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Harley Quinn (2016) #2
Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Joker Loves Harley
Exploding from the blockbuster DC Universe Rebirth event from the best-selling creative team of Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and John Timms comes HARLEY QUINN VOL. 2: JOKER LOVES HARLEY.
It ain’t easy being the world’s most psychotic psychiatrist, but hey, Harley Quinn just might pull it off. With her tight-knit Coney Island crew and her gal-pal Poison Ivy by her side, things are looking up for the mistress of mirth and mayhem. From nudist colonies to roller-derby rinks, she’s livin’ the good life.
But the joke’s on her.
That’s right, folks: the Clown Prince of Crime has come crawling (and killing!) back into Harley’s life. This time around, the Joker’s promising to show her a kinder, gentler side of himself—the stuff that made her fall for him in the first place, back when she was his shrink and he was her most dangerous patient.
Can Harley trust her ex? (Please!) Will she ditch it all to join him in his war on sanity? (Again!) One thing’s for sure: if the Joker betrays her again, this time puddin’ will go SPLAT!
Comics’ craziest couple reunites (or do they?) in HARLEY QUINN VOL. 2: JOKER LOVES HARLEY!
Collects: stories from Harley Quinn #8-13.
It ain’t easy being the world’s most psychotic psychiatrist, but hey, Harley Quinn just might pull it off. With her tight-knit Coney Island crew and her gal-pal Poison Ivy by her side, things are looking up for the mistress of mirth and mayhem. From nudist colonies to roller-derby rinks, she’s livin’ the good life.
But the joke’s on her.
That’s right, folks: the Clown Prince of Crime has come crawling (and killing!) back into Harley’s life. This time around, the Joker’s promising to show her a kinder, gentler side of himself—the stuff that made her fall for him in the first place, back when she was his shrink and he was her most dangerous patient.
Can Harley trust her ex? (Please!) Will she ditch it all to join him in his war on sanity? (Again!) One thing’s for sure: if the Joker betrays her again, this time puddin’ will go SPLAT!
Comics’ craziest couple reunites (or do they?) in HARLEY QUINN VOL. 2: JOKER LOVES HARLEY!
Collects: stories from Harley Quinn #8-13.
144 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2017
41 people are currently reading
1099 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Palmiotti
1,671 books174 followersJames "Jimmy" Palmiotti is an American writer and inker of comic books, who also does writing for games, television and film.
Photo by Luigi Novi.
Photo by Luigi Novi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
July 23, 2025
(B-) 70% | Satisfactory
Notes: Much lamenting, violent venting, love not meant to be, it's a tedious mess, I couldn't care less, just nonstop woe is me.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #8 ◦ Issue #9 ◦ Issues #11-13 ◦ Issue #10
Notes: Much lamenting, violent venting, love not meant to be, it's a tedious mess, I couldn't care less, just nonstop woe is me.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #8 ◦ Issue #9 ◦ Issues #11-13 ◦ Issue #10
March 29, 2021
Harley goes on vacation with Poison Ivy and Harley tries her best to win Ivy over into a more permanent relationship. When she gets back from vacation, the Joker starts sending her messages and eventually shows up to try and win her back. The final issue has Harley saving Santa Claus by going into his brain.
Even though this is the same creative team, I'm enjoying this rebirth run of Harley a lot more. Th book focuses a lot more on story than slapstick nonsense. The jokes are still there, but now Harley has some substance to her, where before she was just DC's scatological version of Bugs Bunny.
Received an advance copy from DC and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Even though this is the same creative team, I'm enjoying this rebirth run of Harley a lot more. Th book focuses a lot more on story than slapstick nonsense. The jokes are still there, but now Harley has some substance to her, where before she was just DC's scatological version of Bugs Bunny.
Received an advance copy from DC and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2017
I'm always thrilled to read a new Harley Quinn volume and this started off fun with Harley and Ivy taking a break and traveling to the Bahamas. Then, they discover that the place they are staying at is housing nudists, so they try to blend in with the crowd...
The Bahamas is actually the best part of the volume. One would think that the next story that involves the Joker would be better, but it just wasn't that interesting to read. I just never really found it to be that engrossing, and though it ended with a bang...
Did it feel more like a whimper. It was an Ok story, and definitely better than the last story that involved Santa Claus. Have you seen Innerspace with Dennis Quaid, about a store clerk who is miniaturized and injected into a man? Well, replace the store clerk with Harley and the man with Santa Claus and you get the idea...
The art was OK, not earth-shattering, but I liked it, so at least that. I sure hope the next volume is better!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
The Bahamas is actually the best part of the volume. One would think that the next story that involves the Joker would be better, but it just wasn't that interesting to read. I just never really found it to be that engrossing, and though it ended with a bang...
Did it feel more like a whimper. It was an Ok story, and definitely better than the last story that involved Santa Claus. Have you seen Innerspace with Dennis Quaid, about a store clerk who is miniaturized and injected into a man? Well, replace the store clerk with Harley and the man with Santa Claus and you get the idea...
The art was OK, not earth-shattering, but I liked it, so at least that. I sure hope the next volume is better!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
August 15, 2017
Wow this was bad. Horrible. Garbage.
Prior volume in this series had three stories. Two of which seemed relatively competent, third was a little off but okay-ish. This volume? Stretching things, you could . . . say there are about three story lines. Maybe. Maybe more? Is kind of a mess.
There's:
1) talked about for a long time before now, Ivy and Harley finally go off on their vacation and . . . it's over like immediately after they arrive. Um . . yay? lame.
2) Harley and Red Tool attack a squid under Harley's building. lame.
3) Harley goes roller derby-fighting, and, like normal, someone dies when she does that.
4) A joker like person, possibly the joker, pops up. Red Tool beats him and stuff. Harley beats on him. etc. etc. kinda lame story.
5) Christmas story - Harley is really into Santa. Goes to mall. Santa missing. Harley beats up an elf. Then tries to save Santa. etc. etc. Kinda lame story.
This specific volume actually puts that other guy first, not Connor, but Palmoitti or however you spell his name. Maybe that's why this volume seemed like it was just a big long excuse to have lots and lots of barely covered women - the T&A Harley Quinn show . . . or something.
Rating: lame. Wait, sorry. 1.5
August 14 2017
Prior volume in this series had three stories. Two of which seemed relatively competent, third was a little off but okay-ish. This volume? Stretching things, you could . . . say there are about three story lines. Maybe. Maybe more? Is kind of a mess.
There's:
1) talked about for a long time before now, Ivy and Harley finally go off on their vacation and . . . it's over like immediately after they arrive. Um . . yay? lame.
