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The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley
Harleen Quinzel is many things, a gymnast, anxious, broke…but the last thing anyone would call her is evil. Harley Quinn on the other hand…
“Good and evil are so close as to be chained together in the soul.”
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Harleen Quinzel is many things, a gymnast, anxious, broke…but the last thing anyone would call her is evil. Harley Quinn on the other hand…
When Harleen signs up to participate in a clinical research trial with her girlfriend, Pamela, the most she can hope for is extra cash in her wallet and a chance to get her anxiety under control. But what she gets instead are increasingly larger gaps in her memory and stolen mementos from some guy named Jack she’s never met. Soon, Harleen discovers she’s sharing her life with Harley—a take-no-prisoners, who-cares-about attendance, maybe-we-oughtta-save-the-bunnies kind of girl. She is the opposite of Harleen in many ways. She is anarchy in a cute dress. And although she’s throwing Harleen’s life completely off track, maybe she ain’t so bad either…
New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Lovely , Melissa Marr, teams up with celebrated artist Jenn St-Onge to tell the story of a girl who will learn good and evil are not black and white (and red)…as long as she doesn’t get caught.
“Good and evil are so close as to be chained together in the soul.”
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Harleen Quinzel is many things, a gymnast, anxious, broke…but the last thing anyone would call her is evil. Harley Quinn on the other hand…
When Harleen signs up to participate in a clinical research trial with her girlfriend, Pamela, the most she can hope for is extra cash in her wallet and a chance to get her anxiety under control. But what she gets instead are increasingly larger gaps in her memory and stolen mementos from some guy named Jack she’s never met. Soon, Harleen discovers she’s sharing her life with Harley—a take-no-prisoners, who-cares-about attendance, maybe-we-oughtta-save-the-bunnies kind of girl. She is the opposite of Harleen in many ways. She is anarchy in a cute dress. And although she’s throwing Harleen’s life completely off track, maybe she ain’t so bad either…
New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Lovely , Melissa Marr, teams up with celebrated artist Jenn St-Onge to tell the story of a girl who will learn good and evil are not black and white (and red)…as long as she doesn’t get caught.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2024
19 people are currently reading
1033 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
107 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
November 22, 2024
The elevator pitch: Harley Quinn's secret origin is retold as a variation on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror. Along with her girlfriend, Pamela Isley, teenage Harleen Quinzel uses a fake ID to enter an experimental drug trial for cash so she can afford gymnastics lessons again. The drugs start having different results in the girls, but the side effects prove useful in straightening out the problems in their lives as anxious Harleen develops a little case of dissociative identity disorder, gaining an outgoing alter willing to do whatever it takes to stay with her "Ivy," even working with the criminal, Jack Napier.
It's an interesting concept, but I'm tired of seeing all these Elseworlds or "Imaginary Story" reboots of DC's main characters from its different imprints. They increasingly feel less like fresh perspectives and more like a false starts.
It's an interesting concept, but I'm tired of seeing all these Elseworlds or "Imaginary Story" reboots of DC's main characters from its different imprints. They increasingly feel less like fresh perspectives and more like a false starts.
December 17, 2024
God I love gay women <3
October 25, 2024
A retelling of Harley's origin story, set when she's a teen and dating Ivy. So... I liked the relationship between Harleen/Harley and Pamela/Ivy. But there are some deeply morally questionable choices in the storytelling that feels especially weird in a book aimed at a teen audience. There's a distinct pattern of glossing over the serious crimes of the men and boys around her. Harleen's adorable father isn't just involved in the mafia, he's a fixer. And he involves his teen son on his "jobs". To be clear, although the text never outright acknowledges this, this means that they're both involved in hardcore criminal activities, up to and likely including murder. This is fine. Harley has a strangely warm friendship with Jack Napier (Joker) which also ignores that he has the sort of serious mob connections that means he can easily get her high explosives. This is fine. Harleen's ex-boyfriend killed multiple teen girls (I don't believe the number is ever stated in text) because they were mean to her. This is also basically fine. Harleen's only issue seems to be that she got implicated in the murders despite not actually being involved. I don't mind a morally bankrupt character in fiction, except when the text ignores that she is morally bankrupt.
Look, the art is cute, the story can be fun, but I really struggle with getting past that at the heart of it, the main character doesn't actually care what anyone in her life does or who they hurt, as long as it isn't her. More to the point, that the text never engages with that level of selfishness.
Look, the art is cute, the story can be fun, but I really struggle with getting past that at the heart of it, the main character doesn't actually care what anyone in her life does or who they hurt, as long as it isn't her. More to the point, that the text never engages with that level of selfishness.
March 7, 2025
I went into this with very low expectations, since neither my friend who lent me this or my dad particularly enjoyed it, but I really loved it!!! It worked really well for me!!!
First of all, I LOVE stories that start in media res, it will always be one of my favorite storytelling practices, I like that catching up you do after and building a story from there, and I also adore getting to see Harley and Pam in a committed relationship!!!
Secondly, I really love this one as an origins story, to have Pam and Harley together in this endeavor, and it was interesting to mend Harley with this classic story, but I do not think it went further enough with that, you can read this completely ignoring the classic.
