Though it continues a storyline that was admittedly sillier in its execution than in its inherent core value as an idea,
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #15 is a massive improvement over last month’s issue.
We’ve already seen how Alien Plant Man crashed a Star Destroyer into the woods outside of Gotham City, somehow got Internet access and an email account, and emailed S.T.A.R. Labs offering assistance in matters of alien vegetation, even though he was really scouting for an invasion, which wouldn’t turn out to be so easy after all because his contact at S.T.A.R. Labs was planning to double-cross him, too.
Ivy discovered and freed the captive and quickly became seduced by the intergalactic language of Sexy Plant Love, leaving Selina and Harley to save the world before the heinous horticulturists could bury it into an eternity of wicked weeds.
Writer Tony Bedard and artist Andres Guinaldo tear into part two of their tale like Jim Cameron, with Selina and Harley belching out plant-retardant fury from flamethrower-like devices. Guinaldo’s spread on pages two and three evokes ALIENS even more, particularly in the horrific image of a horse and carriage suspended in the air by vines while humans all around them have been sucked dry of life by other vile veggies.
So even though I still consider issue #14 sloppy, #15 is better in all the right ways -- particularly in characterization. Original series writer Paul Dini really spoiled us in that regard, staying true to his characters from the biggest action beats to the smallest moments of humanity, always doing so with humor and heart. Bedard isn’t that smooth, and he has a tendency to turn the girls into exposition machines that lack their true voices.
There are still a couple of instances of that tendency in #15, but Bedard demonstrates a much more confident grasp of who the girls are and why they work so well (or sometimes don’t) together. He writes an especially strong moment between Harley and Ivy, where the former Dr. Quinzel begs her fellow siren to remember how Harley used to beg for the Joker’s approval, when all the Joker ever wanted to do was strap her to a rocket. Harley wants Ivy to see that Alien Plant Man is using her, too; Ivy’s response is unexpected -- and all the more effective for it.
I also like how Bedard wraps the story up. The girls are heroes but the world will never know it, and if anything they’re still considered dangerous because of the cover story cooked up to help Ivy keep her secret identity at S.T.A.R. Labs.
Guinaldo’s art is also much stronger this month, too, and he’s getting better at conveying facial reactions and character moments.
I miss Paul Dini and Guillem March, but fans who love this book should be happy to know that #15 is a major step in the right direction for what seems to be its new creative team. Last month, there was no doubt in my mind that I’d be dropping this book from my monthly comics purchases. Thanks to issue #15, I’m not so sure. - John Bierly
