Now that Warner Brothers has announced its plans to adapt Gotham City Sirens into a stand-alone live-action film, we’re as apprehensive about it as we are excited. The short-lived DC Comics’ arc certainly has a great deal of potential, but can we trust it in the hands of Suicide Squad’s David Ayer? Whether he’ll do it right or not is anybody’s guess, but in the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the Gotham City Sirens—and why you ought to be excited about them!

1. The Gotham City Sirens

   

   With the film acting as a sequel to Suicide Squad, Gotham City Sirens will feature Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, plus Batman villains Poison Ivy and Catwoman (who are both yet to be cast). It will not only revolutionize the superhero industry with its all-female team, but it will also feature a never-before-seen look into the everyday lives of these Batman villains.

   The original comic book series was written by Paul Dini and ran from June 2009 to August 2011. In that timeline, Bruce Wayne was presumed to be dead, and his first ward, Dick Grayson, had taken on the role of The Dark Knight. The 26-issue series began with Catwoman stealing Riddler’s apartment, and then living there along with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn to survive Gotham’s criminal underground. What was interesting was that the comics focused on their individual issues while exploring the dynamic between the three personalities. Sadly, the series was cancelled to make way for the New 52 reboot.

   2. Harley and Ivy

      

   The most intriguing—and maybe a little bit controversial—aspect about Gotham City Sirens is how it casts Harley and Ivy’s relationship in a whole new light. On one hand, Ivy sees Harley as a sister who’s been wronged by the Joker in their extremely toxic relationship—Ivy even gives Harley immunity from Joker’s toxins. On the other, Ivy and Harley have also explored something more in their relationship in the series. While the pair have gone on a crime spree before (as in 1993’s Batman: The Animated Series “Harley & Ivy”), it’s in the alternate universe Bombshells series where the two finally share a romantic kiss. Could this possibly be portrayed in the upcoming movie? We’ll just have to wait and see!

   3. Harley and Joker

      

   The Suicide Squad movie briefly touched upon the relationship between Harley and Joker, but the film didn’t really show whether or not the Joker was as abusive as he often is in the comics. In Gotham City Sirens, Harley is pushed to the point of wanting to kill the Joker, only to change her mind and free him from prison. Catwoman and Batman eventually subdue them, finally ending the partnership of the trio. It would be interesting to see how the movie will play on that concept.

   4. Gotham City in a Whole New Light

      
      All the previous movies have portrayed Gotham City to be this extremely gritty city where nothing bright ever happens, but in the comics, the girls have actually participated in more normal activities such as shopping sprees and vacations. What exactly is it about Gotham City that makes Batman want to protect it so much? It’s not all about the gloom and doom, and Gotham City Sirens is finally the opportunity to show that brighter side of the city.

   5. Speculations Abound

      

   Admittedly, the DC Cinematic Universe isn’t doing so well, and we can only hope that the upcoming Wonder Woman film will fly to the rescue. With Gotham City Sirens, we’re also hoping that Catwoman and Poison Ivy will finally be done right, with the acrobatics and the Selina-Bruce thing and the real depth of their characters. Who knows? We might even get a glimpse of the Birds of Prey!

   Psyched about the movie as much as we are? Sound off in the comments below!