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Harley Quinn (2000)
Harley Quinn (2000-2004) Vol. 1: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes
The Joker's lovable partner in crime takes the spotlight in this new hardcover volume collecting HARLEY QUINN #1-7, written by Karl Kesel (SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL) with art by the fan-favorite team of Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson (WONDER WOMAN)! Don't miss these beautifully illustrated tales of lunacy!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2008
133 people are currently reading
2004 people want to read
About the author
Karl Kesel
1,068 books42 followersKarl 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
June 11, 2014
I don't know why I keep thinking if a comic has a girl as the main character, it won't be sexist. You'd think I'd have learned by now.
February 1, 2022
20% | E+ | Awful
A quote would be here if I'd remembered one...
I wanted to like this, I really did. The biggest crime this book commits is being absolutely, mind-numbingly boring. For a book featuring some of the least boring characters in the entire DC universe (many of the Bat's rogue gallery features in this), Kesel really, really misses the mark. In fact, he's so far from it that he can't even see it. Nothing about this is memorable, and I found myself struggling to continue which, believe me, almost never happens when I read comics (even the bad ones). The art is good, but they do this weird thing where they're not sure what tone they are going for, meaning that one moment it's extremely 'cartoony', the next it's going for a Snyder Batman feel. I really like Harley as a character and have read and watched some great stories with her as a protagonist, but this? This is just a big lot of forgettable filler.
A quote would be here if I'd remembered one...
Harley Quinn centric stories set after she leaves The Joker and goes on some adventures of her own
I wanted to like this, I really did. The biggest crime this book commits is being absolutely, mind-numbingly boring. For a book featuring some of the least boring characters in the entire DC universe (many of the Bat's rogue gallery features in this), Kesel really, really misses the mark. In fact, he's so far from it that he can't even see it. Nothing about this is memorable, and I found myself struggling to continue which, believe me, almost never happens when I read comics (even the bad ones). The art is good, but they do this weird thing where they're not sure what tone they are going for, meaning that one moment it's extremely 'cartoony', the next it's going for a Snyder Batman feel. I really like Harley as a character and have read and watched some great stories with her as a protagonist, but this? This is just a big lot of forgettable filler.
July 12, 2022
So cool
I've already read later comics of Harley Quinn, but reading how she left the joker and about her first solo adventures is very interesting and lots of fun. She's mostly trying to find herself in her own super-chaotic ways, what she wants to do with her alone time and what type of criminal she is.
I've already read later comics of Harley Quinn, but reading how she left the joker and about her first solo adventures is very interesting and lots of fun. She's mostly trying to find herself in her own super-chaotic ways, what she wants to do with her alone time and what type of criminal she is.
February 18, 2017
A bit of a mix bag for me! So This book saw Harley in her own solo series, a few years before The New 52, back in the days when she wore her jester outfit and not her new designs(Which I like either way!). So this is 7 issues, each kind of being its own self contained story, and that's kind of where it falls flat, the stories are either hit or miss for the most part! Their is one pretty cool issue where she has a slumber party and invites a variety of different female villains such as: Catwoman & Poison Ivy(The Obvious ones), The Body Doubles(Who are the highlight of that issue) and a few others! Artwork is another mix bag, on the one hand, Harley looks like something out of Jim Lee's sketch book as well as some other characters, but then their other characters who just look choppy. In the end, while their were some good moments, overall this was okay at best!
April 21, 2013
This seems like it was a Batman comic that was supposed to be geared towards girls (because, you know, there's a ton of female characters in it so of course girls will like it or some sort of bullshit explanation like that) and it hit all the teenage cliche's it could. This comic is bad. Simply bad. Everything that makes Harley Quinn an interesting and intriguing character is somehow just not talked about and instead, it is all about her going and getting together with all the "girls" and having some parties and gossiping in between maybe fighting a villain or two. I tried to find a redeeming trait of this comic but lets just face it, Karl Kesel failed at writing an interesting plot line and holding a voice of a character. This seemed more like a ploy to entice women into the comic genera and if anything, it's keeping them away. Have faith that your readers have a little more intelligence, comic book author. A good story is a good story. Male or female, a reader is going to understand that.
