***Contains Spoilers***
Chuck Dixon’s Birds of Prey (#1-46) starts as a tight, character-driven series starring Oracle and Black Canary. It follows their early adventures as an unconventional superhero team. What begins as relatively standalone missions becomes more entrenched in the larger Batman universe as the series progresses, pulling in major events like Officer Down and Bruce Wayne Murderer/Fugitive. Over time, the duo’s dynamic is tested and expanded as they face increasingly dangerous foes and missions with broader implications for Gotham City and beyond.
What I enjoyed most was the chemistry between Oracle and Black Canary. Barbara Gordon’s sharp wit and tactical genius perfectly complement Dinah Lance’s boldness and physicality. Their relationship is the emotional heart of the book and is what kept me hooked from the start. Early on, the stories feel refreshingly self-contained, letting these two characters shine without relying too heavily on Batman or his rogues’ gallery. That said, the crossover stories—like Hunt for Oracle, which involves Nightwing—are standout highlights. I particularly enjoyed the Ra’s al Ghul storyline, where Dinah’s near-death experience leads to her resurrection in the Lazarus Pit, restoring her Canary Cry. It’s a pivotal moment for her character and one that’s handled with just the right mix of drama and excitement.
However, the series isn’t without its faults. The standalone nature of the early arcs makes them fun, but some of the missions feel a bit formulaic and lack the emotional stakes of the later, more connected stories. Once the series ties itself more firmly to the Batman universe, it feels like a double-edged sword—on the one hand, it adds weight to the events, but on the other, it occasionally sidelines Oracle and Canary in favor of broader Batman-family drama. While I enjoyed the crossover events, I found that they sometimes detracted from the core partnership that makes Birds of Prey so special. Additionally, while Dixon’s writing is solid, the series takes a little too long to develop its own identity beyond being a Bat-adjacent title.
Chuck Dixon’s Birds of Prey is a solid and enjoyable run that highlights the brilliance of Oracle and Black Canary as a duo. While it takes a while for the series to find its groove, the character-driven moments and standout arcs like Hunt for Oracle and the Ra’s al Ghul storyline make it worth the read. It’s not perfect, but it’s something I plan to revisit, even if only for the strong bond between Barbara and Dinah. For me, this run earns 3 stars—entertaining and re-readable, but not quite groundbreaking.
Feature Image Birds of Prey #15 cover art by Todd Klein, Jackson Guice, and David Smith
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