Last year saw the launch of DC All In, a major new publishing initiative that brings new titles, new creative teams, and entirely new universes to the DC Comics universe. This month on DC.com, we asked several of our contributors to write about the titles they’ve personally gone all-in on and tell us what they love about the comics they enjoy.
Birds of Prey is an ongoing series that literally has a huge impact on the DC Universe. Writer Kelly Thompson and a team of incredible artists take the Bards on an impossible mission on Thescira until they find themselves temporarily trapped in an ever-changing pocket dimension. Since the inception of DC All In, Byrds has stuck closer to home for a bit more of a personal mission. The current Birds of Prey lineup may include DC’s most powerful hitters, but what is their greatest strength? Consideration.
Let’s talk about the latest arc in Birds of Prey!
In “Bird Undercover” by Kelly Thompson and Sami Basri, the team is called upon by the Nubian Queen to find and rescue five missing Amazons. The path leads them to Ninth Day, a corporation that hides dark secrets beneath its shiny surface. Batgirl Cassandra Cain goes undercover to get inside, but things don’t go as planned. After all, these are birds of prey.
Barbara Gordon, Big Barda, and Sin fill out the rest of the core team. Black Canary also welcomes two strong players to the mission in Grace Choi and Onyx to complete the Birds’ lineup. (That roster alone had me all over this arc right away.) Even if the Amazons didn’t owe them anything after their troubling mission on Themyscira, Byrds needed to save a missing woman. I’ll do whatever it takes.
Barda’s frustration spills out when Cass doesn’t respond to her initial check-in. She has become very fond of “little bats.” But Dinah calms her down with a sharp pep talk. Not long after, Shin has to deal with her insecurities and Dinah is there for her too. Black Canary is formidable in the field, but her leadership skills are even greater, including not only strategy but also empathy. Dinah is the core of this team, and this story cleverly highlights her strength of character.
What about Cassandra Cain? He was blessed with great friends and mentors and developed a similar compassion for would-be assassins. When she escapes from the cell she was kept in on the ninth day, they send a monstrous creature they created to hunt her down. Kass could have easily taken it out, but instead he takes his chances by removing the control collar. The grateful dog quickly becomes her friend, proving once again that there’s more than one way to be a superhero.
Batgirl discovers that the Amazons are undergoing experiments to create mind-controlled super soldiers. She manages to signal the team before being recaptured, but when Birds arrives, she is shocked to find more women missing. Some individuals, including small bats, have been brainwashed into turning into giant, drooling animals. An all-out brawl eventually breaks out, but it wasn’t Birds’ powerful punch that ultimately got through to Kass and saved the day. It’s Barda’s gentle voice.
birds of prey is now in its second year, and the ongoing series continues to bring together a dedicated crew of superheroes with a fresh rotating roster. They each have different backgrounds, powers, and skill sets, but they share the same dedication to giving everything they have when innocent lives are threatened. The Birds are working harder than ever, but they’re not punching first and asking questions later. Instead, they talk, listen, and let compassion guide their next actions. That’s what makes Birds of Prey, and this run in particular, so special.
And luckily, All In also provides a great place for readers to jump into their own stories. Join us from Birds of Prey #14 A now iconic team.
Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com and is the author of nonfiction books about her favorite movie series. Follow her at X (@kelly_knox) and Bluesky (@kelly-knox.com) to talk superheroes, comics, and pop culture.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery. Nor should it be interpreted as confirming or denying future DC plans.
