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Harley Quinn (2000)
Harley Quinn, Vol. 4: Vengeance Unlimited
In a new direction for the series, Harley attempts to juggle being a full-time psychiatrist with her own criminal activities. But the unbalanced people she has to treat are keeping her very busy - and she's wanted for the murder of a police officer. Then, Harley gains powers beyond those of normal humans thanks to Poison Ivy's experiments. But every gift has its price, and now Harley faces the consequences. Plus, Harley signs on for a mercenary gig to hunt down a guy on the lam and retrieve an unnamed object of limitless value for him.
Collects HARLEY QUINN #26-38.
Collects HARLEY QUINN #26-38.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 10, 2015
This one is an odd rendering of Harley Quinn. When I think of Harley, she’s usually that hot, bat-sh*t crazy, lethal villainess, who sleeps around with the ultimate bad boy himself, the Joker. The New 52 version.
This is not what the fan boys get here.
You have a Harley who has Mr. J at arm’s length, who moonlights as a psychiatrist during the day, who has an old guy mentor named “Doc”, who wants to date a cop, who strays into Cat-Woman/Anti-Heroine territory, who has somewhat of a conscience. Yet, for all that, it’s still fairly entertaining.
This packs a lot of story – 13 issues – and two major storylines – 1) Harley gets framed for murdering a police officer and 2) Harley has to keep a little girl safe.
There’s a lot of nice character touches that Lieberman brings to his run: Harley recites names of crappy ‘80’s bands when she’s stressed (“Flock of Seagulls, Kajagoogoo, Europe”), her humor is smart funny as opposed to whack-job funny, etc.
Lieberman offers up a Harley Quinn that’s interesting but might not be to everyone’s taste or expectations. Caveat Emptor.
February 4, 2015
Firstly I was under the impression that there was another trade after this, but I was wrong. Well done DC for not dragging out the series into two trades, putting all of AJ Lieberman's run into one.
This is easily the weakest of the series. The opening storyline is a good murder mystery, introducing some new side characters for Harley and an ending that I didn't see coming.
Then come two done-in-one stories which are mostly forgettable. In fact, the writer seems to forget about them too, despite some important plot points being introduced in the second of the two.
The final five part story is basically one extended chase scene. Despite featuring one tough as nails 12 year old, it goes on for far too long with no real progression, and the way the story ends is quite depressing. The last issue of the trade is in a similar vein, forgetting to tie up plot lines that have been going on for 12 issues in favour of rushing Harley back to her status quo.
The art from Mike Huddleston can be pretty good, but the fight scenes and anything involving Harley doing gymnastics is always unpolished and seems to be missing details. He is in a similar vein to Craig Rousseau from the previous volume, but a lower end version.
Harley's series ends on a downer, unfortunately, but there's still some fun to be had, especially if you're a fan of the character. Just don't expect as much fun as the previous three trades.
This is easily the weakest of the series. The opening storyline is a good murder mystery, introducing some new side characters for Harley and an ending that I didn't see coming.
Then come two done-in-one stories which are mostly forgettable. In fact, the writer seems to forget about them too, despite some important plot points being introduced in the second of the two.
The final five part story is basically one extended chase scene. Despite featuring one tough as nails 12 year old, it goes on for far too long with no real progression, and the way the story ends is quite depressing. The last issue of the trade is in a similar vein, forgetting to tie up plot lines that have been going on for 12 issues in favour of rushing Harley back to her status quo.
The art from Mike Huddleston can be pretty good, but the fight scenes and anything involving Harley doing gymnastics is always unpolished and seems to be missing details. He is in a similar vein to Craig Rousseau from the previous volume, but a lower end version.
Harley's series ends on a downer, unfortunately, but there's still some fun to be had, especially if you're a fan of the character. Just don't expect as much fun as the previous three trades.
December 10, 2021
Bastante mejor que los tres volúmenes anteriores, al menos éste no me ha resultado aburrido. Las dos tramas principales son bastante sólidas y el dibujo me ha gustado algo más con respecto a los anteriores tomos; se nota el cambio de dibujante.
Sinceramente esperaba más de esta serie en general, pero el cierre no ha sido tan malo como temía.
You know what the hardest thing in the world to do is?
What?
Forgive.
No. The hardest thing in the world to do is forget.
Sinceramente esperaba más de esta serie en general, pero el cierre no ha sido tan malo como temía.
