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Harley Quinn: One-Shots
Batman: Harley Quinn
Since Gotham's fall, the Joker has been relatively quiet...but that's about to change as former Arkham Asylum doctor, Harleen Quinzel, joins the Clown Prince of Crime to put him back on top. But when their unusual partnership leaves Harley a little worse for wear, she enlists Poison Ivy's help. Now the Joker and Batman are going to learn that this souped-up Harley's not going to be pushed around anymore.
48 pages, Comic
First published January 1, 1999
48 people are currently reading
1871 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dini
726 books715 followersPaul Dini is an American television producer of animated cartoons. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond and Duck Dodgers. He also developed and scripted Krypto the Superdog and contributed scripts to Animaniacs (he created Minerva Mink), Freakazoid, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. After leaving Warner Bros. In early 2004, Dini went on to write and story edit the popular ABC adventure series Lost.
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
July 19, 2017
First canonical appearance of Harley in DC comic books!
Creative Team:
Writer: Paul Dini
Illustrator: Yvel Guichet
Cover: Alex Ross
NO WOMAN'S JOKE
Harley Quinn was around quite a bit in the media since her introduction in Batman: The Animated Series and certainly she was been on the tie-in comic title published by DC Comics, but that wasn't considered "canon" per se, until this special one-shot was published during the Batman event known as No Man's Land.
Being written by Paul Dini, one of Harley's "dads", it's a very compelling origin in the official DC Comics universe, changing some stuff from her "animated" origin in Mad Love, but still keeping her psychological medical title backgroung, her insane fascination for The Joker, her relationship with Poison Ivy, and even as a curious thing, in both origins, the "animated" and this one at hand, Harley is able to beat knocked-out Batman.
In the middle of the chaos of the No Man's Land situation, Dr. Harleen Quinzel rises to become canonical part of the DC universe, turning into her Harley Quinn persona...
...and Gotham City has never been the same since then!
It got better!
Creative Team:
Writer: Paul Dini
Illustrator: Yvel Guichet
Cover: Alex Ross
NO WOMAN'S JOKE
Harley Quinn was around quite a bit in the media since her introduction in Batman: The Animated Series and certainly she was been on the tie-in comic title published by DC Comics, but that wasn't considered "canon" per se, until this special one-shot was published during the Batman event known as No Man's Land.
Being written by Paul Dini, one of Harley's "dads", it's a very compelling origin in the official DC Comics universe, changing some stuff from her "animated" origin in Mad Love, but still keeping her psychological medical title backgroung, her insane fascination for The Joker, her relationship with Poison Ivy, and even as a curious thing, in both origins, the "animated" and this one at hand, Harley is able to beat knocked-out Batman.
In the middle of the chaos of the No Man's Land situation, Dr. Harleen Quinzel rises to become canonical part of the DC universe, turning into her Harley Quinn persona...
...and Gotham City has never been the same since then!
It got better!
November 4, 2014
Harley Quinn is a fun character, totally insane yes, madly in love with Joker, oh yes!
This short comic gives us the back story of her meeting Poison Ivy, Joker and Batman. It’s a fun short read how totally dedicated she is to Joker, how she will do anything for him. Breaking him out of the Arkham Asylum, fixing him a hiding place and taking sweet revenge on him when he tries to get rid of her (because he is the Joker of course he doesn’t do relationship and stuff so well)
This short comic gives us the back story of her meeting Poison Ivy, Joker and Batman. It’s a fun short read how totally dedicated she is to Joker, how she will do anything for him. Breaking him out of the Arkham Asylum, fixing him a hiding place and taking sweet revenge on him when he tries to get rid of her (because he is the Joker of course he doesn’t do relationship and stuff so well)
Why only 3 stars? Well, it was entertaining to read, but not that special, I just didn’t go wow after I was finished. I think it’s mostly because I already read Mad Love that also explains Harley Quinn’s back story and although I love back stories, one is often enough.
The writing style was ok, loving the cover btw!
