REVIEW: SIRENS GATE #1

3.52/5.0 Stars
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: PG-13/R

Creative Team:

• Writer: Shannon Maer
• Artist: Shannon Maer
• Letters: Shannon Maer
• Cover: Shannon Maer
• Editor: Becky Fuller
• Publisher: Dynamite 

Ratings:

• Story: 3.1 Stars
• Artwork: 4.3 Stars
• Cover Artwork: 4.3 Stars
• Dialogue: 3.1 Stars
• Mechanics: 3.1 Stars
• Editing: 3.2 Stars 

About the Book:

Tara is an aspiring writer who works as a bartender in an adult themed club. She wants more out of life; but she’s afraid to take that next step. In Tara’s eyes, she’s not interesting enough to be an author. When Tara is invited to meet her literary idol, Lady Rose, everything changes. How will Tara respond to these changes?

Reader’s Notes:

It’s never been a secret that Shannon Maer is a terrific cover artist. I have pieces of his work in my collection. When I heard he was putting “Sirens Gate” out, it piqued my curiosity. Can Mr. Maer tell a story?

The story takes a little bit to get into. We spend the first quarter of the issue seeing one group of characters in a scenario. Then we very abruptly shift to Tara’s story. I’m sure it will make sense in the long run. In the moment it leaves the reader wondering what just happened.

Tara is a relatable character. She has goals and aspirations. Doubts are keeping her in check. She’s not the first person to be afraid to risk it all in pursuit of a dream. We get a teaser about her “dying” before. I like to think that will be touched on more as the series progresses.

By doing the writing, artwork , and lettering for this issue Shannon Maer was an army of one. That’s impressive. It takes a lot to do any one of the three well. Cover artwork is Mr. Maer’s wheelhouse. This cover looks incredible, and I wouldn’t have expected anything less.

The same can be said for the artwork on the interior pages. Lines are crisp. Coloring is fantastic. I liked the panel with Tara standing in front of Lady Rose’s door. It’s a little thing; but Tara’s posture while standing there tells us so much. It testified to how much Tara feels she is out of her depth.

As a geek on a budget I would say “Sirens Gate” #1 is worth the price of admission. It has great artwork to compliment an interesting story. I’m eager to see where this adventure will take us to next.