You know what the hardest thing in the world to do is?
What?
Forgive.
No. The hardest thing in the world to do is forget.
October 24, 2016
I love classic Harley!
This is a story that does get confusing at times, but I love the idea of Harley dating a cop and the Joker getting jealous. The art is well done apart from one issue and I loved the story at the end.
-235 pages read
=235 house points
#HHCup #SHHCup
This is a story that does get confusing at times, but I love the idea of Harley dating a cop and the Joker getting jealous. The art is well done apart from one issue and I loved the story at the end.
-235 pages read
=235 house points
#HHCup #SHHCup
May 26, 2024
A GIANT collection (Issues #26 - #38), with two main story lines; fantastic artwork that pops on the page and draws the reader in; and it is has the funny dialog, entertaining asides, and smart aleck tone (in a good way) as always. This one is a keeper . . . If you are a Harley Quinn fan, read this collection!
March 29, 2017
The ending is a little wonky for me but I thoroughly enjoyed this!
This is such an interesting take on Harley. It's easier to see her as a woman that used to be a psychologist instead of just the Joker's girlfriend or a sociopath. Honestly, she's not sociopathic in this book at all. She makes an awful decision at the end of this book but she struggles with it. I'm not trying to justify it at all but it's worth noting that she didn't make the choice easily.
The relationship between her and the cop was interesting. Loved the Ivy mentions. I wish I could've seen them together.
I didn't enjoy the last Harley book I read but I love this one.
This is such an interesting take on Harley. It's easier to see her as a woman that used to be a psychologist instead of just the Joker's girlfriend or a sociopath. Honestly, she's not sociopathic in this book at all. She makes an awful decision at the end of this book but she struggles with it. I'm not trying to justify it at all but it's worth noting that she didn't make the choice easily.
The relationship between her and the cop was interesting. Loved the Ivy mentions. I wish I could've seen them together.
I didn't enjoy the last Harley book I read but I love this one.
July 26, 2017
One of Harley's best qualities, her likable insanity, is completely missing here. Author A.J. Lieberman pens a Harley that's more conflicted vigilante than lovable loon. Its sorely missed. There are a couple storylines collected here and they all feel the same. The art is decent but the giant problem is that this just wasn't Harley to me. Disappointing.
June 26, 2015
Greatly enjoyed this graphic novel! It's definitely one of my favourite Harley Quinn graphic novels (if not my favourite). I highly recommend this to any HQ fan, especially anyone who loves Classic Harley :D
February 24, 2018
This one had consistant art, Harley back as a psychiatrist, her bad vs good comeing out, and her demons come back to haunt her. Two minus points- No Ivy and the gymnastic scenes were not as good as previous. I did like the side story about Ivy's little concoction for Harley, but it was just a one shot. I do like Harley going back to Archam at the end to try and become "normal" again, all cause of the little girl.
And of course she gets cured. Or not. Hahahahahaha
And of course she gets cured. Or not. Hahahahahaha
January 18, 2022
Lots of fun plus one sad bit. I’m glad to read HQ as a deranged, sometimes bad person. She’s supposed to be bad sometimes, that’s what makes her character so much fun.
Read
April 6, 2023DNF shortly after the first issue. I found the timeline confusing, and this is a very different Harley from the one I like (and that's okay!).
September 20, 2015
When did Harley become Selina?
I'm sad because this is the end of this run of Harley Quinn comics. This arc saw a change in creative team, direction, characterization and tone. There are things here that I really like, and there are things here that irked me somewhat, nonetheless, as I said, I'm sad that this is the end.
World: I like Huddleston's art, it's stylish enough to fit Harley, but has that "Powers" hard boiled look to it that I really like. About 10 pages in I realized that this is pretty much what the Brubaker Catwoman book looks like (and feels and reads...but more on that later). There is way more world building this time around with the creative team change and a concerted effort to create a cast of characters and a slice of Gotham for Harley, which I appreciate very much. I just wish it lead somewhere before the series ended.
Story: 3 arcs here and all of them are quite good, there is a strong hard boiled crime noir feel to it and I dig those types of stories. However, I must say that this is pretty much Catwoman, but with Harley, a lot of what made Harley unique is lost here and there is a jarring feelings coming from the last trade to this one. I'm not saying I don't like it, I do quite a bit, but it is just Catwoman. I appreciate the creation of a cast of characters and the world for this version of Harley and the stories that take place in them are emotionally charged and well thought out, they are very strong tales. The end of the series is also fitting and does make sense in terms of Harley's character, she is in this DCU (not New52) chaotic neutral and thus her decision as the end with the child makes sense. Emotionally I walked away from this series way different from when I read the Metropolis arc from the last trade.
