Comic Book Review: Gotham City Sirens #15

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: Tony Bedard

Penciller: Andres Guinaldo

Inker: Lorenzo Ruggiero

Colorist: JD Smith

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Art: Guillem March

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

This is the type of storyline I like to see coming out of the Gotham City Sirens; it’s bold, fresh, and separate from all the other titles, meaning you don’t have to rely on plot from other comics in order to understand this one.  It’s such a shame to see such a good idea fall short of its intended customer satisfaction.  That’s not too say this issue isn’t fun to read, there are simply a few unexplained details and uncharacteristic events that go all through out #15.

Ivy has become an unknowing slave-agent to her new flora boyfriend from another world.  Harley and Catwoman make a daring attempt to save their friend, but Ivy’s powerful green thumb (Or in this case purple) is more than the Siren duo can handle.  It takes Harley crawling on her stomach towards Ivy, pleading for her to remember they are friends and that this plant-guy is merely using her to progress his own personal goal.  Ivy comes to her senses and tricks her seducer into kissing her, killing him off almost immediately.

My problem with this issue comes in many small increments.  Overall the issue is fun to read and very creative, but there are a few aspects from Ivy and Catwoman that seem very uncharacteristic.

Catwoman has given Batman a run for his money numerous times and has held her own against some of the most powerful creatures in the universe.  Yet when it comes to plant beings from another world, she becomes as delicate as a little kitten.  Yes, there is a moment where Selina is able to slip in a significant attack which throws Ivy off guard, but overall I felt Catwoman was way off her game.  Now this could be to give Harley and Ivy that meaningful exchange as a way of reminding us that the clown and the plant have been best friends for more than a decade, in which case it makes sense.  But I’d prefer to have a stronger Catwoman that has, from time and time again, shown she is just as resilient and intelligent as Batman.

Likewise, I find it interesting that one of most villainous and diabolical characters in the Batman world is so easily manipulated.  This is Ivy’s forte, the ability to manipulate men into doing what she wants them to do, yet she immediately falls for this homely alien plant-man at the drop of a hat.  I would have at least been happy if Ivy stayed a little more cautious about her new boyfriend’s intentions.  I was ecstatic to see Ivy finally figure it all out after Harley’s groveling and put an end to the manipulative alien.

One question is wandering through my head though, is this alien’s queen actually on her way to Earth or not.  It seemed to me that she was already summoned and her arrival was inevitable.  So are we going to see this come up again later on, or is Bedard hoping we forget about that little fact?

Artistically I was not impressed, but it is very hard to move on to anything else after Guillem March has set the bar so high.  It’s nice to see he’s still doing the covers, but the pages within do not speak to the high level of artistic maturity that the cover establishes.  I say this knowing that Guinaldo is talented and has a better eye for art than most artists in the field, but the problem comes mainly with how stiff the characters seem to be.  I felt coloring Ivy in a shade of purple to help establish this “change” of heart she had gone through was a strange and poor choice to make.  I understand why it was done, but there are better colorization choices that could have been made to show Ivy’s evil side.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

Gotham City Sirens has been a delight to read ever since #1.  #15 does not boast well for the future.  Ever since Dini left, the quality of storylines has gone down and isn’t getting better.  But keep in mind the Sirens are still fun too read, but don’t expect anything spectacular or thought provoking.  Only pick up this issue if you just want something extra to read.

Rating: 5.67 out of 10

Writing: 7

Art: 5

Themes: 5

Comic Book Review: Batman #699

Book Information

Written by Tony Daniel

Penciled by Guillem March

Colored by Tomeu Morey

Lettered by Jared K. Flectcher

Cover by Tony Daniel

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

I feel a tad bit sorry for Tony Daniel.  With issue #700 right around the corner, and Mr. Grant Morrison taking over as writer, Daniels must wrap up his ever so interesting story arc a lot sooner than should have been.  The story gives us further background on why Blackspell wants Edward Nigma to suffer and die.  Batman, like always, figures things out in the nick of time to defeat Blackspell.  But in this defeat of one villain, he may have regained another.

The fast pacing of this Batman story might have detracted from the arc’s overall appeal.  I understand that Edward Nigma is beginning to readopt his Riddler persona, that much was clear a couple of months ago, but I was confused as to why Batman felt Nigma had planed this from the start when this was clearly not the case.  Blackspell did in fact kidnap Nigma and was ready administer a chemical dosage that would turn the former inquisitive Bat villain into a tree.  Batman’s detective skills weren’t quite at their best, but I blame that on the hurried nature of this issue since Daniel’s had little time to wrap things up.  I suspect there was more to the story that Daniels was unable to delve into, therefore some important plot devices had to be left out.