Thirdly, I LOVE the family in this, especially Harley's, creating this background for her makes sense, but I love that in all of this, they all love each other so much - there's a ride-or-die mentality here, which fits Harley story so much!!! The little nods to the larger world and other characters was also really well done - never overstepping what is a Harley and Poison Ivy story at its core!!!
Finally, I really LIKE the art style, and the slight differences in the girls when they're in their different personalities (and I wish the text didn't make it as obvious).
This was really GOOD and so much fun!!! I really LOVED this, and I would definitely recommend for a fun time!!!
First of all, I LOVE stories that start in media res, it will always be one of my favorite storytelling practices, I like that catching up you do after and building a story from there, and I also adore getting to see Harley and Pam in a committed relationship!!!
Secondly, I really love this one as an origins story, to have Pam and Harley together in this endeavor, and it was interesting to mend Harley with this classic story, but I do not think it went further enough with that, you can read this completely ignoring the classic.
Thirdly, I LOVE the family in this, especially Harley's, creating this background for her makes sense, but I love that in all of this, they all love each other so much - there's a ride-or-die mentality here, which fits Harley story so much!!! The little nods to the larger world and other characters was also really well done - never overstepping what is a Harley and Poison Ivy story at its core!!!
Finally, I really LIKE the art style, and the slight differences in the girls when they're in their different personalities (and I wish the text didn't make it as obvious).
This was really GOOD and so much fun!!! I really LOVED this, and I would definitely recommend for a fun time!!!
November 25, 2024
“No one threatens the people I love. Harley or Harleen, I’m always a Quinzel.”
The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley is a reimagining of Harley Quinn's origin story, based on the classic horror novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Harleen - broke, on parole and desperate for a way to make money so she can chase her dreams of gymnastics and college - signs up for a shady medical trial with her girlfriend, Pamela. Quickly, she realises something is wrong: she has gaps in her memory and it seems like a whole new side of her is taking control. What did the medicine do to her? Did it do something to Ivy? And who is behind these drug tests?
I had no idea this book existed and found it randomly once at a comic book store. When I realised what the story is - a DC retelling of Jekyll and Hyde and a story of Harley and Ivy's origins and of the two of them as a couple - I immediately got it. I am happy I did, cause this was a really fun comic. The art is super good and adorable (I loved the designs for both main characters and I think the art just really complimented the vibes of the story), and the story itself is really exciting, especially as someone who loves the original Jekyll and Hyde book and Harley as a character. I also liked how this book does something completely new with Harley's story while also paying homage to some of its classic beats: Harley is a gymnast, she dreams of helping criminals rehabilitate and Joker plays a role in her story, albeit a very different one. I liked what Marr did with Jack Napier. I waited So if you don't mind an altered version of the birth of Harley Quinn the vigilante and criminal, do pick this book up because it is super fun and clever.
Harleen and Harley were both really fun characters. Harleen suffers from severe bouts of anxiety and her life has been a bit of a mess ever since her boyfriend killed some girls Harley said were bullying her. Her mom uprooted their family, moved out of Gotham and ever since Harley has felt tons of guilt but also felt suffocated by her family, whom she fears blame her for what Bernie did. She is a cutie pie and someone who just wants to follow her dreams of college and psychiatry and be with Pamela. Harley, who is unleashed by these drug experiments, is, as expected, a wildcard, someone with very little impulse control and a yearning for adventure. I like how these two personalities mirrored the Jekyll and Hyde characters, albeit Harley is nowhere near as dangerous as Hyde. Seeing the two sides of this one young woman It's a fun dynamic, but also, I felt bad for Harleen cause she was, for the longest time, quite weirded out and scared about what is happening to her, understandably. Who wouldn't be scared if they woke up with bloody shoes, hazy memories of getting in a fight and stolen wallets on their person? I was honestly
Pamela, or Ivy, was another character I really liked. She is going through a lot, just like Harley, even if she has many privileges Harley's neve had (Ivy is very rich and thus she has a lot more opportunities). I liked seeing Pamela slowly open up to her girlfriend about her father's abuse as well as seeing Harley/Harleen react to this knowledge with empathy, support and love. Their relationship in this comic is just super wholesome, and I love how ride-or-die they are for each other, ready to stick by each other no matter what. Even when Harley appears, Ivy is there for her, loving both sides of this fantastic, complex woman she is dating. I also, as always, loved Ivy's fiery passion to protect innocent animals and nature, and how seeing this fire and drive in her inspired Harleen: “Sometimes I wish I had a cause like Pamela does. My only causes are the people I love.” This quote was really good, as it rings true in many stories about the two of them. Poison Ivy is driven by a mission to save the planet and she is defined by her cause. When you think of her character, you think of plant powers and her eco-warrior persona. But Harley? When you think of her, you think of her passion for the people she loves, whether it be Joker or Harley or her friends. She is a people-person. Other characters I liked were, as I already mentioned, Jack Napier and Harley's parents. Her dad is a shady guy, but a loving father and I loved how he ends up helping Harley and Ivy. Harley's mother is more difficult, someone I didn't always agree with at all – I think she treated Harley unfairly and blamed her too much for what Bernie did – but when things got serious, she had her right in the heart place. I loved her I hoped the comic would've given her and Harleen a bit more closure, but it didn't bother me too much.
