A Girl Named Ev – Review Of Birds Of Prey #5

David Finch and Richard Friend’s beautifully rendered cover of Birds Of Prey #5 isn’t the only reason to pick up this book, but it’s a damn good place to start. Yeah, it’s a little heavy on cheesecake, but, hell, Charlie’s Angels could only wish they could look this good while performing acts of badassery. Badassery is a word. I’ve decided.

The other reason you should be buying this book is Ev Crawford.

Who is Ev Crawford? That is a damn good question.

Spoilers that may or may not answer that question, after the jump.

In the new incarnation of Birds Of Prey, as written by Duane Swierczynski, with interior art by Jesus Saiz, the team is comprised of Dinah Lance (Black Canary), who was a founding member before the reboot, Tatsu Yamashiro (Katana), who used to be a bit of an adjunct member, Poison Ivy, yes, that one, and Evelyn Crawford, who goes by the code name Starling and is apparently some kind of long term acquaintance of Black Canary. She’s a brand new character created for the reboot. There haven’t been a lot of big reveals on her back story, so everything the reader learns about her is through her actions and dialogue. For example:

Awesome! Can I come?

and

This woman speaks truth. Doing whiskey shots through a straw is so much less satisfying.

She’s a mysterious, tattooed, gun toting, hard drinking vigilante who gets to hang out with Black Canary. She’s also who I want to be when I grow up. It’s like Swierczynski found my secret fantasy diary and made a comic book out of it.

Come to think of it…where is my secret fantasy diary now, anyway? Hmmm…

If you haven’t read Birds Of Prey before, the reboot is a great place to jump on. If you had already been reading it before the reboot and felt put off by the roster changes (yes, Poison Ivy. I know. I know.), give this series a chance. Swierczynski is telling a rather decompressed arc to start, but the action is big and fun and the banter between the assembled team is sharp and witty. The layouts by Jesus Saiz show an affinity for both high volume action, as well as more intimate moments between the team mates. Between the art, the character development and the story telling, there’s something in these books for everyone to like.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to go drink whiskey and contemplate getting a full sleeve of inappropriate tattoos and a license to carry.