Sirens 1

As an intergalactic force enslaves planets across the galaxy, the legendary team known only as the Sirens must reunite to save the galaxy-but is that even possible when the Sirens themselves don't even remember who they are? And the rest of the universe only remembers them as...villains?

Writer:

George Perez

Artist:

George Perez

Publisher:

Boom Studios

There's a thing about nostalgia; it blinds us. We can be so caught up in reliving the glory days that we abandon our critical faculties in an  attempt to return to a half remembered, rose tinted past. Whilst I don't  like to say its completely the reason for Sirens #1 not quite popping, its  an undeniable part of it. Because before buying this issue you should ask yourself; do you like George Perez as a writer or an artist? If so, pick up this issue, you'll have a blast. If not, well... its more complicated.

To start with, Sirens is an enjoyable read. An all out, no holds barred space opera, it's about a renegade band of freedom fighters fighting again the evil Niada. Issue 1 mixes it up though, as to hide themselves, most of the members have hidden themselves in the past and had the memories of their prior lives rewritten. So the first issue is a 'getting the band back together' issue before things kick up a notch.

I have to give it this, the pace never really slows down as we rocket from scene to scene, all delivered in a style that (depending on your prevalence for Perez's style) will either enchant or confuse. It seems to be very much deliberately a throw back to that era, where there were no objections about scantily clad women with impossible physiques and writers would throw you into a story and expect you to keep up with minimal explanation. This approach does have its advantages, such as the afore mentioned pace of the issue, but it also leads to a few wrinkles.

For one thing, the 'rape as a backstory' and 'revenge over a rapist' story beats get trotted out and resolved in less than 5 pages, never to be spoken of again. Some people will take umbrage with me bringing it up, but its there. I think part of this is unintentional and part to do with not wanting to lose pace in the opening issues, but when stuff like that pops up, used so disposably...well it didn't sit right with me.

Unfortunately, that's probably the biggest amount of character development  we get. The other members of The Sirens are given broad strokes, but enough to lay a foundation I hope is built upon in later issues.

Again, I have to stress, bar that uncomfortable middle section its a fun enough comic. I think that perhaps I'm just not as blind to it because I have no great affection or dislike of the man who wrote a great Teen Titans run several decades ago.

If you grew up in the 80s, or just want to see what comics were like back then, Sirens is a great way visit the period again. Its snappy, quick and very confident of itself.

Lets see what later issues bring.

Cover image courtesy of Boom! Studios

George Perez's Sirens is available from Comixology and your local comic book retailer.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.