This comic dealt with some darker themes - child abuse, medical exploitation, poverty and what it's like to live with shame and regret - but it was, from beginning to end, hopeful. Harley might be having a super hard time, but she has Pamela, someone she can trust and be open with. Both their stories are about them being hurt but getting back up and getting back at those who have hurt them or taken advantage of them, finding their power and taking the harm done to them and making it their own, a weapon to defend themselves and those they love. Ivy and Harley have always been characters who tiptoe the porous line between good and evil, and they do so in this comic too. They do criminal things but for good reasons. I also liked how this book approached Harleen's desire to help imprisoned people. She sees the humanity in everyone, even those who have committed crimes, which is not that common, since she knows how poorly prisoners are often treated and how prisons thrive on dehumanisation. Harleen's empathy has always been a key aspect of her and I liked how this book paid homage to it, showing us her visiting her killer ex, being furious when seeing how convicts are not even allowed to hold hands with their loved ones during visits and even starting a lil riot against the prison guards. You can see the seeds that will, eventually, drive her to become Dr. Quinzel, psychiatrist focused on treatment of the criminally insane.
I would happily recommend this comic to any fans of Harley and Ivy (or Harlivy - seriously they are SO CUTE in this comic!!!!) or people looking for a standalone retelling of Harley's origin story that does something a bit different with it. Also, if you are a DC and a Robert Louis Stevenson fan like me, definitely check this out!
The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley is a reimagining of Harley Quinn's origin story, based on the classic horror novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Harleen - broke, on parole and desperate for a way to make money so she can chase her dreams of gymnastics and college - signs up for a shady medical trial with her girlfriend, Pamela. Quickly, she realises something is wrong: she has gaps in her memory and it seems like a whole new side of her is taking control. What did the medicine do to her? Did it do something to Ivy? And who is behind these drug tests?
I had no idea this book existed and found it randomly once at a comic book store. When I realised what the story is - a DC retelling of Jekyll and Hyde and a story of Harley and Ivy's origins and of the two of them as a couple - I immediately got it. I am happy I did, cause this was a really fun comic. The art is super good and adorable (I loved the designs for both main characters and I think the art just really complimented the vibes of the story), and the story itself is really exciting, especially as someone who loves the original Jekyll and Hyde book and Harley as a character. I also liked how this book does something completely new with Harley's story while also paying homage to some of its classic beats: Harley is a gymnast, she dreams of helping criminals rehabilitate and Joker plays a role in her story, albeit a very different one. I liked what Marr did with Jack Napier. I waited So if you don't mind an altered version of the birth of Harley Quinn the vigilante and criminal, do pick this book up because it is super fun and clever.
Harleen and Harley were both really fun characters. Harleen suffers from severe bouts of anxiety and her life has been a bit of a mess ever since her boyfriend killed some girls Harley said were bullying her. Her mom uprooted their family, moved out of Gotham and ever since Harley has felt tons of guilt but also felt suffocated by her family, whom she fears blame her for what Bernie did. She is a cutie pie and someone who just wants to follow her dreams of college and psychiatry and be with Pamela. Harley, who is unleashed by these drug experiments, is, as expected, a wildcard, someone with very little impulse control and a yearning for adventure. I like how these two personalities mirrored the Jekyll and Hyde characters, albeit Harley is nowhere near as dangerous as Hyde. Seeing the two sides of this one young woman It's a fun dynamic, but also, I felt bad for Harleen cause she was, for the longest time, quite weirded out and scared about what is happening to her, understandably. Who wouldn't be scared if they woke up with bloody shoes, hazy memories of getting in a fight and stolen wallets on their person? I was honestly
Pamela, or Ivy, was another character I really liked. She is going through a lot, just like Harley, even if she has many privileges Harley's neve had (Ivy is very rich and thus she has a lot more opportunities). I liked seeing Pamela slowly open up to her girlfriend about her father's abuse as well as seeing Harley/Harleen react to this knowledge with empathy, support and love. Their relationship in this comic is just super wholesome, and I love how ride-or-die they are for each other, ready to stick by each other no matter what. Even when Harley appears, Ivy is there for her, loving both sides of this fantastic, complex woman she is dating. I also, as always, loved Ivy's fiery passion to protect innocent animals and nature, and how seeing this fire and drive in her inspired Harleen: “Sometimes I wish I had a cause like Pamela does. My only causes are the people I love.” This quote was really good, as it rings true in many stories about the two of them. Poison Ivy is driven by a mission to save the planet and she is defined by her cause. When you think of her character, you think of plant powers and her eco-warrior persona. But Harley? When you think of her, you think of her passion for the people she loves, whether it be Joker or Harley or her friends. She is a people-person. Other characters I liked were, as I already mentioned, Jack Napier and Harley's parents. Her dad is a shady guy, but a loving father and I loved how he ends up helping Harley and Ivy. Harley's mother is more difficult, someone I didn't always agree with at all – I think she treated Harley unfairly and blamed her too much for what Bernie did – but when things got serious, she had her right in the heart place. I loved her I hoped the comic would've given her and Harleen a bit more closure, but it didn't bother me too much.
