Birds of Prey #97

The cover of Birds of Prey #97 (October 2006) tells its own tense little story: Black Canary and Huntress flank a "Welcome to Dayton" road sign that's been defiantly spray-painted with "ALL METAS KEEP OUT! Love, Black Alice" — and the young culprit herself stands between them, can in hand, daring them to do something about it. Jerry Ordway's cover art captures the standoff with a confident, grounded energy that fits Gail Simone's street-level take on these characters perfectly. Part two of "Headhunt" promises exactly the kind of sharp character friction this series does so well.