Sirens of the City #3 is published by BOOM! Studios and written by Joanne Starer. Illustrations are by Khary Randolph and letters by Andworld Design. Main cover art (left) is also by Randolph.
You can grab your copy of Sirens of the City #3 now, available in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
Sirens of the City continues with Layla realizing that concerning her pregnancy… certain death is on the line.
On top of harnessing her own powers as a siren, a close friend will have to threaten the very fabric of their coven, and potentially the survival of one of the more human members!
Review
How are we only three issues in to Sirens of the City? As I turned the final page on this issue it hit me instantly at just how much story Joanne Starer has packed in to the series in such a short space of time.
Our poor lead, Layla, has certainly been through it since she arrived in New York City. Starer opened up a huge world that had to quickly lay its ground rules without interrupting the flow of the story. That incredible setup has meant the series has been able to hit the ground running in ways that other limited-series often dream of. So when we pick up in issue #3 with Laya trapped in a bubble, under the impression her baby may be a danger, there’s little time for us as readers to collect our thoughts.
Starer’s writing has the astute ability to sweep the reader up in proceedings. There’s a seamlessness between issues which feels as supernatural as the story itself. It’s as if I just put the previous issue down. There’s no “wait, what happened last month?”. It just simply just continues in the thick of the action. This month that means really putting Layla in the push and pull between opposing forces. She might not feel entirely comfortable with her impending motherhood. But like many teen pregnancies, everyone else around her seems to think they know what’s best. That’s just another example of how Starer wraps up real teen angst in to all the supernatural trapping which make Sirens of the City a fascinating read.
But there’s another character who is quickly becoming as compelling as Layla. Mari, who takes centre stage on the cover this month, has become an unlikely hero. Her struggles are equally as challenging as Laylas but for different reason. Her alliance with Layla is dangerous but her conviction to protecting her friend outweighs that.
Layla is really in the eye of the storm at this point. There’s some tragic events which swirl around her this month. It certainly seems that as the fight for the baby continues, events around Layla are escalating out of all control. It’s worth noting this is also this issue marks the half way mark in the series. With the arrival of Layla’s long lost mother and the complications that brings, along with the revelations about the power the baby may wield, this certainly feels like sure-footing to bring the story in to its final act.
I’ve talked at length about Khary Randolph’s artwork in the past. The subtle use of colours and white space is exceptional. This issue introduces a really eye popping shade of purple alongside the already key blue and red which symbolise the different factions inhabiting the streets of NYC. Whilst I would be intrigued to see a full colour version of this story. It’s undoubtedly elevated by its bold choices.
Verdict
As Sirens of the City hits the half-way mark all of its various human and supernatural aspects have come together in dramatic effect.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