This comic dealt with some darker themes - child abuse, medical exploitation, poverty and what it's like to live with shame and regret - but it was, from beginning to end, hopeful. Harley might be having a super hard time, but she has Pamela, someone she can trust and be open with. Both their stories are about them being hurt but getting back up and getting back at those who have hurt them or taken advantage of them, finding their power and taking the harm done to them and making it their own, a weapon to defend themselves and those they love. Ivy and Harley have always been characters who tiptoe the porous line between good and evil, and they do so in this comic too. They do criminal things but for good reasons. I also liked how this book approached Harleen's desire to help imprisoned people. She sees the humanity in everyone, even those who have committed crimes, which is not that common, since she knows how poorly prisoners are often treated and how prisons thrive on dehumanisation. Harleen's empathy has always been a key aspect of her and I liked how this book paid homage to it, showing us her visiting her killer ex, being furious when seeing how convicts are not even allowed to hold hands with their loved ones during visits and even starting a lil riot against the prison guards. You can see the seeds that will, eventually, drive her to become Dr. Quinzel, psychiatrist focused on treatment of the criminally insane.
I would happily recommend this comic to any fans of Harley and Ivy (or Harlivy - seriously they are SO CUTE in this comic!!!!) or people looking for a standalone retelling of Harley's origin story that does something a bit different with it. Also, if you are a DC and a Robert Louis Stevenson fan like me, definitely check this out!
February 28, 2025
gorgeous beautiful art but poor writing
October 5, 2024
The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley by Melissa Marr is a thrilling and beautifully crafted exploration of love and identity. Marr’s vivid storytelling and complex characters draw you in from the very first page, making it impossible to put down. This fresh take on a classic duo is a captivating read that fans of the genre will absolutely adore!
Want to read
June 10, 2023(Recommended by Abby)
August 29, 2024
DC Comics provided an early galley for review.
Since her debut on Batman: The Animated Series in September of 1992, Harley Quinn has been a fan-favorite character and one I enjoy quite a bit. Over three decades, she's been adapted and reinterpreted across many forms of media and even a variety of ways in the comics. I was interested to see what approach this creative team would take with this iconic character.
The approach here recasts Harleen and Pam in teen roles (Marr's wheelhouse as a young adult author), both coming from dysfunctional families. The story takes a sharp turn when Harleen experiences a reaction to the clinical trial, letting her other side out to play. There are quotes from Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde throughout, so that is also a source the creators went to when crafting this story. We also get a reimagined Jack Napier here (he who, in some continuities, is the before-the-Joker identity).
The art by St-Onge is very cute and will definitely appeal to young adult readers. The themes are a bit more mature, so definitely geared more towards young adult to adults.
Overall, the story was okay. While the names and general attributes were there, I felt like these could have been any two teens and all would still have worked out the same. Not enough of the elements of the main character continuity were there for me; in some ways using established names and elements actually distracted me from the story they were telling.
Since her debut on Batman: The Animated Series in September of 1992, Harley Quinn has been a fan-favorite character and one I enjoy quite a bit. Over three decades, she's been adapted and reinterpreted across many forms of media and even a variety of ways in the comics. I was interested to see what approach this creative team would take with this iconic character.
The approach here recasts Harleen and Pam in teen roles (Marr's wheelhouse as a young adult author), both coming from dysfunctional families. The story takes a sharp turn when Harleen experiences a reaction to the clinical trial, letting her other side out to play. There are quotes from Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde throughout, so that is also a source the creators went to when crafting this story. We also get a reimagined Jack Napier here (he who, in some continuities, is the before-the-Joker identity).
The art by St-Onge is very cute and will definitely appeal to young adult readers. The themes are a bit more mature, so definitely geared more towards young adult to adults.
Overall, the story was okay. While the names and general attributes were there, I felt like these could have been any two teens and all would still have worked out the same. Not enough of the elements of the main character continuity were there for me; in some ways using established names and elements actually distracted me from the story they were telling.
August 25, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and DC Comics for the advanced copy.
This is an alternate history story of how Harleen Quinzel and Pamela Isley became Harley and Ivy. And it's kind of goofy.
If the adorable art by Jenn St. Onge and the title don't clue you in, this is also a cutesy retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. At least, it is visually, but the content is decidedly not cutesy. Animal testing, morally bankrupt pharmaceutical companies, the imperfect justice system, mental illness, and domestic violence are just some of the heavy topics that Marr covers in her comic, with varying degrees of finesse... at times the content was delivered in a way that was kind of cringe, honestly, but overall it's not badly done I think.
This one is def for the Harley/Ivy shippers out there btw, as they, and their relationship, are a main focus of the story.
I feel weird ending on 'it's all cute', because the content is quite serious and upsetting, but there is somehow still a lot of cuteness. 3.5 stars.
This is an alternate history story of how Harleen Quinzel and Pamela Isley became Harley and Ivy. And it's kind of goofy.
