Harley Quinn is again in Gotham for good! No, actually, she’s leaving the Joker and her outdated life behind and attempting to do good.
“Making an attempt” being the operative phrase.
Her ongoing solo sequence relaunched in 2021 after the occasions of “The Joker Battle,” which left Gotham Metropolis feeling extra unstable than ever. Can Harley Quinn assist repair town when her outdated mates had been those who shattered it?
The primary quantity of Harley Quinn from Stephanie Phillips and Riley Rossmo is a colorfully chaotic assortment of Harley’s efforts to show over a brand new leaf. And contemplating that the quantity concludes with a one-issue journey with Catwoman that shouldn’t be missed, I’d say that Harley Quinn Vol. 1: No Good Deed is the purr-fect weekend binge. (That’s the one pun in right here, I promise.)
The Premise:
Gotham Metropolis is in shambles after the Joker, Punchline and their legion of loyal clowns ran rampant within the streets in the course of the Joker’s struggle on Batman. They left solely destruction of their wake. The Joker was finally defeated, however Batman can nonetheless use all the assistance he can get to maintain the peace—even when which means teaming up with one Dr. Harleen Quinzel. Effectively, she thinks they’re teaming up. He’s principally simply tolerating her.
When Dr. Hugo Unusual is appointed by the mayor to go up Gotham’s rehabilitation efforts, Harley is aware of there’s one thing shady occurring. However can a former baddie ever be trusted to be one of many good guys?
Let’s Discuss Expertise:
Stephanie Phillips has written Harley Quinn tie-ins and one-shots alongside Harley’s solo sequence and penned two sensational problems with Sensational Surprise Girl that led to an extended Surprise Girl miniseries, Surprise Girl: Evolution. Her inventive cohort in crime, Riley Rossmo, re-designed Harley Quinn’s costume for this sequence with a well-balanced mix of her basic and cinematic appears. His riotous type, which appears to defy the legal guidelines of gravity (and presumably the legal guidelines of Gotham), lends itself completely to Harley Quinn as a personality. Rossmo, a veteran artist for DC, is at present engaged on the brand new Tim Drake: Robin solo sequence.
A bonus comedian within the assortment, “New Roots” from Batman: City Legends #1, is a narrative from Stephanie Phillips and Laura Braga that takes place previous to the primary story. Braga, who additionally stepped in because the artist for challenge #6, illustrated the Maid of Mischief in DC Comics Bombshells and Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica.
A Few Causes to Learn:
- Kevin. Simply the whole lot about Kevin. As soon as a member of the clowns inflicting chaos within the Joker’s identify, this common
JoeKevin can also be attempting to make amends. However with a tattoo of the Joker emblazoned on his face, escaping his previous gained’t be simple. Harley is there to assist him via it. Whereas it’s tough to deem Kevin “harmless,” his expertise illuminates why a seemingly regular man would select to comply with somebody as irrational because the Joker.
- Harley’s inside dialogue. Harley Quinn has an uncanny notion relating to individuals—together with herself. With a PhD in psychology, she’s fiercely clever and he or she is aware of it. When Harley turns her focus inward, she has no illusions about who she is and what she’s performed. It’s a superb use of the character that results in insights you won’t have thought of in any other case.
- A pep speak from Solomon Grundy. Severely, that occurs. Not solely is Harley unbothered by the hulking zombie who calls the sewers dwelling, she’s snug sufficient to speak to him about her issues. (You know you’re having a foul day if you go to Solomon Grundy for recommendation.) Mr. Born on a Monday provides some surprisingly helpful counsel.
Why It’s Value Your Time:
Harley Quinn is fearless, however by no means heartless. Her good intentions may be felt in each panel. Ms. Quinn is her greatest self when she’s freed from the Joker and this primary quantity of her solo sequence highlights it. The bonus tales as a substitute staff her up with Poison Ivy (swoon!) and Catwoman, and Harley thrives with each.
Whereas Harley will in all probability by no means attain the rank of “superhero,” it’s as a result of she chooses to be her personal type of hero as a substitute—an unpredictable, impulsive and unstable hero, positive, however a hero nonetheless. In case you’re seeking to liven issues up, a weekend binge with Harley Quinn is a assured solution to do it, particularly with this month marking the character’s 30th Anniversary.
Harley Quinn: No Good Deed by Stephanie Phillips, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia and Deron Bennett is on the market in bookstores, comedian outlets, libraries and on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DCComics.com and her writing can be seen on IGN, Nerdist and extra. Comply with her on Twitter at @kelly_knox to speak superheroes, comics and popular culture.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this characteristic are solely these of Kelly Knox and don’t essentially replicate these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.
