Huntress fights gamely, Power Girl swoops in and does the hefty lifting, gets shot and stunned by a high-tech weapon (possibly from Apokolips), the fight is ended and that's about it.

It just feels like the series is running in place, perhaps stalling for time before an upcoming event of some kind. Or maybe it's editorial interference.

For a new comic trying to establish itself, they should be fighting to bring in readers with a new and fresh approach.

DC, you've got thoroughbreds working on this comic. Let 'em run wild!

Grade: B

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World's Finest #1

Here's an interesting revival of a classic DC title that brings back fond memories.

One of the earliest comics I can remember buying was an issue of World's Finest, which featured regular team-ups with Superman, Batman and Robin.

This time around, they've taken an unusual approach. This comic features Supergirl and Robin - but not the ones from "our" Earth. As seen in the first issue of Earth-2, Supergirl and Robin (Bruce Wayne's daughter) travel through a mysterious, Boom Tube-like portal.

As we see in this issue, they arrived on our world five years ago. The story shows part of the story about how they adapt to their new life, and their primary purpose.

The comic is written by Paul Levitz, who seems to be enjoying the chance to restore these characters he helped create back to their proper place in the DC Universe.

The art is by a couple of seasoned veterans, as George Perez handles the modern-day part of the story, and Kevin Maguire provides the flashbacks. Both are long-time favorites of mine, and they turn in excellent work here.

The comic would be worth buying just for the art, but thankfully there's also a solid story as we get to know the two friends better and learn about their place in the world.

The issue is somewhat burdened with the need to sort things out, though long-time fans probably won't mind.

I'm not sure how they'll feel about Power Girl's new costume - it's missing a particularly eye-catching feature (ahem boob window ahem), but she does spend time walking around in shredded clothes, if that's any consolation to the oglers out there.

The Huntress, though, looks much more at home in her old protective costume, rather than the modified swimsuit she was wearing for a while.

A solid start to the series, and a good tie-in to the excellent Earth-2. I like the return to roots for these characters, and it's good to see them getting treated to some top creative talent.

More like this, please!

Grade: A-

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