If the adorable art by Jenn St. Onge and the title don't clue you in, this is also a cutesy retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. At least, it is visually, but the content is decidedly not cutesy. Animal testing, morally bankrupt pharmaceutical companies, the imperfect justice system, mental illness, and domestic violence are just some of the heavy topics that Marr covers in her comic, with varying degrees of finesse... at times the content was delivered in a way that was kind of cringe, honestly, but overall it's not badly done I think.
This one is def for the Harley/Ivy shippers out there btw, as they, and their relationship, are a main focus of the story.
I feel weird ending on 'it's all cute', because the content is quite serious and upsetting, but there is somehow still a lot of cuteness. 3.5 stars.
September 24, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and DC Comics for the advanced readers copy!
So let's start with the good: Jen's art is fantastic, as always, the character designs are fresh and cute, and Harley's Jewish heritage being brought up the way it was was lovely to see!
Now, the bad: Harley is a character I love more than anything, and I feel that separating Harley Quinn from Harleen Quinzel is a disservice to her, and could help perpetuate harmful stereotypes about "multiple personalities". Also, I didn't like seeing Harley and "Jack" have such a tame and mutually beneficial relationship. The Joker has always been an abusive presence in Harley's life, and seeing that portrayed in this way bugged me.
Overall, a quick read with gorgeous art, and, maybe if you care less about the characters than I do, could be a very good time.
2.5
So let's start with the good: Jen's art is fantastic, as always, the character designs are fresh and cute, and Harley's Jewish heritage being brought up the way it was was lovely to see!
Now, the bad: Harley is a character I love more than anything, and I feel that separating Harley Quinn from Harleen Quinzel is a disservice to her, and could help perpetuate harmful stereotypes about "multiple personalities". Also, I didn't like seeing Harley and "Jack" have such a tame and mutually beneficial relationship. The Joker has always been an abusive presence in Harley's life, and seeing that portrayed in this way bugged me.
Overall, a quick read with gorgeous art, and, maybe if you care less about the characters than I do, could be a very good time.
2.5
October 9, 2024
Tomar como referencia "El extraño caso de Dr. Jekyll y Mr. Hyde" para crear una nueva historia de origen de Harley Quinn me parece una ideaza, no solo porque casa perfectamente con su personalidad sino porque es una forma de modernizar y darle un girito al clásico en formato cómic y mucho más breve.
Maravilloso diseño de personajes, ilustraciones y color.
Maravilloso diseño de personajes, ilustraciones y color.
November 7, 2024
This retelling of the literary classic was a great gay read. The life brought to each character in the book brings a smile to your face and a little bit of mischief too.
Favourite character: Pam
Favourite character: Pam
May 29, 2025
This take on Harley & Ivy origins through the lens of a retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde impressed me. I really liked this take on Harley and Ivy. What I was much less fond of was the depiction of the Joker. I’ve read other DC YA novels before, including Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki and Gotham High by Melissa de la Cruz, both of which depict Joker as a fellow teen. I understand for the sake of the plot they wanted their Joker here to be better connected to the Gotham criminal underworld, but it was extremely off-putting how quickly he takes up friendship with underage Harley, whose father he works with. At another point in the narrative, a point is made to condemn adult men hitting on underage girls, but at the same time multiple people assume Jack is Harley’s boyfriend. While Harley is uncomfortable with that, Jack never seems to be, and despite his approval of Ivy and her relationship with Harley, it still kind of feels like he’s interested in her. I understand that Joker is integral to Harley’s origin, but if we’re telling the story so differently anyway, does he really need to be here? He was the worst part of all of this to me. I don’t like that Harley and Ivy both seem to eventually decide he is trustworthy. He is so clearly not. He also does not confront Harley when she steals from him (letting her keep all that money), gives her a very expensive gift, gives Harley and Ivy alcohol despite knowing they are high school students and facilitates their major crimes. Basically, he has a lot to hold over them in the future, should he ever decide he no longer “likes” “Little Quinzel”. It’s still icky!
May 4, 2025
Fun take on Jekyll and Hyde, but felt a little on the younger side. Really liked the Harley/Pam moments, though!
February 4, 2025
So fun!!! Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy meets Jekkyl and Hyde meets Bonnie and Clyde in this fun reimagining of a DC villains origin story.
September 10, 2024
Love me some Harley and Ivy
October 5, 2024
very weird romanticizing joker/harley while also going oooo gay girlpower?
April 28, 2025
Very fascinating look at the origins of one of DC's most infamous anti-heroines.
As a prequel, it really does set things up nicely. We see several characters, but not too many, start on their paths to who we know they'll become in canon. Additionally, pretty fun to see some of the extended relationships some of these characters had before they met the Bat.
As an adaptation of "the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," doesn't really do much. Sure there are quotes from the classic novel that open up chapters, but it's more cherry-picked to detail the nature of a "dark side." Also kinda telling that Harley (dark) & Harleen (good) have to work together eventually because, hey, IT'S GOTHAM!
Not bad, with a pretty delightful art-style, but ends only ok, with us longtime DC fans knowing that this is not the end of their stories, and canon is going to make these happy people's lives much more miserable.
