Cosplay Hottie of the Month October 2012

Hey there Infiknights , your Friendly Neighborhood Infiknight here coming at you with my first selection for Cosplay     Hottie of the Month. So without further ado I introduce to you the lovely Kit Kat Caughtcha.



1 . What are your favorite geek vices of choice?
I’m into most of the geeky pastimes you can think of. I love anime, comics, manga, video games, etc. I wish I could get into tabletop games more, but finding the time to do that has been difficult. 

2. What got you into anime/comics etc?
I remember stumbling upon Toonami when I was in elementary and middle school, but everything was cemented when I saw Yu Yu Hakusho for the first time on Adult Swim. I completely fell in love with the story and the characters and just couldn’t imagine that something that good had existed without me knowing. When I finally saw Cowboy Bebop I knew it was a lifelong love.


3. What got you into cosplay?
I honestly was just roaming around the internet one day last year and ran into cosplay.com. I hadn’t really known there was that big of a cosplay community and just from looking through pictures and reading the forums I wanted to be part of it. About a week later I bought my Otakon ticket and started planning. The rest is history.




4. What are some of your favorite anime/games?
I am a huge Shin Megami fangirl, so I love every game I’ve played in that series, including Persona 3&4, Devil Survivor, and Nocturne so far. I’m also a huge fan of classics, but since my genre of choice is JRPGs and playthrough times for me are pretty crazy (completionist), I haven’t gotten through as many as I’d like.
In terms of anime I could pick a favorite from almost every genre… But a few of my all time favorites would be Serial Experiments Lain, Cowboy Bebop, Yu Yu Hakusho, Claymore, and Betterman.



5. What are your favorite foods?
I could literally eat pizza every day, constantly, if it wouldn’t make me chubby :/
I am also partial to ice cream sundaes 


6. What is the best part of cosplaying?
Getting to escape from reality and be someone else for a day. It’s fun that you can go from a school girl to a warrior princess in the space of one weekend con just by changing your outfit

THE TOP 20 COUPLES IN COMICS

TOP 20 COUPLES in COMICS: 


by Frankie Rodriguez

 Valentine's Day. A time for love. A time for romance. A time where lovers come together and celebrate their love. Yet, amore is quite different in the world of comics. Love in comics can lead to so many different things . . . like you & your loved one being cloned for sick fantasies, you having to fight your signficant other cause they are too corrupted by the power they control or completely ignoring you detective skills to sleep with someone who looks just like your fiancee but is in fact a shape shifter from the future who claims that s/he will be your future lover.

A yes. Love in Comics. And as we continue to walk down the path of martial (or dating) bliss; we are gonna look out for the stand out couples in comics; the couples that do so much for the comic book industry . . . whether they know it or not.; These are the couples that stand out, make marks and keep you coming back for more, or wanting more or want them to break up so badly that you relish every issue hoping for the relationship's ultimate demise.

Welcome to my Top 20 Couples in Comics:

#20 - DONNER & BLITZEN

       

     Right now, I probably have the following 3 reactions from you, the reader. 1 - you are saying awesome or wow cause you didn't think this couple, a lebian couple, would make this list. 2 - you are pissed off cause this couple is so low on my list. or, and most likely, 3 - Wonder who in the name of Primus am I talking about.

       Donner & Blitzen were one of the first openly lesbian couples in super hero comics. Honestly, they might possibly be the very first. This couple was a great match; not just in powers : Donner was super strong blonde with muscles but still had boobs while Blitzen was a  petite super speedster; but in personality as well. Donner had the masculine role inthe relationship for the most part but it was Blitzen's level head that really help leveled out Donner's more spastic nature.

    Whenever in action, the two trusted each other enough to know the other could hand most of what they fought but still often checked on each other just to see that they were okay.

   So why are they so low on my list? Unfortunately, while pioneers in their own right, they still only appeared in the Shadow Cabinet & Heroes comics from the now defuncted, but often remembered Milestone imprint from the 90s. They were last seen back with the Shadow Cabinet a few years ago when they took on the Justice League of America but that was pre New 52. We have yet to see them but be sure that their contribution won't soon be forgotten.

# 19 - NIGHTWING (Dick Grayson)& STARFIRE

   Hey. Hey! Why am I getting booed? *sigh* Look, I love the Titans. A WHOLE LOT but please, let me explain and you will soon understand. Dick Grayson and Starfire were one of the biggest couples in comic book history. That is not boasting or mere speculation. This is fact. Dick Grayson and Starfire spent nearly 2 decades together, first coming together in the 80s during the now legendary Marv Wolfman/George Perez run on New Teen Titans.

   And if you want to say a couple that went through a lot .. . this is one of those couples. Dick and Kory have fought against Kory's evil sister, Blackfire. They had beaten Dick's stand-off ness after Jason Todd "died". They withstood Kory's FIRST arranged marriage where it looked like the couple was gonna be apart and never together again after Dick went after Kory to stop the wedding. There was even some unintentional infidelty that didn't stop the couple from walking down the Altar. Yet, Raven's evil side, which, at the time, came back from the dead to perform a lebsian liplock with Kory during their wedding and some on again off again points really dragged this couple around during the early 21st century.

   The couple called it splits for good when Dick revealed that he no longer loved Kory like he used to and that his heart now belonged to Barbara Gordon. So, upset by this Kory left Earth and joined Vril Dox's R.E.B.E.L.S. where she ended up in the arms of the new Captain Comet.

So, yeah. Dick fell for someone else after all that. That is part of the reason why they are so low. The other reason. Remember that infidelty I mentioned last paragraph. How about that whole sleeping with a shape shifter? Yep. If you didn't know, Dick indeed cheated on Kory. Unintentionally of course but still. Dick's detective skills get turned to mush when the fact that after so many years with Kory ... he sleeps with Mirage, who was pretending to be Kory. So Dick Grayson . . . as long as you look like the woman he loves,he'll sleep with you. Way to go Grayson!

#18 - JOKER & HARLEY QUINN

   And some people's heads just exploded. I am sure I am getting a few WTFs with this one. But in all seriousness, you people all underestimate this couple. Joker, the being of total and utter chaos, is still a man. Sure, a very warped, deranged, brilliantly twisted man but still a man. Now, with that, you have Harley Quinn, which started out primarily as a character for Batman: The Animated Series. And since then, the pair have become beloved by fans as a Bonnie and Clyde type couple.

And let me be the first to say that you are all absolutely and completely insane for thinking so.

This relationship is one of dependency, murder and downright warped senses of love. Harley is ever devoted to Joker; who used to be her patient in Arkham. Yes. Let me point out that Harley was a psychologist in Arkham Asylum before she lost her mind to be the Joker's love slave. Joker admitting that he love her would be considered weakness in his eyes. A weak point people can use against him and that goes against Joker's organized chaos theory.

For why they are so low on the list, it is cause this relationship is beyond sick. That and we have yet to see a role reversal where Harley was the dominate one.

#17 - COLOSSUS & KITTY PRYDE

     This is something of a rough spot for me for various reasons. I LOVE this couple. For as long as I been reading X-Men and read the classic stories by Chris Claremont, I knew that Piotr & Kitty Pryde were a match made in Heaven. There was great chemistry and we knew that they loved each other. And after so long of back and forth, feelings being re-examined over and over again; the 2 were finally together. Only to get torn apart . . . over & over again. Seriously, this couple has almost more start ups, stops and restarts than any other couple in comics except one.

