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Post by lissilambe on Oct 16, 2013 12:31:46 GMT -5
Please let us know what you thought of this issue!
Take care
Don
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Post by HoM on Oct 17, 2013 12:09:34 GMT -5
And we're back! I'm writing this feedback as a I go through the book (and while travelling from Wales to Leicester  ) so it's fresh in my head but I apologise if it's disjointed. A big BIG thank you for the recap page, for me it was much needed bcause it's been so long since I last read a BoP issue! I was fully caught up in no time, reminded of all the things-- everything-- that I had forgotten. A great addition I intend to introduce to my own titles as of November. I loved the opening with Punch and Jewelee, it was playful but still a bit creepy, especially with the police officer unable to control his own body but still trying to warn his colleagues. That kind of thing always gets me on a gut levle, so well done there, folks. Mockingbird is creepy, isn't it? Creepy and sinister, with that smile of his. His dialogue with Jonni was interesting, menacing but still quite polite, and so I didn't know where he was going, or where he was coming from, which I guess is exactly the idea! Jonni's initial reticence to take up the case made sense, but still... I was less enthralled with the Amethyst, Halo and Gypsy scenes. It dragged for me, I just wasn't at all engaged with the build to their high school adventures, and I had the same problem with Dawn and Kendra being hit on (in different, but in one case, plot relevant, ways). It definitely felt more like a soap than a superhero title then, leaning more on the former than the latter. Once that balance is struck I think I'll be more engaged, but tihs is the first issue back, and my first issue reading after a hiatus. I liked the comedic aspect of Punch and Jewelee, and there was a distinct 60s Batman feel to their plot-- "THEY WANT TO REWRITE SHAKESPEARE?!" was brilliant-- and the scene where the Birds confronted Jewelee (Punch being taken care of off-screen) and Dawn cut the Silly Strings... beautiful. And during all that, Jonni was saving their seats! The cutesy wrap up felt like a plot from classic Avengers-- Steed and Peel, not Marvel, mind-- and I loved it. Black Spider's entrance at the end was great, as was the ties to mainstream DC2 continuity. Injustice, Unlimited got short shrift after your Justice League run wrapped, Don (NO ONE IS TO BLAME THOUGH) so seeing their mission statement clearly presented was great. I'm looking forward to Birds of Prey #8! |
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Post by lissilambe on Oct 17, 2013 12:26:42 GMT -5
Sorry you were disappointed with the soap opera aspects of the title, but you'd better strap yourself in for them then. See, for me comic books ARE soap operas, for a certain demographic; just as professional wrestling is soap opera for another demographic. Personally, I was a big fan of them back in their Eighties heyday (Luke and Laura and Robert and Holly over on General Hospital battling Cassadines to save the world from being frozen; Greg and Jenny, and devious Tad and the Cortlands over on All my Children...such fun times). And for me, those comics amped up the soap opera. And each of those scenes had a purpose to them. The girls are being drawn into important sub-plots through their school while Kendra's scene, seemingly superfluous, was showing her devotion to a) Hawkman without once even mentioning him and b) her studies. It's a character study. This is going to happen. So sorry that stuff disappoints you, but this is a smaller book, more low-key, and with more character and less bang wow. Glad you enjoyed the stuff you did enjoy, glad you enjoyed Punch and Jewelee. It's fun to write mad criminals because they can do anything and the writer can make it seem plausible. And I'm looking forward to the IU connection in the next part, as well as the debut of some interesting characters that will make things tough for the Birds in stories to come. In a more super-hero way, so even you might like them  Take care Don |
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Post by HoM on Oct 19, 2013 12:51:15 GMT -5
Love that cover, Joe! Great work!
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Post by joeyjarin on Oct 19, 2013 21:46:55 GMT -5
Love that cover, Joe! Great work! Thanks Charlie! ~JOe |
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Post by Fantômas on Oct 20, 2013 18:38:33 GMT -5
Good to see the first issue of the New Old Wave, as it were. The relaunch starts here, right?
The roster catch-up was appreciated, as was...
...because now I have to go back and read the older issues. Who wouldn't be sold on those sentences?
Avengers reference! I get that.
Minor point but I like the editorial issue references with hyperlinked numbers. Always love seeing the forum format played to its advantages.
It's a broad cast, and the characters seem pretty distinct, with their own hooks and troubles. Halo and Amethyst stood out for me, and it's neat that they both (as do most of your cast) have clear character arcs to progress along, which works really well with the high school soap operatic vibe you hit - which I can entirely support, as I've been mulling over how much of Tim's high school life to dig into while writing Batman & Robin (#0 this November, says this plugger!), so it's cool to see it working out here as reference.