As a prequel, it really does set things up nicely. We see several characters, but not too many, start on their paths to who we know they'll become in canon. Additionally, pretty fun to see some of the extended relationships some of these characters had before they met the Bat.
As an adaptation of "the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," doesn't really do much. Sure there are quotes from the classic novel that open up chapters, but it's more cherry-picked to detail the nature of a "dark side." Also kinda telling that Harley (dark) & Harleen (good) have to work together eventually because, hey, IT'S GOTHAM!
Not bad, with a pretty delightful art-style, but ends only ok, with us longtime DC fans knowing that this is not the end of their stories, and canon is going to make these happy people's lives much more miserable.
September 13, 2025
"If you reach into the abyss, you deserve to deal with what crawls out."
I've always loved Jekyll and Hyde, and that mixed with my all time favorite crashout queen? Count me in. I love this reimagining, I love everything about this story, even the way Jack Napier/Joker was portrayed.
I wish this was an actual comic series instead of just a stand alone graphic novel, this would FUCK as a series. I want to see how Jack becomes Joker and how him and Harleen meet again. If they do in this story.
October 28, 2024
Love a good graphic novel about Harley.
December 3, 2024
i love how harley always loves ivy and praises the ground she walks on
December 3, 2024
a fun take on harley’s story using jekyll and hyde
worked out really great and the art was beautiful - i love the way they styled the characters
harley/ivy lover supremacy
worked out really great and the art was beautiful - i love the way they styled the characters
harley/ivy lover supremacy
March 31, 2025
I thoroughly enjoy this book. It’s a unique blend of Dr. Jackal, Mr. Hyde, and Harley Quinn, which I find intriguing.
October 20, 2025
my parents would kill me if i suddenly dyed my hair
November 1, 2024
very cute! great reminder to be gay and do crimes.
November 7, 2024
2.5⭐️
Малюнок дуже хороший для такої новели. А сюжет міг би бути кращий.
Малюнок дуже хороший для такої новели. А сюжет міг би бути кращий.
November 1, 2024
TW for abuse. I love the art and it is a very intense story. It really hits the feel of Jekyll and Hyde. It has hard topics, but it doesn't get super graphic. An excellent retelling.
4 stars
4 stars
February 19, 2025
What if an anxiety medicine brings out a whole new you? What would you do? A wonderful new story for Harley Quinn!
Harley Quinn is one of my favourite DC characters and I love how she went from just a baddie to get more and more different backstories. I enjoy each and every one of them that I read and this one is not an exception!
In this one we meet Harleen, a girl who has a criminal family (seriously that dad is so conflicting as he is so kind but we know he is up to some shady shit), is currently in house arrest because her not-so-boyfriend murdered people (and said he did it for her but as we find out all she did was tell him they bullied her) and so she misses her school, her friends, and mostly her gymnastics. We see her struggle with things, especially with how people treat her even though she did nothing wrong, she just wants to get back to gymnastics, and escape everything. I rooted for her and was curious to see how Harley would appear!
Well, a trip to a pharmaceutical facility with her (on/off) girlfriend Pam (aka Poison Ivy) leads to that. Because apparently even if it is shady, these peeps got the cure for Harleen’s anxiety (which rears its head in the worst moments and makes her feel like not herself). However we see that the stuff has some side effects. Namely memory loss, strange lapse of time, and more… but what we as the reader see is that at these moments Harleen is sleeping… Harley is there. Ready to kick some ass. Because where Harleen is shy, introvert, and anxious, Harley is a party and ready to kick some ass. She is the extrovert to Harleen. She is literally everything that Harleen is not. And she has a streak of violence in her. It was interesting to see how at first it is mostly two separate entities and that Harleen struggles with all the effects and Harley just has a good time, but as time continued we saw that they started working together. Harley leaving notes and tried to help out to the point that they were able to summon her ala Bloody Mary style (which at first made me laugh) and Harleen even getting some memories of when Harley taking over (though she still keeps many secrets). I really enjoyed both Harleen and Harley and I just adored how the illustrator showed us clearly who was who. With darker text bubbles, but also a change in eye colour. And of course, we can all see the change just by the vast difference between the two. Even Pam sees it. Though it takes her a while to figure out why Harleen is like this and what Harley is.
Next to all that we also meet a guy who is clearly meant to be a version of the Joker. We see Pam grow into her powers and learn more about the pharmaceutical facility, see some crime happen, read more about Pam and her parents (and how her dad is a scumbag and needs to be get his just dues), and there is so much more. I had a lot of fun reading this one and I flew right through it.
The art, well, it is by one of my favourite illustrators, so that was just perfection! Fantastic to see Harleen/Harley in this style.
Oh, and I loved the little parts between the chapters featuring snippets from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! Which is just perfection given the story/the characters.
I would HIGHLY recommend this one to everyone! This was just so good!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Harley Quinn is one of my favourite DC characters and I love how she went from just a baddie to get more and more different backstories. I enjoy each and every one of them that I read and this one is not an exception!