    Yet, for all the passion that these two have for each other; and boy there has been much of it over the decades, it is the fact that this couple went through so much to be together over and over again and yet some how they, more Piotr than Kitty, mess up that relationship. Fact: Piotr had joined the Acolytes which broke Kitty's heart . .. knowingly. Fact: Piotr tried to come back into Kitty's life when she was dating Pete Wisdom . . . only to have Kitty shut him down and remind him that he left her. Fact: Piotr commited suicide without so much as a goodbye to Kitty; (Sure, it was for a heroic reason and he did end up alive but still). Fact: Even though he knew that his little sister had come back as a manpulative witch who used everyone and nearly got the world destroyed for a vendetta, he chose her over Kitty; who had recently came back after being stuck for months on a giant bullet while saving the world & merely days ago regained her tangibilty.

  "I know that you would die for me," Kitty said. " I need someone who will live for me." And that makes it the biggest problem in this romance. Piotr's sense of duty seems to over throw things that would ultimately be the right decision for him. This putting this couple down some. Yet, when you think about all this couple has accomplished over the years, you can't say that haven't left an impression on your mind or heart.

#16 - GREEN ARROW & BLACK CANARY

    Yes. These two. These two lovebirds have been through a whole lot. They have fought against some of the greatest villains known to man. They have fought to save the universe several times. And they have even fought each other . . . several times. Remember when we say that Colossus & Kitty were almost the most back and forth couple in comics? Well, these two top them but damn if it has not been entertaining to watch.

  Green Arrow, for all his stern political beliefs, was still a man who loved Dinah Lance, the Black Canary. And their love had spawned so many interesting encounters and even sharing the title card of their books on more than one occassion. The archer and the martial artist song bird. Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance (-Queen for the short time they were married) had always learned to survive through each others faults and whatever life threw at them.

Yet, this is where the up and down begins. Oliver's strong beliefs and wanting to adventure with best bud Hal Jordon led him to turn his back on his first sidekick, Roy Harper (then Speedy, currently Arsenal) after finding Roy had become addicted to heroin. This split the couple as Dinah was the only person that stayed with Roy, helping the former sidekick kick the habit. The couple eventually reconciled but then there were other issues as we found that Queen was very much a man . . . as he cheated on Dinah . .. several times. Dinah ended up in the arms of Ra's Al Ghul for a time. Queen eventually died but later came back to life.

  Now, Ollie and Dinah got back together, seemingly for good as the two got married and Dinah took on a surrogate mother role for not only Ollie's latest sidekick, Mia who became Speedy, but also for Ollie's biological son, Conner Hawke. Roy even took on the name of Red Arrow and joined the Justice League, thanks to coaxing from Dinah & Ollie stepping back to let his oldest "son" grow up. Yet, when Ollie & Dinah's granddaughter, Lian, was killed; this drew the final nail for the couple. Ollie kept secrets, even forming a separate team with Hal behind Dinah's back, who was chairman of the Justice League of America at the time. Then Ollie, in complete rage, killed Promethus. The two broke up; Dinah swearing that she was done.

 That is why they are so low on the list. The reason why they beat out Colossus & Kitty was because before Lian died, Ollie and Dinah had seemingly got it right. They got to the altar. They fought impossible odds. Ollie & Dinah seemed to work so right, uniting a larger family with Roy, Conner, Mia & Lian. It is a shame too considering that Ollie couldn't let go of his need for vengence to help stablize his family situation.

#15 -  REED RICHARDS & SUE RICHARDS

    I know. I know.  I can hear the "Are you kidding me's" from here. Yes, I did indeed have Reed & Sue this low on the list. Now, hear me out before you start cursing my name. Reed and Sue Richards have become an institution. As of right now, they are the longest married couple in super hero comics: well, living couple.

   The 2 have been married for decades and their marriage have survived challenge after challenge after challenge. This marriage survived Dr. Doom, the "death" of Reed Richards, Namor, Ms. Fantastic and more. Surviving odds as a couple with Reed being the brain but with Sue becoming the true leader of the FF. Over the last 2 decades, they solidified the fact that while Reed may call the shots from time to time, Sue has become the leader; help balancing out the group.

  With 2 children, the Future Foundation and the Fantastic Four, Sue & Reed have endured it all. Yet, with all this, this marriage has some serious flaws. And there are for both parties invovled. Sue has become a stronger woman over the last 2 decades but she has always had a strong connection with Namor. When Reed was presumed dead, Susan slowly but surely found her way into Namor's arms for comfort; and he was more than glad to give them. Even after Reed's return, Namor contiuned to flirt with Sue until the last couple of years. And Sue continued to allow the flirtations because of her attraction to him.

  Then there is Reed. Reed, for all his intelligence, has a dunce cap when it comes to romance. While over the years, he has gotten better with that over time; Reed still loves his wife . .. and love science. Reed's feelings clash with Sue's over the years but when the super hero civil war came; Reed stood firm that registration and imprisoning fellow heroes was the right way to go; So much so that it drove Sue away to the point that she was almost ready to divorce her long time husband. Reed set himself up as Johnny sided with Sue and the Thing moved to France for a while.

 That is why they get the low ranking. Otherwise, this couple is still strongly in love withe each other and continues to be together today.

#14 - APOLLO & MIDNIGHTER

   They are pretty much considered the premiere gay super hero couple in comics. These two first bursted onto comic books back in the 2nd volume of Stormwatch when Wildstorm was still part of Image and gained noteriety during their stint on The Authority. The two super powered beings have often been considered to be similar to Superman and Batman in terms of powers, intelligence but a couple. And while that might be what it looks like on the outside, you will find a couple very much devoted to each other.

  Apollo and Midnighter have recently found each other (again) in the New DC 52. The two compliment each other well; Apollo seemingly the more reserved of the two; a bit more open about his feelings while Midnighter was more quiet, letting his action speak for him. The reason why this couple is so low on the list is cause there hasn't been much seen of them just being a couple. Sure we see them battle and flirt but otherwise, there hasn't been much in terms of their romantic development . . . until now. Apollo and Midnighter, apart of Stormwatch again in the New 52, are just starting out and we are getting to see their development first hand. Maybe as things go along this time around, we will really see the couple stand out. Till then, they are #15.

#13 -  SCARLET WITCH & VISION

   Now here is an interesting couple. The witch and the robot. A robot that has a soul. Or had a soul. Had a soul, lost a soul, got it back? Eh . .. comics. Anywho, Scarlet Witch met her now ex-husband as they served time on the Avengers together. With the brain patterns of Simon Williams aka Wonder Man, as part of him, Vision charmed his way into Wanda's heart. And the two were so in love. They got married and even had children together. (I am not here to explain how Wanda got impregnated by a synthizoid)

   Vision and Wanda faced it all; till Vision went mad that one time and took over all the computers on the planet. He snapped out of that only later to be kidnapped by the government and dismantled in order to make sure he was no longer a threat. Wanda was also dealing with the fact that her children were not real at first . .. well, they actually were real and that is a whole other story for another day . . . and ultimately, they divorced.

   Even when Vision got his emotions back, he did not go back to Wanda. Which was sad. Vision had come so far yet decided not to go back to a person who loved him. I am not getting into what happened next. Overall, This couple was just very odd but surprisingly good together.

#12 - SPIDERMAN (PETER PARKER) & MARY JANE WATSON

    I am just FULL of surprises aren't I? Why oh why did I put one of the greatest couples in comics down soooooooo low. Quite simple actually. But I will get to that in a minute. Allow me first to give you some background on this much beloved couple.

