Birds of Prey #3

Part three of Gail Simone's "Endrun" arc finds the Birds performing under very unsettling circumstances — the cover by Cliff Chiang frames a leering, tuxedo-clad Penguin in the foreground while Huntress, Black Canary, and a blonde figure in a showgirl-style tuxedo pose with umbrellas on a cabaret stage behind him, a shadowy cat silhouette looming in the pink-lit backdrop. The composition is stylish and a little sinister, suggesting the team is playing a dangerous game in enemy territory. With Simone writing and interior art from Ed Benes, Adriana Melo, and Mariah Benes, this 2010 Brightest Day tie-in delivers the sharp storytelling and sharp visuals the series is known for.