In this one we meet Harleen, a girl who has a criminal family (seriously that dad is so conflicting as he is so kind but we know he is up to some shady shit), is currently in house arrest because her not-so-boyfriend murdered people (and said he did it for her but as we find out all she did was tell him they bullied her) and so she misses her school, her friends, and mostly her gymnastics. We see her struggle with things, especially with how people treat her even though she did nothing wrong, she just wants to get back to gymnastics, and escape everything. I rooted for her and was curious to see how Harley would appear!
Well, a trip to a pharmaceutical facility with her (on/off) girlfriend Pam (aka Poison Ivy) leads to that. Because apparently even if it is shady, these peeps got the cure for Harleen’s anxiety (which rears its head in the worst moments and makes her feel like not herself). However we see that the stuff has some side effects. Namely memory loss, strange lapse of time, and more… but what we as the reader see is that at these moments Harleen is sleeping… Harley is there. Ready to kick some ass. Because where Harleen is shy, introvert, and anxious, Harley is a party and ready to kick some ass. She is the extrovert to Harleen. She is literally everything that Harleen is not. And she has a streak of violence in her. It was interesting to see how at first it is mostly two separate entities and that Harleen struggles with all the effects and Harley just has a good time, but as time continued we saw that they started working together. Harley leaving notes and tried to help out to the point that they were able to summon her ala Bloody Mary style (which at first made me laugh) and Harleen even getting some memories of when Harley taking over (though she still keeps many secrets). I really enjoyed both Harleen and Harley and I just adored how the illustrator showed us clearly who was who. With darker text bubbles, but also a change in eye colour. And of course, we can all see the change just by the vast difference between the two. Even Pam sees it. Though it takes her a while to figure out why Harleen is like this and what Harley is.
Next to all that we also meet a guy who is clearly meant to be a version of the Joker. We see Pam grow into her powers and learn more about the pharmaceutical facility, see some crime happen, read more about Pam and her parents (and how her dad is a scumbag and needs to be get his just dues), and there is so much more. I had a lot of fun reading this one and I flew right through it.
The art, well, it is by one of my favourite illustrators, so that was just perfection! Fantastic to see Harleen/Harley in this style.
Oh, and I loved the little parts between the chapters featuring snippets from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! Which is just perfection given the story/the characters.
I would HIGHLY recommend this one to everyone! This was just so good!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 23, 2024
A YA graphic novel reimagining of Harley Quinn as Jekyll and Hyde?
Okay, then. Though it has the potential to go horribly wrong quickly.
Thankfully, for the most part it doesn't.
'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley' is an entertaining medical-horror and crime story, and queer AF story.
Seriously, it is a huge Harley and Ivy love story. They're already in an established relationship at the beginning. These bi girls do crimes and save lives together, hopelessly in love, and devoted to each other. They are each other's number one person. It is sweet.
This version of Harley is a smart and shy high schooler, who in an unfortunate, tragic turn of events is put on probation for something she really didn't have anything to do with - her boyfriend at the time murdered mean girls for her. The comic is aware of how fucked up all this is; the system is broken and misogynistic. Her family (where she has an older brother and a younger sister) is poor, broke, bitter, resentful, and full of criminals (i.e. her father) and religious hypocrites and enablers (i.e. her mother), but they stick together and put each other first, so they're fine, I guess (?).
Long story short, Harleen Quinzel's life is a mess. She must be good at all times, and never get involved in any crimes, for any chance of getting a car, a gymnast coach, and a collage scholarship.
Even longer story short, she and her girlfriend Pamela Isley volunteer for sketchy medical experiments in a big corpo lab, mainly for money, and anxiety treatment, and then sneaking in to free the animal test subjects. Pam's side effect: plant and horticultural powers, of course. Harleen's side effect: a split personality, Harley Quinn.
Harley has no inhibitions, and is wild and free. She is all risk and violence, and enacting justice in an unjust world.
Disaster - and also paths towards long-term freedom and taking down corrupt corporations - ensue.
'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley' may be unhinged and chaotic (I don't want to carelessly use the term "schizophrenic" in an ableist way) in its tone, plot beats, pacing, character progression/development, and even dialogue, but maybe that's the point?
The biggest issues for me are that Harleen's mental health crises, including memory loss when she turns into Harley, should have been taken much more seriously; like, Pam should not have been blasé about, and even turned on by, the split personality crisis, either; and Harleen's dysfunctional family situation isn't given the proper time, gravitas and resolution it should have, and it is shrugged off by the end. At least Pam's abusive family situation is taken care of.
The artwork is lovely, and fantastically detailed. Very high standard and effort for a DC YA graphic novel.
A DC YA graphic novel that contains themes of poverty, classism, the corrupt US law and justice system, cruelty in the name of "science", the opportunistic evils of, say, mental health "progression", systematic greed and depravity in our capitalist society ("WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY!" - sorry, couldn't resist), domestic abuse, environmentalism, and surviving bigotry and judgement in said corrupt society.
It knows and presents Harleen as a victim, above everything else. Whether she is Harleen or Harley, she is sick of too much unfairness and evil in her life, and the world. She will see violence and the destruction of establishments as a necessity for survival. She will remain strong, and her future hopeful, thanks to the ceaseless support of her rock, her loved one: Pam, aka Ivy. I don't entirely trust, nor forgive, her family.
