DC Comics
Gotham City Sirens #10
By Josh Dean
April 3, 2010 - 15:38

DC Comics
Writer(s): Paul Dini
Penciller(s): Andres Guinaldo
Inker(s): Raul Fernandez
Colourist(s): Ian Hannin
Letterer(s): Sal Cipriano
Cover Artist(s): Guillem March
$2.99 US



While Tony Daniels makes the main Batman title pretty but vapid and Rucka is working his Batwoman magic over in Detective, Paul Dini continues churning out highly entertaining adventures set in the Batman world.  Like Streets of Gotham, Gotham City Sirens takes a look at Gotham from a unique perspective…namely from the view of a group of female villains who have banded together.  There seems to be a bit of prejudice in the comic reading community concerning comics with female leads but Gotham City Sirens should be checked out regardless.


gothamsirens.jpg
Oh! Oh! I know the answer!
This issue marks the conclusion of a two-parter wherein the Sirens (Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy) team with the Riddler to solve a series of crimes committed by Dr. Aesop (introduced in Dini’s Detective run as yet another themed Bat-villain).  The ladies may bring all the action in this issue but the focus is on the Riddler and his evolving place in the world of the Bat.  While he is self-serving and sometimes cowardly, he has been using his detective skills for good these past few years.  This issue throws a question mark (pun intended) over the whole idea and moves the “Riddler as good guy” mystery forward.  It isn’t all muddled allegiance and betrayal as the Sirens fight their way into their own headquarters through Dr. Aesop’s various fable-theme traps.

Andres Guinaldo (inked by Raul Fernandez) does a great job here.  Their combined work has a Frank Quitely/Darick Robertson look that suits the action well.  They are called on to draw a wide variety of animals here and they sell each one distinctly.  This is clear storytelling and fine work that will hopefully appear more often.

If you have been missing the old school feel of comics, you could do worse than pick up Gotham City Sirens.  This isn’t a deep work of literature with symbolism and thematic resonance but it surely entertains.  If this series falls through, a Dini-penned Riddler ongoing would be just as great a read.  If you liked Dini’s run on Detective Comics, pick this up.
Rating: 7/10

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