Li'l Gotham Volume 1

Authors: Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen
Illustrator: Dustin Nguyen

Title: Li'l Gotham Volume 1

Publication: February 25, 2014

Publisher: DC

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book

Pages: 128

Audience: 10 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): Life in the big city just got crazier with this year-round all-ages holiday fun, featuring Batman and all of his adorable allies and adversaries! Crimefighting and celebrating go hand-in-hand in Gotham with Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, The Penguin, The Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and more!

My thoughts:

 I have been waiting since September or October for the trade of this graphic novel to come out! It was sooooo precious! I'm not sure every character stays in the "li'l" format, but this is the cleanest novel I have ever read. I would share it with a younger audience. It is really perfect for all ages. I love corny jokes and puns, and this comic was filled to the brim with them- I laughed through the entire book. The artwork appeared to be done in watercolor, which was beautiful, but at times lacked in detail or was a bit faint. However, when you are making all your characters little, I guess small details can be forgiven.
If you are looking for a clean read or a place to jump start into comics, this one is perfect!

Catwoman Volume 1:The Game (New 52)

Author: Judd Winick

Illustrator: Guillem March
Title: Catwoman Volume 1: The Game (New 52)

Publication: May 22, 2012

Publisher: DC Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Villains 
Pages: 144

Audience: 17 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

 Favorite quote: "Life isn't without risk.You hear that bon mot a lot. But mostly around business. Or dating. Or eating friend food from street vendors. But we take risks all the time, every day, in a thousand ways. Driving a cat. Talking to a stranger. Jay-walking. Those are the little ones that we don't even think about."- Selina Kyle


Synopsis (from the cover):
The at came back. Under the dark mask of night, the cat is out on the prowl...What's she looking for? Sometimes it's dazzling jewels and priceless artwork. Sometimes it's a kiss with a caped crusader. But nearly every time, it's trouble. She's a thief who steals for the thrill and a lover who lives for the chase. But lately Catwoman has been stealing from the wrong people. And when they come after her? Even nine lives might not be enough to save her skin.

My thoughts:
Another cat book- I know. I'll also admit that I wasn't a huge fan of Selina Kyle. I thought- eh, she steals stuff and loves Batman- who cares? After reading the Gotham City Sirens I grew to like Selina and decided to give the New 52 Catwoman graphic novels a chance. I'm really glad I did. The Game starts over and allows you to get to know Selina as a person, not just Catwoman. There is once again, tons of gore, violence, and sex. After all, Batman is a hunky man. I think the artwork is beautiful, and the gorey parts were a bit too detailed. I think the sex scene was drawn grotesquely and incorrectly (I won't go into why that is...just read it and see for yourself). However, I'm not reading this for any other reason than reading pleasure, and if the artists want to be over the top- okay. Other than that, the novel is very interesting. The writers did a great job with the New 52 of this graphic novel. 

Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories

Author: Paul Dini

Illustrator: Bruce Timm
Title: Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories

Publication: September 6 , 2011

Publisher: DC Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Villains

Pages: 208

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The trend in superheroes of the late 1980s was dark, grim, gritty, and not very kid friendly. Then along came the animated Batman series. The visual style was totally unique: clean, sharp, and bold. Batman Adventures: Mad Love is an original comics story drawn in the style of the popular animated series. It's even put together by Paul Dini, a major force behind the animated show. This particular story involves Batman's old foe, the Joker, and Joker's cute but deadly sidekick, Harley Quinn. Actor Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame, who plays the voice of the Joker in the animated series, claims that this is one of his all-time favorite comics, calling it "bold, lusty, gleefully demented".

My thoughts:
If you are the fan of the 90's cartoon, then you'll love this graphic novel. It is written and drawn by the creators of the animated television show from the 90's. This comic is interesting in the fact that it offers some of Harley Quinn's back story and how she and her puddin' came to be partners in crime. Mad Love is the first story told in the novel and it is the only one that focuses on Harley Quinn.  It also shows how much the Joker really abuses Harley. Obviously from the title, this is a Batman graphic novel. So the rest of the stories focus mainly on Batman. Like I mentioned before, if you enjoy the cartoon the graphic novel contains the corny humor and the artwork from my childhood. 