So, while the content is far from perfect, and more than a little irritating, I like 'Harleen and Harley'. Like I said, it's an entertaining and interesting Harley Quinn tale, and strangely cute and endearing.
Both Harley's and Ivy's goth girl/bad girl chic outfits are to die for!
DC has really leaned into the Harley and Ivy ship now, and that is a good thing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Harlivy forever.
Plus, the Joker in 'Harleen and Harley', called Jack Napier, is a POC, and cool and sexy as hell. He brings to mind the musical version of 'Beetlejuice' on multiple levels. I have found the sexiest version of the Joker in 'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley', an "edgy" YA comic! Though he is more of an antihero here, and he is definitely not involved with Harley in that way. Because she's with Ivy, and because he's an adult and she's a teenager.
Mental health, domestic abuse, crime, corrupt justice systems, cute fashions and hair, and LBGTQ love, all in 'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley'!
Go check it out, along with 'Poison Ivy: Thorns', 'Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass', 'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour', and 'Harleen' (in that order).
Final Score: 3.5/5
Okay, then. Though it has the potential to go horribly wrong quickly.
Thankfully, for the most part it doesn't.
'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley' is an entertaining medical-horror and crime story, and queer AF story.
Seriously, it is a huge Harley and Ivy love story. They're already in an established relationship at the beginning. These bi girls do crimes and save lives together, hopelessly in love, and devoted to each other. They are each other's number one person. It is sweet.
This version of Harley is a smart and shy high schooler, who in an unfortunate, tragic turn of events is put on probation for something she really didn't have anything to do with - her boyfriend at the time murdered mean girls for her. The comic is aware of how fucked up all this is; the system is broken and misogynistic. Her family (where she has an older brother and a younger sister) is poor, broke, bitter, resentful, and full of criminals (i.e. her father) and religious hypocrites and enablers (i.e. her mother), but they stick together and put each other first, so they're fine, I guess (?).
Long story short, Harleen Quinzel's life is a mess. She must be good at all times, and never get involved in any crimes, for any chance of getting a car, a gymnast coach, and a collage scholarship.
Even longer story short, she and her girlfriend Pamela Isley volunteer for sketchy medical experiments in a big corpo lab, mainly for money, and anxiety treatment, and then sneaking in to free the animal test subjects. Pam's side effect: plant and horticultural powers, of course. Harleen's side effect: a split personality, Harley Quinn.
Harley has no inhibitions, and is wild and free. She is all risk and violence, and enacting justice in an unjust world.
Disaster - and also paths towards long-term freedom and taking down corrupt corporations - ensue.
'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley' may be unhinged and chaotic (I don't want to carelessly use the term "schizophrenic" in an ableist way) in its tone, plot beats, pacing, character progression/development, and even dialogue, but maybe that's the point?
The biggest issues for me are that Harleen's mental health crises, including memory loss when she turns into Harley, should have been taken much more seriously; like, Pam should not have been blasé about, and even turned on by, the split personality crisis, either; and Harleen's dysfunctional family situation isn't given the proper time, gravitas and resolution it should have, and it is shrugged off by the end. At least Pam's abusive family situation is taken care of.
The artwork is lovely, and fantastically detailed. Very high standard and effort for a DC YA graphic novel.
A DC YA graphic novel that contains themes of poverty, classism, the corrupt US law and justice system, cruelty in the name of "science", the opportunistic evils of, say, mental health "progression", systematic greed and depravity in our capitalist society ("WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY!" - sorry, couldn't resist), domestic abuse, environmentalism, and surviving bigotry and judgement in said corrupt society.
It knows and presents Harleen as a victim, above everything else. Whether she is Harleen or Harley, she is sick of too much unfairness and evil in her life, and the world. She will see violence and the destruction of establishments as a necessity for survival. She will remain strong, and her future hopeful, thanks to the ceaseless support of her rock, her loved one: Pam, aka Ivy. I don't entirely trust, nor forgive, her family.
So, while the content is far from perfect, and more than a little irritating, I like 'Harleen and Harley'. Like I said, it's an entertaining and interesting Harley Quinn tale, and strangely cute and endearing.
Both Harley's and Ivy's goth girl/bad girl chic outfits are to die for!
DC has really leaned into the Harley and Ivy ship now, and that is a good thing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Harlivy forever.
Plus, the Joker in 'Harleen and Harley', called Jack Napier, is a POC, and cool and sexy as hell. He brings to mind the musical version of 'Beetlejuice' on multiple levels. I have found the sexiest version of the Joker in 'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley', an "edgy" YA comic! Though he is more of an antihero here, and he is definitely not involved with Harley in that way. Because she's with Ivy, and because he's an adult and she's a teenager.
Mental health, domestic abuse, crime, corrupt justice systems, cute fashions and hair, and LBGTQ love, all in 'The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley'!
Go check it out, along with 'Poison Ivy: Thorns', 'Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass', 'Harley Quinn: The Animated Series, Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour', and 'Harleen' (in that order).
Final Score: 3.5/5
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