Characters: What I like I've said above, I like that Lieberman created a slice of Gotham for Harley to play in, unlike the last creative team which loved playing in the DCU and had a quirky zany fun time doing it, this is a darker, much more noir crime take on the world. It's different and it's not necessarily a bad thing. I like the creation of Doc and Bishop, I just wish that the series had more time to dive into them, but alas that will not happen. Having said those things, I also am torn about the characterization of this Harley, sure she's complex and deep and badass, but this is simply Selina Kyle and we don't need Selina Kyle light for Harley. I'm not apposing the darker and more serious tone, but even in this world that Lieberman has created Harley could have been more chaotic, unpredictable and well...more Harley.
This series ended when things were starting to gain traction, which is a sad thing, but at the same time I don't know if in the long run this is the Harley Quinn that I would have wanted. I did miss the ridiculous, tongue and cheek version of Harley, the one that made fun of Bats and Supes and tried to find Bizarro a wife!
Onward to the next book!
I'm sad because this is the end of this run of Harley Quinn comics. This arc saw a change in creative team, direction, characterization and tone. There are things here that I really like, and there are things here that irked me somewhat, nonetheless, as I said, I'm sad that this is the end.
World: I like Huddleston's art, it's stylish enough to fit Harley, but has that "Powers" hard boiled look to it that I really like. About 10 pages in I realized that this is pretty much what the Brubaker Catwoman book looks like (and feels and reads...but more on that later). There is way more world building this time around with the creative team change and a concerted effort to create a cast of characters and a slice of Gotham for Harley, which I appreciate very much. I just wish it lead somewhere before the series ended.
Story: 3 arcs here and all of them are quite good, there is a strong hard boiled crime noir feel to it and I dig those types of stories. However, I must say that this is pretty much Catwoman, but with Harley, a lot of what made Harley unique is lost here and there is a jarring feelings coming from the last trade to this one. I'm not saying I don't like it, I do quite a bit, but it is just Catwoman. I appreciate the creation of a cast of characters and the world for this version of Harley and the stories that take place in them are emotionally charged and well thought out, they are very strong tales. The end of the series is also fitting and does make sense in terms of Harley's character, she is in this DCU (not New52) chaotic neutral and thus her decision as the end with the child makes sense. Emotionally I walked away from this series way different from when I read the Metropolis arc from the last trade.
Characters: What I like I've said above, I like that Lieberman created a slice of Gotham for Harley to play in, unlike the last creative team which loved playing in the DCU and had a quirky zany fun time doing it, this is a darker, much more noir crime take on the world. It's different and it's not necessarily a bad thing. I like the creation of Doc and Bishop, I just wish that the series had more time to dive into them, but alas that will not happen. Having said those things, I also am torn about the characterization of this Harley, sure she's complex and deep and badass, but this is simply Selina Kyle and we don't need Selina Kyle light for Harley. I'm not apposing the darker and more serious tone, but even in this world that Lieberman has created Harley could have been more chaotic, unpredictable and well...more Harley.
This series ended when things were starting to gain traction, which is a sad thing, but at the same time I don't know if in the long run this is the Harley Quinn that I would have wanted. I did miss the ridiculous, tongue and cheek version of Harley, the one that made fun of Bats and Supes and tried to find Bizarro a wife!
Onward to the next book!
April 29, 2016
So do you know who Harley Quinn is? I think of her as madcap, psychotic in a fun way, strong-willed, flighty, always looking for a good time, and devoted to her friends. Yes she's a villain, but she has a code of her own. I describe her because, after reading this collection of 12+ issues all emblazoned with her name, I didn't see her once. I saw a character who occasionally wore similar clothes, but had few of her other characteristics. I saw a noir story that runs counter to all of what makes Harley who she is. Fun? No. colorful? no. Friendly? Not here. Murderous and manipulative, ultimately willing to do anything for money, no matter who is damaged in her wake. It's a decent noir story (familiar, but most of them are now), but it's not a Harley Quinn story. It would suit Catwoman much better. It fits her character, her style, her neuroses. The story isn't particularly well presented either; the action sequences are almost incomprehensible, and it tries to be clever a lot, but only manages it occasionally. The book never seems to get above 50% in brightness. It's amazing how different this Harley is from the one in the first volume of the New 52 series. How did it get here from there? And why take it this way? It does no justice to the character, ignoring everything that makes her interesting to instead fit her into dark and gritty. And when you put a character named after a harlequin into a dark and gritty, you really need to have a good reason, or you need to re-evaluate your direction.
