UNION
Released: August 2009
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Guillem March
With all the hype surrounding a Gotham City Sirens movie, I just wanted to go back and re-read all the issues before Hotpant Powered Hollywood types bastardise the ever-loving funk out of it, and therefore maintain my sanity.
Maybe they won't screw it up? Yeah, well, we all thought that about Suicide Squad too.
This super-villain team up was one of my first ever single issue collections. I prefer trades but I enjoyed this series and decided not to wait until they were all released as trades.
The cover got some flack for Harley's perky butt (how times have changed!) but I think Catwoman's more hilarious. Look at her, suitably cat like but clearly forced into a pose to fit in around Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, who appear to be standing on... maybe the Bat signal?
"Then a scream reminds me... in Gotham, weakness is relative."
Too true, Cat Lady. She leaps in to rescue a couple from a wannabe-thug named Boneblaster. Don't worry about remembering the name. Anyway, Poison Ivy shows up to stop a meatbag getting away with animal cruelty.
Turns out Ivy is crashing at Riddler's place after they patched up their differences... or something loosely based on that line.
Catwoman's not too happy with the way both Ivy and Harley (who is also moving in) have spent the money she gave them after their revenge heist from Hush.
Oh yeah, and Riddler's pretty strung out on drugs.
In case you don't remember, it's around this time that Dini was writing stories for a reformed Riddler - not so much a criminal anymore but a sensationalised crime solving detective where he could use his smarts for a civilised job and hilariously clash with the dreary Dark Knight detective.
What's fun about the Sirens book is that their team up feels natural. Harley and Ivy usually work well as a team, what with their kooky villain antics and comedian/straight man routine but adding Catwoman, who normally walks alone and isn't usually fond of Ivy or Harley?
They all know that Gotham is more hostile of late and it makes sense for them to team up. Ivy's still at bit suspicious, thinking that it's only because the new Batman isn't someone that Catwoman has wrapped around her finger and is therefore teaming up for mostly her own gain, given how she's also weakened considerably.
Ivy makes a plant based phone call to Zatanna, who assisted with Selina's recovery to find out more. It's a neat trick that should be used more, I think, even if it does make Ivy look like a crazy version of Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas.
Harley and Ivy are in - but have a serious question to ask Catwoman that's lost in the joyous revelation that Catwoman's new home is going to include a toyroom and of course the destructive interruption from Boneblaster! Remember him?
Aw, it's okay. He's not established but he's trying to be by getting 'street cred' after beating up known villains. He initially dismisses Harley Quinn as 'school girl' but just about creams his pants when he founds out who she used to date.
I like that, it's a nod to how no one really knows the infamous Harley Quinn if she's not in costume, no matter how much her pigtails and domino-ed, colour themed clothing imitate her costume. It also shows the threat level, even though this new antagonist is clearly third rate, he is crazy enough to risk pissing off the Joker!
Of course, he's crushingly defeated before he gets far, but has snapped the Riddler out of his lull in the meantime who is understandably upset that his house has been destroyed.
The girls make a hasty exit leaving Riddler to deal with his 'huge fan' of a guest.
I love the Riddler on this page especially his "oh my goodness, yes." face.
We're also introduced to a character called The Broker,who sells hideouts to criminals specialises in eclectic living spaces for eccentric clients.
Now down to the crux of the matter - the enquiring minds of Dr Quinzel and Dr Isley want to know..
Turns out Ivy is crashing at Riddler's place after they patched up their differences... or something loosely based on that line.
Catwoman's not too happy with the way both Ivy and Harley (who is also moving in) have spent the money she gave them after their revenge heist from Hush.
Oh yeah, and Riddler's pretty strung out on drugs.
In case you don't remember, it's around this time that Dini was writing stories for a reformed Riddler - not so much a criminal anymore but a sensationalised crime solving detective where he could use his smarts for a civilised job and hilariously clash with the dreary Dark Knight detective.
What's fun about the Sirens book is that their team up feels natural. Harley and Ivy usually work well as a team, what with their kooky villain antics and comedian/straight man routine but adding Catwoman, who normally walks alone and isn't usually fond of Ivy or Harley?
They all know that Gotham is more hostile of late and it makes sense for them to team up. Ivy's still at bit suspicious, thinking that it's only because the new Batman isn't someone that Catwoman has wrapped around her finger and is therefore teaming up for mostly her own gain, given how she's also weakened considerably.
Ivy makes a plant based phone call to Zatanna, who assisted with Selina's recovery to find out more. It's a neat trick that should be used more, I think, even if it does make Ivy look like a crazy version of Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas.
Aw, it's okay. He's not established but he's trying to be by getting 'street cred' after beating up known villains. He initially dismisses Harley Quinn as 'school girl' but just about creams his pants when he founds out who she used to date.
I like that, it's a nod to how no one really knows the infamous Harley Quinn if she's not in costume, no matter how much her pigtails and domino-ed, colour themed clothing imitate her costume. It also shows the threat level, even though this new antagonist is clearly third rate, he is crazy enough to risk pissing off the Joker!
Of course, he's crushingly defeated before he gets far, but has snapped the Riddler out of his lull in the meantime who is understandably upset that his house has been destroyed.
The girls make a hasty exit leaving Riddler to deal with his 'huge fan' of a guest.
I love the Riddler on this page especially his "oh my goodness, yes." face.
We're also introduced to a character called The Broker,
Now down to the crux of the matter - the enquiring minds of Dr Quinzel and Dr Isley want to know..
Who is Batman?
Gotham City Sirens is written by Paul Dini - one of the two people credited as creator of Harley Quinn. He's also done excellent work on Batman, The animated series. So you know going in that this is going to be a good comic series to jump on to.
The art is both mesmerising and annoying in my opinion. The titular women are all legs and very bendy during their action scenes but it's not in an exploitative way. The faces are basically the same for all three of them but they're done very well and expressions are pretty clear, motions are comic book style exaggerations but that's alright.
The story is good, focused more on characterisation but still sets up the rest of the story and supporting characters like the Riddler get their time in the sun as well.
I have one unanswered question from this issue though... how on earth did Zatanna avoid a spa bath concussion and drowning? Oh yeah, a wizard did it!
I have one unanswered question from this issue though... how on earth did Zatanna avoid a spa bath concussion and drowning? Oh yeah, a wizard did it!
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