REVIEW: ‘Gotham City Sirens: Unfit for Orbit’ Issue 1

Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1 is published by DC Comics. Written by Leah Williams, with art by Haining, colors by Ivan Plascencia and letters by Tom Napolitano.

Catwoman comes to Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy about a mysterious nightclub that has popped up, one that looks like a spaceship. Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1 instantly starts with an energetic tone, jumpstarting the tone of the book. There are several pages of exposition, but the focus is more on the characters than the situation. The pace doesn’t move very quickly, with Williams happy to just enjoy spending time with the Sirens.

What’s intriguing about the target is that not much is revealed about it. It’s just suspicious at first, warranting destruction because the ladies just like destruction, with a “conduit.” Then they enter the nightclub, creating both a desire for fun and violence. The brilliance of the Sirens is clear in some exceptional fight scenes. And in the final pages of Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1, the story is changed entirely. It turns the plot from a heist into a rescue mission, with an immensely powerful surprise.

Williams is a terrific choice to write Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1. The characters are sensational. There is a lot of fun inside this book, and their personalities drive the story more than any plot or desire for true adventure. All three were going about their own lives, brought together by Catwoman. Williams brilliantly instills the chemistry between the three quickly.

Harley is forever enamored with Ivy, even if they’re no longer together. Meanwhile, Catwoman gets exasperated with Harley, always one to push things back into focus. It means that the plot moves smoothly whilst also allowing for Quinn’s chaos. Some of the single lines are incredibly funny, showing how long the trio have worked together.

Williams is also unafraid to highlight that these three are adults. It’s not an explicit comic by any means, older teens would be very comfortable reading it. But there are plenty of sexual innuendos that don’t hide much, and mention of shots, too. They exist to be cheeky, not crass.

The art in Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1 is all about energy and movement. The designs of the characters are immaculate. Haining’s style blends a manga-like aesthetic with more Western, standard body shapes. The eyes are the most striking feature, huge and delightfully expressive. They are very captivating.

Almost immediately, the fantastic fight scenes are demonstrated. The motion blur and the choreography of the action are terrific. Harley and Catwoman are very physical, and their scrap at the start shows that. They’re both athletic and capable of tricky moves.

Harley’s hammer comes into play quickly, and the way it is swung displays its force and menace. It’s also the first instance of Haining being cheeky, with glimpses of underwear and much less when Harley fights in a towel. Again, it’s not lecherous or explicit, just playful.

There are two types of costumes seen in Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1. One is the usual outfits from the three solo series. But then the trio go into the nightclub, and through a delightful getting-ready scene, they transform. The new costumes are there for fun, to fit in with celebrations and partying, but also maintain the identities of the Sirens. The nightclub features both dancing and fighting, which is utterly stunning in both disciplines; however, the last part, where the book suddenly becomes grisly, takes a startling change in tone.

The colors celebrate the respective palettes of the three Sirens. Harley’s red and black, Selina’s blue and black and Ivy’s signature green clothes and orange hair are all gloriously represented. The changing sequence is the best example of the colors they represent and the personalities and lives they lead. Inside Lunaria, a spaceship, the dance floor is a charming blue. But underneath, where the darker activities take place, there is an oppressive red glow. The lettering is remarkable. The larger exclamations are very bold and eye-catching, really conveying what the words are trying to say.

Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1 is a delightful meeting of characters and creators. This team of creators are perfect for the Sirens; Williams, Haining, Plascencia, and Napolitano are all exceptionally talented and thoroughly understand all the characters. The dynamics are perfect from the beginning, showing just how well the chargers know each other.

The art style is simply stunning, as it toys with costuming and physicality, and Williams effectively plays with personalities and chemistry. The comic’s ability to build up speed means that it’s easy to get drawn into and be instantly hooked. And that would be the case without a goal in mind; just the Sirens together is enough to warrant a read.

Gotham City Sirens Unfit for Orbit Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.