December 15, 2015
I grabbed this book at the library because I wanted a comic book...and thought "Oh, Harley Quinn...I know nothing really about her"....Ugh. This story was confusing. Maybe I'm dense....or lacking in the DC comic obsession and memorization of facts, but I feel like comic books should be approachable...and I was often lost about who was who and why and what....and AHHH!? The "blue eyes" story I understood...but the *subtle* flirting between the police detective and the psychiatrist....and the fact that both characters looked like other characters....and ahhh! From now on I'll stick to Batman and the villains...and avoid this harlequin jokester.
The story was about Harley trying to get some money as a criminal for hire...and how she really does have a deep psychological background and a heart...maybe.
Read: Don't. Unless you've run out of other Batman comic books and you are dying. On a desert island.
The story was about Harley trying to get some money as a criminal for hire...and how she really does have a deep psychological background and a heart...maybe.
Read: Don't. Unless you've run out of other Batman comic books and you are dying. On a desert island.
June 28, 2016
This is the last of the pre-Arkham Asylum/Hot Topic'd up Harley Quinn series, the whole run of stories by A.J. Lieberman.
They aren't very good. The earlier work in the series was quite fun and whacky, and even when weaker, had a nice sense of chaos to it as Harley tries to work out how to run her life by her own rules, rather than developing dependency on another. Rode the line between whimsy and the tragedy. This trade undercuts all that work.
There's darker tone and more brutal storylines, with no sense of joy. It aims for noir and doesn't really pull it off. The stories as they go on start to centre more and more around the Joker. But there's no jokes. The fun is gone. The colour is gone (literally the colouring gets greyer and greyer). Harley Quinn is suddenly stupid and all the other women in the book have literally disappeared while she spouts out crappy 'not like other girls' tired tropes.
Ending is also really really shitty and not any fun at all either. Disappointing.
They aren't very good. The earlier work in the series was quite fun and whacky, and even when weaker, had a nice sense of chaos to it as Harley tries to work out how to run her life by her own rules, rather than developing dependency on another. Rode the line between whimsy and the tragedy. This trade undercuts all that work.
There's darker tone and more brutal storylines, with no sense of joy. It aims for noir and doesn't really pull it off. The stories as they go on start to centre more and more around the Joker. But there's no jokes. The fun is gone. The colour is gone (literally the colouring gets greyer and greyer). Harley Quinn is suddenly stupid and all the other women in the book have literally disappeared while she spouts out crappy 'not like other girls' tired tropes.
Ending is also really really shitty and not any fun at all either. Disappointing.
January 6, 2016
It was just.....not great. It seemed like a step back, a disjointed, stumbling step back in terms of narrative and character. The point about Harley is that she's chaotic, but has her own kinda twisted sense of logic and morality. This Harley had none of that. Maybe they got too caught up in Dr Seabourne? She breaks all the taboo's, she goes looking for trouble, and she somehow takes on major bad guys and corporations and comes out the other side. There's an essence of Don Quixote about her. This was just..,,not great
February 19, 2022
I had a great time reading this, its dark with a good story. Harley is a tragic figure and I was sad at the ending but this title offers some classic original style Harley action. Some great scenes of her antics and getting back at the Joker.
May 8, 2016
I see some criticism of this one because it's a departure from the HQ people "know and love." As someone who rarely cracks a DC comic, I had nothing to compare to, and I liked it, especially the darker turn at the end. Shrug?
August 7, 2018
This volume of Harley Quinn sees a new creative team of A.J. Lieberman, Mike Huddleston and Troy Nixey. With this new team Harley Quinn becomes dark--- very dark.
First Harley creates for herself a new persona and begins seeing patients again. As she unlocks her patients inner-most secrets, Harley becomes the target of a killer with a penchant for puzzles.
Then Harley takes on a gig that will net her a nice nest egg. Only, the target she's meant to obtain is a young orphan. As a devil Harley and an angel Harleen perch themselves on the shoulders of the Joker's ex-girlfriend, will Quinn listen to her heart or her checkbook?
