Birds of Prey #6 (Cover - UPDATED)

BIRDS OF PREY #6 Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI Art and cover by JAVIER PINA On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T You’ve never felt better. You’re eating right, sleeping soundly, kicking butt at work. But there’s one tiny problem. You’re being hunted through the streets of Gotham City by five women who seem dead-set on sticking you with syringes and even chopping your head off with a sword. But listen, buddy – you don’t understand. These women? The so-called Birds of Prey? They’re the only things standing between you and instant death, triggered by some creepy guy who’s been secretly controlling your mind for a year now... This is a pretty amazing cover - and damn that costume looks great. Especially the barbs going up the back....

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Facebook

I've had a lot of requests to create a Facebook page for this blog. I should have done it ages ago considering I'm always on there - and it makes following a person or club much easier. I tried installing a plug-in but it won't work. So just follow the link if you're interested: http://www.facebook.com/DeadlyGarden Thanks! (Can I just tell you that I'm shocked the name was still availabl...

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As I Told Lady Freeze...

As you've probably noticed I've been M.I.A. for over a month (if not longer). I've mentioned before that I work at a costume shop and our busy season starts at the end of August and continues until after Halloween. Well, this year we hired fewer seasonal staff members which meant that a lot of the work was put upon me. The money is great but it leaves me completely zapped. Speaking of zapped... All that hard work paid off because right now I am blogging from a brand new computer. Fate is cruel and, much like Lady Freeze, my old computer's plug was pulled. My video card finally imploded but it held up much longer than most of the other components. (That tower was almost 10 years old and it rarely ever let me down.) With that said - I am...

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Birds of Prey Trailer & Janelle Asselin

It's been quite a few days since I've touched the Deadly Garden blog. After reading the final issue of Gotham City Sirens (#26) I slipped into a funk of sorts. I realized then and there that I had just glimpsed the final appearance of Poison Ivy as we've all loved her over the years. (No worries, my feelings on that final issue will be revealed soon enough.) There's also been a secondary phenomenon that has been putting me off and it has to do with the new Birds of Prey book. Yes, the lack of promotion for this particular title has me very worried. But the outright disdain from (original) Birds of Prey fans for a book that hasn't even been released is infuriating. They've even gone so far as to predict an early demise. I've had to avoid the...

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The Flower Girl

The Batman Adventures (vol. 2) comic book was published from 2003-2004 and it showcased characters and designs based on The New Batman Adventures animated television show. Issue #16 deals with Harley Quinn and the Joker in the main story by Ty Templeton titled "Bride of the Joker". The backup story is focused on Poison Ivy but we'll get to that soon enough... The main story begins with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn lazing about their cell at Blackgate Prison. Harley is going thru her box of letters paying special mind to a document regarding her fifty million dollar inheritance from a deceased aunt. The Joker learns of this windfall and plans for Harley Quinn's escape, her hand in marriage, and her murder. As the crazy couple attemps to make...

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The Cleaners (New Villain Preview)

Jesus Saiz, a client of David Macho Gómez (Spanish Inq) and main artist for Birds of Prey, has released some promotional art for the DCnU Birds of Prey series. This illustration features new villains called The Cleaners. I suspect these are the "shapeshifters" that have been mentioned in the solicitations. The visible outlines are probably an artistic choice suggesting "invisibility" and this particular Cleaner is masquerading as Poison Ivy Notice her unusual skin tone. She also appears to be wearing a more traditional looking Poison Ivy costume. Interesting... UPDATE: DC Comics has released an actual page from issue #1 featuring a Cleaner and Black Canary battling it out until...they kiss. What!? I'm liking this interior art more and more. ...

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Suicide Squad

The modern version of Poison Ivy is often depicted as hostile and anti-social in titles like Gotham City Sirens. But if you examine her history you will find that Ivy was not above group affiliations. She's been a member of The Injustice Gang, and had a brief stint with The Secret Society of Supervillains. Poison Ivy has also been seen running amok with the latest incarnations of the Legion of Doom. However, this post will be discussing her time spent with the Suicide Squad. The current Suicide Squad (created by John Ostrander in the aforementioned Legends #3) is an anti-hero team of incarcerated supervillains who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison...

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Artwork of the Day 8.16.11

I've decided to switch up how I post "Artwork of the Day". Instead of just featuring one artist I'm going to showcase at least five or more. It's a better use of space and (my) time and I think the Poison Ivy themed pieces look great when grouped together. I've kept the images relatively big to avoid having to zoom so be ready. That said, on with the show! Joshua Middleton This is probably my favorite of the bunch. The porcelain skin contrasted with the blood orange colored hair is divine. Quite elegant. Andrea Rhodes I love this stylized take on Poison Ivy. The olive green is a smart choice and the blown kiss dust skull and crossbones is genius. Cinar The loose sketch technique mixed with watercolors in this piece appeals to me....

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Birds of Prey #3 Cover Preview (Updated)

DC Comics has released the November 2011 cover previews for the Bat titles. Poison Ivy did not appear on the cover to Birds of Prey #2 but thankfully she graces cover #3 alongside the other players. I guess this makes it fairly obvious that Poison Ivy is acting as a member of the Prey and not a nemesis. I'm still not completely sold on this new costume but it looks a bit better here - although the anatomy itself is a bit questionable. The positioning of the "crotch" on Poison Ivy is clearly off - there should be no "gap" there. Starling's waist is tragic.(Art credit goes to David Finch and Richard Friend.) Speaking of art, this looks a lot like the cover to #1 even down to the burgundy background color. I have a feeling that Birds of Prey...

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