And speaking of trees, I did find it a little odd that as payment for what Nigma did to Blackspell all those years ago, he felt changing Nigma into a lifeless tree would work.  When Blackspell was accidentally exposed to this chemical, his tree-like state made him stronger, more powerful and menacing, almost defeating the Dark Knight.  Blackspell was still mobile and could extend his branch-like arms far enough to catch Nigma before getting away.  I’m not sure I see the logic behind this concluding and epic battle. 

The poetic nature of Batman’s inner monologues from were very well written and executed.  Daniels was definitely the right pick in transitioning Dick Grayson into the Dark Knight.  I no longer have to wonder if it’s Bruce Wayne and the Boy Wonder wearing the cape and cowl.

Guillem March, teamed with a new colorist, again delivers some of the most impressive artwork on the pages of comics.  Why so many critiques disapprove of his artistic approach is beyond me as I find his artwork visually appealing and quite expressive.  The transition from panel to panel and the layout of this book was quite well done and varied with every page turn. 

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion

So has Nigma begun the trip back into his Riddler persona or was this just a failed attempt at murder on the part of Blackspell?  I know The Riddler is coming back, but how and why, that’s questions I’m looking to answer.  Overall, this issue was fun, but seemed a little too compacted and rushed, making the ending a little less satisfactory than I would have wanted it to be.  Once again, another reason for me to curse the name of Grant Morrison!

Ratings

Writing: 6.5

Themes: 6

Art: 10

Overall: 7.5 out of 10

Comic Book Review: Batman #698

Book Information

Written by Tony Daniel

Art by Guillem March

Plot

A series of hits are played out by the Falcone crime family, taking full advantage of the Black Mask being gone.  However, something isn’t quite right.  A deeper, more sinister player is involved and no one, not even Batman can figure out who it is.  Is it the Riddler?  If it Blackspell?  Or could it be someone else with a sinister smile?

My Thoughts

Honestly, I love Tony Daniel and his work on Batman as of late.  He’s improved so much as a writer over the last few years, something I could model my own writing style after.  And the addition of Guillem March on art was a stroke of genius! 

Writing

Tony Daniel has this uncanny ability to write incredible mysteries that are both engaging and thrilling.  The series of events that occur made me guess the identity of the perpetrator without really having much evidence to make those conclusions, but I still do it none the less!  The watermark of a great mystery is being able to keep your readers guessing, yet frustrated at the fact that they know they are probably wrong.  I’m one of those fans who will jump to the last page of the book to find out what the ending will be like, so it’s frustrating for me to do that only to discover I have to wait another month!

I wasn’t complete sure why Blackspell came into the picture at the last minute only to get away with no real answers being revealed, but I’m sure his connection in the story will come to light next month.

Rating: 9

Themes

The opening dream sequence was fantastic.  I have full confidence that Dick Grayson has finally been establish as THE Batman where he no longer has to worry about the opinions of others, but that doesn’t mean the worrisome thoughts and dreams won’t continually linger in his mind. 

The first few pages show us a much younger Dick Grayson, still a part of the circus and the Flying Graysons.  First being tossed by his father to the loving arms of his mom, only to be surprised it isn’t actually Mrs. Grayson, but Catwoman!  As he is tossed from one past memory to the next, the scenery around him becomes more dark and dismal, as if nothing truly exists on this plane of reality.  The ones he is closest too continually throw him out as being unworthy of carrying the Batman mantle.  I wonder how this little tid-bit will play out in the overarching theme of the story

As for the bad guy…I think it could be the joker!  Here’s why….

Rating: 8

Art

Guillem March, how I love thee!  I was wondering if he could do anything else but draw an incredibly hot Poison Ivy, and he doesn’t disappoint.  His ever so clean lines have become a hallmark of artistic endeavors.  His range of facial expressions is limitless and he has a real knack for utilizing the different positions the human body can take.  Every known person in this book walks and stands all in character, never straying away from who they are.  As an artist myself, I can fully attest to the fact that maintaining a player’s most known visual characteristics is not an easy task to maintain in a comic book story.

March’s’ attention to detail also come into play here.  The fire coming from the Bat-bike, the wrinkles in the bed sheets as Dick wakes up, the rain drop bouncing of the stone buildings, and the light beaming off of Batman back all portray the level of quality in March’s art, giving off the best emotional effects comics could ask for.

Rating: 10

Other Aspects

I can’t figure out if the Riddler is returning to his evil ways or if he truly is remaining straight.  Either way, something very strange is happening with the Riddler and I’m guessing it’s going to be a doozy next month!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming May 12, 2010

Only one month until BATMAN #700! As the anniversary issue nears, Dick Grayson's life as the Dark Knight inches dangerously closer to the edge! With the Falcone crime family and The Riddler creating havoc in Gotham City, Batman is completely occupied with no idea what shocking surprise awaits him in the near future!