November 18, 2021
La trama, en líneas generales, me ha parecido bastante floja. Una pena teniendo en cuenta el filón que suponía que Harley se desligase del Joker y dejase de estar a su sombra. Además el dibujo no me ha gustado nada salvo en los pocos momentos en los que se vuelve a un estilo más "clásico", como el de la serie animada de Batman de los 90.
Me ha dejado bastante fría.
Me ha dejado bastante fría.
Read
June 5, 2016I actually have no idea who this is for, except that it's probably not for any of my GR friends.
Though I did laugh out loud at this bit of stupid.
Though I did laugh out loud at this bit of stupid.
January 27, 2017
Finally, finally, a Harley Quinn graphic novel that I, not only liked, loved. It had humour, good illustrations, and an actual storyline. Success!!
('Bout damn time that my 80 cent library holding fee was worth it!)
This is the fourth book I've read with Harley in it, but only the first one I'd recommend. And how!
('Bout damn time that my 80 cent library holding fee was worth it!)
This is the fourth book I've read with Harley in it, but only the first one I'd recommend. And how!
April 14, 2017
Tiene sus partes divertidas, pero me molestó el hecho de que Harley Quinn y todas las mujeres de este comic tienen que estar es una pose sexy en cada cuadro en el que aparecen, pobres mujeres deben tener la columna a la miseria de como arquean la espalda. ¿Se les cansaran los pies de tanto estar en puntillas para levantar el culo?
Más allá de ese tema, a excepción de uno o dos, todos los personajes son idiotas. Hasta los personajes que generalmente son presentados como inteligentes, incisivos y/o caóticos (Dos Caras, el Joker, hasta el Acertijo), son reducidos a hacer idioteces.
Le pongo dos estrellas, una por los dos o tres chistes que me hicieron reir y otra porque a pesar de todo, las ilustraciones son muy buenas.
Más allá de ese tema, a excepción de uno o dos, todos los personajes son idiotas. Hasta los personajes que generalmente son presentados como inteligentes, incisivos y/o caóticos (Dos Caras, el Joker, hasta el Acertijo), son reducidos a hacer idioteces.
Le pongo dos estrellas, una por los dos o tres chistes que me hicieron reir y otra porque a pesar de todo, las ilustraciones son muy buenas.
August 7, 2016
Harley decides to leave the Joker after he tries to kill her (way to thank her for getting his ass outta prision), and begins a new life looking for new employers. She even ends up working for Two-Face!! But this kind of employment ends when she discovers that Two Face doesn't understand love is a two way street.
Then Harley celebrates a prty to inaugurat4e her own new place, and tells everyone she is going solo! Solo but funding the "Quinntets", formed by her and the people who want to follow her. Their first mission: to rescate Harley's two hiennas! And then... to Wayne's Mannor to rob a millonaire! Never mind she had the police on her heels before that, she knows how to keep on making crazy decisions hahaha
With a good plot and a good drawing, we see lots of old faces, as there is an array of people to accompany Harley, such as Ivy, Catwoman, Oracle, Bruce Wayne, Two Face, Barda, The Riddler...
This is a fun read, I really recommend it :)
Then Harley celebrates a prty to inaugurat4e her own new place, and tells everyone she is going solo! Solo but funding the "Quinntets", formed by her and the people who want to follow her. Their first mission: to rescate Harley's two hiennas! And then... to Wayne's Mannor to rob a millonaire! Never mind she had the police on her heels before that, she knows how to keep on making crazy decisions hahaha
With a good plot and a good drawing, we see lots of old faces, as there is an array of people to accompany Harley, such as Ivy, Catwoman, Oracle, Bruce Wayne, Two Face, Barda, The Riddler...
This is a fun read, I really recommend it :)
August 5, 2015
Harley Quinn: Preludes and Knock Knock Jokes by Karl Kesel, is the story of everyone's favorite sidekick, Harley Quinn, and how she is trying to make a name for herself as an actual supervillain, rather than just a lackey to the Joker. With the hilarity of a breakup between the world's most famous comic book duo, and a slumber party for the ages, this was a clever story with insight to a character that may not have been realized before. The only reason that this didn't get a five, is simply because it felt too straightforward most of the time. This is good for if you want a happy comic book read, but if you are looking for a really good story, I would probably recommend something else.
