“Book One”
Writer: Tini Howard
Artists: Babs Tarr
Color Artist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Becca Carey
Review by Kendra Smart
Sirens: Love Hurts #1 is a brilliant addition to the Black Label series and will have you hooked. Let me tell you why, while trying my absolute best to adher to the non-spoilerness that Dark Knight News does tend to pride themselves on. Taking a breath to see if I can even deliver on that promise or if I am setting myself up for failure. Speaking of which, normally when hearing of the “Sirens”, typically the mix is of Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.
But a chilling set of circumstances forges a tempestuous new bond. Black Canary is extending an olive branch, we will go into why more in just a bit. But first let’s touch on Sirens: Love Hurts #1’s cover. Babs Tarr gives an amazing peek at not only what the Sirens will looks like in the story but it is such a cool way of spotlighting each of the four main characters. For Sirens: Love Hurts #1, we get Selena in the forefront and the art is dang drool worthy. Not to even speak of the variants offered by Derrick Chew, Sozomaika, and Tula Lotay. Ugh. How very dare you.
It’s Just Another Day Ending In Why
Julie faces more than just life’s problems as her birthday comes to a decisive end, symbolically.
Selena has organized a brunch with Dinah Lance, Harley Quinn, and Pamela Isley. The discussion is bartered under the line of safety for the women of Gotham. Then a segway to relationships and a certain *cough, cough* ring upon a songbird’s hand. A call from Ollie interrupts and while Dinah is distracted , the others slip away. Other plans await. For both sets of parties. But murder, Julie’s murder, halts their robbery as well as drawing Black Canary to the scene.
The cry for the safety of the women in Gotham is challenged as Julie’s death affects each of the four differently yet leading to the same point on the compass. Especially when the narrative is being spun away from murder, in ways most foul. Threats may be issued, promises will be broken as new alliances change and form, and relationships will be manipulated but with the steamiest benefits for all parties.
When The Lights Go Out
I can and will go on a bit of a tear about what was really satisfying about this book. I know exactly when I knew this book had its claws too deep inside my skin for me to pull back. The first was the color-blocked solo panel moments that spot lite each of the four main characters. It was eye-catching and entrancing as each of the characters got the first of many moments to shine. Tini Howard gives many moments of depth and realization to the characters, in meaningful ways that weave with ease throughout the points of narrative in the story.
To that point Babs Tarr matches the written words with the same passion in her art. During the brunch while the girls are speaking on their respective relationship status, and non-relationships as the case may be. Obviously Selena, Harley, and Pamela are excited to see and hear all about the engagement ring. The soft details and lack of background as Dinah talks about Ollie and herself is just…so nice. It is breathtaking in the ability to create a fragile moment of striking and easily distinguishable layers, consistently throughout this opening issue.
Conclusion
I wrote it in my notes for this review as Sirens: Love Hurts #1 gripped my attention, this is a dream team. The artwork? Divine. The writing? Pleasant on both sides of the coin that is each multi sided character. The story is interesting indeed. A sly chuckle escaped my lips as I genuinely questioned, “Who watches the Sirens?” as the story hit the twists and murder has become a birthday surprise.
I feel like that is readers can expect. Wonderful surprises to await us throughout this series. I have genuinely enjoyed the introduction and already moral quandaries that have begun swirling through their brains. This is a stellar start for a series. Let us see if these negotiated bonds will last long enough for the gals to stop these murders. See you for the next one friends!
Images Provided Courtesy of DC Entertainment.
