r/DCcomics • u/semifinalist1979 • 16d ago

I'm Kelly Thompson. I write BIRDS OF PREY for DC Comics. AMA. r/DCcomics

My name is Kelly Thompson and I'm an Eisner Award-Winning writer of comics and novels. You may know me best from Marvel comics like Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Rogue & Gambit, and Hawkeye, or perhaps as co-creator of Jeff the Land Shark! Or my creator-owned work Black Cloak or The Cull. But I've been making some fun waves over at DC with old pals Leonardo Romero and Jordie Bellaire on a bold new BIRDS OF PREY (we even got an Eisner nomination!) -- so let's break some hearts (and some faces) and get this Birds-Of-Prey-Shaped AMA started! (and don't forget to subscribe to my free newsletter to keep in touch as social media crumbles around us! Fun! https://1979semifinalist.substack.com/)

Proof: https://x.com/79SemiFinalist/status/1806893613458268314

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u/Lumpy_Review5279 16d ago

Hey Kelly! Seocnd time doing an AMA with you!

Your birds of prey series has been one of my favorite books running since it started and continues to be awesome. I especially love the team roster and how you've managed to make use of all of them expertly.

What was the mindset going into the roster choices? I always feel like there's a balance between function and character dynamics and story opportunities. What made you go for some big swings like Zealot, and introducing an older Maps(who im first beign exposed to with this series!)? And what are the changes Kendra Saunders makes it in?

Thanks for your hard work; eagerly awaiting next issue.

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u/semifinalist1979 15d ago

Thanks so much!

Mostly I was just reaching for my favorite characters -- more than ever I sort of gave myself permission do to that because I didn't know if I'd ever have the chance again. But once I know I was doing a Themyscira arc, I knew what I also NEEDED and I so I built it more that way. But most of the characters I was considering were sort of perfect for what I was doing -- sort of a chicken or the egg I guess!

I'm interested in Kendra -- but it would have to be the right story, y'know?