2) Harley and Red Tool attack a squid under Harley's building. lame.
3) Harley goes roller derby-fighting, and, like normal, someone dies when she does that.
4) A joker like person, possibly the joker, pops up. Red Tool beats him and stuff. Harley beats on him. etc. etc. kinda lame story.
5) Christmas story - Harley is really into Santa. Goes to mall. Santa missing. Harley beats up an elf. Then tries to save Santa. etc. etc. Kinda lame story.
This specific volume actually puts that other guy first, not Connor, but Palmoitti or however you spell his name. Maybe that's why this volume seemed like it was just a big long excuse to have lots and lots of barely covered women - the T&A Harley Quinn show . . . or something.
Rating: lame. Wait, sorry. 1.5
August 14 2017
February 21, 2018
It was not a good reveal...3.5
World: The art is fine, it's beautiful and zany and over the top like this series. The world building here is actually quite solid and relies on a lot of past reader knowledge. This book honors and cares for the characters that this creative team be gathered throughout the years and this book continues that trend.
Story: I liked and kinda was meh with the Ivy story but having them together is always great, I love their love. The Joker story on the other hand was rather ho hum. It promised something big and ugly...and we got what we got. Harley did a wonderful story in the New52 when she met Joker in the jail and it was something her character needed, this one was unnecessary and kinda meh. The Christmas issue was just bonkers nuts and not in a good way.
Characters: I love Harley and what she's become starting with the New52 and with the Joker story I love how she's sticking to her guns. She's rather dark here and it's not something we've seen in a while for her and I kinda like that it's the Joker that brings this out of her, that part of the relationship I like. The rest of the cast is always solid and play well of her to make you chuckle and smile.
A rather ho hum story because of what it promised. I'm starting to feel that this creative team after so many wonderful years is starting to run out of steam and the recent announcement that they are leaving does make me feel sad but at the same time makes me excited to see where DC will take Harley next.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is fine, it's beautiful and zany and over the top like this series. The world building here is actually quite solid and relies on a lot of past reader knowledge. This book honors and cares for the characters that this creative team be gathered throughout the years and this book continues that trend.
Story: I liked and kinda was meh with the Ivy story but having them together is always great, I love their love. The Joker story on the other hand was rather ho hum. It promised something big and ugly...and we got what we got. Harley did a wonderful story in the New52 when she met Joker in the jail and it was something her character needed, this one was unnecessary and kinda meh. The Christmas issue was just bonkers nuts and not in a good way.
Characters: I love Harley and what she's become starting with the New52 and with the Joker story I love how she's sticking to her guns. She's rather dark here and it's not something we've seen in a while for her and I kinda like that it's the Joker that brings this out of her, that part of the relationship I like. The rest of the cast is always solid and play well of her to make you chuckle and smile.
A rather ho hum story because of what it promised. I'm starting to feel that this creative team after so many wonderful years is starting to run out of steam and the recent announcement that they are leaving does make me feel sad but at the same time makes me excited to see where DC will take Harley next.
Onward to the next book!
January 7, 2021
Funny, crazy, good dialogues and artwork, like to see Joker's game again, it's good, very satisfying
July 18, 2017
Ehh... The Harley books have been boring for a while. Harley is psychotic, but also very tired. Repeat. In this one, we get more queerbaiting between Poison Ivy and Harley. Hetero superheros get to have sex on rooftops. These poor ladies just get to almost kiss sometimes. It's getting annoying :l
The main story is a Joker stand-in that Harley sees through quite quickly. I appreciate that she maintains her decision to keep the Joker out of her life. Did we really need to shove him in there again?
Alas, the novelty of HQ is wearing off and the writers need to do something interesting with her soon :l
The main story is a Joker stand-in that Harley sees through quite quickly. I appreciate that she maintains her decision to keep the Joker out of her life. Did we really need to shove him in there again?
Alas, the novelty of HQ is wearing off and the writers need to do something interesting with her soon :l
February 28, 2017
I thought this was going to touch on the multiple Jokers thing so I was a little let down. but all in all, this was a good series!!
November 20, 2017
Two separate arcs, neither one memorable or well done. A serious fall-off for the series.
June 29, 2022
Harley gets a much needed vacation and meets up with Joker who has claimed to be at least partially reformed. Pretty quickly she finds out it's not him but an imposter. It ends with a Christmas issue where she has to fight Santa's inner demons.
Overall this was pretty good. It has more of the psychological Harley I like and the art was still pretty good as well. I also liked her and Ivy in the first issue alot.
Overall this was pretty good. It has more of the psychological Harley I like and the art was still pretty good as well. I also liked her and Ivy in the first issue alot.
June 26, 2018
This is only the second Harley Quinn graphic novel I've read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Harley goes on holiday in the Bahamas with Poison Ivy (in what turns out to be a beachside nudist resort), is faced with what appears to be a newly-escaped Joker and proceeds to torture him repeatedly, and then saves Santa Claus in a twist on a plot from a 1950s sci-fi movie. And also intimidates the crap out of Santa Claus, for the best reasons.
Read
November 12, 2017Well, I read it. Harley isn't my favorite, but I did enjoy the series where the Joker was back in town. Kind liked the Poison Ivy storyline. Eh. It wasn't my favorite, but I don't think that has anything to do with the writing or the art. I'm just not all about that Harley life, ya know?
July 18, 2017
3.5 stars
This one was super colorful, funny, mega-creative and loads of fun!
Way better than vol. 1 and I really enjoyed the psychedelic twist that was put on it.
Could have done without the Santa Claus Story in my opinion. A bit too surreal for me.
Has definitely given a boost to the shaky start that was the Rebirth of Harley Quinn.
Next installment is a given!
Go Harley!
This one was super colorful, funny, mega-creative and loads of fun!
Way better than vol. 1 and I really enjoyed the psychedelic twist that was put on it.
Could have done without the Santa Claus Story in my opinion. A bit too surreal for me.
Has definitely given a boost to the shaky start that was the Rebirth of Harley Quinn.
Next installment is a given!
Go Harley!
August 16, 2017
**I received a free eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This volume is all about Harley's relationships. First we have Harley and Poison Ivy doing some travelling together and having lots of fun. Along the way, they find a big surprise, but, being as they are, they just go along with it. Harley also tries her best to take her relationship with Ivy one step further.
Then we have a story featuring the Joker, and he's incredibly crazy about Harley, doing everything in his power to convince her that he's changed, that's he's a good man now, and that he wants her back. But Harley is having none of it. I thought this was very entertaining, and a little bit hard too watch haha.