I was okay with the change of tone. And I find it quite odd. I hate it when Deadpool gets crapped on. Yet I am strangely okay with it when the crap hits the fan for Harley. I have nothing but love for Harley Quinn. I think (MAYBE) the reason why I'm not so fazed by it is that I know that such tragedy is important for the villainess to escape her abusive relationship from the Joker.
One thing that bothered me to no end was that there was this great story set up involving the Joker, Harley and her new beau, a police detective. Supposedly, Harley was going to use the cop to pull off a heist of drug money. Yet, by the next issue, this plot line is completely abandoned. Man, that irks me!!!
A very good look at the pain and sufferings of Harley Quinn. Now that I've read all of this series, it's on to find the next collection of stories starring the Maid of Mischief!
December 13, 2017
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'.
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'.
September 8, 2021
I’m reviewing this as the final volume and the overall series. Possibly unfair? Don’t care. The series takes a tone shift in this compilation. The camp factor is mostly gone. The animation is changed again. The ending? The final issues of the book made me at our protagonist. It is a reminder that she isn’t a “good guy”
In the beginning, I loved the series. It was fun. This final volume wasn’t fun. It was still good, but it wasn’t what the series was in the beginning. It had a good run, and I still love what I read. If you already read the previous volumes, you may as well read this. The book deserves a three, but it gets the one extra star because of my bias towards Harley Quinn as the series.
In the beginning, I loved the series. It was fun. This final volume wasn’t fun. It was still good, but it wasn’t what the series was in the beginning. It had a good run, and I still love what I read. If you already read the previous volumes, you may as well read this. The book deserves a three, but it gets the one extra star because of my bias towards Harley Quinn as the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2018
I like the art and writing for the first half of these issues way more than the latter half, the latter artist/story was just messy and kind of hard to follow. They tried to get real edgelord about some of the storylines too and it's just-- Harley is already a really intense character with a really intense backstory, you don't really have to add more ~edge!~
But this is a collection, too, so it makes sense that the stories are kind of jumbled together. Shrug
I hope the Harley Quinn movie they eventually make has zero screentime for the joker.
But this is a collection, too, so it makes sense that the stories are kind of jumbled together. Shrug
I hope the Harley Quinn movie they eventually make has zero screentime for the joker.
July 29, 2019
This is perhaps one of the darkest Harley Quinn comic books I have ever read. She is torn between getting money through this little girls retna scans and the little girl possibly dying or selling the little girl and the little girl still dying. With all that on her mind she is also juggling being a psychiatrist and a psychopath. The joker does show up in this comic since he put a hit on her. Harley Quinn does kill a bunch of people to save herself. It is very action packed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2018
I like that this collection gives Harley's character psychological complexity, and doesn't just make her Joker's sidekick. I thought the plotline with Amanda, the little girl, the most compelling part of the collection. That being said, I definitely prefer Karl Kesel's writing and Rachel & Terry Dodson's art when it comes to Harley Quinn.
June 3, 2019
Beautiful artwork. Would have liked all the stories to have had the same artist. There was a noticeable difference in Harley's face between the shorter stories. Broke a little continuity of the underlying story in the whole book. Great pulling together of all the stories to get to the main story, which was compelling.
September 29, 2017
I really liked the more serious vibe this final volume had. All the stories were connected and I thought the end was pretty poignant.
I also liked the art a lot. I think it went well with the vibe of the book.
I also liked the art a lot. I think it went well with the vibe of the book.
October 3, 2017
While I prefer my Harley a bit lighter than portrayed here, it was a nice bit of noir. I particularly liked the art and the way Harley was drawn in silhouette. It did a nice job of conveying nearly Ditko-esque energy.
February 2, 2022
My first Harley Quinn comic! Oh, this comic version of Harley was a very rendition of what I expected. There are a lot of awesome 80s band references, plenty of humour, sassy, and somewhat of conscience coming from Quinn. I very much preferred this version of Harley over the New 52 or movies or video games. If you want to have an excellent introduction to Harley Quinn, I'd say give this a go!
June 18, 2022
This one is my least favorite from Vol. 1-3. I did enjoy seeing HQ being her badass criminal self at night and a psychiatrist during the day. Not much to be said, just Harley fighting a lot of mobsters and a little appearance of the joker.
July 11, 2017
I loved it Harley Quinn rules
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