November 23, 2025
I really wanted to like this after seeing it be held in such high regard, especially against the likes of New 52 and Rebirth, but I just... didn't really. Everything after the first issue just felt like meaningless filler, and while there was some backstory built for Harley in between, the plots of the issues were so plain I've already forgotten what most of them were about. While I haven't read a good Harley comic I've enjoyed some runs just for being fun, but this just didn't do it for me. The art was nice, I liked how the style managed to switch pretty seamlessly, but I really don't get the hype for this book at all. Much like All-Star Superman, if this is the best Harley gets then I really don't have high hopes.
June 15, 2025
Reread, 3.5 I know this series gets a lot of flak, and for valid reasons, but sometimes I genuinely like it better than the more recent Harley books. It's sort of pure, and gives me nostalgia for the time when Harley wasn't Deadpool levels of popular and was more of a niche character.
August 11, 2021
“From now on, I’m my own boss!”
3,5/5!
After the Joker dumps his right-hand-woman and girlfriend Harley Quinn, she is determined to make it on her own. Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes is a lot of fun to read and and I loved following Harley on her wacky adventures. There's killer rollercoasters, fundraiser galas, heists to save hyenas and of course a bunch of other amazing characters - including Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Barbara Gordon, Two-Face and the Riddler – that Harley either teams up with or fights.
As I said, I had a good time with this story. I liked Harley's characterisation - she was bubbly, energetic, strange and loving – and it was fun to see her own her own away from the Joker. He is horrible to her in this comic - as he always is - but their relationship, though twisted, was very interesting and well-done. I also loved Harley's friendship with Poison Ivy, and how Ivy was always there to remind her that she deserves better than the rotten clown prince she loves. Ivy is that friend who always speaks her mind and does not spare anyone she loves from harsh facts, and she is exactly what Harley needs. I love their dynamic.
This comic also introduces a slightly new take on Harley's backstory and I really liked it. In this one Harleen Quinzel is much more in control of what happens to her, and I thought that was rather interesting. The side plot involving some private detectives trying to find Harley by trying to learn all there is to learn about her - including her backstory - is very intriguing cause you get to find out about her past bit by bit. The side plots and missions Harley goes on were all fun, especially the one involving a zoo and the one with Wayne Manor, and of course her slumber party was a lot of fun as well.
The art is also lovely, though a bit silly at times: Harley's suit looks more like body paint with how tight it is. And this brings me to some of my dislikes about the comic. There are moments that just made me sigh and roll my eyes in frustration, which is, sadly, often to be expected in comics about women written by men. The women's outfits were all super revealing, super tight and just so overtly sexualised. There were also a bunch of jokes about pretty women being automatically dumb and weird comments about plastic surgery equalling stupid, and all that. These jokes are so tired and annoying. But while I was frustrated by them, I did still enjoy the overall story.
The ending left me wanting to read the second volume! I would recommend this book, but it's worthwhile to mention that there are some really dumb jokes and moments that will make you roll your eyes. If that is not something that bothers you too much, this book is worth checking out!
3,5/5!
After the Joker dumps his right-hand-woman and girlfriend Harley Quinn, she is determined to make it on her own. Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes is a lot of fun to read and and I loved following Harley on her wacky adventures. There's killer rollercoasters, fundraiser galas, heists to save hyenas and of course a bunch of other amazing characters - including Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Barbara Gordon, Two-Face and the Riddler – that Harley either teams up with or fights.
As I said, I had a good time with this story. I liked Harley's characterisation - she was bubbly, energetic, strange and loving – and it was fun to see her own her own away from the Joker. He is horrible to her in this comic - as he always is - but their relationship, though twisted, was very interesting and well-done. I also loved Harley's friendship with Poison Ivy, and how Ivy was always there to remind her that she deserves better than the rotten clown prince she loves. Ivy is that friend who always speaks her mind and does not spare anyone she loves from harsh facts, and she is exactly what Harley needs. I love their dynamic.