  Peter had gone through a lot. The death of Gwen Stacy and supposed death of Norman Osborn on top of all that he endured at Spiderman was much for him. Yet, Mary Jane was about to love him, help Peter get better and become a better man. And the two seemed made for each other. She was the spunky Redhead who loved Peter and cheered him on; yet also understood Peter's need for being Spiderman. Peter,in turn, was the loving man who helped balance out Mary Jane's adventureous nature while finding his own. This couple loved each other and you knew it.

  Which now I get into why they are #12. To put it quite simply . . . these two had issues. And not the typical couple issues or back and forth like other couples. No. This couple had some deep seeded issues. Like Mary Jane's need for attention at times leading her to either be a flirt to other men or demand more out of Peter when she knew it was a bad time. Or Peter not being as supportive of his wife's career at times when he should have been. And need I remind you their BIGGEST crimes . . . One More Day & One Moment In Time. Those two shining turds are two of the greatest reasons why this couple is in #12. The fact that Mary Jane essentially helps Peter make a deal with the Devil (Mephisto but I am of the mind of Linkara on this . .. he's the Devil) and later on shows how jealous she is that Peter gave up their marriage is complete and utter bull! The fact that she would tell Peter that being with him is like being a battered wife . . . okay, there was that one time a clone of Peter hit Mary Jane but seriously . .. it was a clone and Peter was not responsible for that.

And Peter .. . dear god. Peter's mommy issues trump the love of your life? Aunt May died before. Sure that was a clone but still! BULL! Aunt May had lived a very full life. And how do you decide to save her life? By making a deal with the devil and give up your long time marriage in order to do so. What kind of hokey crap is that? I am not heartless but for the love of God, you do not make a deal with the devil. And you don't compare a relationship you willing stayed with that long and compare it to being a battered wife when half the time you are cheering him on to be a hero. THIS is why they are #12.

#11 - BATWOMAN & THE QUESTION (RENEE MONTOYA)

   Was not expecting these 2 did you? Hehe. I definitely know some of you were not thinking about these two but now that I mentioned them, you are grinning. This couple was definitely a great couple when you look at them. and while Donner & Blitzen may have pioneered the whole Lesbian couple Super Heroes scene . .. these 2 heroines perfected it.

    Renee Montoya and Kate Kane came together, again it seems, during the events of 52; where Kate first became Batwoman and Renee ended up becoming the new Question. These femme fatales had a lot more of a certain something than most other couples . . . passion. Lots of passion. Kate and Renee had been lovers before off panel and found each other again during the events of 52. And that fire became an inferno during the subsquent years. Kate was a tough as nails ex-military turned vigilante. Renee was the more open yet somewhat resistant ex-cop turned vigilante. The two had an odd chemistry that just worked. Passionate about justice and what they do, the two found each other again and got together.

   Unfortunately, the New 52 erased that and Kate is now dating long time Metropolis Detective but now Gotham Detective Maggie Sawyer. And why that relationship is hot in its own way,it was definitely not the complimentary and strong coupling of Kate & Renee. Ah, we shall remember you both well.

#10 - AQUAMAN & MERA

   Arthur Curry & Mera have had an interesting marriage. This former King & Queen of Atlantis have been through the ringer and that is putting it lightly. To a rebellion against Arthur, to Mera &

Arthur's son being murdered by Black Manta. To Mera dying to Arthur's own issues with his kingdom to Arthur's resurrection; Mera and Arthur seemed to have gone through a lot to be together.

   And this relationship is not without its own set of problems (Mera admitted she never wanted to have a child to Arthur denoucing his throne) the two have been able to come back through it all.

The reason why they are #10 is that while the 2 have had their problems, they recently have been able to overcome many of them. They are in a part in their relationship where they know and accept each other but it is figuring out that next step; thus their low ranking.

 Still, better their alternate reality selves still being together even though Arthur was engaged to Wonder Woman and Mera ends up dying which causes Aquaman to be one of the biggest mass murderers in history to their current New 52 status of them find their new way in life, you can believe that Aquaman and Mera are far from being a punchline.

#9 - HAWKMAN & HAWKGIRL (HAWKWOMAN)

   Now,let's get with the part of the countdown where I make your brain hurt . . . badly. Carter Hall & Shiera Hall (or is it Katar Hol & Shayera Hol) or is it Carter Hall & Kendra Sanders? All these fall under the this particular number because of the fact that you are dealing with 2 heroes who have lived and died . .. over & over & over again. For the Love of Highfather's junk, these 2 have had more incarnations than Tommy Oliver changed suits in Power Rangers. Think about it?

  Carter Hall & Shiera Hall fell in love back during World War 2. Or was it Ancient Egypt. Or was it Thanagar. The answer is .. . all of the above. The MUCH convoluted history of this romance spans not just time .. . but planets. The duo have been reborn and loved again over and over to the point where it could be a running gag. 

  Now, the strongest point about this particular relationship is that for the most part; the 2 are very dedicated to the other . . . when they are not together yet in there current incarnation. Sure Hawkgirl dated then Red Arrow Roy Harper while Hawkman was seeing Power Girl (pre New 52) but EVENTUALLY, Carter was able to be with Shiera again . .. twice. There was Shayera Hol, the Thangarian Hawkwoman and then their was Kendra Sanders, Hawkgirl. And while Hawkgirl tired to fight against fate, it ended up with broken hearts for Roy & Kara. Of course, her proclaimation of love came during Blackest Knight when she & Carter were getting slaughtered by one of the couples in my top 5.  Yet, they found each other resurrected at the end of that particular storyline . .. well, Carter was resurrected . .. and so was Shiera. And for a minute, we thought they were gonna have a happily ever after . . . till Shiera died, AGAIN.

  Since the new 52, we have seen Carter star in his own book again while no side of any incarnation of Shiera/Kendra. The fact that this couple is so on again off again due to death knocks them down a bit. Yet, this is a couple who spawned rebellions, survived dozens of lifetimes, great a super hero family on part with WWE's McMahon clan and really showed themselves as the loving yet kick butt couple in all of comics. This is a couple that is destined. Unfortuately, this couple is both destined to love each other . .. and destined to DIE.

#8 - CYCLOPS & . . . EMMA FROST

   Now, now Jean Grey fans. Before the Phoenix comes to eat me with my house, there are some things I want to point out about Scott Summers and his current love, Emma Frost. Emma Frost is somewhat similar to Jean and almost completely different at the same time. Jean was more girl next door or slight adventureous but level headed . .. till she was replaced by the Phoenix. And then she died. or it died. And she came back. And then she died and came back a few more times. But Jean was one of those people you always wanted to be around.

  Emma Frost is . .. definitely not Jean Grey. The Phoenix became corrupted thanks to the mental seductions of both Mastermind and Emma Frost. And Emma has killed people before. And while she has long since redeemed herself, Emma falling for Scott was something completely unexpected. And vice versa. After Scott spent a short stint as being part of Apocalypse, he was a bit more withdrawl. Emma was supposedly helping Scott to move past that . . . which lead to a psychic affair. The psychic affair lead to an actual affair. And after Jean Grey died most recently . .. Scott Summers fell for Emma Frost. Emma is somewhat strong willed, a great teacher but a woman of class and who likes the finer thing in life. She's not below being underhanded to get them.

  Scott went from being unsure of himself as a leader of a small group of mutants to being a full fledge monarchy to the mutant race, uniting them all together for a time after Scarlet Witch's spell left under 200 mutants left. As a recent issue of X-Men Legacy described Scott: there was a point where Scott wasn't sure if he was going to do the right thing to thinking that anything he does is right.

