Harley Quinn, Vol. 3: Welcome to Metropolis

Harley Quinn (2000)

by Karl Kesel, Terry Dodson (Illustrator), Brandon Badeaux (Illustrator)

Having played out every trick on the fine citizens of Gotham City, Harley Quinn--the Joker's former girlfriend--decides that another city deserves her attention. After all, why menace one city when you can menace two? Especially if the second has a Man of Steel guarding it.

Harley hightails it to Metropolis, with allies Poison Ivy and Bizarro in tow. Writer Karl Kesel and artist Terry Dodson continue their now classic run on this beloved title in HARLEY WELCOME TO METROPOLIS, collecting issues #14-25.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Fantasy, Superheroes

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

Karl Kesel (Victor, New York) is an American comics writer and inker whose works have primarily been under contract for DC Comics. He is a member of Periscope Studio. In 2017, he started Panic Button Press with Tom Grummett to publish the creator-owned graphic novel Section Zero.

Reviews

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how hard I try I simply can't find a fault with this book!!

From start to finish I was entertained and in love!! I think it's safe to say I've found myself a new favourite fictional character (well one of them anyway because I have so many favourites but hey don't we all).

I think what surprised me the most about this was how good the stories were!! They all linked together so so well and were all great in different ways!

Harley Quinn... Where do I even begin to express my love for her?!??! Yes, she's technically a villain, she commits crime etc etc but I just can't help but love her! As was said many times throughout this book, she really does only mean well!

The appearances from other big dc characters such as batman, joker, Martian manhunter (loved him a lot) were brilliant and worked well with the stories.

One of my favourite parts has the be the art, it's truly stunning!!

I will definitely be reading more of the volumes in this series, I just hope they're as good as this one.

[lux · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was a collection of 12 issues and while the beginning was really fun and strong especially the comics w ivy...., it eventually just dragged and got soooo boring towards the end with the later issues

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you have 12 issues collected in one volume, you're going to have a fairly variable level of quality. This book definitely has some highs as well as lows. The opening section, with Harley and Ivy in Metropolis is a lot of fun, with lots of silliness surrounding Harley and Jimmy Olsen (although the Bizarro section gets cumbersome to read, as usual, though the character was still well portrayed). The next few issues, with Harley dealing with Etrigan and other demons was a lot less fun and funny, and seemed a little out of character. But the last few issues, with a Martian Manhunter story and a Batman/Joker story, definitely brought the quality back (and made me want to see a Martian Manhunter standalone series again), with the Batman/Joker issue being a definite high point. To see Harley playing them both and standing up for herself kind of epitomizes the character, although the resolution was a little mishandled. Still, this volume for the most part does a good job with the character - it's a little more in keeping with her older appearances than the first two volumes of the New 52 were, but it does keep some of that spirit as well. Distilled to the best of the old and the new at its best parts.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kesel's Harley Quinn really isn't for me. This is my second foray into this run, and after seeing the positive reviews parried against my previous one star, I decided to give it another go. Whilst it isn't as boring as volume one, it is still boring. The issues focused on Metropolis provide the most entertainment value, but even they are bogged down by bland storytelling and uncompelling character choices. However, once Ivy's stint is up is when this takes a huge nosedive in quality. It's sluggish, slow, and tries so hard to be wacky that it just becomes insufferable babble.

triggers: suicide

[Cristina (bibliotecadepueblo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5/5⭐

Empecé este volumen muy ilusionada tras el final del anterior. Harley y Hiedra juntas en Metrópolis. Tenía todo el potencial para ser mi volumen favorito.

Pero se quedó en eso, en un intento. Los primeros números son de lo mejor pero la trama se va desinflando a medida que avanza. Una vez abandonada la historia de Harley y Hiedra el volumen se vuelve un sinsentido. La segunda mitad no parece tener conexión ninguna con la primera. Una pena, la verdad.

Her heart was in the right place-- and she followed her heart, no matter where it led.

