New Catwoman title lands on its feet after all

When first announced, "Gotham City Sirens" was the least enthusiastically received of all the new Bat-books scheduled to hit shelves this summer.

Why? Because the idea of a book starring villains has gotten a bit stale after books like "Thunderbolts," "Secret Six," "Dark Avengers" and the plethora of "Dark Reign" tie-ins and changes by Marvel in which villains are taking center stage.

Also, the move seemed like a cynical attempt to placate fans of Catwoman still stinging from the recent cancellation of the heroine/anti-heroine/villain's solo title by having her featured on a monthly basis again while attempting to pump up sales, buzz and the appeal of her adventures by adding Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, arguably the two most popular Bat-villainesses after Selina Kyle's famous alter-ego.

Ironically, what really pumps up the attractiveness of this book is Catwoman's heart - both literally and figuratively.

As the book opens, Catwoman is still recovering from having her heart ripped out by the villain Hush. Though stitched back together by the greatest doctors in the superhero community, she still feels weak as - ahem - a kitten and struggles in battle with a new villain called Boneblaster.

Cue the entrance of Poison Ivy, who saves Kyle and takes her to where she's staying. Though grateful, Catwoman wonders why Ivy and Quinn haven't renounced their "life on the edge" mentality, since she gave Ivy and Quinn millions as a thank you for getting even with Hush.

The feline female is then shocked to learn that instead of using the money to live comfortably for the rest of her life, Ivy gave it all away to a rain-forest or reforestation fund - she doesn't even remember which.

This portrayal of Ivy by writer Paul Dini is dead on. Not only are we reminded in a big way that the character is likely the most extreme environmentalist in comics, but that she is crafty and extremely powerful. It is also made clear that she had no qualms of giving all the money away not only because it went to a good cause but because she knows she can always get more to support her lifestyle. Though a literal "flower child" when it comes to nature, Ivy doesn't think twice about seducing and drugging men (including a prominent Bat-villain in this issue) to get them to open up their wallets.

Indeed, it is debatable whether or not she enjoys exploiting men more than helping save millions of acres from destruction.

Dini portrays Quinn as Ivy's polar opposite, a symbol of consumerism run amok. As a plethora of shopping bags suggest, she is mindlessly squandering her windfall. One of the more humorous parts of the book is when Quinn protests that she hasn't just been spending money as fast and foolishly as she can, but has "made some investments."

"Please tell me they didn't involve sending money to a Nigerian prince," says Catwoman.

"You got his e-mail too?!" Quinn replies.

Though sprinkled with some humor, one of the more serious moments of the book is when, Quinn's protestations notwithstanding, both Catwoman and Ivy talk to her honestly, as only other women can, about her unhealthy fixation on the Joker. When Ivy realizes her friend is still crushing on a man who has brought her nothing but humiliation and regret, there is genuine sadness in her face.

One of the contrasts between the two is that Ivy is the ultimate seducer/exploiter of men while Quinn loves a man who is the ultimate abuser. It is almost Lifetime-worthy stuff, but better.

It is Catwoman who decides that in order to compensate for their flaws and repeating patterns of behavior, they all need to get out of "the business" or band together. Since the book is not a one-shot, it's easy to guess which option the trio chooses.

Of course, three normal women living together will result in ups and downs. Three extremely neurotic women who have been on the wrong side of the law most of their lives? Well, there is bound to be conflict, as is illustrated by a cliffhanger at the end of issue No. 1 that has Ivy asking Catwoman a question she'd most likely rather not answer, but may have to in order to gain her new allies' trust.

Dini has taken a risky premise and made it addictive. If he stays on the book for a prolonged period of time, "Gotham City Sirens" should attract plenty of new readers to characters that are being written in a way that makes them irresistible.

Variety has reported that Ryan Reynolds has edged out Bradley Cooper and Justin Timberlake for the lead role of Hal Jordan in the upcoming "Green Lantern" movie.

Though the announcement may throw a roadblock in front of Reynolds reprising his role as Deadpool in that character's own film, Green Lantern is one of the most iconic characters in comics, the film will have a huge budget and Reynolds was right to take the role.

Whether he is right for the role is an object of already-intense debate among fans, who cite that his proclivity for playing wise-ass, smart-mouth characters is in direct contrast to the disciplined, no-nonsense Jordan.

To which Comics Guy can only say two things: Number one - it's acting. Reynolds is more than capable of playing against type. Number two - this will likely be an origin story, and many forget that while Jordan is the paragon of responsibility now, he wasn't always that way. An arc in which Jordan starts off as a hotshot "Top Gun"-esque pilot and is then given a ring which adds responsibility, and a fear of failure that could result in death on an immense scale, that is an arc Comics Guy can see Reynolds pulling off.

Color Comics Guy concerned. Yet another writer is taking a crack at the "Spider-Man 4" script. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Gary Ross, who has worked with star Tobey Maguire on "Pleasantville" and "Seabiscuit," will write the third major draft of the screenplay to date.

With this much dissatisfaction with the story early on, the film' May 6, 2011, release date suddenly doesn't seem that far away. *

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