This comic also introduces a slightly new take on Harley's backstory and I really liked it. In this one Harleen Quinzel is much more in control of what happens to her, and I thought that was rather interesting. The side plot involving some private detectives trying to find Harley by trying to learn all there is to learn about her - including her backstory - is very intriguing cause you get to find out about her past bit by bit. The side plots and missions Harley goes on were all fun, especially the one involving a zoo and the one with Wayne Manor, and of course her slumber party was a lot of fun as well.
The art is also lovely, though a bit silly at times: Harley's suit looks more like body paint with how tight it is. And this brings me to some of my dislikes about the comic. There are moments that just made me sigh and roll my eyes in frustration, which is, sadly, often to be expected in comics about women written by men. The women's outfits were all super revealing, super tight and just so overtly sexualised. There were also a bunch of jokes about pretty women being automatically dumb and weird comments about plastic surgery equalling stupid, and all that. These jokes are so tired and annoying. But while I was frustrated by them, I did still enjoy the overall story.
The ending left me wanting to read the second volume! I would recommend this book, but it's worthwhile to mention that there are some really dumb jokes and moments that will make you roll your eyes. If that is not something that bothers you too much, this book is worth checking out!
December 4, 2017
Aunque el personaje de Harley Quinn me generaba curiosidad, también me generaba cierto rechazo porque, hasta este tebeo, siempre la había visto representada como un personaje ligado al Jocker en un sentido muy dependiente de este. Como si no tuviera persona en sí misma, sino que fuera básicamente un personaje que hace de herramienta o recurso para ayudar a conducir la historia del Jocker, que es el "personaje chachi e importante del que todo el mundo quiere leer". En este tebeo Harley es la clara protagonista, y no en un caso supeditado al Jocker, sino por si misma. Y así sí.
Harley es clara señora de su destino, acciones y trama. Creo que se puede ver un contraste entre los casos en que la historia es narrada por el narrador externo, o cuando es narrada por algunos de los personajes masculinos dentro de la misma historia. No quiero meterme mucho en esto para no haceros spoilers, pero me ha gustado mucho esa dualidad de "lo que todos piensan que Harley está haciendo" contra "lo que Harley realmente está haciendo". Como el narrador influencia en sí lo que cuenta, y como la historia cambia en función del punto de vista que la cuenta.
La trama de las grapas en sí es bastante cortita, pero son muy amenas y ágiles de leer. Están recopiladas en un arco global, muy bien construido y llevado que, aunque también tiene una trama global, hace que se pueda ir leyendo poco a poco, disfrutando de cada grapa; o del tirón, como yo, si la historia te ha cautiva y necesitas leer más hasta que se acaba.
Tiene puntos de humor, sobre todo cínico, muy divertidos. Un enfoque muy global al personaje para que novatos como yo puedan entenderlo, con otros personajes haciendo apariciones para las que no se necesita un contexto previo y en general muy disfrutable y completo. Si Harley os llama la atención, este es un buen sitio por el que empezar, desde mi punto de vista.
Harley es clara señora de su destino, acciones y trama. Creo que se puede ver un contraste entre los casos en que la historia es narrada por el narrador externo, o cuando es narrada por algunos de los personajes masculinos dentro de la misma historia. No quiero meterme mucho en esto para no haceros spoilers, pero me ha gustado mucho esa dualidad de "lo que todos piensan que Harley está haciendo" contra "lo que Harley realmente está haciendo". Como el narrador influencia en sí lo que cuenta, y como la historia cambia en función del punto de vista que la cuenta.
La trama de las grapas en sí es bastante cortita, pero son muy amenas y ágiles de leer. Están recopiladas en un arco global, muy bien construido y llevado que, aunque también tiene una trama global, hace que se pueda ir leyendo poco a poco, disfrutando de cada grapa; o del tirón, como yo, si la historia te ha cautiva y necesitas leer más hasta que se acaba.
Tiene puntos de humor, sobre todo cínico, muy divertidos. Un enfoque muy global al personaje para que novatos como yo puedan entenderlo, con otros personajes haciendo apariciones para las que no se necesita un contexto previo y en general muy disfrutable y completo. Si Harley os llama la atención, este es un buen sitio por el que empezar, desde mi punto de vista.
June 11, 2016
This is my favorite Harley story to date.
From hanging with the Joker to build a rollercoaster to having a slumber party with the baddest girls in Gotham, this comic was everything I could want and expect from a Harley comic. It was so humorous and fun and yet so action packed and deep down had some great themes present. I also loved the art style and how sometimes it changed to integrate the more animated style of Harley into the story. I would highly recommend this to any Harley fan, as this is her first solo ongoing series. I think there are better starting points than this, but you could definitely start here if you wanted to. I loved this and can't wait until I can get my hands on volume 2!
From hanging with the Joker to build a rollercoaster to having a slumber party with the baddest girls in Gotham, this comic was everything I could want and expect from a Harley comic. It was so humorous and fun and yet so action packed and deep down had some great themes present. I also loved the art style and how sometimes it changed to integrate the more animated style of Harley into the story. I would highly recommend this to any Harley fan, as this is her first solo ongoing series. I think there are better starting points than this, but you could definitely start here if you wanted to. I loved this and can't wait until I can get my hands on volume 2!
November 14, 2016
I was hoping for more Harley/Ivy, but I guess I got my share in the beginning... It was nice to see some of Harley's vulnerability in the beginning, but as it went on it got more action-focused which isn't always my cup of tea. And I know she used to do gymnastics, but some of those poses are a bit too much (ass). Hoping for more Poison Ivy in the next one!
March 21, 2016
I really don't know how to feel about this book. I love the character of Harley Quinn but I found the stories lacking. The artwork however was good throughout and I did like how everything looked and the use of colour. Overall though, I'm kind of disappointed.
May 18, 2016
so many painful puns.
April 7, 2024
I liked it. Alot. From all the context clues, I can gather this is Vol. 1 of a 4 volume collection of tales from the illustrious criminal / anti-hero career of Harley Quinn.
These stories take place AFTER her "origin story," AFTER her days as Joker's sidekick (I prefer "Joker's Moll"), and AFTER her time in The Suicide Squad adventures. In these collected comics, starting with "Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes," Harley Quinn ventures out on her own -- away from Joker, and somewhat apart from Poison Ivy.
She has not yet moved to Coney Island, nor purchased her 4 Floor Commercial Real Estate property, nor started that subsequent NYC phase of her career. That will come much later in the timeline, I'm guessing.
Next: I think I need to read a few Suicide Squad collections to get the "full arc" of the Harley story.
Oh, and for the feminists who see progress for young girls (and all woman-kind) because comic books now feature FEMALE protagonists -- beware. As just one sexist example (but, come on, admit it, an example that's so so so great for the male youth of today), there is a slumber party (girls' sleep over) where Poison Ivy, Harley, and Catwoman (and many other women characters, each one with an hour glass figure like Jane Russell) all prance around wearing practically nothing, and firing lethal weapons.
Good Lord, I was born too soon -- the comic books of my era did not verge into the soft core "Playboy at Night" cable programming territory that these new ones do. And I fear I am a lesser being than I could have been because of my deprivation -- I missed out on scenes where Harley and Ivy and Catwoman . . . Uh . . . Well . . . there's, uh . . . Tumbling . . . Uh . . . And, you know, some skin tight outfits, uh, for, erm, . . . Acrobatic stunts . . . Uhmmm . . . Really tight outfits . . . Uuuuhh, er . . .
These stories take place AFTER her "origin story," AFTER her days as Joker's sidekick (I prefer "Joker's Moll"), and AFTER her time in The Suicide Squad adventures. In these collected comics, starting with "Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes," Harley Quinn ventures out on her own -- away from Joker, and somewhat apart from Poison Ivy.
She has not yet moved to Coney Island, nor purchased her 4 Floor Commercial Real Estate property, nor started that subsequent NYC phase of her career. That will come much later in the timeline, I'm guessing.
Next: I think I need to read a few Suicide Squad collections to get the "full arc" of the Harley story.
Oh, and for the feminists who see progress for young girls (and all woman-kind) because comic books now feature FEMALE protagonists -- beware. As just one sexist example (but, come on, admit it, an example that's so so so great for the male youth of today), there is a slumber party (girls' sleep over) where Poison Ivy, Harley, and Catwoman (and many other women characters, each one with an hour glass figure like Jane Russell) all prance around wearing practically nothing, and firing lethal weapons.
Good Lord, I was born too soon -- the comic books of my era did not verge into the soft core "Playboy at Night" cable programming territory that these new ones do. And I fear I am a lesser being than I could have been because of my deprivation -- I missed out on scenes where Harley and Ivy and Catwoman . . . Uh . . . Well . . . there's, uh . . . Tumbling . . . Uh . . . And, you know, some skin tight outfits, uh, for, erm, . . . Acrobatic stunts . . . Uhmmm . . . Really tight outfits . . . Uuuuhh, er . . .
July 5, 2021
1 star — not a single knock-knock joke. :/
JUST KIDDING :D
4.5 stars rounded up!!
this is Harley Quinn as we all know her best! goofy, punny, getting on the nerves of others, and in her own words, “a menace to society,” but more specifically, to ‘Happy Jack,’ and his three hired guns trying to stop her!! the issue he has with her isn’t really resolved in this story, but it seems clear that it will carry on over in to volume 2, i assume.
she’s adorable and violent as she always is, and the art style to show her inner childish mind whenever things get extremely violent, aka someone dies, is super clever and definitely something i LOVE about Harley that i wish was around more often in her stories!
the only thing i didn’t like much, was i had a problem keeping track of all of her henchmen. i got the names mixed up too often and forgot who was who and how they were working for her, but i think that’s more of a me thing than the comic itself! also, the slumber party issue (issue #3) definitely felt like a filler, but did lead up to a plot point in the later issues!
overall, this was a fun story that has the charm only Harley herself has, and was an amazing breath of fresh air compared to the comics i’ve read by other authors of her solo series, and i definitely recommend it to anyone interested in harley’s character! there’s also a ton of cameos/team ups involving other well known gotham villains, which was very fun to see!!
JUST KIDDING :D
4.5 stars rounded up!!
this is Harley Quinn as we all know her best! goofy, punny, getting on the nerves of others, and in her own words, “a menace to society,” but more specifically, to ‘Happy Jack,’ and his three hired guns trying to stop her!! the issue he has with her isn’t really resolved in this story, but it seems clear that it will carry on over in to volume 2, i assume.
she’s adorable and violent as she always is, and the art style to show her inner childish mind whenever things get extremely violent, aka someone dies, is super clever and definitely something i LOVE about Harley that i wish was around more often in her stories!
the only thing i didn’t like much, was i had a problem keeping track of all of her henchmen. i got the names mixed up too often and forgot who was who and how they were working for her, but i think that’s more of a me thing than the comic itself! also, the slumber party issue (issue #3) definitely felt like a filler, but did lead up to a plot point in the later issues!
overall, this was a fun story that has the charm only Harley herself has, and was an amazing breath of fresh air compared to the comics i’ve read by other authors of her solo series, and i definitely recommend it to anyone interested in harley’s character! there’s also a ton of cameos/team ups involving other well known gotham villains, which was very fun to see!!
February 2, 2025
Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes was an excellent start to Harley's first solo series.
The comics included in this collection are the first seven issues of the Harley Quinn solo series written by Karl Kesel that was published from 2000-2003. The art style in this series is nice with Harley's look being pretty reminiscent of her look in Batman: The Animated Series with her classic harlequin costume. The storylines in the series are centered on Harley striking out on her own after her most recent break-up with the Joker after he betrays her.
The first five comics in this collection have their own stories while the last two follow the same story. The first one involves Harley breaking the Joker out of jail which eventually leads to their break-up when he tries to kill her. From there she attempts to partner with Two-Face which doesn't work out and then the third has her throwing a slumber party with other female villains. She then hires her own henchman and pull off a job to rescue her pet hyenas Bud and Lou from the Gotham Zoo and after that we head to a warehouse full of objects that were present at the greatest heists in Gotham. The last two stories involve Harley and her gang deciding to pull off a heist in Wayne Manor and the hilarity that ensued.
There was a nice variety of characters included in this collection between Harley's friends and others that she teams up with or works against. The Joker was only included in the first comic which I actually liked as it let Harley shine and made it possible to bring in other characters. The slumber party was one of my favorite comics in the collection as it included so many characters including Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Jewelee, The Body Doubles, and more. It was nice getting to see all the ladies together and there were some great interactions between them. I was really happy when Bud and Lou showed up as I loved Harley's relationship with them in the animated series. The heist at Wayne Manor was pretty fun and I liked the unexpected inclusion of the Riddler in that.
Overall Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes was a fun read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next volume of this series soon.
The comics included in this collection are the first seven issues of the Harley Quinn solo series written by Karl Kesel that was published from 2000-2003. The art style in this series is nice with Harley's look being pretty reminiscent of her look in Batman: The Animated Series with her classic harlequin costume. The storylines in the series are centered on Harley striking out on her own after her most recent break-up with the Joker after he betrays her.
The first five comics in this collection have their own stories while the last two follow the same story. The first one involves Harley breaking the Joker out of jail which eventually leads to their break-up when he tries to kill her. From there she attempts to partner with Two-Face which doesn't work out and then the third has her throwing a slumber party with other female villains. She then hires her own henchman and pull off a job to rescue her pet hyenas Bud and Lou from the Gotham Zoo and after that we head to a warehouse full of objects that were present at the greatest heists in Gotham. The last two stories involve Harley and her gang deciding to pull off a heist in Wayne Manor and the hilarity that ensued.
There was a nice variety of characters included in this collection between Harley's friends and others that she teams up with or works against. The Joker was only included in the first comic which I actually liked as it let Harley shine and made it possible to bring in other characters. The slumber party was one of my favorite comics in the collection as it included so many characters including Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Jewelee, The Body Doubles, and more. It was nice getting to see all the ladies together and there were some great interactions between them. I was really happy when Bud and Lou showed up as I loved Harley's relationship with them in the animated series. The heist at Wayne Manor was pretty fun and I liked the unexpected inclusion of the Riddler in that.
Overall Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes was a fun read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next volume of this series soon.
May 5, 2023
Musím říct, že já jsem si tenhle svazek nesmírně užila. Je to akční, hodně hravé a fakt jsem neměla ani jednou pocit, že bych se při čtení nějak nudila. Harley jako hlavní hrdinka a vlastně záporačka mne fakt bavila. V hlavě to nemá zrovna v pořádku, ale způsob, jakým se vypořádává se světem, mi přišel prostě zábavný. Možná se to vymyká obvyklým padouchům, kteří jsou prostě zavilí a zlí, ale za mne ro nevadí.
Konec mi přišel teda dost otevřený, což mi bylo poněkud líto, ale zároveň doufám, že to bylo záměrně, aby si tím autoři připravili prostor pro další pokračování, v které upřímně moc doufám. Moc ráda bych se k Harley zase vrátila.
I z grafické stránky se mi tento díl líbil. Kresba mi hodně seděla. Potkali jsme se tu i s pár známými postavami z dřívějších dílů, což bylo fajn. :-)
Já jsem určitě spokojená.
Konec mi přišel teda dost otevřený, což mi bylo poněkud líto, ale zároveň doufám, že to bylo záměrně, aby si tím autoři připravili prostor pro další pokračování, v které upřímně moc doufám. Moc ráda bych se k Harley zase vrátila.
I z grafické stránky se mi tento díl líbil. Kresba mi hodně seděla. Potkali jsme se tu i s pár známými postavami z dřívějších dílů, což bylo fajn. :-)
Já jsem určitě spokojená.
May 26, 2017
4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Despite Harley being my second favorite DC character her comics are so hit or miss. This one was good though. I liked the artwork a lot and Harley's characterization was great. She wasn't too ditzy or stupid as most comics tend to make her which was great. She was loveable and slightly ditzy and just as funny. While I enjoyed this entire comic as a whole my favorite part was the party that Harley threw with the other female villains. It was hilarious and such a joy to read, plus I'm always here for Ivy and Harley together. Overall, I would definitely recommend this comic even if you're not a Harley Quinn because I think it'd be a great place to start.
June 16, 2018
2.5 stars
A lot of wasted potential here (Harley leaving Joker, hanging out with the girls... only to hire a bunch of guys and do pointless stuff with them??) and - to be perfectly honest - it's Ivy who's the real star here but it's not not entertaining and some pages are really a pleasure to look at.
A lot of wasted potential here (Harley leaving Joker, hanging out with the girls... only to hire a bunch of guys and do pointless stuff with them??) and - to be perfectly honest - it's Ivy who's the real star here but it's not not entertaining and some pages are really a pleasure to look at.
September 30, 2024
"I'll watch TV! 'cause that's what people with no problems do!"
Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Talented, Brilliant, Incredible, Amazing, Showstopping, Spectacular, Never The Same, Totally Unique, Completely Not Ever Been Done Before, Unafraid To Reference Or Not Reference, Put It In A Blender, Shit On It, Vomit On It, Eat It, Give Birth To It.
Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Talented, Brilliant, Incredible, Amazing, Showstopping, Spectacular, Never The Same, Totally Unique, Completely Not Ever Been Done Before, Unafraid To Reference Or Not Reference, Put It In A Blender, Shit On It, Vomit On It, Eat It, Give Birth To It.
August 2, 2025
Bastante sin más, la verdad.
Harley Quinn se las ve contra varios personajes de DC en unas historias que tienen poca chicha y en las que todos los personajes femeninos están dibujados como megacachondas exageradas incluso para la industria de los superhéroes. El tomo es de 2016, pero recopila una serie del 2000, lo cual lo explica todo.
Pues eso, que sin más.
(Traducido por Francisco San Rafael Simó)
Harley Quinn se las ve contra varios personajes de DC en unas historias que tienen poca chicha y en las que todos los personajes femeninos están dibujados como megacachondas exageradas incluso para la industria de los superhéroes. El tomo es de 2016, pero recopila una serie del 2000, lo cual lo explica todo.
Pues eso, que sin más.
(Traducido por Francisco San Rafael Simó)
October 10, 2016
So I've got a bad habit of adding things to my currently reading list and never taking them down and writing reviews. I love all the old Harley Quinn comics, and it is high time I wrote this review.
Suicide Squad had Harley all sexed up, and there is no denying that's an aspect of her personality. She slept her way through university psychiatry and defines herself by her (impression of her) relationship to the Joker. Even still, there is something more underneath the clownish cat suit that speaks to the fundamental ego of someone who perpetually clings to bad relationships. While the comics are as goofy and full of POW! KABANG! SPLAT! as most superhero monthlies, but it feels like it fits Harley Quinn's perspective of the world, and that there is another layer of psychological reality here.
I really love Lewis, and Harley's henchmen as a whole. It is neat to see Harely on her own and in a position of power and respect that has nothing to do with her sexuality. Poison Ivy is a great foil to Harley Quinn, and the comics know to use her sparingly and make her appearances count.
I'm probably reading way too much into these comics, but I really appreciate the picture they paint, even if it is under a heavy coating of traditional superhero action and the writers are going for most puns per line of dialogue.
Suicide Squad had Harley all sexed up, and there is no denying that's an aspect of her personality. She slept her way through university psychiatry and defines herself by her (impression of her) relationship to the Joker. Even still, there is something more underneath the clownish cat suit that speaks to the fundamental ego of someone who perpetually clings to bad relationships. While the comics are as goofy and full of POW! KABANG! SPLAT! as most superhero monthlies, but it feels like it fits Harley Quinn's perspective of the world, and that there is another layer of psychological reality here.
I really love Lewis, and Harley's henchmen as a whole. It is neat to see Harely on her own and in a position of power and respect that has nothing to do with her sexuality. Poison Ivy is a great foil to Harley Quinn, and the comics know to use her sparingly and make her appearances count.
I'm probably reading way too much into these comics, but I really appreciate the picture they paint, even if it is under a heavy coating of traditional superhero action and the writers are going for most puns per line of dialogue.
April 4, 2017
(3.5/5)
August 5, 2017
Zoufale nudné
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