 And let's face it folks: Cyclops has been a lot more successful and interesting with Emma than he was without her. And vice versa. Scott allowed Emma to be a bit more vunerable and actual let herself earn her right as an X-Man. Scott, in turn, did what neither Xavier or Magneto were ever capable of doing. And honestly, I doubt Scott would have gotten this far without Emma; which brings me as to why they are #8 and not higher.

Simply put . .. Scott is a major douche bag and his duty to oversee mutant kind has gotten soooo deep that he has neglected Emma. And she, in term, has allowed herself to flirt with Namor. Not as strong of a couple as they may seem huh?

#7 - RICTOR & SHATTERSTAR

  Surprise! Really. I know. Were not expecting these 2 huh? Okay. Why are they here? Oh ... allow me to elaborate.

  Rictor and Shatterstar had become good friends back during their time together on X-Force. They grew so close that when Rictor wanted to leave in order ot take down his family's gun smuggling ring in Mexico, Shatterstar left with him. The 2 fell out of sight for some time till . .. after M-Day, a depowered Rictor had joined Jamie Madrox's X-Factor Investigations. He became the groups computer hacker.

  Shatterstar . .. got a hair cut and showed up againt under the control of another being ... who was using a dupe of Jamie Madrox for a host. Yay.  During that battle, Rictor and Strong Guy were able to free Shatterstar of the villain's control. And when that happened . .. Rictor was gifted with one heck of a lip lock from Shatterstar ... with Strong Guy somewhat shocked.

 From that point, the 2 started a relationship that has gone through much over its short time: the dealing with the rest of their teammates reactions to them; including a returning and pregnant Wolfsbane going all bible lady on them about homosexuality is a sin and lying about the baby she was carrying; Rictor's frustration of his lack of powers til recently and Shatterstar's want to experiment . . . with everyone, no matter the sex.

What I  enjoy about this couple is their autheticity of their emotions while dealing with their relationship and Shatterstar's coping to all the new feelings and sensations he admitted to never have before. This was all. new to him and that very conversation screamed out to many starting out in relationships . .. whethher gay, straight or bisexual. The couple feels very real because of roles in the relationship being discussed and Rictor's need for dominace.

  The reason why this couple doesn't top the countdown goes to a few factors: One, the fact that Rictor seemed to redefine himself as the Alpha Male in the relationship once he's powers are returned to him is REALLY annoying; Shatterstar's need for experimentation is both a double edge sword as he and Rictor are just starting and he's ready to jump in the sack with anyone as long as Rictor is with him (while somewhat true is off putting) and finally, the fact that this couple has yet to really deal with their issues at hand. But I am sure Peter David, writer of X-Factor, will be dealing with all these soon enough.




#6 - BATMAN & CATWOMAN 


    I know. I know. This snuck on me too. I originally was not going to put them on this countdown at all. And Certainly not as high as they are. Yet, there is just something about that. 

Before we get into things . . . all you Bruce/Talia fans . ..  let's get some facts out on the table. First, Talia maybe the mother of Bruce's biological son, Damien Wayne and have shared a beautiful and wonderful time together. But let's make something perfectly clear . . . Talia does NOT love Bruce.

 Why do I say that? Quite simply, I don't think Talia knows how to love. She had chance to reform but she decides to put on some major criminal activities even after multiple pleas from Bruce. While Selina . ..  honestly, has limited to criminal activites, even stopping them completely at times to be a defender to people in her section of Gotham City. Selina and Bruce have a chemistry that is just so unmatched that it is scary. Selina says she doesn't completely get him .. . yet, there are parts of Batman & Bruce Wayne that she got better than Talia or any other of the dozens of women Bruce has wed. 


  Selina earns the distinction of being one of the few women that Bruce felt he could actually trust with not only his identity but the identity of his network, his home and even parts of him he never shared with anyone else. (Read Jeph Loeb's Hush to see what I mean). When Bruce was considered dead, Selina mourned Bruce like a woman who lost her life mate. When Bruce came back, Selina was with him at the start of his Batman Inc. venture. Oh, and in said Hush story, Bruce flat out chooses Selina over Talia . . . something the Dark Knight has, as far as recent history is concerned, has never done.

   Selina has her fair share of issues. So does Bruce. Yet, the combination of sexual tension, unspoken feelings and thrill of their careers as masked heroes just magnifies their attraction more than nearly any other couple on this list. And while the New 52 has seemingly erased some of Bruce's & Selina's history together (mostly that she knows he's Bruce) but the chemistry and the feelings are still very much there.

Unfortunately . . . these are 2 people certain that they can't live normal lives. Bruce is far too controlling while Selina wants to hold on to her independence more than her own life at times. This is not a couple that sees themselves settling down. Yet, in an odd way, that is what makes them work so well. 




#5 - LUKE CAGE & JESSICA JONES-CAGE 


    Okay. This couple are pure fun to watch. Brian Michael Bendis is one of the most prolific writers. And I have to say, the fact that he built their relationship with nearly a decade worth of stories . . . from Alias to currently New Avengers, this couple has taken over the stop as THE AVENGERS COUPLE. More than Hank Pym & Janet Van Dyke. More than Scarlet Witch & Vision. More than Quicksilver & Crystal. 


   Luke Cage is a stubborn yet very just and caring man who wants to do right and make sure justice is served. Jessica Jones-Cage is a woman who wants to help yet used to keep up walls. Yet, as time passed, those walls began to fall down. Cage became less uptight about what he wanted and what he stood for. Luke became an Avenger while Jessica reconnected with old friends Carol Danvers and Jessica Drew, forming the current divas of the Avengers. This couple found each other before the Civil War, as they were making their way. Since coming together, they not only found their way to each other but accomplished so much: Luke Cage is now LEADING the New Avengers; they got married; they became parents to little Danielle Jones-Cage (points if you can guess who their daughter is named after) they BOUGHT & OWN the AVENGERS MANSION . . . for a $1. This couple have accomplished so much for themselves individually and together since getting together that it is just hard not to think of them together anymore. 


  For all this, why are they only # 5. Marriage seems to be just as much of an adventure as they're coming together was. And while they were apart for a short time during Osborn's time as THE # 1 COP, this couple has gotten things right. Yet, as parents, they are still learning and Jessica is very much worried about their daughter. Luke & Jessica need to get an idea of what they are gonna do together as they raise their daughter but I hope we see the Cages amongst the Avengers for a long time to come. Plus, points for hiring Squirrel Girl as a Nanny for Danielle and for convincing Daredevil to join the New Avengers. 




#4 - CLARK KENT & LOIS LANE (KENT) 


    Yep. THE SUPER HERO COUPLE! As # 4. 


  Lois & Clark have had one great adventure over the years to the point where they finally got married. Then they finally got married . . . after Clark died then came back to life; Lois having doubts after seeing Clark giving a goodbye kiss to former lover Lori Lemaris; Clark having to abandon his civilian identity for a time then losing his powers; They FINALLY got married.

  Lois is an adventures, strong woman who was never gonna be easy to wed. But Superman was about to allow Lois be vulnerable for him while he was vulnerable for her. The two found that they were the one, true love for the other and there was NO denying it. No matter how many women and men tried to break up this couple . . . which I believe they hold the most potential love breakers than any other in the history of comics . . . the two not only endured, but thrived.

 After they got married, they worked at their relationship to the point that most heroes who knew Superman was Clark Kent knew Lois personally. Lois Lane became a fixture in many heroes life as Mrs. Superman while Clark learned to be Mr. Lois Lane. And it worked more than they ever thought. Even following in the Kent's foot steps in adopting their own Kryptonian, Lois became Super-Mom to Chris Kent. This couple was Magic.

