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Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Destructive Comics
The bigwigs at DC want me to be a bit clearer in these snooze-licit texts, sohere goes nuttin’! When Harley (that’s me!) discovers her favorite dangerousneighborhood in Gotham City has been gentrified beyond recognition, she(re)breaks bad and sets out on a one-clown-woman mission to make Gotham Citysafe for crime again, thanks to her new creative team of Elliott Kalan (The FlopHouse podcast, Mystery Science Theater 3000) and Mindy Lee (Bounty, Harley Hates Side Quests). Collecting Harley Quinn #44-49!
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2025
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30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 13, 2025
I usually bounce right off Harley Quinn comics, with their forced humor and lack of plot. I picked up Destructive Comics, though, since I've been enjoying the Poison Ivy series and Harley's occasional appearances there. A new run with a new author seemed like a good place to check in.
I guess you could say I was pleasantly surprised? Destructive Comics opens like a typical Harley series: manic Harley arrives somewhere, makes a rash decision, then follows through on that decision come hell or high water. In this case, she arrives in her old neighborhood in Gotham, finds it's no longer a murderer-infested slum, and decides to turn back the clock.
A few issues of middling humor and smashing things finally give way to actual character moments. In particular, Harley begins wrestling with her own brain. Also, a Poison Ivy team-up gives those two a chance to bond (always a plus). In the end, Destructive Comics is a mostly silly, Deadpool-level comic book, but it at least nods at a plot (and the humor isn't that abrasive). The art's pretty solid too, well matched to the characters.
I guess you could say I was pleasantly surprised? Destructive Comics opens like a typical Harley series: manic Harley arrives somewhere, makes a rash decision, then follows through on that decision come hell or high water. In this case, she arrives in her old neighborhood in Gotham, finds it's no longer a murderer-infested slum, and decides to turn back the clock.
A few issues of middling humor and smashing things finally give way to actual character moments. In particular, Harley begins wrestling with her own brain. Also, a Poison Ivy team-up gives those two a chance to bond (always a plus). In the end, Destructive Comics is a mostly silly, Deadpool-level comic book, but it at least nods at a plot (and the humor isn't that abrasive). The art's pretty solid too, well matched to the characters.
August 1, 2025
I've read a few Harley Quinn creative teams at this point, and I never really have massive expectations. She's one of those characters that falls into the 'she'll sell no matter what they do with her' categories, so sometimes it can feel a bit phoned in.
Elliott Kalan's first arc of Harley isn't that at all. He's got a point of view, an overarching plot, and a killer sense of humour that make Harley's All-In debut a home run for me. I laughed out loud at least once per issue and was grinning all the way through; it's hilarious, but also has a lot to say about the world, and Harley as a character as well.
The standout issue is of course the Ivy team-up that pits them against Professor Pyg, but every issue here has something amusing going on. Harley's new frenemy Althea Kang is exactly the kind of villain Harley needs, someone who can stand up to her but HATES having to.
On art we have Mindy Lee, who hits that perfect sweetspot between cartoonish and comic book without veering too far into slapstick or silly. I've not seen anything of hers before, but I was very impressed with what I saw here.
Superb start, a lovely surprise.
Elliott Kalan's first arc of Harley isn't that at all. He's got a point of view, an overarching plot, and a killer sense of humour that make Harley's All-In debut a home run for me. I laughed out loud at least once per issue and was grinning all the way through; it's hilarious, but also has a lot to say about the world, and Harley as a character as well.
The standout issue is of course the Ivy team-up that pits them against Professor Pyg, but every issue here has something amusing going on. Harley's new frenemy Althea Kang is exactly the kind of villain Harley needs, someone who can stand up to her but HATES having to.
On art we have Mindy Lee, who hits that perfect sweetspot between cartoonish and comic book without veering too far into slapstick or silly. I've not seen anything of hers before, but I was very impressed with what I saw here.
Superb start, a lovely surprise.
September 20, 2025
Elliot Kalan is fine, Mindy Lee is incredible! Her art makes this a must read on its own, her style fits so naturally with the character. I only wish she was able to color her own work (not that Tríonna Farrell did a poor job, but I love seeing an artist color their own pages.) Mindy Lee is so good, go back and read her backup story from the Tini Howard + Sweeny Boo run if you haven't already. I'm eager for the next volume
January 16, 2026
Harley Quinn fights gentrification. Epic.
November 10, 2025
3.5 stars. Not a bad book by the creative team of Elliott Kalan and Mindy Lee. The premise is that Harley is searching for a new raison d' etre, and she finds it in fighting gentrification and online delivery services that are wrecking her old neighbourhood.
So she straddles the middle ground between a people's hero and a villian that causes massive amounts of property damage to the developers. It's OK and reminds me of what you'd find in a Mark Russell satire book, faintly. Harley suitably also has the hots for the villianous lead developer, so she is contending with that as well.
The art by Mindy Lee is a big plus in this book. It's in a half-animated, half-expressive style that draws Harley's unique style of kooky gymnastics really well. All in all, there is a firm creative take on HQ present.
I'll be reading others reviews to see how this series progresses, to see whether I'll pick up further volumes. It's a busy marketplace, and HQ is on my periphery, but it's a decent enough book.
So she straddles the middle ground between a people's hero and a villian that causes massive amounts of property damage to the developers. It's OK and reminds me of what you'd find in a Mark Russell satire book, faintly. Harley suitably also has the hots for the villianous lead developer, so she is contending with that as well.