The last story made me feel a little bit disappointed in Santa Claus at times, because, like Harley asked: "What would Mrs. Claus say??". I know, I'm a child like that. I still love Santa too much. It was still very enjoyable, I adore how much Harley loves Christmas.
Really recommend this to anyone who wants to have a light, fun read :)
More reviews on my blog: Lipstick and Mocha
This volume is all about Harley's relationships. First we have Harley and Poison Ivy doing some travelling together and having lots of fun. Along the way, they find a big surprise, but, being as they are, they just go along with it. Harley also tries her best to take her relationship with Ivy one step further.
Then we have a story featuring the Joker, and he's incredibly crazy about Harley, doing everything in his power to convince her that he's changed, that's he's a good man now, and that he wants her back. But Harley is having none of it. I thought this was very entertaining, and a little bit hard too watch haha.
The last story made me feel a little bit disappointed in Santa Claus at times, because, like Harley asked: "What would Mrs. Claus say??". I know, I'm a child like that. I still love Santa too much. It was still very enjoyable, I adore how much Harley loves Christmas.
Really recommend this to anyone who wants to have a light, fun read :)
More reviews on my blog: Lipstick and Mocha
August 7, 2017
The first volume in the new 'Rebirth' run left me believing that Harley Quinn would be left untouched but after reading this volume I realize that is not the case. On the surface everything looks the same. All the support players are still there with some new ones added and Coney Island is still the setting but with this volume we are going deeper into the character and the reader is given lengthier story arcs and more use of her crew. Gone is the fever paced craziness and fractured stories that I found so annoying in the new 52 run.
This book begins with a trip to the Bahama's and features the recurring Poison Ivy who, despite headlining her own series, can't quite get away from the guest star status. This story has the wackiness that has become her trade mark involving senior nudists and Sy Borgman but also adds an emotional element between Ivy and Harley. The story ends with a mournful looking Harley heading back to Coney Island and setting up the next story that sees the reappearance of the Joker. The joker does what he always does in a Harley comic ie, actin menacing and sociopathic why trying to win back her heart. This is the meat in the book involving multiple issues or chapters and really gives the writers time to add a depth and narrative that have been missing in previous volumes. It shows how effective linear storytelling can be when DC doesn't interfere with some new promotional run involving every hero in the DC universe.
The problem I had is that the story is darker than I was used to. This might please some of the older Harley fans but the story is more violent and grittier than previous stories. That's not a bad thing when the Joker is front and center but it going to take me a while to get used to this new look despite the quality of the story. There is still humor and whimsy in this story but the darkness pervades it. There seems to be a brutal fight sequence on every other page including Harley torturing the Joker. In previous installments the violence had a more comic element to it but the violence here is closer to the torture horror movies of the 90's at least when the Joker is the target. Not that he doesn't deserve it.
John Timms artwork does compliment the writing and for the first time in a while I actually enjoyed looking at he elongated characters with their limited expressions. This works very well when the Joker and Red Tool meet and fight on the beach also the scenes not involving Harley are well conceived. He's still not my favorite artist and there are many guest artists in this book drawing the sentiment dream sequences and asides but this is Timms book and it works with the darker tone.
This is a book I felt I should have liked more but the darkness caught me off guard despite the fact that this book has addressed so many problems I have had with this series. The longer, self contained stories are a plus, more use of Harley's crew of characters are a plus, the Coney Island setting and the madhouse she has created within it are a plus and though the wackiness doesn't control the story it still has a strong presence. This book involves a jelly fish monster living underneath her house, a Wizard of Oz sequence and a psychedelic twizzler fest involving Ivy. All a plus. The humor being toned down for the sake of story is also a good thing but there will be a readjustment period at least for me.
This book begins with a trip to the Bahama's and features the recurring Poison Ivy who, despite headlining her own series, can't quite get away from the guest star status. This story has the wackiness that has become her trade mark involving senior nudists and Sy Borgman but also adds an emotional element between Ivy and Harley. The story ends with a mournful looking Harley heading back to Coney Island and setting up the next story that sees the reappearance of the Joker. The joker does what he always does in a Harley comic ie, actin menacing and sociopathic why trying to win back her heart. This is the meat in the book involving multiple issues or chapters and really gives the writers time to add a depth and narrative that have been missing in previous volumes. It shows how effective linear storytelling can be when DC doesn't interfere with some new promotional run involving every hero in the DC universe.
The problem I had is that the story is darker than I was used to. This might please some of the older Harley fans but the story is more violent and grittier than previous stories. That's not a bad thing when the Joker is front and center but it going to take me a while to get used to this new look despite the quality of the story. There is still humor and whimsy in this story but the darkness pervades it. There seems to be a brutal fight sequence on every other page including Harley torturing the Joker. In previous installments the violence had a more comic element to it but the violence here is closer to the torture horror movies of the 90's at least when the Joker is the target. Not that he doesn't deserve it.
John Timms artwork does compliment the writing and for the first time in a while I actually enjoyed looking at he elongated characters with their limited expressions. This works very well when the Joker and Red Tool meet and fight on the beach also the scenes not involving Harley are well conceived. He's still not my favorite artist and there are many guest artists in this book drawing the sentiment dream sequences and asides but this is Timms book and it works with the darker tone.
This is a book I felt I should have liked more but the darkness caught me off guard despite the fact that this book has addressed so many problems I have had with this series. The longer, self contained stories are a plus, more use of Harley's crew of characters are a plus, the Coney Island setting and the madhouse she has created within it are a plus and though the wackiness doesn't control the story it still has a strong presence. This book involves a jelly fish monster living underneath her house, a Wizard of Oz sequence and a psychedelic twizzler fest involving Ivy. All a plus. The humor being toned down for the sake of story is also a good thing but there will be a readjustment period at least for me.
June 26, 2017
Harley Quinn saves Christmas.
Don't even pretend you're not super intrigued to read THAT one.
This is such a delightful, disturbing, deranged volume of fun. Harley's adventures, including time with her chlorophyll cutie, Poison Ivy, are so fantabulous. It's now clear where the humor missing from DC comics has gone. They were saving it to pile onto Harley's storylines.
Not only does Harley get a fun (and far too short) visit to the land of Oz, she also has to deal with her former lover/nemesis (lemesis?), The Joker. I was interested to see where this storyline would go, because I love both of these characters, but hate that their "romance" is so fetishized by fanboys.
That storyline was the definition of delicious. Gah, so much fun.
Now back to reading volume 1, and discovering all the little bits I missed (such as why Red Tool has sutures on his arm. Yikes!).
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Don't even pretend you're not super intrigued to read THAT one.
This is such a delightful, disturbing, deranged volume of fun. Harley's adventures, including time with her chlorophyll cutie, Poison Ivy, are so fantabulous. It's now clear where the humor missing from DC comics has gone. They were saving it to pile onto Harley's storylines.
Not only does Harley get a fun (and far too short) visit to the land of Oz, she also has to deal with her former lover/nemesis (lemesis?), The Joker. I was interested to see where this storyline would go, because I love both of these characters, but hate that their "romance" is so fetishized by fanboys.
That storyline was the definition of delicious. Gah, so much fun.
Now back to reading volume 1, and discovering all the little bits I missed (such as why Red Tool has sutures on his arm. Yikes!).
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
June 28, 2017
This takes Harley in such a completely different direction than the other current DC Rebirth titles that it doesn't even feel as if it belongs. This was just pure silliness! After a specific episode in Suicide Squad Vol. 2 where Harley's insanity is measured against her own sanity, this flighty, ditzy Harley is pure nonsense. Two one-off stories start the trade, the first being gaggingly environmentally pc with Poison Ivy. Both these stories plant a seed about the upcoming Joker arc. The next 3-issues tell the story of the title arc which is easy to figure out and almost boring watching Harley behave in this sane but silly caricature. And finally, it is all topped off with a purely idiotic Christmas issue having Harley save Santa. I'm going to have to get my Harley fix from Suicide Squad as this just doesn't cut it for me.
August 7, 2017
Fabulously funny and heartbreaking at the same time. The Harley/Ivy relationship is really well written here, and shows again how Ivy is the more mature of the pairing.
Harley revisits her issues with Joker in a wonderfully violent manner, and hopefully, that's the last we'll see of his image for a while.
Harley also saves Santa in a mind-bending seasonal adventure that has to be read to be believed.
Great art. Great stories.
Harley revisits her issues with Joker in a wonderfully violent manner, and hopefully, that's the last we'll see of his image for a while.
Harley also saves Santa in a mind-bending seasonal adventure that has to be read to be believed.
Great art. Great stories.
September 19, 2017
SO much better than the first volume, but still not as authentic to Harley as I would like. The Joker storyline was a good touch, and her friendship/relationship with Ivy was also a great addition.
I'm tired of this writing team though. They aren't doing Harley justice...
I'm tired of this writing team though. They aren't doing Harley justice...
January 1, 2019
Having the Joker in this volume seems to up its game a bit. The presentation is grittier than previous stories in the run so far. I hope we get more serious storylines like this from Harley, but I'm not holding my breath.
August 21, 2017
I am liking the new Harley stories. She is more interesting to me here then in other stories I have read.
April 30, 2018
Rating: 4.5/5 stars because the last comic was a lot weaker than the others.
April 19, 2019
Amanda Connor & Jimmy Palmiotti give Harley quinn such a distict voice that everytime I pick up Harley I cant put it down! In this volume we are given were she stands with Poison Ivy. And it's all fun and games until Joker pops back into her life!! But wait, nothing is what it seems!!
October 3, 2018
I've said it before, AC and JP just know how to write Harley Quinn. It's big, loud, dumb, colorful, and fun as hell! These 2 get it.
March 8, 2021
Great art as always from the Harley gang. The Christmas issue was probably my fave in this volume.
June 27, 2017
I thought the cover had a hate you, but I love you vibe. Joker and Harley are all smiles but she could easily break his neck
Poor Harley just got dissed in the beginning. She assumes this Frank Frank guy wanted to do her after figuring out her dream. He's like ew. And cuts her confidence a new one. She got a slice of pepperoni and a vacation.
Harley and Poison Ivy take a trip to the Bahamas. Ivy references batman's utility belt and pouches to the Great Mysteries Of The Univeries.
Batmobile keys , Triple pair A batteries, bat panties. Batblack book, bat milk brother, Sam's club card
Harley and Ivy have the beach to themselves.
I liked the part when Ivy asked Harley if shr missed the Joker. She replied yes and no until I met you at the airport. So sweet.
The conversation of the carved bar necklace from Arkham Asylum was raised. Ivy thinks anybody besides Joker could have sent it. But Harley received an original copy of a evaluation.of her first impressions of the Joker.
The flashback of Dr. Quinzel trying to interview the Joker was just the beginning of him manipulating her. He kept deflecting her questions with insane answers or changing the subject.
The dream was a spin on the Wizard of Oz. Harley killed Batman with her house. Oz was the Joker
Frank Frank said she has inner conflicts, can't process what's in front of her, and dreads the future. Got weight on shoulders. Her outlet was roller derby.
Harley was losing severely to Dominating Bertha when shot hit. Harvey's friends got her out but Bertha was shot dead.
Harley's swollen head is deemed fine from Tony's allied doctor.
She grabs a slice at Gino's pizza. Only to be there to stop an armed robbery. Her stakes were free pizza for life, and the owner could call her Peaches sometimes.
Harley is surprised by Joker in her home. Harley puts a knife to his throat wanting answers. Joker suggests meeting near an aquarium in public. He has something to tell her
Red Tool happened to met Joker on the boardwalk. He threatened him if he hurt Harley.
Red Tool stripped down and came on to Harley. It that helped her laugh and cheer up.
Madison Berkowitz wants to crack down on working with people like Harley Quinn.
Octopus monster vs harley
Destroyed with hand grenades
Red Tool changed harley's clock back, so She'll miss Joker.
RT confronts Joker instead.
Joker remiss the good, bad, and future with Harley
Joker says he'll do anything to show he's changed
Harley blindfolded him, puts a Brooklyn suck Sohn on him, and puts him in the streets.
He gets punched, yelled at, and hit by a truck.
Harley figures out He's an imposter. Little inconsistencies like no scars gave him away.
He eventually told the truth
He was a mental patient obsessed with harley.
He ended up becoming gthe Joker to be with Harley. The Joker himself helped with the transformation
In the end, Harley shot and killed him
The Holiday issue was about Harley Quinn saving Santa. She and Red Tool found at Santa was sick. They rushed to the hospital to find out more. Apparamtly, Santa was fighting his inner demons. Harley volunteered to shrink, travel to Santa-s Brain, and to defeat his demons . Right before departure, she planted a kiss on Red Tool.
Inside there were igloo entrances. The first she entered was the Rudolph. There dozens of dead yet lighted nosed Rudolph on the ground. A giant Joker troll was eating them. He tried to belittle Harley. He even pulled her apart. She managed to get back together and escape
The secondigloo was the cocktail. It was a pri ate island with bikini girls and Santa. Santa argues about being unappreciated and work in all the time. Whole Harley spoke of smiles and cheer he makes. The chicks becsme Joker chicks with knives. Santa escapes. Harley fights most of them then exits to a portal.
Harley ends up fighting creatures that mimic her friends Catwoman and Poison ivy. She annihlated Batman and Wonder Woman.
Harley makes it out. Santa told them to get outta here. He had some wish listsvto ignore. Harley had to knock him around and threaten him.
Poor Harley just got dissed in the beginning. She assumes this Frank Frank guy wanted to do her after figuring out her dream. He's like ew. And cuts her confidence a new one. She got a slice of pepperoni and a vacation.
Harley and Poison Ivy take a trip to the Bahamas. Ivy references batman's utility belt and pouches to the Great Mysteries Of The Univeries.
Batmobile keys , Triple pair A batteries, bat panties. Batblack book, bat milk brother, Sam's club card
Harley and Ivy have the beach to themselves.
I liked the part when Ivy asked Harley if shr missed the Joker. She replied yes and no until I met you at the airport. So sweet.
The conversation of the carved bar necklace from Arkham Asylum was raised. Ivy thinks anybody besides Joker could have sent it. But Harley received an original copy of a evaluation.of her first impressions of the Joker.
The flashback of Dr. Quinzel trying to interview the Joker was just the beginning of him manipulating her. He kept deflecting her questions with insane answers or changing the subject.
The dream was a spin on the Wizard of Oz. Harley killed Batman with her house. Oz was the Joker
Frank Frank said she has inner conflicts, can't process what's in front of her, and dreads the future. Got weight on shoulders. Her outlet was roller derby.
Harley was losing severely to Dominating Bertha when shot hit. Harvey's friends got her out but Bertha was shot dead.
Harley's swollen head is deemed fine from Tony's allied doctor.
She grabs a slice at Gino's pizza. Only to be there to stop an armed robbery. Her stakes were free pizza for life, and the owner could call her Peaches sometimes.
Harley is surprised by Joker in her home. Harley puts a knife to his throat wanting answers. Joker suggests meeting near an aquarium in public. He has something to tell her
Red Tool happened to met Joker on the boardwalk. He threatened him if he hurt Harley.
Red Tool stripped down and came on to Harley. It that helped her laugh and cheer up.
Madison Berkowitz wants to crack down on working with people like Harley Quinn.
Octopus monster vs harley
Destroyed with hand grenades
Red Tool changed harley's clock back, so She'll miss Joker.
RT confronts Joker instead.
Joker remiss the good, bad, and future with Harley
Joker says he'll do anything to show he's changed
Harley blindfolded him, puts a Brooklyn suck Sohn on him, and puts him in the streets.
He gets punched, yelled at, and hit by a truck.
Harley figures out He's an imposter. Little inconsistencies like no scars gave him away.
He eventually told the truth
He was a mental patient obsessed with harley.
He ended up becoming gthe Joker to be with Harley. The Joker himself helped with the transformation
In the end, Harley shot and killed him
The Holiday issue was about Harley Quinn saving Santa. She and Red Tool found at Santa was sick. They rushed to the hospital to find out more. Apparamtly, Santa was fighting his inner demons. Harley volunteered to shrink, travel to Santa-s Brain, and to defeat his demons . Right before departure, she planted a kiss on Red Tool.
Inside there were igloo entrances. The first she entered was the Rudolph. There dozens of dead yet lighted nosed Rudolph on the ground. A giant Joker troll was eating them. He tried to belittle Harley. He even pulled her apart. She managed to get back together and escape
The secondigloo was the cocktail. It was a pri ate island with bikini girls and Santa. Santa argues about being unappreciated and work in all the time. Whole Harley spoke of smiles and cheer he makes. The chicks becsme Joker chicks with knives. Santa escapes. Harley fights most of them then exits to a portal.
Harley ends up fighting creatures that mimic her friends Catwoman and Poison ivy. She annihlated Batman and Wonder Woman.
Harley makes it out. Santa told them to get outta here. He had some wish listsvto ignore. Harley had to knock him around and threaten him.
October 2, 2018
Harley Quinn, DC Rebirth Series Ratings:
Harley Quinn, Volume 1: Die Laughing: ★★★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley>: ★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat: Lost Interest in Series
—
This year I am doing Graphic Novel December.
My plan is it to read one GN for each day of the month. So 31 in total!
I'll keep a running total in the review of each GN as I read them to help me keep track and for anyone following to see where I am at as well!
GN #1: Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies ★★★★
GN #2: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One ★★★★
GN #3: Wonder Woman, Volume 3: The Truth ★★★
GN #4: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal ★★★★
GN #5: Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault ★
GN #6: Suicide Squad, Volume 2: Going Sane ★★★
GN #7: Generation Zero, Volume 1: We Are the Future ★★★★★
GN #8: Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends ★★★★
GN #9: SLAM! Vol. 1 ★★★★
GN #10: Alex + Ada, Vol. 1 ★★★★
GN #11: Beautiful Darkness ★★★★
GN #12: Through the Woods ★★★★
GN #13: Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening ★★
GN #14: Friends With Boys ★★★
GN #15: Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery ★★★★★
GN #16: Rat Queens, Vol. 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth ★★★★★
GN #17: Giant Days, Vol. 1 ★★★★
GN #18: Paper Girls, Vol. 1 ★★
GN #19: Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future ★★★★
GN #20: Morning Glories, Vol. 2: All Will Be Free ★★★★★
GN #21: Archie, Vol. 1: The New Riverdale ★★★★
GN #22: Nimona ★★★★★
GN #23: Giant Days, Vol. 2 ★★★★★
GN #24: Alex + Ada, Vol. 2 ★★★★★
GN #25: Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy ★★★★★
GN #26: Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley ★★
I WANT MORE IVY.
I felt really cheated by the end of this to be honest.
___
│Blog│Instagram│Twitter│Tumblr│
Harley Quinn, Volume 1: Die Laughing: ★★★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley>: ★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat: Lost Interest in Series
—
This year I am doing Graphic Novel December.
My plan is it to read one GN for each day of the month. So 31 in total!
I'll keep a running total in the review of each GN as I read them to help me keep track and for anyone following to see where I am at as well!
GN #1: Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies ★★★★
GN #2: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One ★★★★
GN #3: Wonder Woman, Volume 3: The Truth ★★★
GN #4: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal ★★★★
GN #5: Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault ★
GN #6: Suicide Squad, Volume 2: Going Sane ★★★
GN #7: Generation Zero, Volume 1: We Are the Future ★★★★★
GN #8: Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends ★★★★
GN #9: SLAM! Vol. 1 ★★★★
GN #10: Alex + Ada, Vol. 1 ★★★★
GN #11: Beautiful Darkness ★★★★
GN #12: Through the Woods ★★★★
GN #13: Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening ★★
GN #14: Friends With Boys ★★★
GN #15: Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery ★★★★★
GN #16: Rat Queens, Vol. 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth ★★★★★
GN #17: Giant Days, Vol. 1 ★★★★
GN #18: Paper Girls, Vol. 1 ★★
GN #19: Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future ★★★★
GN #20: Morning Glories, Vol. 2: All Will Be Free ★★★★★
GN #21: Archie, Vol. 1: The New Riverdale ★★★★
GN #22: Nimona ★★★★★
GN #23: Giant Days, Vol. 2 ★★★★★
GN #24: Alex + Ada, Vol. 2 ★★★★★
GN #25: Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy ★★★★★
GN #26: Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley ★★
I WANT MORE IVY.
I felt really cheated by the end of this to be honest.
___
│Blog│Instagram│Twitter│Tumblr│
June 28, 2017
This volume is CRAZY! If I have only one word to describe it, crazy would be the one. Frantic would be the second. Crazy good or crazy bad? Well, I would say Crazy Harley! The whole craziness is the epitome of Vol. 2. Honestly, the comic in itself portrays Harley’s style. Indeed, the work is well thought from writing to art.
Starting from the cover: it is very pretty. There are some grids which are just beautiful and don’t get me started on the splashes! The one with Harley drinking soda and eating popcorn: I LOVE IT!! The colors are perfect, the details of the penciler are very good. The colors are balanced, Alex Sinclair and Andrew Robinson did a wonderful job there. I will come back to it in more details at the end of this review. In a nutshell, because I can go on and on about art in comics, it is gorgeous! I really love when comics are colorful. There is a sense of details which is really good, I would cite the balloons for Red Tool, so cool. The page layouts are sometimes complex which support perfectly the state of mind of Harley: The woman is MAD! There is explosion of colors and madness everywhere: I love it!!
Now about the writing, well it goes the same way. It is borderline as hell! To give you an example my dear reader, it goes in EVERY direction but strangely it feels right. If you are looking for a funny read, you have the good series. It is fun, carefree and so enjoyable. The storytelling explores many options; you are in for a treat with Harley jumping in a mad remake of the Wizard of Oz! I won’t say another word and let you see it by yourself! My only wish, curiously, would have been to embrace the craziness further in the artwork style. Indeed, if the artists had opted for some breaking the border, it would have been a perfect improvement suiting Harvey’s character and tone of this volume.
It is on that note that I will finish with a special mention for the colorists! I am amazed by how the ink work creates a balance of colors on every grid of the volume. The color choices (dark and pastel) blends together. In fact, they don’t overshadow but they respectively highlight each other. It conveys a good mood and humor. The colors work together to create a wonderful ensemble. As you can see, I am under the spell of their work!
To sum up, it is a good comics! And for once Harley is not over sexualized, and the canon: hell yes! I had a lot of fun reading this. Oh, if you like Harley and her costume outfits, well you have a winner with this volume.
Received an advance copy from DC and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
Starting from the cover: it is very pretty. There are some grids which are just beautiful and don’t get me started on the splashes! The one with Harley drinking soda and eating popcorn: I LOVE IT!! The colors are perfect, the details of the penciler are very good. The colors are balanced, Alex Sinclair and Andrew Robinson did a wonderful job there. I will come back to it in more details at the end of this review. In a nutshell, because I can go on and on about art in comics, it is gorgeous! I really love when comics are colorful. There is a sense of details which is really good, I would cite the balloons for Red Tool, so cool. The page layouts are sometimes complex which support perfectly the state of mind of Harley: The woman is MAD! There is explosion of colors and madness everywhere: I love it!!
Now about the writing, well it goes the same way. It is borderline as hell! To give you an example my dear reader, it goes in EVERY direction but strangely it feels right. If you are looking for a funny read, you have the good series. It is fun, carefree and so enjoyable. The storytelling explores many options; you are in for a treat with Harley jumping in a mad remake of the Wizard of Oz! I won’t say another word and let you see it by yourself! My only wish, curiously, would have been to embrace the craziness further in the artwork style. Indeed, if the artists had opted for some breaking the border, it would have been a perfect improvement suiting Harvey’s character and tone of this volume.
It is on that note that I will finish with a special mention for the colorists! I am amazed by how the ink work creates a balance of colors on every grid of the volume. The color choices (dark and pastel) blends together. In fact, they don’t overshadow but they respectively highlight each other. It conveys a good mood and humor. The colors work together to create a wonderful ensemble. As you can see, I am under the spell of their work!
To sum up, it is a good comics! And for once Harley is not over sexualized, and the canon: hell yes! I had a lot of fun reading this. Oh, if you like Harley and her costume outfits, well you have a winner with this volume.
Received an advance copy from DC and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
June 27, 2017
ARC REVIEW
Story: Harley is having some issues, she has been dreaming really weird dreams and a friend suggests taking a vacation. So Harley and Poison Ivy take off to the Bahamas for a week but after a week Harley doesn’t feel any better she kind of feels worse because Ivy is still picking her cause over Harley not to mention the weird things Harley has been getting in the mail that are supposedly coming from the Joker. Wanting to vent her frustrations Harley goes back to the Roller Derby. Once there she learns someone who she previously wiped the rink with, Big Bertha, is back and out for vengeance and is in the process of kicking Harley’s butt when someone shoots Big Bertha in the head. Harley gets back to her place only to find The Joker sitting in her living room. Flabbergasted she kicks him out but only after she agrees to meet him again tomorrow on the boardwalk. Until then Harley is still restless so Red Tool and her go to the underground tunnels where they previously found a room of doors, one in particular caught her fancy, it’s all chained up. After Red Tool and Harley find what was in there and kick it butt, or should I say blow it the fuck up, Harley goes to bed to catch some much needed sleep. In Red Tools misguided need to protect Harley he sets her clock back so he can meet the Joker and deal with him himself.
Art: It’s so funny how long Harley’s hair grows in the span of one comic to the other. It was short Mohawk for her Punk Rocker undercover gig and her and Ivy’s vacation and in the next one it’s back to the long length again. The art is what I have come to expect with a Harley comic humorous and graphic. Very well done.
Characters: Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Red Tool, Frankie, The Joker, Eggy, Sy and Zena Borgman, Summer Daze, Sky Scrapper, Big Bertha and the whole Quinn crew.
Review: This was a real emotional story for Harley between her feelings for Ivy and the Joker she feels like she has so many unresolved issues and is pretty stagnate where she is in her life right now. The appearance of the Joker throws her off her game even more. Harley isn’t quite Harley in these issues she’s depressed and angry and the Joker seems to be the right outlet. As sad as this was it kept with the silly and morbid humor. The Christmas special at the end was perfect Christmas special cheese, very funny.
Story: Harley is having some issues, she has been dreaming really weird dreams and a friend suggests taking a vacation. So Harley and Poison Ivy take off to the Bahamas for a week but after a week Harley doesn’t feel any better she kind of feels worse because Ivy is still picking her cause over Harley not to mention the weird things Harley has been getting in the mail that are supposedly coming from the Joker. Wanting to vent her frustrations Harley goes back to the Roller Derby. Once there she learns someone who she previously wiped the rink with, Big Bertha, is back and out for vengeance and is in the process of kicking Harley’s butt when someone shoots Big Bertha in the head. Harley gets back to her place only to find The Joker sitting in her living room. Flabbergasted she kicks him out but only after she agrees to meet him again tomorrow on the boardwalk. Until then Harley is still restless so Red Tool and her go to the underground tunnels where they previously found a room of doors, one in particular caught her fancy, it’s all chained up. After Red Tool and Harley find what was in there and kick it butt, or should I say blow it the fuck up, Harley goes to bed to catch some much needed sleep. In Red Tools misguided need to protect Harley he sets her clock back so he can meet the Joker and deal with him himself.
Art: It’s so funny how long Harley’s hair grows in the span of one comic to the other. It was short Mohawk for her Punk Rocker undercover gig and her and Ivy’s vacation and in the next one it’s back to the long length again. The art is what I have come to expect with a Harley comic humorous and graphic. Very well done.
Characters: Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Red Tool, Frankie, The Joker, Eggy, Sy and Zena Borgman, Summer Daze, Sky Scrapper, Big Bertha and the whole Quinn crew.
Review: This was a real emotional story for Harley between her feelings for Ivy and the Joker she feels like she has so many unresolved issues and is pretty stagnate where she is in her life right now. The appearance of the Joker throws her off her game even more. Harley isn’t quite Harley in these issues she’s depressed and angry and the Joker seems to be the right outlet. As sad as this was it kept with the silly and morbid humor. The Christmas special at the end was perfect Christmas special cheese, very funny.
June 28, 2017
***** I got a digital copy of this from DC through Netgalley.
I never read the first volume of this series when it came out. Hell, I never even got around to reading any of the New 52 Harley Quinn books. I love the character. I've been a fan since she was introduced onto Batman: The Animated Series. She's great in games in Batman: Arkham Asylum. I enjoyed Margot Robbie's performance as Harley in Suicide Squad last year. I like her in just about everything except for her own comics. From what little experience I have with Harley Quinn comics, I've never seen any substance in any of them. They've all been easily forgettable as soon as you closed the book. I gave this one a shot to see if anything has changed.
Since I haven't been keeping up with the Harley books, I had no idea who the character was that Harley was talking to as the book opened. It seems like the story must pick up with a conversation that was started in the previous volume. I have no idea why that seemed like a good way to start a book. Anyway, Harley tells the guy about a dream she had, and the guy tells Harley she needs a little getaway. Next thing we know Harley and Poison Ivy are getting off a plane on a tropical island where they're staying at a resort. There are a couple of things that Harley speaks about that tie into the larger story arc later in the book, but this was mostly a disposable single issue story that didn't accomplish much.
The next issue starts off with Harley describing another dream to the same person she was talking to last issue. This dream is a an homage to The Wizard of Oz. Batman is the witch that the house lands on. Joker is the Wizard. Just as the story is getting started, Harley jumps right to them arriving at the Emerald City. The guy she's telling the story to is like, "did you skip over something?" Harley tells him that part of the dream is none of his business. I was just starting to get into having a whole issue revolve around Harley in a twisted version of The Wizard of Oz when it abruptly ends. The only thing even remotely interesting in the book to this point just gets dropped before Harley decides to go participate in Roller Derby. Other than a shadowed figure (that is clearly Joker to anyone who has ever read DC comics) who shoots someone at Roller Derby, this issue is pretty disposable as well.
The next issue starts the meat of the book. We get a story that unfolds over the next 3 issues with Joker showing up to see Harley announcing that he has changed. Joker is really out of character here and it threw me off when I was reading it. Writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti made it work in the end, but I was beginning to have my doubts about my decision to read this book. Harley's friend Red Tool isn't happy about Joker being back around. He tries to take things into his own hands to get Joker to leave Harley alone before Harley kicks him to the curb and handles things her own way.
The final issue is a standalone issue that is about Harley and Red Tool going to a department store to see Santa. I'm not a big fan of standalone issue because mostly they all turn out to be meaningless garbage to fill up space before the next arc starts. This one, however, is better than anything else in the book and the only issue that the book worth reading.
I've read a couple of things from Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner that I've enjoyed, but most of their work is underwhelming to me. I understand that Harley is supposed to be a funny/goofy character, but these 2 go overboard with the silliness at times. The bad part is that the writers have a few touching moments in the book like when Harley is talking to a homeless man and seeing how hard things are on him. If the writers gave us more moments like that and less useless dream sequences, this could be a great series. Otherwise, I think it's time Palmiotti and Conner passed the torch on to someone else because Harley Quinn is a much better character than what they're writing. The writing gets 2.5 stars.
The art for this one is all over the place. The book collects 6 issues. There are 9 artists on the book. Really? It takes 9 guys to produce art for 6 issues? All of the issues in the book have numerous artists on them except for the 3rd issue. John Timms draws that issue alone. The rest have dream sequences or flashbacks that are drawn by someone else. The result is jarring when reading the book. Most of the artists have some good looking art, but the contrast in styles from one portion to the next decreased my overall enjoyment of the read.
The first issue with Harley and Ivy at the resort on the island is going for a Austin Powers-like site gag where the intimate body parts are hidden behind various items because they're at a nudist colony. This might work if the characters were attractive, but the artist that drew this portion didn't pull it off and the issue was pretty boring. The best art in the book comes from Joseph Michael Lisner, and he only gets to draw 4 pages in the book. Lisner is known for drawing sext characters. If they wanted sexy looking characters hidden behnd plants and other things at a nudist colony, this is what he should have drawn. Just tell him what you want and let him do his thing. Instead, we get Chad Hardin's half-assed attempt. While I'm talking about Hardin, he used an ugly hairstyle for Harley that nobody else in the book used. It was there for his issue and mysteriously gone the next.
Michael Kaluta draws a dream sequence in the 2nd issue. The art and the story for this dream sequence was so distracting that i had to stop and go back to read what had happened right before this because i became so distracted by what was going on that it completely lost me. The art in this sequence reminded me of the portion of Beavis and Butthead Do America that Rob Zombie drew combined with a bad acid trip. His art and the small portion of the Christmas issue drawn by Inaki Miranda were my least favorite parts of the book. All the artists combined to make the art score 3 stars.
This one isn't great, but it's not the worst of Rebirth so far. The series needs a great full time artist, less dream sequences, and some better writing. With those 3 things this could be one of the best comics published overall, not just for DC. The series also needs to line up with the things that are going on in books like Suicide Squad so that it feels more in continuity with the rest of the books out there. Palmiotti and Conner have overstayed their welcome and need to move on to something else. You may enjoy this if you're a die hard Harley fan, but I'd still have a hard time being the one that recommended it to you. If you're a fan of Harley in other comics and other mediums, but you've never read any of her solo books, find something else because this isn't the Harley you're looking for. Overall rating is 2.75 stars.
I never read the first volume of this series when it came out. Hell, I never even got around to reading any of the New 52 Harley Quinn books. I love the character. I've been a fan since she was introduced onto Batman: The Animated Series. She's great in games in Batman: Arkham Asylum. I enjoyed Margot Robbie's performance as Harley in Suicide Squad last year. I like her in just about everything except for her own comics. From what little experience I have with Harley Quinn comics, I've never seen any substance in any of them. They've all been easily forgettable as soon as you closed the book. I gave this one a shot to see if anything has changed.
Since I haven't been keeping up with the Harley books, I had no idea who the character was that Harley was talking to as the book opened. It seems like the story must pick up with a conversation that was started in the previous volume. I have no idea why that seemed like a good way to start a book. Anyway, Harley tells the guy about a dream she had, and the guy tells Harley she needs a little getaway. Next thing we know Harley and Poison Ivy are getting off a plane on a tropical island where they're staying at a resort. There are a couple of things that Harley speaks about that tie into the larger story arc later in the book, but this was mostly a disposable single issue story that didn't accomplish much.
The next issue starts off with Harley describing another dream to the same person she was talking to last issue. This dream is a an homage to The Wizard of Oz. Batman is the witch that the house lands on. Joker is the Wizard. Just as the story is getting started, Harley jumps right to them arriving at the Emerald City. The guy she's telling the story to is like, "did you skip over something?" Harley tells him that part of the dream is none of his business. I was just starting to get into having a whole issue revolve around Harley in a twisted version of The Wizard of Oz when it abruptly ends. The only thing even remotely interesting in the book to this point just gets dropped before Harley decides to go participate in Roller Derby. Other than a shadowed figure (that is clearly Joker to anyone who has ever read DC comics) who shoots someone at Roller Derby, this issue is pretty disposable as well.
The next issue starts the meat of the book. We get a story that unfolds over the next 3 issues with Joker showing up to see Harley announcing that he has changed. Joker is really out of character here and it threw me off when I was reading it. Writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti made it work in the end, but I was beginning to have my doubts about my decision to read this book. Harley's friend Red Tool isn't happy about Joker being back around. He tries to take things into his own hands to get Joker to leave Harley alone before Harley kicks him to the curb and handles things her own way.
The final issue is a standalone issue that is about Harley and Red Tool going to a department store to see Santa. I'm not a big fan of standalone issue because mostly they all turn out to be meaningless garbage to fill up space before the next arc starts. This one, however, is better than anything else in the book and the only issue that the book worth reading.
I've read a couple of things from Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner that I've enjoyed, but most of their work is underwhelming to me. I understand that Harley is supposed to be a funny/goofy character, but these 2 go overboard with the silliness at times. The bad part is that the writers have a few touching moments in the book like when Harley is talking to a homeless man and seeing how hard things are on him. If the writers gave us more moments like that and less useless dream sequences, this could be a great series. Otherwise, I think it's time Palmiotti and Conner passed the torch on to someone else because Harley Quinn is a much better character than what they're writing. The writing gets 2.5 stars.
The art for this one is all over the place. The book collects 6 issues. There are 9 artists on the book. Really? It takes 9 guys to produce art for 6 issues? All of the issues in the book have numerous artists on them except for the 3rd issue. John Timms draws that issue alone. The rest have dream sequences or flashbacks that are drawn by someone else. The result is jarring when reading the book. Most of the artists have some good looking art, but the contrast in styles from one portion to the next decreased my overall enjoyment of the read.
The first issue with Harley and Ivy at the resort on the island is going for a Austin Powers-like site gag where the intimate body parts are hidden behind various items because they're at a nudist colony. This might work if the characters were attractive, but the artist that drew this portion didn't pull it off and the issue was pretty boring. The best art in the book comes from Joseph Michael Lisner, and he only gets to draw 4 pages in the book. Lisner is known for drawing sext characters. If they wanted sexy looking characters hidden behnd plants and other things at a nudist colony, this is what he should have drawn. Just tell him what you want and let him do his thing. Instead, we get Chad Hardin's half-assed attempt. While I'm talking about Hardin, he used an ugly hairstyle for Harley that nobody else in the book used. It was there for his issue and mysteriously gone the next.
Michael Kaluta draws a dream sequence in the 2nd issue. The art and the story for this dream sequence was so distracting that i had to stop and go back to read what had happened right before this because i became so distracted by what was going on that it completely lost me. The art in this sequence reminded me of the portion of Beavis and Butthead Do America that Rob Zombie drew combined with a bad acid trip. His art and the small portion of the Christmas issue drawn by Inaki Miranda were my least favorite parts of the book. All the artists combined to make the art score 3 stars.
This one isn't great, but it's not the worst of Rebirth so far. The series needs a great full time artist, less dream sequences, and some better writing. With those 3 things this could be one of the best comics published overall, not just for DC. The series also needs to line up with the things that are going on in books like Suicide Squad so that it feels more in continuity with the rest of the books out there. Palmiotti and Conner have overstayed their welcome and need to move on to something else. You may enjoy this if you're a die hard Harley fan, but I'd still have a hard time being the one that recommended it to you. If you're a fan of Harley in other comics and other mediums, but you've never read any of her solo books, find something else because this isn't the Harley you're looking for. Overall rating is 2.75 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews