Review of Gotham City Sirens #1: More Mid Game than Squid Game

Prepare to be transported back to 2009 with the original Gotham City Sirens series, a hidden gem that’s often overlooked. The dynamic trio of Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn is a winning combination that never fails to entertain. There’s a certain thrill in watching these not-so-evil Batman villains join forces. However, the recent revival seems to miss the mark, failing to capture the essence of the characters and leaving us feeling somewhat disappointed.

In Gotham City Sirens #1, we follow an eventful night in the lives of our three anti-heroines. Catwoman swoops in to save the minor villain White Rabbit from a group of cowboys hot on her trail. Meanwhile, Harley Quinn finds herself in a bizarre situation involving a herd of robot bison and two cowboy LARPers on a mission.

Back at the ranch, Poison Ivy is on a mission of her own, investigating a peculiar new energy drink that’s turning unsuspecting gamers into violent rioters. In a surprising twist, all these cases are interconnected and linked to Punchline and her side gig as an e-girl influencer promoting the very same energy drink. (Although, this revelation might not be as shocking considering Punchline’s prominent presence on many of the issue’s covers.)

Gotham City Sirens: A Captivating Harley Quinn Tale, But Not Much Else

Leah Williams, the writer, has a firm understanding of Harley Quinn’s character, which is evident in her writing. This comes as no surprise, considering her exceptional work on the Harley-centric specials during the Knight Terrors event. However, her portrayal of the other Gotham City Sirens leaves much to be desired, resulting in somewhat one-dimensional characters.

Pamela Isley is portrayed as clinical and cool, which is fitting considering her scientist persona. However, this version of Ivy lacks her usual fiery spirit. Selina Kyle, too, comes across as rather generic in her brief appearance. There are also some peculiarities in their interactions, like Selina being Harley’s first choice to hack a robot bison. This, along with Punchline’s involvement, makes the story feel more like a Harley Quinn solo comic than a true Gotham City Sirens tale.

The artwork, while adequate, doesn’t quite stand out. Matteo Lolli’s crisp, clean style, with its streamlined characters set against detailed backgrounds, is accentuated by Triona Farrell’s vibrant colors. However, there are instances where the color clashes detract from the main action, resulting in a somewhat muddled final artwork.

Gotham City Sirens #1 doesn’t quite live up to the expectations of fans hoping for a revival of the classic series. It could have been a great Harley Quinn story, where the lack of a balanced ensemble wouldn’t have been as noticeable. Despite showing potential at times, the series gets off to a shaky start.

Grade: 3/5

Get your copy of Gotham City Sirens #1 at comic shops everywhere now.