You say "jump" and expect me to say "how high?" and there was a time that was okay-- 'cause I thought that's what I deserved. But I seen a lot and done a lot and change a lot since then.

[Immigration Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harley and Poison Ivy go on a motorcycle road trip to Metropolis! Oh, the Superman adventures they have!

And then -- are you ready? -- Harley Quinn is sent to Hell. Actual Hell.

I know, right?

[Danger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The front half of this 12 issue collection is a LOT stronger than the second half, which starts to meander into arcs not nearly as interesting or satisfying. Still, Harley Quinn is such a fun character, bringing joyful chaos with her no matter the situation she finds herself in. The cover would have you believe that Poison Ivy would be along for the ride (I was hoping for some kinda spin on Thelma and Louise or something like that) but Ivy really didn't get to have any story arcs, or step up and do all that much. This was Quinn's show, top to bottom. Overall, Welcome to Metropolis was alright.

[Kat (kvcatnip) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one didn't have as good of a flow to it as the rest in the series, but I still LOVED it. Karl is a great writer, and the ending made it all wrap up nicely!

[Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snappy patter’s great when it doesn’t sound like it’s been dial-o-matic ‘d from the dialogue of every smartass in pop culture.

“Shoulda taken a left turn at Albuquerque”

“A regular welcome wagon”

“And I know how to play hard to get”

“That next step’s a doozy!”

My second complaint (if that’s how this review’s gonna go, and it feels like that’s the only way to respond to this book halfway through) is about how inconsequential the story is, and how little it makes up for it in fun. Power Girl books of this same era were low-stakes but FUN. This one seems like it’s coasting on “wow Harley got her own book!” without doing anything I care about *in* the book.

Yeah, no. Throwing in the checkered towel. Movin’ on toots.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is getting better, with Harley having a normal life in addition to her crazy life of crime. I am glad Ivy is back with her, as I love them together and they are a great team. Bizaro was an interesting addition, as was Superman. I am still annoyed at the random really cheesy simple art that takes over from time to time, and it follows the pattern of the final issue not really being part of the main story, but other than that it was pretty good. Harley has some pretty good moments, and the hell arc was relatively amusing.

[Luna MoonBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some confusing storylines involved but good moral messages and destruction of a homophobe.

[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harley after she was kicked out of Hell and revived: "Surprise, b*tch, I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me."

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing mishaps of Harley Quinn continue to amuse in this very varied volume, as Harley takes Metropolis by storm, gets stuck with Bizarro, ends up dead and trapped in Hell, and then becomes a ghost and haunts the Martian Manhunter. It's a madcap assortment, but it's never boring, and the plot always dances nicely between hilarity and reminding us that Harley is actually a villain at her core, even if she's a wacky one who doesn't mean too much harm. The artwork is also as varied as the story, with the wonderful Dodsons opening the volume, the hell arc being drawn by Brandon Badeux, whose art is probably my favourite of the book, and the final arc by Craig Rousseau, whose art is a little too unfinished for my tastes, but it does well enough. I hope they continue with the rest of Harley's series, I'd like to see what's next.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thrilled that this series is getting released in collected formats. I love the tone of this series. It feels like the perfect fit for the character. I love that they aren't trying to force Harley's cartoonish personality into a more traditional story. It's a great fit for the character. Poison Ivy and Harley are one of my favorite duos in comics, so I really love their arc.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too silly for my tastes. I like my comics a little more serious. This also seems like DC's response to Deadpool.

[tony dillard jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's just too hot to be in Gotham right now. So Harley and Poison Ivy hightail it to Metropolis! If they're going to make it big in Superman's hometown, they've got to find a place to live, find jobs, and even make friends, like Jimmy Olsen and Bizarro!

Then Harley Quinn finds herself in the hottest water imaginable when she awakes in Hell. It's okay. This isn't a spoiler since the back of the book talks about Harley's final destination.

A very interesting collection of stories. Many years ago, I saw a Bizarro Harley Quinn action figure and thought to myself that DC will do anything to sell action figures. Little did I know, that the Bizarro-Harley was taken from an actual comic! Okay, maybe this one was a spoiler. But these books are nearly 15 years old now!

