Sirens: Love Hurts #1 is the triumphant return of Babs Tarr to drawing interior comics art as well as a perfect use of the Black Label imprint to tell a more mature as in complex relationship dynamics and not gratuitous violence, language, and sex, although Harley Quinn does call Bruce Wayne a “fuckboy” in a memorable panel. (He’s not, though.) Tarr, writer Tini Howard, breakdown artist Xanthe Bouma, colorist Miquel Muerto, and seriously snazzy letterer Becca Carey bring anti-heroes/villains Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman together with do-gooder/rockstar/billionaire fiancée Black Canary to solve the murders of women in Gotham that the police have neglected.
Sirens: Love Hurts #1 is truly a girl’s girl comic. From the immaculate fits designed by Babs Tarr to the fact that this story features both a brunch and a night out, Sirens exudes fun despite its dark subject material. These are four very different women with a wide range of moral compasses and approaches to fighting crime, relationships, and just life in general, and the story flows from this rather than just “Oh, I guess it’s been a lot of talking, let’s have an action sequence.” There’s also a true sense of symmetry in Sirens’ storytelling, one the whole creative team contributes to, like a five-panel page with a four-panel grid, where each cast member lays out their boundaries for their working relationship. The expressiveness of Tarr’s character portraits, combined with Howard’s witty dialogue and Muerto’s flat background colors, establishes the dynamic before they go their separate heist/superhero ways.
This symmetry threads its way throughout Sirens #1, keeping narrative momentum while indulging in plenty of chaos. (Seriously, I’m obsessed with Tini Howard and Babs Tarr’s take on Harley Quinn in this book and need Ashnikko to dress up as her at one of her gigs.) After finding the murder victim Julie in a state that is more true crime horror than superhero, each Siren does their own research in a way that’s true to their character whether (In a relatable moment for yours truly.) it’s Poison Ivy using her university/grad school credentials, Harley Quinn finding Julie’s therapist file and address, Catwoman flirting with Batman, and Black Canary juggling life as a rock star and crime fighter back stage at the Light. These solo moments apart contribute to the moments of banter and fun when the team unites towards the back end of the comic and debuts yet another glorious set of outfits/costumes from Tarr. (Her reimagining of the Uma Thurman Poison Ivy costume in Batman and Robin as a disguise is truly iconic.)
Sirens : Love Hurts #1 is a grown person’s superhero comic that nails the complex dynamics of relationships in 2026. (Seriously, the poly dynamic between Harley and Ivy has never been this well-done or hilarious.) I love that there are multiple discussions of boundaries in different aspects of the story whether that’s in relation to the law of Gotham City or whatever Harley/Ivy, Dinah/Oliver, and Bruce/Selina and various other wild cards are. However, above all, this is a be hot, do crime, and fight injustice towards women comic with style for days thanks to the visuals of Babs Tarr and Miquel Muerto.
Story: Tini Howard Art: Babs Tarr Breakdowns: Xanthe Bouma
Colors: Miquel Muerto Letters: Becca Carey
Story: 9 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