I shouldn't even have to say anything about Joey's cover, he remains the gold standard for DC2, but I will say that it's fun seeing quite an off-beat colour scheme. Maybe it's just me, but I like how the more brown, green, white prominent colours give it a different vibe to the usual primary colours superheroes work with.
Punch and Jewelee were fun, but they didn't feel like they were the front and centre villains, taking more of a back-seat to character work within the team, and I liked that. It meant you got to demonstrate how it all works, crime-fighting wise, have your character arcs put in place, set up a bigger threat to come, and do it with an anarchic, colourful flavouring.
As with Charlie, I review in parallel to reading, so this review might be similarly disjointed, but incase it wasn't made clear I enjoyed this issue and will be watching for more, and going back for oldies too. Great stuff.
Oh, and I was making another batch of text breakers for my own stuff while reading this, so I thought you might want to use this:
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Post by lissilambe on Oct 22, 2013 13:31:15 GMT -5
Thanks for taking the time to read, and even better, comment! Some very complimentary words being said here, and we appreciate it very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the way the characters have their lives and are moving along their stories, and Sam will be happy to hear about the high school antics. I like seeing teen heroes in their teen settings, so I'm looking forward to Tim Drake in his school soon. Maybe there will have to be a national conference or varsity meet for our kids in the future? Amethyst is one of the favorite characters for both of us, and I've always loved Outsiders Halo so I'm thrilled with the things that Sam has done to play off of that for our title. Most of her story is her idea, and it's fun. And next issue, you'll be seeing Zenobia again (albeit in solo action, but she's headed back to Platinum Flats, never fear, readers) so even more excitement. You are spot on in noticing that Punch and Jewelee are not the spotlight per se. Instead, it's the story around them that is, and we can see even Jonni is thinking the same thoughts you are. The mystery behind Mockingbird gets a significant push next issue. Joey is a star and the workhorse of the site, it's true. He's following in the footsteps of trailblazing site artists Craig Cermak, Boris Mijalovic, Ramon and he definitely stands up there with them. It's great to see his work here. Thanks for the image, it's greatly appreciated though I'm not sure I'll be using it. Ideally, I'll be getting the logo Steve Howard developed for us, and then we'll see what happens. Regardless though, we're grateful for your support, it means a lot! Take care Don |
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Post by Fantômas on Oct 22, 2013 14:21:42 GMT -5
I like seeing teen heroes in their teen settings, so I'm looking forward to Tim Drake in his school soon. Maybe there will have to be a national conference or varsity meet for our kids in the future? I see no reason why not. I'm thinking more posh, public school (in the British sense, confusingly - private school in the American) for Tim, with some old fashioned quirk, which would contrast very well with your more conventional high school experience. Will definitely have to see something happen there. |
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Post by David on Nov 12, 2013 17:37:34 GMT -5
I haven't been the most consistent reader of this title, but how could I stay away when it sports such a gorgeous Joey Jarin cover? Story aside, these characters look good together! They read well together, too! Sort of a quiet issue, building up to something more sinister or dangerous with the hint of Injustice Unlimited... Punch and Jewelee were a hoot to read (and probably fun to write, too). Highlight of this issue, for me, were the character interactions, though we definitely have a slow burn going on here. Loved the Hawkgirl stuff (well, obviously  ), but Jonni has absolutely won me over, and I'm getting there on Manitou Dawn, too. Biggest revelation: Amy Winston is charming, cute and fun to read. Hoping to see her in action soon! |
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Post by lissilambe on Nov 13, 2013 14:35:10 GMT -5
Yeah, Punch and Jewelee are great to write up. I love the fact that they're so whacked out that you can have them do any sort of ridiculous crime and make it seem like a plausible caper they'd attempt. I'm glad you're liking the Hawkgirl development, it always makes me feel good we're on the right track with her. Jonni does rock, I agree. And Amy is absolutely adorable. Actually, it was Sam that focused on Kendra and Amy, and she really nailed why it's fun to read these ladies.
There's a lot of Jonni at work, and with an unexpected partner, with great chemistry, and a nice big fight at the end. As for Amy in action...that'll have to wait an issue, for when we trot out the Club of Killers that will have the Birds bringing all hands on deck for a major conflict.
Take care
Don
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) so it's fresh in my head but I apologise if it's disjointed.
), but Jonni has absolutely won me over, and I'm getting there on Manitou Dawn, too. Biggest revelation: Amy Winston is charming, cute and fun to read. Hoping to see her in action soon!