April 26, 2024
It's so great to re-read the brilliant origin story of the iconic Harley Quinn. The writing by the great Paul Dini is so damn good that it could be held up to any traditional short story.
December 23, 2011
Harley Quinn's official introduction into the mainline DCU, and naturally written by Paul Dini. I like Dini, but this isn't exactly his best work. There seems to be an expectation that everybody already knows everything about Harley, so there's a lot of shorthand in the storytelling. Of course, everybody does know everything about Harley, but that doesn't help the story. The art is also not at all my cup of tea. It's the bastard child of the DCU Animated house style and a more mainstream comics style, and it just didn't work for me. It was also wedged into the No Man's Land storyline, I suppose just because that's when it was decided to make her a canonical character in the comics. Mad Love was a much better Harley story, even if it wasn't comics canon.
November 9, 2024
In Batman: Harley Quinn we get to read more about the one and only Harleen Quinzel, former Arkham criminal psychiatrist, who fell madly in love with the Joker. Here in this comic collection, we see Harley alone, with the Joker, or with Poison Ivy and Batman 👯
❝Joker: “I’m no expert, but it seems to me women like men who listen to them.” Harley: “Izzat right? Well, listen to this, Puddin’! It’s the sound of me breakin’ every lyin’ bone in your body!” *Harley fights Joker*❞
❝”Hiya Money-Man! I’m here to deposit my foot in your face!”❞ 🤠
❝”I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounce’s off me and makes a six-inch-diameter exit wound in you.”❞
Harley’s nicknames for Batman lmao ❝Bat-eroo❞ and ❝Batusi❞ 🤭
My fave DC character is without a doubt, Harley. Her personality is so bubbly and vigorous; what’s not to love? I’ve enjoyed reading this tremendously, and can’t wait to read more stories from miss Quinn. (For Halloween this year, I dressed up as her, so much fun!✨)
Happy reading♥️
❝Joker: “I’m no expert, but it seems to me women like men who listen to them.” Harley: “Izzat right? Well, listen to this, Puddin’! It’s the sound of me breakin’ every lyin’ bone in your body!” *Harley fights Joker*❞
❝”Hiya Money-Man! I’m here to deposit my foot in your face!”❞ 🤠
❝”I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounce’s off me and makes a six-inch-diameter exit wound in you.”❞
Harley’s nicknames for Batman lmao ❝Bat-eroo❞ and ❝Batusi❞ 🤭
My fave DC character is without a doubt, Harley. Her personality is so bubbly and vigorous; what’s not to love? I’ve enjoyed reading this tremendously, and can’t wait to read more stories from miss Quinn. (For Halloween this year, I dressed up as her, so much fun!✨)
Happy reading♥️
October 16, 2021
Este one-shot nos presenta la que es la primera aparición canon de Harley. Ahora sí.
En serio, Harley Quinn es uno de los mejores personajes que ha dado el universo DC. Divertida y loca a partes iguales, leer sus historias es siempre sinónimo de pasarlo bien.
Además el dibujo tiene un encanto especial. ¡Ojo! Me encanta el dibujo de muchos de los cómics más actuales de Harley, pero no se puede negar que la etapa de los 90 tenía un algo.
The peacekeepers hide in the madhouse while the lunatics rule the streets.
En serio, Harley Quinn es uno de los mejores personajes que ha dado el universo DC. Divertida y loca a partes iguales, leer sus historias es siempre sinónimo de pasarlo bien.
Además el dibujo tiene un encanto especial. ¡Ojo! Me encanta el dibujo de muchos de los cómics más actuales de Harley, pero no se puede negar que la etapa de los 90 tenía un algo.
The peacekeepers hide in the madhouse while the lunatics rule the streets.
October 12, 2015
The more I read about this character, the more and more I love her. She is depicted as a zany clown and it's so easy to overlook the complexity of who she truly is. These stories capture both the fun and frustration that comes with loving Harley Quinn and wishing she could truly be free of her abusive relationship.
