Analog's pick of the week - Gotham City Sirens #6 (Spoilers)

There was a lot happening in this week’s comics. There was thunder and lightning. Darkness is falling. Our heroes are getting trashed, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around some of it, then write about it. So, how can Gotham City Sirens be the pick of the week at Analog?

While there were plenty great of choices for this week’s pick, but I am not always going to do what you expect. Blackest Night sells itself. I’d rather point you in the direction of a title that I am enjoying so it can keep going. I will talk about JLA every time it comes out, if you haven’t figured that out yet. However, JLA will get pick of the week only when it deserves it. Gotham City Sirens was more than a little bit better than it this week, so if you will allow me to say Spoiler, please take a look at the Sirens.

This issue is the final part of a Harley Quinn story, and it’s a good one. Sirens stars the divine Miss Quinn, her pal Poison Ivy and most importantly Catwoman. It’s gotten a reputation as a cheesecake book, because of the covers. The covers have been enough to make any fanboy drool. Look at this issue, for example, with Ivy. However, Paul Dini has been telling a strong story so far of three friends with questionable morals who lead extra-ordinary lives. The issue where the duo of Harley and Ivy demanded to know Batman’s identity from Catwoman was brilliant. As was Catwoman’s jedi mind trick that she pulled on them. She convinced them that Batman was a role played by many men rather than just one. Makes sense. How can any one person do all the stuff Batman does?

The past couple of issues with the help of the other girls, Harley has been trying to work out her issues with boyfriend Mr J. You think your ex is bad ladies?, Try having the Joker for one? Yikes. The girls have demanded that Harley must put a permanent end to the relationship for her sake and their safety. They set about doing this in last issue. Harley leads the others to a secret hideout, and to what they think is a confrontation with the Joker.

During the fight, we find out that the Joker is not who we thought he was. Instead, he is Gagworth A Gagsworthy, the Joker’s first sidekick in disguise. I am not sure Gaggy as Harley calls him, has appeared anywhere before but he does makes an impression. He incapacitates the other girls, and pulls a knife on Harley at the end of last issue.

We pick up things this issue, as Harley channels every Bugs Bunny tactic she’s ever seen. She gets the villain talking, and then get herself out of trouble. Ivy and Catwoman free themselves from from their problems, only to get into a further jam. Meanwhile, Harley gets Gaggy to tell his origin story. Villains love to chat, especially when they think they have you. It’s a rule.

We then get a weirdly touching flashback as the Joker befriends Gaggy, the Haley circus clown. That’s the Famous Flying Grayson’s circus, which is alluded to briefly. The Joker comes backstage one evening, to compliment the smaller clown on his humor. Taking the compliment in stride, Gaggy extends his arm to The Joker to shake hands. He knows full well what might happen and doesn’t care. The Joker is so impressed by this, he doesn’t kill him, but instead offers him a new job as a sidekick. Many crime sprees then occurs. Finally, the Joker goes off the deep end, and is sent to Arkham Asylum instead of prison.

Gagsworth completes his prison sentence, and then trying to bide his time in caring for the Joker’s things in his Mr J’s favorite hideout. By the time The Joker shows up, he has his new play toy in tow. Miss Harley Quinn. Gaggy does not take well to being replaced, hence the whole plot to do away with Harley.

The girls finally show up to save the day, and help Quinn get rid of Gaggy for the time being. However, Quinn has made an enemy. I can’t wait for Gaggsworth’s next appearance. Hopefully under Dini’s watch, and with the fantastic Guillem March artwork we been treated to so far. So please check this book out. Blackest night is great, but it will be over soon. We need good books like this one around as long as possible.
 

Comments

[TalonSoulbender]

I'll take your recommendation buddy!

Talon

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