Last year saw the launch of DC All In, a major new publishing initiative that has brought new titles, new creative teams and an all-new universe to the world of DC Comics. This month on DC.com, we’ve asked some of our contributors to write about an All In title that they’ve personally gone All In on, letting all of us know what it is about the comic that they’ve been enjoying.
 

The Birds of Prey have been making a huge impact—literally—on the DC Universe in their current ongoing series. Writer Kelly Thompson and a team of incredible artists have taken the Birds from an impossible mission on Themyscira to being temporarily trapped in a constantly shifting pocket dimension. Since the start of DC All In, the Birds have been sticking closer to home for a mission that feels a little more personal. The current Birds of Prey lineup might include some of DC’s heaviest hitters, but their biggest strength? Compassion.

Let’s go All In to talk about the most recent arc of Birds of Prey!

In “Bird Undercover” by Kelly Thompson and Sami Basri, the team has been called in to find and rescue five missing Amazons at the behest of Queen Nubia. The trail leads them to the Ninth Day, a corporation hiding dark secrets underneath its gleaming surface. Batgirl Cassandra Cain goes undercover to get inside, but things don’t quite go according to plan—these are the Birds of Prey, after all.

Barbara Gordon, Big Barda and Sin fill out the rest of the core team. Black Canary also brings in two powerhouses for the mission, Grace Choi and Onyx, to complete the Birds lineup. (With that roster alone, I was all in on this arc immediately.) Even if they didn’t owe the Amazons one after that messy mission on Themyscira, the Birds will do whatever it take to save the missing women.

When Cass doesn’t make her first check-in, Barda’s frustration spills over—she’s grown quite fond of the “small bat”—but Dinah settles her down with a perceptive pep talk. Not long after, Sin has her own misgivings to hash out, and Dinah is there for her, too. Black Canary is formidable in the field, but her skills as a leader—not just strategy, but also her empathy—are even greater. Dinah is the heart of this team, and this arc deftly highlights her strength of character.

As for Cassandra Cain? With such great friends and mentors to learn from, the would-be assassin has become just as compassionate. When she escapes the cell the Ninth Day puts her in, they send a monstrous creature they created to hunt her down. Cass could easily take it out, but she takes a chance by removing its control collar instead. The grateful pooch instantly becomes her friend, proving once again there’s more than one way to be a superhero.

Batgirl discovers the Amazons are being experimented on to create mind-controlled super soldiers. She manages to get a signal out to the team before she’s captured again, but when the Birds arrive, they’re shocked to see more missing women. Some have even been transformed into brainwashed, drooling behemoths—including their small bat. Eventually, an all-out brawl breaks out, but ultimately, it’s not the Birds’ thunderous punches that finally get through to Cass and save the day. It’s Barda’s kind voice.

Birds of Prey is now in its second year, and the ongoing series continues to bring together a committed crew of superheroes in a refreshing, rotating roster. They each have different backgrounds, powers and skillsets, but they all share the same dedication to giving everything they have when innocent lives are threatened. The Birds are more passionate about it than ever, but they never punch first and ask questions later. Instead, they talk, listen and let compassion guide their next move. It’s what makes the Birds of Prey, and this run in particular, special.

And, lucky for us, going All In also gives readers the perfect place to jump into their story! Start with Birds of Prey #14 to join the iconic team now.
 

Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com and is the author of several nonfiction books about some of your favorite film franchises. Follow her on X at @kelly_knox and Bluesky at @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 those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.