February 20, 2025
I am a HUGE fan of Harley Quinn and only just started reading comics again after a long hiatus. Needless to say I had to have some Harley included in my new comic obsession.
The artwork here is absolutely gorgeous. The colors have a tendency to pop and the stories are kind of what I would expect from a more villian based perspective.
The first story takes place after Joker and Harley have one of their (many) breakups. The dialogue between Harley and Poison Ivy tells the full story. Here we get a full sense of who Harley is. Why she is so lovably insane and how insecure she can be as well. The purpose is to show the relationship that is between these characters and how their everyday lives are in Gothem.
The second story is introduced by Joker himself. Here we meet Harley as she is breaking out of Arkham only weeks before her parole. Why? well it's Valentine's Day of course. Harley then goes on this mad chase and crime spree to find Mister J and be with her love on the most romantic day of the year.
The third story we meet Harley as she is doing time in Arkham with Ivy. The two have a bet and we follow the antics that continue in this single moment of prison/ asylum life they share. Of course Joker makes an appearance near the end.
The fourth story is a Black and White but is more a Poison Ivy story. Here we meet Harley as she holds up a fast food place to feed her babies, but in the food is one of the toxins Ivy founded before becoming a super villain. Harley races to Ivy to save her dogs and Ivy creates an antidote. Then both go off to find out who placed the toxins in the food and eventually handing the antidote off to Batman.
The book ends with a 2 page summery of everything about Harley and the stories we just read. Who she is, her relationship with JOker, and how her and Ivy are friends.
The artwork here is absolutely gorgeous. The colors have a tendency to pop and the stories are kind of what I would expect from a more villian based perspective.
The first story takes place after Joker and Harley have one of their (many) breakups. The dialogue between Harley and Poison Ivy tells the full story. Here we get a full sense of who Harley is. Why she is so lovably insane and how insecure she can be as well. The purpose is to show the relationship that is between these characters and how their everyday lives are in Gothem.
The second story is introduced by Joker himself. Here we meet Harley as she is breaking out of Arkham only weeks before her parole. Why? well it's Valentine's Day of course. Harley then goes on this mad chase and crime spree to find Mister J and be with her love on the most romantic day of the year.
The third story we meet Harley as she is doing time in Arkham with Ivy. The two have a bet and we follow the antics that continue in this single moment of prison/ asylum life they share. Of course Joker makes an appearance near the end.
The fourth story is a Black and White but is more a Poison Ivy story. Here we meet Harley as she holds up a fast food place to feed her babies, but in the food is one of the toxins Ivy founded before becoming a super villain. Harley races to Ivy to save her dogs and Ivy creates an antidote. Then both go off to find out who placed the toxins in the food and eventually handing the antidote off to Batman.
The book ends with a 2 page summery of everything about Harley and the stories we just read. Who she is, her relationship with JOker, and how her and Ivy are friends.
July 26, 2016
I read this awhile ago but with Suicide Squad coming up I had to re read. I love it. I wish it went into a little more detail on why Joker pushed her in the biohazard chemical....or pretty much whether he knew she'd come out of it or he wanted her to die. I just want Jokers love to be true and good, that can happen even if he's bad! Hahaha!
February 27, 2016
What can I say except...WOW!
This book was a real tour de force inside the lovable jester's chaotic mind and focuses on Harley Quinn as the protagonist. Trust me, this gal can really hold her own - she doesn't need her puddin' to ensure she's centre stage.
With her gal pal, Poison Ivy, the two of them wreak comical havoc wherever they go, resulting in one huge headache for The Dark Knight.
As with all of Harley Quinn's stories, these are fast-paced, full of humour and guaranteed to rouse a smile on even the grumpiest faces!
My favourites include 'Harley Quinn', 'The Bet', 'The Punchline' (which has no dialogue), 'Honor Among Thieves' 'Justice is Served' and 'Role Models', and goes to show that if you love all things HQ - this is a MUST READ and can be dipped into time and time again.
This book was a real tour de force inside the lovable jester's chaotic mind and focuses on Harley Quinn as the protagonist. Trust me, this gal can really hold her own - she doesn't need her puddin' to ensure she's centre stage.
With her gal pal, Poison Ivy, the two of them wreak comical havoc wherever they go, resulting in one huge headache for The Dark Knight.
As with all of Harley Quinn's stories, these are fast-paced, full of humour and guaranteed to rouse a smile on even the grumpiest faces!
My favourites include 'Harley Quinn', 'The Bet', 'The Punchline' (which has no dialogue), 'Honor Among Thieves' 'Justice is Served' and 'Role Models', and goes to show that if you love all things HQ - this is a MUST READ and can be dipped into time and time again.
August 12, 2015
Harley Quinn is a hard-nut to crack: created for the 90s television show, but built up in Batman comic in the 90s, the aughts, and beyond. The darkness of Harley's character is inconsistent and the new 52 version is darker than the first incarnation, but both incarnations shows Harley Quinn and Batman's balance between angst, campiness, and noir. While some of stories are slight, and perhaps too many recounting of origin stories, this is a good introduction to one of the few popular contemporary additions to Batman's rogue gallery. (This refers to the 2015 reprint which is over a hundred pages, not the early 2000s 40+ pager.)
March 27, 2016
Well, I really like Harley Quinn (especially the newer version without the red and black costume), so I decided to check out the comics. As I understand, Harley is the character who first appeared in the animation series, but was so well-liked that she got to enter the DC comic world.
Her relationship with Joker is quite insane. She obviously loves him, but I'm not sure what he's all about. I guess I'll keep reading and find out eventually.
Her relationship with Joker is quite insane. She obviously loves him, but I'm not sure what he's all about. I guess I'll keep reading and find out eventually.
December 28, 2015
I love Harley Quinn and I loved reading some of the stories she was in and how the different writers and illustrators created different sides of her. She is truly a unique character than can hold her own against Batman or anyone that would come between her and her 'puddin''
February 6, 2018
بويزن أيفي تلتقي ب هارلي كوين و هي مدفونة تحت حطام فتساعدها و تنقلها لمنزلها لتقدم لها المساعدة .. ثم بعد ذلك تحكي لها هارلي عن قصة تحولها من الطبيبة هارلين كوينزل إلي هارلي كوين
March 25, 2016
I actually read the updated 100-page Spectacular. I really liked this collection. Including Batman: Harley Quinn, Batman Adventures: The Bet, Joker's Tales from Arkham Asylum II, and Batman Black and White. These were a great collection that shows off the best of Harley's personality. Highlights her fun spirit and black heart.
June 11, 2009
I love Harley, but there wasn't much to the story here.
October 22, 2015
Review/essay to come about the tragedy that is Harley Quinn.
November 11, 2015
harley was kicking the joker and the batman's ass, but all it takes is the joker say sorry and harley forgives him for using and manipulating her, ugh. :(
July 27, 2016
I found the Joker's psyche disturbing. His dementia alarming. And his charm irresistible!
July 26, 2023
Fazia um tempo que essa HQ estava na minha lista para aquisição, já que ela é de extrema importância para a cronologia do Batman. E felizmente, encontrei o gibi por R$ 5,00 no RJ.
É muito estranho ler a história hodiernamente, tendo em vista a população e relevância que a Arlequina alcançou, tendo em vista que ela é classificada como "quarto pilar da DC" e a HQ retrata sua primeira aparição canonicamente no universo do Morcego.
Eu assisti ao episódio de introdução da personagem no Desenho do Batman, e perecebe-se que no episódio, ela é apenas uma capanga do coringa, como os demais, mas sua personalidade e roupagem, fazem com que ela permaneça na cronologia do Batman, sendo uma personagem e não apenas uma coadjuvante.
A partir disso, ela precisa ser introduzida na cânone do Batman nos quadrinhos, e é aí que entra a HQ. Nessa história, temos a Harley tendo que lidar com seu término (nada saudável alias) com o Coringa. Mas a história em si é bobinha, e mostra a Harley com raiva do Joker, mas no fim o perdoa.
Contudo, na história mostra como a Harley ganha seus "poderes' que a diferem de um humano comum, graças a ajuda da Hera venenosa.
É muito estranho ler a história hodiernamente, tendo em vista a população e relevância que a Arlequina alcançou, tendo em vista que ela é classificada como "quarto pilar da DC" e a HQ retrata sua primeira aparição canonicamente no universo do Morcego.
Eu assisti ao episódio de introdução da personagem no Desenho do Batman, e perecebe-se que no episódio, ela é apenas uma capanga do coringa, como os demais, mas sua personalidade e roupagem, fazem com que ela permaneça na cronologia do Batman, sendo uma personagem e não apenas uma coadjuvante.
A partir disso, ela precisa ser introduzida na cânone do Batman nos quadrinhos, e é aí que entra a HQ. Nessa história, temos a Harley tendo que lidar com seu término (nada saudável alias) com o Coringa. Mas a história em si é bobinha, e mostra a Harley com raiva do Joker, mas no fim o perdoa.
Contudo, na história mostra como a Harley ganha seus "poderes' que a diferem de um humano comum, graças a ajuda da Hera venenosa.
December 5, 2020
My first ever DC graphic novel... Bizarrely, I think I like graphic novels where I don't know the story already. Hmm.
March 18, 2022
My first DC comics! Not sure what to expect but I think it’s a short, fun read. I enjoyed Margot Robbie playing as Harley and decided to check out comics with the great Quinzel<3
July 15, 2022
the last few issues made it a 4.5 very fun
October 31, 2025
123 I want yuri
January 26, 2020
The HQ books written by Paul Dini are the most fun. ♥️🖤
October 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My love for Harley Quinn continues. Paul Dini is a king 👑
August 8, 2015
I have always been fascinated by Harley Quinn. I have seen plenty of cosplay in her likeness and snippets of comics with her and information about her on my Tumblr dash. I wasn't sure where to start to become more familiar with her story and character but when I saw this little anthology in a comic book store in Los Angeles on my vacation I decided it was as good a place as any.
It's a good introduction for sure with the first issue the aftermath of the Joker trying to blow her up and how she got her powers from a concoction by Poison Ivy. I had a few favorite issues in the book. I enjoyed the issue where Poison Ivy bets Harley Quinn she can get a kiss from every single guard and patient in the asylum. I really enjoyed the issue where Harley Quinn is attempting to reform herself and is staying at a women's empowerment center meditating and enjoying healing magic whirlpools.
As someone not familiar with Harley Quinn or the Batman comics in general - since I've seen the movies but not yet gotten deep into the comics - I learned a few things. I learned that Harley Quinn is not, as one might assume as they brace for disappointment, simply the companion of the Joker. She is very much her own character who at times shows surprising self-awareness. I loved her relationship with Poison Ivy and how they're basically best friends. I learned that Harley got out of a bad family situation with her smarts and was so intelligent that she had her choice of jobs after she graduated medical school. I love the weird insanity of her wanting a challenge and how she walked the line between inmate and staff member before finally going overboard and falling in love with the Joker.
In general, I loved seeing all of the Batman villains. Both ones that I'm familiar with and ones I've never heard of before. I love seeing how some of the villains when through periods of being 'rehabilitated' before turning back to crime. I found the comic a lot less cheesy than some comics that I've read though that might just be because Harley Quinn was aware of her puns and they fit her character and persona so well.
I'm sure a lot of people have written about and talked about their takes on Harley Quinn but I like at the end of the anthology there's an issue about her post- Suicide Squad basically talking about herself and how she is a collection of all of her history. How the old her is in there still somewhere and useful for certain things and talking about ideas of freedom and rules.
This book was very entertaining and it made me really want more. More Harley Quinn, more Joker, more Poison Ivy, more Batman. Just more everything and I will be seeking out additional comics about these characters now that I've had a little introduction.