 Yet, with all that, this couple did 3 things wrong: First, they took FAR too long actually getting together as a romantic couple. The Romantic couple was nearly 60 years in the making. Nearly 60  years till they actually got married. Sure there was the whole time they were together in the silver age but that got retconned . .   Second, the fact that it took them so long to actually get married. I understand that having their marriage be a big thing was smart but for the love . . . nearly a decade after they got engaged, they married. NEARLY A DECADE!!  Finally . . . the New 52 erased this relationship and Lois is back to being her spunky single self while Clark is . . . more awkward than ever. YAY. Thank you for getting rid of one of my favorite couples. 




#3 - BLACK PANTHER & STORM 

  This was not just a union of 2 characters: it was the living representation of a dream, character status elevation & one of the most natural unions in comics. Black Panther, the genius king of the  tech savy and naturally beautiful country of Wakanda being united with Storm, the formerly worshipped weather goddess and long time X-Man. Ororo & T'Challa had a fabled love story that dated back to the times they were children. They're young love never wavered over the years. It was seen little by little over the years. At the turn of the century, Ororo & T'Challa began their ultimate destiny as one of the most visible and most beloved couples in comic book history.

 And as they finally got together and got married, fans rejoiced. Fans were happy to find the two finding each other. For a mutant had married a human and had become not just a representation of African-Americans but also the living symbol of mutant/human coexistence. For God's sake, Storm's wedding dress was designed by a soap star fashion coordinator. 


  And when they became a couple, they showed the world that not only were they strong as a couple but they were strong as a nation. Wakanda had a King & Queen that was unmatched in their countries history. Unfortunately, enemies had hurt their country and the King & Queen's honeymoon was over. Storm decided to work with the X-Men while T'Challa decided he needed to help the people of Hell's Kitchen in order to redeem himself. That is the main reason why this couple is # 3 . . . they are married but not together. Yet, with Storm joining the Avengers, I am sure we will see more of T'Challa & Ororo together soon. Oh . . . and just as a warning: Ben Grimm wanted me to tell everyone that do NOT ever say the following things; 1 - Storm is NOT wearing contacts  and 2 - SHE IS NOT WEARING A WEAVE! That's her real hair. 




#2 - BLACK BOLT & MEDUSA 


    From one set of royalty to another; this King & Queen are truly connected. Black Bolt and Medusa have long reigned on the throne of the Inhumans . . . and recently, the Kree Empire with an iron fist. The couple has faced invaders like Apocalypse to the dangers of Maximus to War with the Shi'ar Empire.

   Through the years, Medusa was always the voice of Black Bolt. The Queen was never one to fool around with things and Black Bolt merely gesture to his wife and she would tell everyone what he felt without question. Their love culminated with the birth of their son and they stayed strong. They did it all together . . . 


 Almost everything.




 Black Bolt spent years with Medusa so she knows him well. Which makes the fact that the Skull that disguised himself as Black Bolt for a time fooling Medusa seem sad. It's Dick & Kory all over again. What was even uglier is the fact that Black Bolt kept the fact that he was hiding one of the Infinity Gems (gems so powerful that they can control time, space & creation itself) from everyone but the Marvel Illuminati was such a blow to the Queen. This while he was supposedly dead. Yet, even with these faults, the fact that Medusa was about to carry on and forgive her husband and the two are strong than ever are why they are # 2. 








AND THE #1 COMIC BOOK COUPLE ARE . . .








#1 - RALPH & SUE DIGBY 

     That is right.  Any person who's collected comics know how hard it was when Brad Meltzer's Identity Crisis ending the long running union with the brutal death of Sue Digby which opened up some many other stories. The fact that her death was still referred over and over again throughout the years in DC Comics till the recent DC Relaunch makes it that much more important to the overall community within DC Comics. The heart breaking death of Sue had comic book fans weeping and comic book heroes wallowing in despair.
   Fans of the couple know that they were identified as Ralph & Sue or Elongated Man & his wife. The stretchy hero and his wife had fought odd after odd after odd to be together. They faced Sonar several times, who was obsessed with Sue to finally take down the sound manipulating villain. They survived Ralph's time with the Justice League in several incarnations. They overcame Sue's brutal rape from Dr. Light. This couple has truly endured. 


  Fans and super heroes were so taken by the likable couple that they were always a favorite. When Ralph helped formed Justice League Europe, Sue came with him and eventually the Liasion to the team. Sue is the first woman to ever Earn Honorary League Member status. No other super wife had achieved that.  Not Lois. Not Ellen Baker. Just Sue Digby.

  The couple has seen it all. When Sue died, Ralph fell apart till he became determined to find the mastermind behind the death of his wife and ultimately dies; joining his wife in death. Unfortunately, the last image of them is their brutal murder of our #9. Yet, it shows in death . . . they had love. Always being together. Always trusting each other. Always knowing each other.

We miss you both and thank you Ralph & Sue. 


___




And that is my Top 20 Couple in Comics. Feel free to disagree or agree and leave comments below. Thank you all for reading this and will see you next time. Keep Clashing everyone . ..  and Happy Valentine's Day. 

THE REPLACEMENTS # 1

The Replacements!

by Darryl "YTC" Carter

Birds of Prey Edition

Hey there Clashers! Here’s something we hope you’ll really like. A few days ago, the lot of us over here at CBC began thinking. (Startling, I know.) What if the members of a comic book team were decommissioned (due to any reason imaginable) and forced to recruit from other continuums and continuities?

You get the Replacements! This is our new segment where we take an existing comic book team and replace its members with suitable counterparts from other mediums. This week we are starting things off with Birds of Prey and substituting them with video game characters.

The following is the cast of Birds of Prey pre-New 52. We will get to the NEW 52 Birds of  Prey eventually.

Oracle First Appearance: Detective Comics #359	Cortana Halo Series
Barbara Gordon, leader of the Birds, is a tech wizard, adept strategist and high level martial artist. Her guidance and intelligence are the cogs and gears of the teams operations. Once an active member in the field, since her paralysis Barbara issues commands and provides support through her tech and planning.	Cortana is a viable replacement for Oracle. She posses the technology and skills to assist the Birds in their daily operations. She can simultaneous manage several programs and cyber operations and processes at a speed no human can muster. She lacks Barbara’s fighting knowledge and strategic ability, but being an AI gives her the capacity to learn at an accelerated pace. With the ability to hack and decipher ancient alien technology to boot, Cortana may be overflowing Barbara’s shoes.
Black Canary First Appearance: Justice League of America #220 (Nov ’83)	Tifa Lockhart Final Fantasy VII Series
Dinah Laurel Lance is a master martial artist equipped with an earsplitting sonic scream. She has fought the best fighter on the planet, Lady Shiva and lived. Capable of snapping a man’s bones in multiple locations in seconds, Dinah is a formidable opponent.	Tifa Lockhart is the substitute for Black Canary.  Tifa is an adept fighter. She jumps off walls and does somersault kicks for breakfast. Tifa lacks Dinah’s technical fighting ability, but makes up for it with raw force and an unlimited arsenal of materia to choose from. Who needs a sonic scream when you can wield every element at your fingertips? Psshaw… Just call on Knights of the Round.
Huntress First Appearance: Huntress #1 (Apr ’89)	Nina Williams Tekken Series
Helena Bertinelli is cold blooded. She will kill you if she has to and she has the martial training to do it. She’s trained in various weapons, but often favors the crossbow. Helena has been known to cross the line 9 out of 10 times, but she is bound to her friends and will do anything to get them home safe and accomplish her goals.	Nina Williams is a trained assassin and adept martial artist. She’s ruthless and goal oriented just like Huntress. Nina is a systematic, skeletal dissector in combat, trained with her hands and firearms. If Nina’s put a target on your back, watch out. Frankly, I think she’s the best match on our list.
Lady Blackhawk First Appearance: Blackhawk #133 (Feb ’59)	Jill Valentine Resident Evil Series
Zinda Blake is feisty, beautiful and great in a bar fight. She is a member of the legendary Blackhawks, an expert pilot and adept marksman. Zinda finds her place as the Birds’ wheelman.	Jill Valentine is stepping in for Zinda. Jill is a top level operative, hardened by mankind’s war on Umbrella Corp. and biological weapons. She lacks Zinda’s zesty personality and piloting ability, but Jill’s tenacity and determination make her more than applicable. Her connections in the BSAA can provide vehicles and adept drivers.  Besides, not every non metahuman can take out a Tyrant with a Beretta and a combat knife.
Hawk & Dove Hank’s First Appearance: Showcase #75 (June ’68) Dawn’s First Appearance: Hawk and Dove Vol. 2 #1 (Oct ’88)	Ryu and Chun Li Street Fighter Series
Hank Hall and Dawn Granger are the current faces of Hawk and Dove. Hank is an anger and testosterone driven powerhouse, while Dawn is gracefully agile and a voice of reason. Essentially, these two are War and Peace.	Ryu is by no means a Hawk doppelganger. He is calm, cool and collective. Ryu relies on his training and peace of mind to defeat his foes. In fact, Ryu could just as easily be Dove. But for color (red, white) and gender parallels we cast him as Hawk’s replacement. It’s a definite improvement if you ask me. Chun Li is the perfect mesh of power and grace. Like Dawn, Chun Li would rather find the peaceful solution to a dispute rather than resort to her more than capable kicks. With the power of the Hadoken and Kikoken at their wrist, this duo outshines the first string.

#6 BIRDS OF PREY (#1-6) Endrun & Two Nights In Bangkok

Hello again Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the second part of our current bout: X-Factor vs. Birds of Prey. The latest volume of the group of mostly femme fatale will not face off against the collective of socially aware mutant detectives. We saw how X-Factor did (And if not, shame on you and look). Now we are off to deal with those lovely little birds, The Birds of Prey.

VS.

















TALE OF THE TAPE

    This is what I will be calling background and history behind a comic. Now, Birds of Prey started as a one shot called Black Canary/Oracle: Birds of Prey back in 1996. The two starred in an adventure that began the lost partnership and friendship between the two DC female icons. After that and a few more stories and writers, Gail Simone took over and added Huntress to the mix, to kind of balance out the other two characters, according to Simone. The following is quote from an interview years ago that was posted again in Wikipedia:

Babs and Dinah respect each other tremendously, and each is capable of great things the other is not. Dinah's not just Oracle's legs, sometimes, she's her conscience, or her muse, or just her best friend. And Oracle is far more to Dinah than just the mission controller. They trust each other, and out of that, there's a friendship that they believe in. Huntress... I see Helena as someone who is not a loner completely by choice. Dinah is so accepting, and so open, that Helena sees an opportunity to be part of something without having to force her way in. There's friction, because once Helena puts the mask on, she's really not very good fitting in. But she likes that they're giving her a chance. Whether she blows it or not, you'll have to keep reading."^[

For a while, it was those three being the main Birds of Prey, which was basically Charles Angel's but probably hotter and with a female Charlie in a wheelchair who was the best hacker and intel gathering on the planet. Lady Blackhawk joined the group shortly after and the real core was cemented in the Birds of Prey. They had fought alongside each other during the first ongoing books run. Even after Black Canary left the Birds, Huntress, Oracle and Lady Blackhawk stayed on the team. Other former Birds of Prey included the following: Big Barda, Misfit, Vixen, Hawkgirl, Jade Canary (who is actually Lady Shiva, the world's best and deadliest martial arts and she WILL be mentioned later), Manhunter, Gypsy, Power Girl, Vixen, Infinity and Black Alice. Different writers also came and went including Terry Moore, Tony Bedard and Sean McKeever.

Time passed and the Birds disbanded but Oracle was still very much helping heroes throughout the entire superhero community. So much so that she became the chief intel and go to girl in the DC Universe when it came to find out info on any villain or situation. Now fast forward to last year where Gail Simone and Ed Benes are charged with bringing the birds back. Which takes us to the beginning of out story.

CLASH REPORT

 The first issue of the latest Birds of Prey series opens with Black Canary going to meet with some kidnappers out in the snow of Iceland. These kidnappers have taken a little girl and Black Canary is not happy about it at all. And while there is a little mention of some of Black Canary (Dinah Lance's) troubles, her inner narrative gives us a view of a woman who is not in the mood for any crap but she will do her best not to endanger the girl. While the henchmen are native Icelanders, the chief terrorist is American named Gregory Chasco and the little girl is a daughter of a diplomat. Chasco's demands were simple: 1. For the little girl's parents to apologize for warmonger in a different country by super-powered soldiers and 2. to kill themselves like political prisoners on live tv around the world. Wow. What happened to money?

    Black Canary notices the girl is having issues as she turns to some of the men, giving a bird signal. Suddenly, Lady Blackhawk flies in with a large helicopter, guns ablazing. Black Canary takes the opportunity to use her hand to hand skills, being considered one of the best martial artists in the world, and takes down Chasco. Yet the noise of their fight causes the glacier that they are on to collapse. Black Canary takes the girl in her arms and jumps into the heliocopter after telling Lady Blackhawk to come back. Chasco tries to shoot the girl only to plunge down to the ground below while Black Canary successfully saves the little girl. Chasco ends up hurt but goes to jail, alive and should recover.
   Black Canary and Lady Blackhawk return the girl to her parents in a US embassy on Iceland when they get a call from Oracle. Oracle tells them it is urgent and to come right away. Oracle, currently working out of the abandoned Batcave, then radios in Huntress while she is beating up on some thugs. Huntress agrees to come once she deals with the thugs. Then we see how the newly resurrected Hawk is doing with Dove, beating up a    gang of thugs who like to dress up as cheerleaders. So that is what happened to the Spirit Squad? Hmm . . . Anyway, Hawk and Dove make quick work of the cheerleaders but not before Hawk holds out one of the gangbanging cheerleaders (seriously, paradox much) over a ledge for a minute.  Hawk throws her back in and then proclaims that he was brought back cause " God Wants a Soldier."
                   Two hours pass and Hawk, aka Hank Hall and Dove, aka Dawn Granger made their way to a bar where Hank is getting drunk while listening to another man talk about people having ethics and the good ole days. Hank decides to be emo, pointing out that he is just there to drink and says while he and the bartender had sex, they don't know shit about him. Dawn sits with her soda at the bar when she is joined by Lady Blackhawk, who orders two shots and asks if Dawn is dating Hank. Dawn answers no but that she is responsible for him. Hank storms out all emo and Lady Blackhawk asks Dawn if he's "fancy." LOL
                  The 3 original members reunite on a rooftop in Gotham as narrative from Black Canary shows a touch warmer side to one of the deadliest women on Earth. Actually with narrative stating that she wants to cry but does not gives in is a good touch as the three take a moment to take in the moment.After a brief exchange, the ladies get down to business. Oracle aka Barbara Gordon (former Batgirl and daughter to Commissoner Jim Gordon) reveals that a blackmailer gave Oracle some files that had nearly anything and everything you wanted to know about super heroes and super villains and threatened to release them unless the Birds of Prey specifically stop them. And while Black Canary and Huntress try to brush it off as a hoax at first, when Oracle shows them how complete the files are, which include the addresses of every student that Huntress has had for the past five years and every single person that Black Canary loves, these women decide to go on the hunt. Yet, before they can leave, they find a signal in the sky. Yet this one is not of a bat but of a head of a bird instead. Black Canary and Huntress give chase as Barbara goes back to the Batcave to give them help. Huntress and Black Canary arrive in an alley to see the Penguin, yes the Penguin, threatening the person responsible for the light. We find that it is a girl and Black Canary and Huntress arrive to face her. Within a few seconds, Huntress shoots and arrow and Black Canary goes in for an attack. The mystery woman then catches the arrow, kicks Black Canary aside, cuts Huntress with a weapon of her own and stabs Penguin with the captured arrow.  The woman stands revealed as it is a new masked villainess calling herself the White Canary.