Harley Quinn: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes

Author: Karl Kesel

Illustrator: Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson
Title:Harley Quinn: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes

Publication: January 27 , 2009

Publisher: DC Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Villains

Pages: 192

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): She's the Harlequin Princess of Crime. The killer cutie you can't help but kind of love a little. The former psychiatrist turned psychopath. But no matter what she's been, Harley Quinn has always been one thing- unfailingly loyal to her true love, the Joker.  So what does she do when her "puddin'" betrays her? She hits the town, of course...hard! With a mallet. Whether she's two-timing Two-Face, throwing a slumber party for the likes of Catwoman and Poison Ivy or forming a gag with her own henchmen (the Quinntets!), Harley is a crime boss the likes of which Gotham City has never seen.

My thoughts:

As I've said before, Harley Quinn is my favorite super villain. I was so happy to find this graphic novel that solely focuses on her. She shows her villain skills after the Joker breaks her heart for the millionth time. This novel also goes deeper into her back story, but you don't get to it until later in the novel. It is rather thick, but the story is awesome if you are a fan. This novel allows you to better know Harley Quinn and how and why she ticks. I think why she loves Mistah J will always be a mystery, but this provides an interesting look into the life of Harleen Quinzel.

Gotham City Sirens Volume 4: Division

Author: Peter Calloway 

Illustrator: Guillem March 
Title:Gotham City Sirens Volume 4: Division

Publication: March 13, 2012

Publisher: DC Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Villains

Pages: 160

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 3 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

 Together, Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are three of Gotham City's most powerful quasi-reformed criminals. But when Harley stages a riot in Arkham Asylum to reach her former employer and lover the Joker, it could be the beginning of the end for Gotham City Sirens.

As the situation inside Arkham quickly spins out of control, and Harley becomes more and more mired in her obsession with the Clown Prince of Crime, Poison Ivy and Catwoman struggle over how to handle their estranged teammate. The Gotham City Sirens are ready to make their final stand, but will they be fighting each other?

My thoughts:

I am horrible with endings/goodbyes.  I had put Division off long enough so I picked it up and finally read it. Out of all of the Gotham City Sirens I was most disappointed with this comic.Even though the characters never fully trusted one another, they turned into the biggest back-stabbing, cattiest ladies around. It was a free for all, and some of the things said and did even made me hurt a little bit. I guess it was to show that the ties that bind were completely severed. The end. I also felt that there were overlapping story arches, and it was a bit confusing. In the part between Catwoman and her sister about eight new characters appeared and I felt like I had fell into a middle of a completely different story. It was very odd. The art was great for the most part, but at times it seemed a bit rough. I understand Harley Quinn is crazy, but the art didn't need to be as crazy as she is. If you want closure and want to know what happens from the first three books, then read it. Otherwise, I wouldn't really recommend it.

Gotham City Sirens Volume 3: Strange Fruit

Author: Tony Bedard and Peter Calloway

Illustrators: Andres Guinaldo, Jeremy Haun, Lorenzo Ruggiero, Bit, Jeremy Haun, Walden Wong, JD Smith, Tomeu Morey, Steve Wands, Travis Lanham, Dave Sharpe, Guillem March

Title:Gotham City Sirens Volume 3: Strange Fruit

Publication: July 3, 2012

Publisher: DC Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Villains

Pages: 144

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover):
Poison Ivy's long charmed the men of Gotham City, but now she's the one losing her mind. Captivated with a plant-based alien inside S.T.A.R. Labs, she weds her cause to his and undertakes a Plantifest Destiny that leaves no room for humans- no even her sisters-in-crime, Catwoman and Harley Quinn try to tear their friend's heart away from the alien menace, but they'll all find out how slowly the threat of love dies.
An underworld plot to kidnap Catwoman and pluck her beloved Batman's identity from her mind shakes the Sirens. As the sworn enemy of Ivy and Harley's ex the Joker- whom she swears she's over- the Dark Knight will always divide the three, and Catwoman's feelings have been barely tolerated to this point. So when Talia Al Ghul and Zatanna rush in to help save Selina, it's not exactly clear who's doing the saving and who's doing the hurting.