It's a good introduction for sure with the first issue the aftermath of the Joker trying to blow her up and how she got her powers from a concoction by Poison Ivy. I had a few favorite issues in the book. I enjoyed the issue where Poison Ivy bets Harley Quinn she can get a kiss from every single guard and patient in the asylum. I really enjoyed the issue where Harley Quinn is attempting to reform herself and is staying at a women's empowerment center meditating and enjoying healing magic whirlpools.
As someone not familiar with Harley Quinn or the Batman comics in general - since I've seen the movies but not yet gotten deep into the comics - I learned a few things. I learned that Harley Quinn is not, as one might assume as they brace for disappointment, simply the companion of the Joker. She is very much her own character who at times shows surprising self-awareness. I loved her relationship with Poison Ivy and how they're basically best friends. I learned that Harley got out of a bad family situation with her smarts and was so intelligent that she had her choice of jobs after she graduated medical school. I love the weird insanity of her wanting a challenge and how she walked the line between inmate and staff member before finally going overboard and falling in love with the Joker.
In general, I loved seeing all of the Batman villains. Both ones that I'm familiar with and ones I've never heard of before. I love seeing how some of the villains when through periods of being 'rehabilitated' before turning back to crime. I found the comic a lot less cheesy than some comics that I've read though that might just be because Harley Quinn was aware of her puns and they fit her character and persona so well.
I'm sure a lot of people have written about and talked about their takes on Harley Quinn but I like at the end of the anthology there's an issue about her post- Suicide Squad basically talking about herself and how she is a collection of all of her history. How the old her is in there still somewhere and useful for certain things and talking about ideas of freedom and rules.
This book was very entertaining and it made me really want more. More Harley Quinn, more Joker, more Poison Ivy, more Batman. Just more everything and I will be seeking out additional comics about these characters now that I've had a little introduction.
July 16, 2015
Ah canon is wonderful, it makes the world complete!
This is the introduction of Harley Quinn into DCU continuity and man does it every do it right!
World: What can I say about this world, it's awesome, it's Gotham. This actually takes place in the midst of 2000s No Man's Land story line, although the story can pretty much stand on it's own. There is not a lot of world building here as most of the story is an origin story and a character study so yeah, the world is pre-established and not really all that important.
Story: Interesting and quirky. This is Harley's introduction into the DCU (after being super popular in the Batman Animated Series) and it's fun. It retains the odd and quirkiness of her character while introducing her wild tone to the overall DCU. The story is a fairly basic origin story, although I would have like more of the first couple of pages in more detail (those sessions with the Joker would have been amazing). The story moves along as a pretty fast pace and a lot does happen, but overall the story is not the main focus, Harley is and getting her character into the DCU and her tone is the main issue.
Character: One of my favorites from the Animated Series (Freeze and Montoya are others). Harley is a fairly complex character, yes she started out as the female Joker but was much more a sub to Joker's dom, but over the years she has developed into a deep, complex and compelling character that stands on her own two feet. This is her origin here into the DCU and it establishes well the basic characteristic of this character. The dialog is suitable and her hijinks character defining, this is pure Harley, black and white and primary colors only. It's a fun start.
I love this character to bits, there's just something about her mannerisms, her personality and her dialog that gets to me and this is a great way to see how she entered into DC's list of rogues. Dini is a master storyteller and I'm so happy that his creativity in the animated series paid off with multiple characters and backstories he created being integrated into the greater DCU.
Onward to the next book!
This is the introduction of Harley Quinn into DCU continuity and man does it every do it right!
World: What can I say about this world, it's awesome, it's Gotham. This actually takes place in the midst of 2000s No Man's Land story line, although the story can pretty much stand on it's own. There is not a lot of world building here as most of the story is an origin story and a character study so yeah, the world is pre-established and not really all that important.