          White Canary fights both Black Canary and Huntress, holding her own through several blows only to look pissed off, which Black Canary notes. Suddenly, the calvary arrives in the form of Lady Blackhawk, Dove and Hawk. Hawk goes in, saying he wants to take the White Canary on his own while Dove helps the injured Penguin. White Canary, who is NOT super human, is able to cut the super human Hawk in his chest then side step him so he can hit a wall. WOW. THIS CHICK IS BADASS! During the fight, Oracle monitors it and several other reports as she suddenly is frightened to hear that Chasco had suddenly died and that his family wanted to sue Black Canary, stating that she did some kind of special delayed death touch thing on him. Wait. WHAT?! The same report says that they are looking for the Birds now in the streets of Gotham.  Oracle tells the girls to fall back as suddenly, police helicopters shine lights on the Birds and the White Canary. Oracle then reveals that it is a set up as more police are headed this way. Black Canary accuses White Canary of the set up and the new villainess merely states that one of them will die every hour for the next six hours and they can choose or she will then retreats. The cops pull out guns to arrest the Birds and the Birds fight their way out; technically becoming criminals.
      Black Canary calls for a retreat as Oracle watches another report stating Black Canary's connection to Green Arrow, who recently was acquitted of murder and former Mayor of Star City. Before Oracle can say more, a former enemy turned ally, Creote had contacted her, beaten. After he tells her that Savant, another enemy turned friend, had died, Creote proceeds to shoot himself. Oracle takes a moment to get over what she just seen, the Birds follow Penguin's suggestion to hide in his club. As they run, Black Canary's secret identity is announced on the Nightly News, distressing out heroine. White Canary watches while Oracle decides that her grid and info was used against her for the last time and that this means war. FOR SPARTA!!! Oh wait. Wrong book.
        During a fever dream, Penguin imagines the Birds, except for Hawk, slowly undress themselves. Dove kindly attends to him while the other Birds are grossed out as Penguin is verbalizing his fantasy. Hawk keeps guard. As they keep watch, the Birds try to figure out who is working along with White Canary to pull all this off. And then things get burry for me . . . for a bit. You see, my copy of Birds of Prey has pages of a Batgirl issue in the middle of it that don't concide with the story. Come to find out, White Canary is back to keep her promise and slices up Hawk, who is seemingly dead after the attack. Meanwhile, Oracle was knocked out then woke up in the arms of the man who just shot himself . . . in the head. Yes, Creote and Savant are both alive and are behind the files that White Canary forced them to issue to start this game alongside a third party. So yes! Two guys just infiltrated the Bat Cave. And honestly, I actually believe it.
     We come to find out that Savant was captured and tortured for two days straight. Problem is, Savant, who is almost as smart as Oracle and just as good as a hacker, has a rare mental disorder which has the person have no real concept of time. So Savant is basically relieving the torture again, day after day, year after year. Meanwhile, Black Canary and Huntress have a heart to heart as Dinah decides to take on White Canary on her own. Huntress says to kill her so that this all ends. Huntress, Dove and Lady Blackhawk run off to get Hawk and Penguin to a hospital while Black Canary goes to face off  During the beginning of their battle, White Canary hints that the others are in danger by her other partner . . .The Penguin.
    Savant and Creote take Oracle, wheelchair and all, to the edge of a cliff. Savant screams that she abandoned him. That the Birds abandoned him. That he was tortured for knowing Oracle. Oracle tries to apologize as Savant reveals that he does not want to kill her and he walks off the cliff. Oracle launches herself from her wheelchair with her upper body strength and catches an arm of Savant. She screams Creote to help her. Creote relents and helps Oracle to bring up Savant. Savant asks why he would help Oracle and not let him die. Creote answers that he loves Savant. AWWWWWW . . .
    Meanwhile, Penguin attacks, striking Lady Blackhawk with a serious wound. Penguin reveals himself to be the mastermind, stating he will soon have the files and become the King of the World. Huntress threatens him but Penguin stands tall till she states that why doesn't he have the files yet. As Penguin has a battle with doubt and scared of the White Canary, Dove, after a heartfelt talk with Hank that made her promise to make sure if he died again to not get resurrected, punches Penguin dead in the nose, breaking some teeth as she did.