Another interesting aspect of this volume is for an early 2000s book there is a frank depiction and defense of homosexuality. It's not something I have a problem with in this book. It's just how bent out of shape people are on social media about gays in comic books nowadays. Even though I wasn't actively collecting or reading comics at the time these Harley Quinn comics were being released new, I really do not recall people losing their minds over the same-sexual content of this series.

Maybe I missed something. Well, there is one thing I miss- the utter civility of comic book fans, new and old in 2000-2005.

Another great addition into the Harley Quinn mythos, though I wasn't so fond of the J'onn J'onnz storyline. It just didn't seem to fit.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally, I've enjoyed this particular series of Harley Quinn. She's funny, sexy, wicked, and a troublemaker without being too much of those in any direction. This is fun Harley, not cringey, slutty, PTSD Harley. If you like that version, go for it. But this is more my speed.

That is, until about halfway through Vol. 3 when she dies and goes to hell. While I get where they were trying to go with this plot twist, I don't think they pulled it off. The whole side-quest to Hades was grim, disjointed, and generally poorly told. Like the artwork was confusing and the dialog made no sense. I think they handed this volume to another artist halfway through and said, do something with this. I didn't like what they did. Because, if you are going to tackle a topic like eternal damnation, really do it. Don't try to half-ass it by ping ponging between serious contemplation about morality and silly goofball antics. It doesn't work. Also, once she escapes hell (not sure how exactly, they just sort of glossed over that part), Harley apparently has no deep thoughts about the experience. Just back to Harley adventures as usual. I'm sorry, but I think death with trip to hell warrants at least some reflection. Even for Harley Quinn.

I still like the series, and the parts on either side of hell were very entertaining. But hell? Really?

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell, so much happened in this volume.

I really enjoyed the Metropolis storyline, especially the parts with Bizzaro. I'm not a huge Jimmy Olsen fan so I kind of liked how Harley shoved him out a window. Bizzaro Harley was pretty short lived yet funny.

I find Thorn to be kind of meh personally.

The Hell portion of the book was a ton of fun. I was sad Lewis didn't make it out. The design for Cerberus was interesting. I liked how Harley recruited dead metas to help her out. I thought the bounty hunter and his gay son was a cool plot twist. I liked that the son and his lover weren't in hell because, love doesn't send you to hell. I thought the art in the hell sections was rad. I liked the repeating heist situation and that Harley's true hell is being alone.

The 2 part story with martian manhunter was really cool. I thought the concept of Harley possessing people was pretty cool, especially with her getting stronger and stronger.

The last issue was also pretty great as well. With Harley basically two timing Joker and Batman and playing them against each other. I liked that basically Batman planned the plot by connecting random jokes and giving them meaning.

The art styles were all really fun in this book. I've loved this series thus far.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harley Quinn is a character I just don’t get the appeal of but I keep trying. I like her partner Poison Ivy better, or at least slightly more relatable. Harley and Ivy hit Metropolis to pay back a hero (antihero?) named Thorn and Jimmy Olson for reasons I don’t know but assume were covered in other volumes.

After an eye rolling coincidental way they get a hideout and Harley a new persona to play, it was entertaining watching Harley lay her trap for Jimmy while Ivy does…okay almost nothing other than deal with Thorn and her alter ego (split personality?) And then it goes off the rails hard. Into a wall. First Bizarro Superman appears and just won’t leave and his reverse speech is annoying AF especially over multiple issues. Then Harley ends up in Hell and I lost all interest (though Etrigan made an appearance I remember loving him as a teen, not sure why).

So yeah real mixed bag here. Glad I got it from the library versus buying it. Doubt I’d read more. However it must be said the art is great especially Dodson’s. Loved it though Ivy’s new outfit…. I’m assuming grew out of her body because a bikini with no straps at all? Thanks for the sexualization dudes.

