Birds of Prey #114

Why who is that on the very first splash page? It's Manhunter! Beating guys up! And looking darned good doing it. She really doesn't have much to do with the story, but gosh, if it wasn't nice to see her.

When IS Manhunter coming back?

So anyway, Barbara is all obsessed and cranky after the debacle of last issue, and getting chewed out by Superman. These Bat-people, REALLY have to learn to roll with the punches...(which is why I laughed hysterically when Batman gave Robin advice about "moving on" about Stephanie, in the latest ROBIN book. Because Batman is sooooooo good about moving on) But I digress. Misfit is a little bewildered by Bab's singlemindedness. Babs apparently has a whole bunch of people looking into what happened, but nobody seems able to come up with any answers.

Meanwhile, Zinda and Helena are getting bombed in a bar. This seems like a perfectly normal and reasonable thing for them to do. It is even more fun, when you realize that a major brawl is erupting behind and around them...but they aren't involved in it, in the least. Helena is pretty blitzed, but Zinda is just buzzing along nicely. Hanging out with the Blackhawks certainly does teach you how to hold your liquor. They are both still pissed at Superman AND his holier-than-thou attitude, and a little bemused by Babs's reaction, but they aren't going to let it stop them from having a good time. There is a rather delightful little bit about Zinda getting a drivers licence, and having to deal with the reaction to her birthdate, so she goes out and gets a fake, but can hardly get anyone to give her an A.A.R. P. discount. Helena does a spit-take, which is very appropriate.

The girls stumble out of the bar, and Zinda pours Helena into a cab, then catches sight of someone out of the corner of her eye. She gives chase, but apparently nobody is there, so she gives up and goes home. Apparently she's a light sleeper, because again, she catches a glimpse of someone on the fire-escape and gives chase again...only this time in her underwear. Oh Zinda.

It's Killer Shark! Woohoo! There's some continuity right there! They beat each other up for a little while, but I get the impression that it's really just foreplay...for him at least. Then he takes off in his simply FABULOUS sharkmobile/helicopter thingie.

Barbara in the meantime is pushing and pushing, and finally decides to have a sparring session with poor Misfit. Misfit's glad not to be going dishes, but Bab's snapping her ankle just to see if she can teleport and heal it, seems to be a little on the harsh side. I see that Barbara is still channelling her inner Batman. But Misfit is nothing if not game, and she sticks around, so that Babs can make her do gymnastics and yell at her some more.

Then Black Alice shows up. I can't say that I particularly like the ripped mesh shirt thing, but her little pleated kilt is to DIE for. I used to wear skirts like that when I played field hockey. They probably don't do that anymore.

So...an interesting issue. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I wish that Barbara would get her head straight and stop obsessing. I hope that Helena's hangover wasn't TOO horrible. I can hardly wait to find out what is going on with Zinda.

Oh, and maybe Manhunter will show up again. I can always hope.