    Finally, Black Canary and White Canary duke it out as Black Canary realizes where she is from and some of who she is. Years ago, there was a group of martial artist known as the Brothers in Silk. The master of the Brothers of Silk had given birth to making children, making 12 of his sons the Brothers and killed any female children; which according to the master, he was not allowed to have girl. After the master orders the death of the baby girl who would be White Canary, she is struck dead by Lightning.  Hmm . . . I didn't know Thor did drive bys. The master decided that something wanted the baby to live. The Brothers in Silk were ruthless assassins that were never defeated . . . till they met the Black Canary. Once they were defeated, they returned home. White Canary, finding this unacceptable, decided that she could not live with their shame. So she killed them. Yep. All 12 brothers. Killed by their baby sister. DAMN. Black Canary and White Canary battle in haste as the villainess brakes Dinah's wrist. Black Canary then takes the gloves off, using her Sonic Scream against White Canary and defeats the assassin. White Canary awakens as Black Canary has her cuffed and asks her if she killed Chasco, framing Black Canary. White Canary answers no and that it was Lady Shiva who killed him. And that if she wanted to see her adopted daughter, Sin, again, she would help her kill her. Thus ending Endrun. Onto Two Nights In Bangkok.
     Two Nights in Bangkok opens with Oracle getting helped back to her wheelchair by Savant and Creote. She feels happy for them, according to narrative and promises to help Savant through his mental issues. Oracle checks in on the Birds, starting with Black Canary, who says she is beaten up and ends up leaving with White Canary. Black Canary apologies, saying she quits the Birds and good bye. Huntress talks with Oracle, who wants to kill Penguin but releases him at Oracle's request after she promises that the Birds will get Penguin back big time for this. Huntress then offers over communicator to go with Black Canary but Dinah says no, she loves her and then good bye. White Canary and Black Canary head to the airport where a jet is waiting for them. They fly to Bangkok. Meanwhile, Oracle, Savant and Creote go to a new site for Oracle's new base where they can stay on as staff. Back in the Hospital, Hank Hall dreams of the original Dove, his brother Donald Hall. Don says that it is not Hank's time yet. Hank says he's failed in his mission but Donald says no it is not. Hank says he only feels alive as Hawk; after that he wakes up in the hospital room. Hank asks what happened to his wounds but Dawn explains that they have already healed. Hank sees his room surrounded by flowers, which all but one are for Dawn. The one bouquet that is for him had a card that says "You Have a Purpose."   . . .DEEP.
     Huntress visits Lady Blackhawk(Zinda) and fills her in about Black Canary. Huntress explains that Penguin didn't hurt her as badly as he thought he did.  Zinda gets to her feet, stating that Dinah didn't get permission from her to quit. The two arrive in Bangkok in post haste, Zinda raving about the food. As they enter a cab, they get attacked from behind by a woman one side and a guy on the other. Huntress and Lady Blackhawk fend off them and another group of attackers, students of the White Canary away but are starting to get overwhelmed when the fight is stopped by the appearance of Dinah . . . where a White Canary outfit and arm in a sling. She states that they are not welcomed here yet takes them back to White Canary's lair, which is a large temple that had been modernized.
   Dinah explains that White Canary orchestrated most of what happened and forced her into challenging Lady Shiva in a death match or she'd kill Sin and Sin's foster parents. The woman that attacked Huntress offered to free them but Dinah rejects the offer, knowing that it would be the woman's death, as well as Sin's. Hank recovers and is ordered by Oracle to stand by and leave the others be. Hank agrees to it but Oracle tells Savant and Creote that she does not trust him. Huntress, Lady Blackhawk and Black Canary eat a meal which is to be Dinah's last meal then she is to challenge Shiva. Black Canary, still hurt, asks Huntress to do it on her behalf. Now, Simone gives us some great inner monologuing as readers are treated a little to Huntress's background growing up in a mob family. She knows about honor codes. Huntress goes over to Shiva, who is sitting with White Canary, talking for a moment. Shiva states she takes no joy in "her duty" and asks Huntress to do what honor demands. Huntress then decides to take a drink and splash it into Shiva's face, spitting the face of this match. She makes the challenge . . . only for it to be her in Dinah's stead. White Canary agrees to it and the deathmatch becomes Huntress vs. Shiva. Dinah is furious and Zinda is worried, stating that Helena (Huntress) has lost her mind. Helena merely tells them that no one really cares about her and for Zinda to get her outfit. After a quit prayer,  it is Shiva vs. Huntress. As the death match goes on, the woman (Terry) and Dinah go to where Sin has been held captive and frees her. Dinah then has Terry take Sin. Dinah orders her to find the foster parents and hide them with Sin. Huntress and Shiva go at it as it looks at first that Huntress is clearly out much, letting blood fly. Huntress though proves to be stubborn and determined as  she takes a moment to use her own blood to blind Shiva. Huntress gets Shiva off her feet, even after Shiva beats the hell out of her. Huntress promises that even if she goes down, Shiva will be heading to the hospital herself. Yet, before the match can continue, Dinah stops it. Dinah proclaims that she's freed White Canary's prisoners and that this match does not have to end here . . . as the death match never specifies when a person is gonna die. Shiva agrees and sides with the Birds, suggesting that White Canary to give up or face all of them. White Canary gives in but states that death will eventually come. Huntress falls down only to get helped up by Zinda and Lady Shiva; who is actually impressed by Huntress. Dinah hugs Helena and Helena goes on to say it is nice to have people who care, ending the 2 part Two Nights in Bangkok.

CLASH TACTICS

     I am gonna do this like X-Factor. With that said, I will say artistically, this book suffers from the same issue X-Factor did; multiple artist working on the book. Yet, except for issue 1, there were at least 2 artists for each issue.  And while artistically, that may be a hiccup for some people, this did NOT hurt the book at all. Seriously, the styles were noticeably different but not in the same terms as X-Factor.
        Adriana Melo's style seemed the cartoonist of the three artist that worked on the issues. Yet, it conveyed emotion well, great job with proportions and really kept the Birds looking feminine yet powerful. Mariah Benes & J.P. Mayer's ink gave Melo's art that edge that seemed to help it blend it with the other two artists. And while I liked the art the least, it was still vibrate and enjoyable, not affecting the flow of the story at all.

       Alvin Lee is up next, as he did pencils for issues #5 & 6 alongside Melo. His style was crisp and sharp. The women were stunning. The guys were very individualized and clearly seen. Kept with the grit and grimy street style that the Birds is known for. Jack Purcell did a great job inking his work. The action sequences were well illustrated and did a great job conveying whatever story or emotion that Simone wanted the readers to feel at the time. Mixed with Melo, it is different but still does not interrupt the flow of the story.
      Finally, for Ed Benes. His work is as stunning as always. He inked his own work and did a wonderful job conveying emotions. His pictures were stunning. His inked this differently to make sure you had the mood of the street level that Birds of Prey is known for and he achieved this in spades. I think back to when he was pencilling Justice League of America where the scene where Roy Harper first becomes Red Arrow and shows Dinah the outfit. Benes work looked great then. Now, it is absolutely electrifying. His panels are a marvel and even with the other 2 artists, Benes shines enough to get noticed but still makes sure the issue flows well. Great storytelling Ed Benes.
      Gail Simone comes back to one of the books that put her on the map with a vengeance. And while I know people who do not enjoy her martial arts style, the lack of named styles actually is a great idea on Simone's part. Why? This gives the reader the chance to really decide for themselves what kind of style does Black Canary, Huntress and other characters have. Getting readers more personally involved. Bravo, Gail Simone.
       Bringing back the core that Simone built was great. And I love the fact that Gail does put the emotional spin on the resurrection of the Birds of Prey. Barbara's, Dinah's and Helena's reunion was one of the best scenes in the first issue. Not only did it set up the storyline, it really established the personal relationships these women have with each other, even with the changes their characters have endured since their separation. I personally applaud the fact that these women know each other well but still are very much in touch with who they are. Simone uses inner monologues very well to help move the story along and give us feelings that may not have been conveyed by the panels. She does not use the monologues to tell the story but to show feels, much like David did.
     The additions of Hawk and Dove to the Birds of Prey are great choices. For Dove's innocence and calm demeanor will definitely work for and against her as we have already seen during the Birds altercation with Gotham's finest. Hawk is pretty much the alpha male who wants to show off but there is much more to it. Hawk knows that he is there for a mission. Hawk wants to help. Simone lets reader in on that through his scenes during the book. Zinda is still the spicy little woman from the past who seems to have adjusted to the present but still tough when she needs to be. Huntress started as this woman who cared about this group but still felt detached like no one should care about her. By the end of #6, she knows she has something to fight for and she will fight for the death for it. Black Canary had the most to deal with during the storyline yet still pushed herself to overcome. Although, kudos to Simone for Dinah to giving in a bit at the beginning of Two Nights in Bangkok.  Oracle was truly smart yet open enough to feel and take responsibilty when the need arose. Simone only hinted at the changes this woman is gonna undertake and I am definitely looking forward to more.
     Overall, the art was pleasant and really gave life and emotion to Gail Simone's story without any kind of disorientation. Simone proved a great starting point with wonderfully deep and intense characters that resonate with readers. She also allows readers into the heads of the characters but still allows for the reader to add a little something extra to it.Simone giving readers a more personal stake in the story will allow them to care about the characters and the overall story. A spendid job Simone as you got me hooked on the Birds of Prey.


For the first time in CBC history, the clash is a tie as I award Birds of Prey: Endrun and Two Nights in Bangkok the rating of World Heavyweight Contender.

Well everyone, Team Book Month Continues Next week as out next battle begins. Till then, if you are on the side of evil, say goodbye. Everyone else, good journey.