Birds of Prey: Sensei & Student

DC Comics
Birds of Prey: Sensei & Student
By Hervé St.Louis
March 21, 2005 - 13:34

DC Comics
Writer(s): Gail Simone
Penciller(s): Ed Benes, Michael Golden, Joe Bennett, Cliff Richards
Inker(s): Alex Lei, Ed Benes, Ruy Jose, Mike Manley, Scott Hanna, Michael Golden
Cover Artist(s): Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Matt Ryan, Ed Benes, Alex Lei, Dan Brereton

The second volume of the Birds of Prey written by Gail Simone, in this story, Black Canary travels to Hong Kong, only to meet the first and the second deadliest assassins on Earth, Lady Shiva and Cheshire. How can she out of this mess? Meanwhile, things go bad for Oracle, as a senator wants to end her continuing interference and gathering of sensitive data.

This story goes over terrain that many fans wished Chuck Dixon the previous writer did. We finally have a sort of showdown between Black Canary, Cheshire and Lady Shiva, helping to establish what are their respective skills. Other guess stars also drop by. One thing overlooked by Simone is why did Black Canary think her mom’s archive would help her crack the case?

DC Comics has finally understood one thing, and that’s a book featuring female characters need great artists to succeed. Fortunately, the team on this series is strong. The Golden Age story involving the senior Black Canary was weaker, but still good. The editors even found an artist that could replicate Benes’ style and way of drawing each Bird of Prey. This is a great series.