[João Batista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Para início de conversa, foram lidos em português...só que na versão da 'querida' EaglemossBr, que, além de não cadastrar ISBN corretamente, logo na página 1 da coleção de 1-7 e não de 4 livros, como mostrado aqui nestes em inglês, traz 'caidaça' e 'cês' (para vocês). Pelo menos, o humor está bem dosado. E, para quem ainda não sabe, aqui há de tudo o que as mulheres que lutam pelos seus direitos (Hera Venenosa também?) não querem ver. Um pouco de carreira solo de Harley e logo depois, entre amigas. Uma busca por capangas e nada de aparecer o Morcego.

Se for para ficar contando as 'brasileirices' desta edição com "tradutores/editores" e uma revisora... "Duca", "Sussa", "o fato DELE ter...", "ela pode TÁ certa", "taqui" e outros jeitinhos brasileiros de 'traduzir'.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has been good for what it is. I like the different direction this took, taking her out of Gotham and a bit of Ivy, which was arguably the best part. The tone is good, showing all sides of Harley, how she can appear nice, but is still crazy yet smart.

The hell arc was a bit all over the place, though I liked Lewis, his death annoyed me so much last volume. It was good that this book didn't try drag on plot points and characters from previous volumes which would have gone stale quickly.

I probably won't be reading the last book as it doesn't seem good. The past three volumes, while without much of a clear goal for the story, aren't favourites but enjoyable.

[Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley continues her adventure to mend broken hearts. First she assumed the identity of a Southern columnist to give people "advices", then she helped Bizarro with his love problems while detailing with some psychiatric problems of Thorn, then she went to hell and back with the help of Zatanna and Batman.

It was a really fun volume, we got to see a lot of different characters making cameos on Harley's quest to understand love; It was quite funny too, which turned Harley into such an endearing anti-villainess.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tale of two halves. This collection, which is quite large, has a really good first half which involves Harley and Ivy taking on Metropolis and a second half that featured the afterlife and Martian Manhunter for no reason. I really struggled to enjoy the second half. It seemed like it was written by a completely different author. The humor really ran out of steam. The art was decent to really good. Overall, the collection was too large an inconsistent but worth a read.

[Punkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2stars
Now this is Harley Quinn! Issues 14-19, the Metropolis arc is everything you love about Harley. It's loopy, it's ridiculous, it's fun. Along for the ride is her perfect partner in mayhem Poison Ivy, with great appearances by Jimmy Olsen and Bizarro. The first half of the book is a breath of fresh air, however the second half is mostly tedious with no real purpose. My advice for fans of Quinn from her animated exploits would be to read the Metropolis arc and forgo the rest.

[Shawna Hunter]

This is classic Harley Quinn. Nods to her origins with glimpses of the character she has since become. Part bad girl's road trip, part Looney Tunes its crazy fun without going too off the rails and breaking the universe (literally). The only complaint is the inconsistent art style. I know Harley Quinn stories are known for that as it reflects her mental state but it is somewhat jarring and distracting. Otherwise this is a fantastic collection of stories.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one! I think that this is my favorite installment in the series. It just made my love for Poison Ivy and Harley grow that much more. There were a couple of issues in here that I wasn’t a fan of, but the majority of it I loved. There’s also some great talk about sexuality in here, which I think a lot of people would enjoy and appreciate.

[Nathaniel Darkish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that nobody has done a good Harley solo series. She shines so often in titles like Batman or Injustice, but extended runs on her own (even with Ivy in tow) just seems to fall flat. There is so much potential, but that tends to disappear when the solo titles quickly dive into her leaving Gotham. Gotham holds the most interesting conflicts for her.

[Cosmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big improvement over the previous volume. Harley’s misadventures takes us to Metropolis and Beyond! The first half of the book is fun with adventure. The second half? It gets weird in the way it could only go for the antiheroine. The comics are fun with guest stars from the DC universe. Highly recommend.

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

more accurately a 3 and a half but this was entirely a fever dream esp the hell sequence😭 superwoman being there was funny tho and i love harley’s gay rights agenda there too. + random other moments were funny and the cameos were fun