Birds of Prey #8 Preview/Discussion SPOILERS

[paulski]

You know, if this was issue #9 or #10, this might have been more enjoyable, but it really kinda bothers me that it seems like they skipped several issues. I mean, how did they get into that building? Why were they there? What happened to Choke and that guy Katana accidentially killed? They couldn't have at LEAST had a panel or two to show some context? It just feels out of place--like the writer accidentally gave Saiz the script for #10 instead of #8.

My feelings exactly - it completely ruined my enjoyment of the issue because, as I turned each page, I kept thinking "Wait, when's Choke coming? When are they going to pick up on last issue's ending?".

Otherwise, it probably would have been a perfectly good read. Really weird stuff.

[paulski]

Exactly. I mean, seriously, you end one issue with a cliffhanger and then never even allude it the following month? What the ----?

Yup, that was very frustrating. It's fine if Duane intends to return to the Choke storyline and pick things up where they ended previously, but it's pretty risky if a bunch of readers give up on the book in the meantime because of the storytelling technique being used.

Perhaps so, but if the trade ends with the ending of #7, it's still going to be pretty unsatisfying.

It would have been at least a little acceptable if there'd been any indication that that was "the end of the storyline... for now". But readers weren't given a clue at the end of #7. Nice to see I wasn't the only one thinking WTF?

[The Great Grape]

Yup, that was very frustrating. It's fine if Duane intends to return to the Choke storyline and pick things up where they ended previously, but it's pretty risky if a bunch of readers give up on the book in the meantime because of the storytelling technique being used.

Especially since it's not like this book is playing with house money in terms of sales to begin with.

Not that long ago, Black Canary seemed like a fairly hot character in DC. Co-starring in a successful and well liked series. Getting a chance at leading the Justice League. And kicking ass and taking names in general.

Though I realize that period is over for the present, here's hoping DC rediscovers some of her mojo cause right now I don't care for the trends I see.

[Ron Cuthbert]

I'm really, really trying to enjoy BoP...I just can't. Every issue feels far too rushed, Ivy and Dinah's costumes look thoroughly ridiculous. Starling is kind of cool though.

[WhitOro]

Wait wait wait! This issue got me confused, but reading all the comments, now I'm even more confused... you're telling me this was the beginning of an entire new arc? Seriously?
I don't know why, but I was absolutely sure that the hologram guy was Choke.
WHAT THE HELL!!!

It seriously feels we lost at least 2 or 3 issues between 7 and 8.

[Ron Cuthbert]

I felt the same, WhitOro, I couldn't even remember if I'd even read issue seven!

[MajorHoy]

But . . . is Birds of Prey at least more coherent than the past three issues of Batwoman?

[batGRRRl4ever]

But . . . is Birds of Prey at least more coherent than the past three issues of Batwoman?

Wow, good question and a serious toss-up in my book.

[ArnoldoAAD]

I felt the same, WhitOro, I couldn't even remember if I'd even read issue seven!

oh, so i wasnt the only one

But . . . is Birds of Prey at least more coherent than the past three issues of Batwoman?

no cause at least Batwoman is telling the same stories in the past 3 issues and you at least have an idea what is happening

[Ron Cuthbert]

I think in terms of entire arcs, they're as bad as each other. But at least I can understand what's happening in any single issue of BoP!

[Bookem Danno]

I felt the same, WhitOro, I couldn't even remember if I'd even read issue seven!

Me too. It totally tainted appreciation of this issue. If someone started with this issue it probably read more internally logical then if you read 1-7. One odd scene was when Flesh was covering his eye after some between panel action with Katana. Actually thought I missed a smart move by her hitting a part of him that was not flesh but then it turned out that strike tactic idea was not even explored - he was probably just coincidentally moving his arm that way. Napalm asking for permission to burn had some potentially intriguing character quirk of the villain to explore - he probably, predictably and unfortunately, for him, survived his own explosion. The ending reveal was a nu-BC reveal that teases for the next issue in interesting fashion - if out of the blue. The art was good.

[Aquadoc]

I enjoyed this issue quite a bit. Part of that may be due to the fact that I remembered virtually nothing from the previous issue, so I wasn't confused. The nice bit of beefcake was appreciated too. It's nice to see a half-naked man in comics every once in a while.

[Dr. Hurt]

Wait wait wait! This issue got me confused, but reading all the comments, now I'm even more confused... you're telling me this was the beginning of an entire new arc? Seriously?
I don't know why, but I was absolutely sure that the hologram guy was Choke.
WHAT THE HELL!!!

It seriously feels we lost at least 2 or 3 issues between 7 and 8.

If i am not mistaken that's a government spy who's leading that group of specialists and they want to bring Dinah in because they think she's a killer.

They left the Choke story hanging unfinished to do this. I also dont know why they wouldnt talk with their own spy and demand explanations before attacking, but that's nothing compared to the rest of the book's problems.

[Shinomune]

See Teen Titans #8 for a major mind****.

[Fused]

This thread has brought up some great points about the book. It did feel like I just watched the best episode of a great show I've only been watching intermittently. Which is odd considering I've bought all the issues. At least the characters, action and art all top notch!

Ah well, I'm going to be here next month to see these ladies roundhouse some Owl goons!