Story: Interesting and quirky. This is Harley's introduction into the DCU (after being super popular in the Batman Animated Series) and it's fun. It retains the odd and quirkiness of her character while introducing her wild tone to the overall DCU. The story is a fairly basic origin story, although I would have like more of the first couple of pages in more detail (those sessions with the Joker would have been amazing). The story moves along as a pretty fast pace and a lot does happen, but overall the story is not the main focus, Harley is and getting her character into the DCU and her tone is the main issue.
Character: One of my favorites from the Animated Series (Freeze and Montoya are others). Harley is a fairly complex character, yes she started out as the female Joker but was much more a sub to Joker's dom, but over the years she has developed into a deep, complex and compelling character that stands on her own two feet. This is her origin here into the DCU and it establishes well the basic characteristic of this character. The dialog is suitable and her hijinks character defining, this is pure Harley, black and white and primary colors only. It's a fun start.
I love this character to bits, there's just something about her mannerisms, her personality and her dialog that gets to me and this is a great way to see how she entered into DC's list of rogues. Dini is a master storyteller and I'm so happy that his creativity in the animated series paid off with multiple characters and backstories he created being integrated into the greater DCU.
Onward to the next book!
August 12, 2017
Oh Harley Quinn, how I love your intelligent, psychotic ass. Seeing a chronology of Harley, from her first appearance after her character skyrocketed in Batman: The Animated Series in the 1990s to her new backstory in the New 52, was exactly the kind of thing I needed after reading so many integral Batman stories.
Can I just say that I LOVED how this anthology started with Harley first meeting Poison Ivy, and how incredible their dynamic is in the DC Universe (and nicely sets up, and pays homage to, Gotham City Sirens YAAAAAS). But Harley my love, you can do so much better than the Joker. I love this story because it really shows how manipulative and abusice the joker is towards Harley, and how this toxic relationship should not be romanticised, a fact the stupid Suicide Squad movie seemed to ignore. When the Joker starts feeling actual real, raw emotion towards Harley he goes back to what he does best, being a fucking psychopath, and instead of worshipping her like he queen she is, he fires her from a rocket. Joker, you're a piece of trash. Let's skip the part where Harley goes back to his psychotic and abusive ass okay cool thanks. Let's instead focus our attention on Harley and Ivy, the real couple goals.
Also LOVED the Amazonian storyline, just female empowerment at its finest, and a nice appearance from Riddler as well. And how nicely the ending of this edition ties in with the New 52 Suicide Squad storyline (hello Deadshot my love), this really shows Harley's character progression and is a great place to start for DC villains in my opinion.
To conclude, I loved this. I'm probably immensely biased because, like everyone else, I've been besotted with Harley ever since her first appearance in Batman: the Animated Series, but who cares. This was fun and refreshing and joyous to read. And Harley and Ivy are the real couple goals.
Can I just say that I LOVED how this anthology started with Harley first meeting Poison Ivy, and how incredible their dynamic is in the DC Universe (and nicely sets up, and pays homage to, Gotham City Sirens YAAAAAS). But Harley my love, you can do so much better than the Joker. I love this story because it really shows how manipulative and abusice the joker is towards Harley, and how this toxic relationship should not be romanticised, a fact the stupid Suicide Squad movie seemed to ignore. When the Joker starts feeling actual real, raw emotion towards Harley he goes back to what he does best, being a fucking psychopath, and instead of worshipping her like he queen she is, he fires her from a rocket. Joker, you're a piece of trash. Let's skip the part where Harley goes back to his psychotic and abusive ass okay cool thanks. Let's instead focus our attention on Harley and Ivy, the real couple goals.
Also LOVED the Amazonian storyline, just female empowerment at its finest, and a nice appearance from Riddler as well. And how nicely the ending of this edition ties in with the New 52 Suicide Squad storyline (hello Deadshot my love), this really shows Harley's character progression and is a great place to start for DC villains in my opinion.
To conclude, I loved this. I'm probably immensely biased because, like everyone else, I've been besotted with Harley ever since her first appearance in Batman: the Animated Series, but who cares. This was fun and refreshing and joyous to read. And Harley and Ivy are the real couple goals.
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