Birds of Prey #1

The New 52 relaunch brought Duane Swierczynski and cover artist Jesús Saiz together for this fresh chapter in the Birds of Prey story, and the cover alone makes a strong case for the team. Black Canary crouches ready for a fight on the left, Poison Ivy looms from the gnarled branches above, a mysterious woman in a white mask wields a sword on the right, and a fourth figure in dark corset attire anchors the center — four very different women framed against a blood-red sky that promises anything but a quiet evening. If you were looking for a bold, character-driven team book to follow in 2011, "Let Us Prey" is a compelling place to start.