The ladies form their plan of attack against the Joker, who in the last issue drove his Jokermobile into Catwoman's brand spanking new hideout. Needless to say, the attempted murder and price of hiring the Carpenter to remodel Catwoman's hideout has got Selina's whip knotted pretty tight and Ivy just won't stand for the Joker's crap anymore. Harley, on the other hand, is still a bit unsure about revenge. After all, it's not easy to say goodbye.

Oh, Paul Dini, I love you. I'd love you even more if you'd write me a new round of Madame Mirage comics, but that's a discussion we'll have later. Just when I thought I couldn't have more fun with this comic, it gets just that much more bizarre by scraping the bottom of the obscure character barrel. If there's one thing I love more than Catwoman or pumpkin ale, its obscure pop culture references. I particularly love them when they are used as main plot devices. So, thank you, Paul Dini, for making my day by filling it with Catwoman and obscure Batman characters from the '60s.

Would it be spoiling it too much if I dropped the name, Gaggy? No? Yes? I'm not even old enough to have witnessed his origins and I'm sure there are a very select few that could name the issue he starred in. He's that WTF. But he's back after one issue 30 odd years ago and he's got a bone to pick with our girl, Harley. Of course, if you pick a bone with one girl, you pick a bone with all three, but so far Gaggy seems to be getting the upper hand. Oh, and I must mention the usage of the words "skank" and "wenches." Any comic that can utilize those words is more than okay in my book.

Paul is kicking ass with the girls and I'm really falling in love with Guillem March's artwork. I was going to complain about (or maybe just mention in a slightly negative light) how large Catwoman's goggles are, but going back and looking at them again convinces me they're still silly, but in a giant Jackie-O glasses sorta way. I think I like them more than I thought. Guillem's cover is yet again crazy cool, and is part of a three piece set, so collect them all! And the Joker is so manically classic. Morey's coloring only adds to the excellent art work. The use of shading really makes the characters pop out and since it's the Sirens we're dealing with, getting those curves their curviest is most important.

I really think this is one of the more fun comics out there, and it's especially nice to have a break from the downtrodden "Bruce is dead" story lines running in almost every other Batman comic right now. And come on, the Sirens could totally take on Marvel's Divas any day of the week, day or night, all hands tied behind their backs. It seems the comic is finally settling into a comfortable groove. Let's hope Dini can keep the groove going!

---

What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!

---