Review: Harley Quinn – Harley Loves Joker #1 (of 2)
There is a popular meme featuring Harley and the Joker doing the rounds on Facebook which states something like “I want a relationship like these two”.  The tag at the end states how dysfunctional and harmful the relationship is to Harley. Reading this book, I have the same sort of feelings as the above punchline; why do I put myself through this sort of book?
This book starts with some nonsense with a loved up Harley looking for way out of the $3 million burden she has landed herself in. Her immediate plan falls through, though with the help of the Penguin, steps are taken to get some cash as well as perhaps catch whomever has been causing the pair some grief. During the issue, we get another unbeknownst extract of Harley’s origin, though it probably has more to do with her “babies”.
The book is written by Harley co-creator Paul Dini, who has quite a reputation with his bat books and, at times, his taste for the zany. This then should be a perfect book for him, right? For me, I feel that the book tries too hard to be madcap and a tad crazy to the detriment of actually being funny. Things for Harley just kind of happen, with no rhyme or reason. Take for example the way her robbery goes south; it just so happens she is trying to rob the same place as the people she owes money too? I get the need to make her desperate in some way to drive her following actions, but the coincidence is a step too far for me. Then there is the Joker. It’s obviously not the Joker that we see in Metals and the Batman books, in much the same way this isn’t the same Harley as in her own recent Batman appearance, her status in the Suicide Squad notwithstanding. The book doesn’t even read like a B:TAS episode. As such, I am kind of lost to the actual intent of this book.
The art is supplied by Brett Blevins in a style that, quite frankly, surprises me. Blevins’ art in the past has been, for the most part, more of a square-jawed kind of take on superheroes. There is a sort of fluidity on show which tries hard to give the book a visual slapstick style which readers of the regular Harley book (of which I am not) should find enjoyable.  The colors by Alex Sinclair are bright and dayglow which attempts to show the lighter tone of the book.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I saw this book. More than a few people love Harley; I am unfortunately not one of them. Bar a could have great episodes of B:TAS, I still see her as just a gangsters moll. But hey, it’s an “each to their own” kind of world, so if you have been reading the regular book, this little two-part mini could be right up your street.
Writing – 2.5 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors – 3 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Paul Dini
Art by; Brett Blevins
Colors by: Alex Sinclair
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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