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The Gotham City Sirens

This is an educational outline on one of DC's underrated trios, The Gotham City Sirens:


 

  • Gotham City Sirens is an American comic book series that was written by Paul Dini with art by Guillem (gee - yam) March and published by DC Comics.

  • The term Gotham City Sirens refers to three of the most popular female villains inhabiting Gotham City: Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.

  • The first issue of the series was released in June 2009, as a part of the Batman: Reborn relaunch of DC's entire line of comic book titles featuring the Batman.

  • The Gotham City Sirens ran for 26 issues from June of 2009 to August of 2011.

  • It consisted of 5 main story arcs titled Union, Songs of The Sirens, Sister Zero, Strange Fruit, and Division. (IF WE HAVE READ ANY OF THESE, DISCUSS THEM JUST A BIT)

  • UNION

  • SONGS OF THE SIRENS

  • SISTER ZERO

  • STRANGE FRUIT

  • DIVISION

  • Set shortly after the events of the Heart of Hush, Batman R.I.P., Final Crisis, and Battle for the Cowl storylines, Hush cuts out Catwoman's heart, Batman retrieves it, and Zatanna heals her. Catwoman gets her revenge by stealing all of Hush's money and giving it to Gotham City's female criminals, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, as well as Holly Robinson. Bruce Wayne is thought to be dead and is replaced by Dick Grayson.

  • The series saw a big success and ended on good terms with the three main characters going their separate ways. However; in September of 2011, DC rebooted its comic book universe with The New 52 continuity. In this new timeline, the Gotham City Sirens do not exist and are never mentioned as a group. In the new continuity, Catwoman received a new ongoing title written by Judd Winick and drawn by Gotham City Sirens artist Guillem March, Harley Quinn was now a member of the revamped Suicide Squad series, and Poison Ivy is featured in the new Birds of Prey.


So, one thing that I wanted to do with this outline, is to talk a little more detailed about the three individual members of The Gotham City Sirens.

Catwoman:

  • created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman.

  • Debuted as "the Cat" in Batman #1 (spring 1940),

  • She is one of the Dark Knight's most enduring enemies and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues' gallery.

  • However, the character has also been depicted as an anti-heroine and became Batman's best known love interest, with many stories depicting their complex love–hate relationship.

  • Her affiliations have been with Injustice League, Gotham City Sirens, Birds of Prey, Outsiders, The Batman Family, and The Justice League

  • Master cat burglar / talented sneak thief / able to crack almost and safe / moves quietly / talented at hand to hand combat / super athleticism

  • Live Action: Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, Lee Meriwether, Michelle Pheiffer, Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway, Carmen Bicondova, Zoe Kravitz


  • Voice Acting: Samantha Barks, Alex Borstein, Grey DeLisle-Griffin (most times at 63), Jane Webb, Melendy Britt, Adrienne Barbeau (Batman TAS), Gina Gershon, Vanessa Marshall, Nika Futterman, Patty Mattson, Janys Jaud, Kelley Hudson,Eliza Dushku (Batman Year One), Katherine Von Till, Stephanie Sheh, Tress MacNellie, Valerie Arem, Laura Bailey, Christina Pucelli, Carmen Bicondova, Julie Newmar (The Classic Cat), Zoe Kravitz (Newest Live Action), Cree Summer, Jennifer Morrison (Emma from OUAT), Sanaa Lathan, Naya Rivera (passed away right after), Elizabeth Gillies (most recent), Anika Noni Rose,


  • My favorite Catwoman is now Zoe Kravitz with the Injustice video games a close second.


Poison Ivy:

  • DR. Pamela Isley

  • Partly inspired by the titular character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story Rappaccini's Daughter

  • Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Sheldon Moldoff

  • First Appeared in Batman #181 in June of 1966

  • She has been affiliated with The Gotham City Sirens, Birds of Prey, Injustice League, Suicide Squad, and The Justice League United

  • Her only true love interest has been Harley Quinn

  • She is a trained botanist and toxicologist with a genius level IQ

  • She can secrete floral toxins and mind controlling peromones

  • She manipulates plants and plant life

  • She can regenerate and seduce any male.

  • In the live action world, we have seen Uma Thurman in 1997's Batman and Robin / in the television series Gotham, we saw Clare Foley, Maggie Geha, and Peyton List / in the Arrowvers show Batwoman, we see her portrayed by Bridget Regan

  • In the voice acting world, we have seen her brought to life by voice actresses such as Diane Pershing in the DC Animated Shows, Piera Coppola in Batman The Animated Series, Tasia Valeza in the Arkham Video Games, Riki Lindhome in Lego Batman, and Lake Bell in Harley Quinn's animated show.

  • My all time favorite Ivy is definitely the Arkham video games.


Harley Quinn:

  • Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel

  • Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

  • Debuted in Batman The Animated Series on September 11, 1992 in the episode Joker's Favor (this year will be her 30th anniversary)

  • Her first comic book appearance was a non-canon story in September of 1993 with her first canon comic book story being Batman: Harley Quinn #1 in October of 1999.

  • Her affiliations have been with The Suicide Squad, Gotham City Sirens, Quinntets, Secret Six, Justice League of Anarchy, and The Batman Family


  • She is a trained psychiatrist and an expert gymnast

  • Enhanced strength and durability

  • Enhanced stamina and reflexes with an immunity to most toxins

  • She is the 3rd top pillar of sales for DC titles; behind Superman and Batman. Ahead of Woman, Harley Quinn is the most profitable female character for DC Comics.

  • Live Action Appearances include: Mia Sara played Dr. Harleen Quinzel on TV's Birds of Prey in 2002; in an Arrowverse cameo on the show Arrow, Harley was played by Cassidy Alexa and dubbed by Tara Strong; and of course, the amazing performance that is Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn and James Gunn's THE Suicide Squad; with being in talks for a live action Gotham City Sirens live action movies to follow up Birds of Prey.


  • Voice Acting Appearances: Aleen Sorkin (The OG), Grey DeLisle-Griffin, Hynden Walch, Meghan Strange, Janyse Jaud, Laura Bailey, Jenny Slate, Laura Post, Melissa Rauch, Sierena Irwin, Margot Rubin, Kaley Cuocco (The Animated HBO Max Show), Kira Buckland, Gillian Jacobs, and of course (THE GOAT) TARA STRONG!

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