My thoughts:
This graphic novel was harder for me to read. I guess because there is only one more graphic novel of Gotham City Sirens and then that is it. Recently, DC Comics rebooted all their characters and story lines. This gives new readers a chance to jump in and not be behind or not  know what the heck is going on. Gotham City Sirens was sadly canceled due to the reboot, which is labeled as the "New 52". Batwoman was a reboot, Batgirl has been rebooted with Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. I admire Barbara Gordon, she is librarian by day and Batgirl by night. Anyway, I'm really sad because the series is about to close. This graphic novel is set up to help the last one bring everything to a close. Strange Fruit helps start a fracture line in the friendship the ladies had created. It was really sad to see that. I'm one of the optimistic people who want to see the good in everyone, plus I just love these characters and want to see more from them. However, no one wants to write comics on just Harley Quinn or Poison Ivy...Catwoman had plenty of comics about her. The artwork for this graphic novel was a bit different. I didn't know Selina was "dreaming" and I thought the artwork had just gone from excellent to crappy. Once, I realized it was a dream sequence and was foggy to help separate reality from dream that cleared everything up. The storyline is awesome even if it is setting up for the ending, and the artwork is always fantastic. I cannot express how much I want everyone to go out and get these comics. They are easy to read, beautiful, funny, and just a great fun read.

Gotham City Sirens Volume 2: Songs of the Sirens

Author: Paul Dini

Illustrator: Tony Bedard

Title:Gotham City Sirens Volume 2: Song of the Sirens

Publication: November 29, 2011

Publisher: DC Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Villains

Pages: 168

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): 
Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn--they're beautiful, they're deadly, and for the first time in their lives, all three are trying to fly the straight and narrow. Can they trade their lives as supervillains for a life as (relatively) normal roommates?

Easier said than done. Especially when maniacs are killing innocents and making it look like the Sirens are the culprits, when Ivy's new civilian identity proves murderously difficult to maintain, and when Catwoman's sister comes to town to rider her of the demon she believes possesses her...and rid her of her life in the process

My thoughts:
The sexy lady villains of Gotham are back! I know there are only 4 books of the Gotham City Sirens, but I'm hoping to goodness that someone will want to continue their storyline. I know this will probably never happen, but I can have my hopes and dreams. There isn't much to say except I love these graphic novels. I've been reading them as soon as I have time to read anything. The ladies are trying so hard to be good, but the shenanigans they get into are over the top. I find the problems that keep finding them to be funny. It is so hard to be good, when all you have ever been is bad. The girls do their best though. This graphic novel was a  bit weird just because Catwoman's sister appears and become a warrior nun, which was over the top. The storyline for that was not fully resolved, and I hope it is in the next one or even in the final graphic novel. Poison Ivy is trying to be a regular person and finds a day job. And, Harley Quinn is the same old Harley Quinn. I urge you to step of your book boundaries and TRY a graphic novel. The Gotham City Sirens takes about an hour to an hour and a half to read, and it is funny, has a good storyline, and the ladies are kicking butt throughout the entire graphic novel. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Gotham City Sirens, Volume 1: Union

Author:  Paul Dini
Illustrator: Guillem March

Title: Gotham City Sirens, Volume 1: Union

Publication: April 20,2010

Publisher: D.C. Comics

Genre: Graphic Novel,Villains

Pages: 176

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Goodreads Synopsis:  
This graphic novel features the bad girls of Gotham City! Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other people's rules regardless of which side of the law they're on. These tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way?

My thoughts:

                                                                     I love Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman. All of my favorite supervillain ladies in one comic! There are actually four Gotham City Siren graphic novels, but I've started on the first one. It is an interesting read considering these lovely bad girls are deciding to live together and work together whether it is for good or bad. The shenanigans these ladies get into are hilarious, thanks mainly to Harley Quinn. The story line was a bit hard to follow because I had not read a background story on the villain Hush or knew anything much about Batman or Bruce Wayne. I forewarned my boyfriend before he read it. I told him he may want to wait and read everything about Hush because there are a few spoilers in the graphic novel. I did not really care. I'm not going to read all the Batman stories like he is. Even though, it was a bit hard to follow, I eventually got some answers to my questions, I just had to read a bit further. It was a quick read. I grabbed it up and read it in about an hour. If you are looking for a light read and something humorous with most of Gotham City's bad girls- you should read this.