The art by Mindy Lee is a big plus in this book. It's in a half-animated, half-expressive style that draws Harley's unique style of kooky gymnastics really well. All in all, there is a firm creative take on HQ present.
I'll be reading others reviews to see how this series progresses, to see whether I'll pick up further volumes. It's a busy marketplace, and HQ is on my periphery, but it's a decent enough book.
August 25, 2025
I like Elliott Kalan a lot, I LOVE his Spider-Man and the X-Men, and this one for me was...well, Harley Quinn is just never a character I've really resonated with. probably because [REDACTED BECAUSE SEXIST AND ALSO PERVY AND ALSO ODDLY COMMUNIST].
Harley is like some other characters for me, like Deadpool and Ghost Rider, who seem cool and all, but I really just haven't read any books of theirs that I loved. Other people seem to really dig them, and bully for them, I don't seek to say those books are objectively bad, they just don't do much for me.
If anyone at Marvel reads Goodreads reviews, first of all, the fuck?
Secondly, please put Elliott Kalan on a Thing series. It would be amazing. With the possible exception of Spider-Man, I think Mr. Kalan would crush it way beyond your wildest dreams.
Damn it, I could have said that he'd "clobber" it. Well, this is why I'm advocating for a better writer.
Harley is like some other characters for me, like Deadpool and Ghost Rider, who seem cool and all, but I really just haven't read any books of theirs that I loved. Other people seem to really dig them, and bully for them, I don't seek to say those books are objectively bad, they just don't do much for me.
If anyone at Marvel reads Goodreads reviews, first of all, the fuck?
Secondly, please put Elliott Kalan on a Thing series. It would be amazing. With the possible exception of Spider-Man, I think Mr. Kalan would crush it way beyond your wildest dreams.
Damn it, I could have said that he'd "clobber" it. Well, this is why I'm advocating for a better writer.
July 26, 2025
Tired of your typical Harley Quinn villain/hero shenanigans?
Elliott Kalan is here (former Daily Show and MST3K lead writer) to get that absurdist spin back. Gone, is the penthouse living with Ivy. Harley isn't teaching at the local college any longer. She's back to complaining about being stuck in the middle. Too 'good for the baddies' and 'bad for the good guys'.
Let's just move it all to Throatcutter Hill (the Suicide Slum's of Gotham?). It's the part of town that Harley holds dear because it was the first place she lived when she was in college. It's changed a bit since she lived here. It's infested with Gen Z / gentrifiers trying to tear it all down and build something shiny and new.
Looks like Harley is even going to get a new love (lust?) interest. Althea Klang
Elliott Kalan is here (former Daily Show and MST3K lead writer) to get that absurdist spin back. Gone, is the penthouse living with Ivy. Harley isn't teaching at the local college any longer. She's back to complaining about being stuck in the middle. Too 'good for the baddies' and 'bad for the good guys'.
Let's just move it all to Throatcutter Hill (the Suicide Slum's of Gotham?). It's the part of town that Harley holds dear because it was the first place she lived when she was in college. It's changed a bit since she lived here. It's infested with Gen Z / gentrifiers trying to tear it all down and build something shiny and new.
Looks like Harley is even going to get a new love (lust?) interest. Althea Klang
December 12, 2025
Elliot Kalan is one of my favorite podcasters and an award-winning comedy writer. In this book, he's teamed up with the equally brilliant Mindy Lee to give us a hilarious romp through Harley Quinn's mind. Our heroine/anti-heroine pits herself against the gentrification of her old neighborhood, Throatcutter's Hill.
Harley's foe is Althea Klang who is Ayn Rand if Rand had been a real estate developer instead of a chain-smoking narcissistic cult leader living off the taxpayer's dime. At one point, Klang exclaims "By Milton Friedman's Ghost" which echoes Perry White's "Great Caesar's Ghost!" What can a lone crazy person do against the iron laws of capitalism at its worst? Turns out quite a lot. You'll cheer for Harley Quinn and her bestie, Chicken Fingers, throughout the book.
Harley's foe is Althea Klang who is Ayn Rand if Rand had been a real estate developer instead of a chain-smoking narcissistic cult leader living off the taxpayer's dime. At one point, Klang exclaims "By Milton Friedman's Ghost" which echoes Perry White's "Great Caesar's Ghost!" What can a lone crazy person do against the iron laws of capitalism at its worst? Turns out quite a lot. You'll cheer for Harley Quinn and her bestie, Chicken Fingers, throughout the book.
September 21, 2025
Very fun take on the character. Enjoyable dialogue with at least on excellent joke per issue. Also: I love the throwback decision to make a condo developer + gentrification the villains of the piece.
As a Flop House fan, I also appreciated some great little gags / references to episodes from Kalan's life (as mentioned on the show).
As a Flop House fan, I also appreciated some great little gags / references to episodes from Kalan's life (as mentioned on the show).
August 7, 2025
At the heart of it, it’s a good story but it feels a little chaotic and familiar.
September 17, 2025
I really liked the art but I still can't get on board with antihero Harley. I want her to be a villain tbh...
October 1, 2025
3.5 stars.
December 7, 2025
I loved this so much. Elliott Kalan is hilarious and his Harley was spot-on. I was LIVING for the explicitly stated mutual attraction between her and the villain of this series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews