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Harley Quinn (2016) #1
Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Die Laughing
Harley Quinn is back in this new jumping-on point Vol. 1 graphic novel from DC Rebirth!
Her name is Dr. Harleen Quinzel, better known to her friends and enemies as playful-but-deadly Harley Quinn. Her ex-boyfriend, the Joker, may be the Clown Prince of Crime, but Harley's the Queen of Coney Island! So when a zombie apocalypse threatens her li'l seaside stretch of paradise, who else would ya call to save your butt?
In these action-packed pages, the baddest bad girl in the entire DC Universe joins forces with everyone from her gal-pal Poison Ivy to the leading lights of the New York City punk scene to take down anyone who stands between her and a good time--living, dead or undead.
The Harley Quinn powerhouse team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti joins forces with artists John Timms and Chad Hardin and draft a new beginning for DC&;s craziest anti-hero in HARLEY QUINN VOL. 1: DIE LAUGHING.
Collects Harley Quinn #1-7.
Her name is Dr. Harleen Quinzel, better known to her friends and enemies as playful-but-deadly Harley Quinn. Her ex-boyfriend, the Joker, may be the Clown Prince of Crime, but Harley's the Queen of Coney Island! So when a zombie apocalypse threatens her li'l seaside stretch of paradise, who else would ya call to save your butt?
In these action-packed pages, the baddest bad girl in the entire DC Universe joins forces with everyone from her gal-pal Poison Ivy to the leading lights of the New York City punk scene to take down anyone who stands between her and a good time--living, dead or undead.
The Harley Quinn powerhouse team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti joins forces with artists John Timms and Chad Hardin and draft a new beginning for DC&;s craziest anti-hero in HARLEY QUINN VOL. 1: DIE LAUGHING.
Collects Harley Quinn #1-7.
168 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2017
213 people are currently reading
1768 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Conner
385 books308 followersAmanda Conner started out in comics working small projects for Marvel and Archie while working as an illustrator for New York ad agencies Kornhauser and Calene and Kidvertisers. working a number of launches and campaigns such as Arm & Hammer, PlaySchool and Nickelodeon.
However, loving comic books and cartooning the most, Amanda found herself working for Marvel on their Barbie line (much of Amanda’s covers inspired designs for the line of Barbie toys), Disney line which included the Gargoyles books. At the same time she was illustrating “Soul Searchers & Co.” for Claypool Comics and worked on other Marvel projects, such as Excalibur for the X-Men line and “Suburban Jersey Ninja She-Devils”.
During an assignment for Crusade (‘Tomoe’) she and Jimmy Palmiotti became a real team as penciller/inker.
Amanda then moved on to do what is probably one of her best known works. She did several years as penciller on the hit series “Vampirella” for Harris Comics and drafted 24 issues. While illustrating “Vampirella”, Amanda worked with the top writers in the field, Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Warren Ellis.
Continuing to expand her horizons, Amanda illustrated the best-selling crossover “Painkiller Jane vs. the Darkness”, and went on to work on “Painkiller Jane” #0 (the origin book). She also wrote and illustrated a story for “Kid Death and Fluffy”.
Since then, Amanda has worked on many of the top titles in comics such as “Lois Lane”, “Codename: Knockout”, and “Birds of Prey” for D.C. Comics Vertigo line, “X-Men Unlimited” for Marvel, co-created “Gatecrasher” for Blackbull Comics, and “The Pro”, an Eisner nominated creator owned book for Image Comics with Jimmy Palmiotti and Garth Ennis. Recently she worked on the highly publicized Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre series with Eisner winning creator Darwyn Cooke.
Amanda’s work can also be seen outside the comic book community in such places as ABC’S Nightline, the New York Times, Mad Magazine, the new sci-fi Stan lee “So You Want to be a Superhero” series and the upcoming Disney Underdog movie character designs for film and television, character designs for the Los Angeles Avengers stadium football team and is featured in a Biography magazine commercial on A&E. Amanda does spot illustrations in “Revolver” magazine each month and has had a huge success with the JSA Powergirl miniseries in previous years, each issue going into 3rd printings.
She continuously produces cover work for Marvel Comics, DC Comics and an assortment of independent titles.
With PaperFilms co-founder Jimmy Palmiotti, they are currently working on the highly received Harley Quinn series and other Harley Quinn related titles for DC Comics, in addition to several upcoming DC related projects. Garnering national attention and sales results, the team continues to receive accolades for their work on these titles. The new relaunch of Harley Quinn for DC in the Rebirth line garnered an estimated 250,000 copies ordered.
However, loving comic books and cartooning the most, Amanda found herself working for Marvel on their Barbie line (much of Amanda’s covers inspired designs for the line of Barbie toys), Disney line which included the Gargoyles books. At the same time she was illustrating “Soul Searchers & Co.” for Claypool Comics and worked on other Marvel projects, such as Excalibur for the X-Men line and “Suburban Jersey Ninja She-Devils”.
During an assignment for Crusade (‘Tomoe’) she and Jimmy Palmiotti became a real team as penciller/inker.
Amanda then moved on to do what is probably one of her best known works. She did several years as penciller on the hit series “Vampirella” for Harris Comics and drafted 24 issues. While illustrating “Vampirella”, Amanda worked with the top writers in the field, Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Warren Ellis.
Continuing to expand her horizons, Amanda illustrated the best-selling crossover “Painkiller Jane vs. the Darkness”, and went on to work on “Painkiller Jane” #0 (the origin book). She also wrote and illustrated a story for “Kid Death and Fluffy”.
Since then, Amanda has worked on many of the top titles in comics such as “Lois Lane”, “Codename: Knockout”, and “Birds of Prey” for D.C. Comics Vertigo line, “X-Men Unlimited” for Marvel, co-created “Gatecrasher” for Blackbull Comics, and “The Pro”, an Eisner nominated creator owned book for Image Comics with Jimmy Palmiotti and Garth Ennis. Recently she worked on the highly publicized Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre series with Eisner winning creator Darwyn Cooke.
Amanda’s work can also be seen outside the comic book community in such places as ABC’S Nightline, the New York Times, Mad Magazine, the new sci-fi Stan lee “So You Want to be a Superhero” series and the upcoming Disney Underdog movie character designs for film and television, character designs for the Los Angeles Avengers stadium football team and is featured in a Biography magazine commercial on A&E. Amanda does spot illustrations in “Revolver” magazine each month and has had a huge success with the JSA Powergirl miniseries in previous years, each issue going into 3rd printings.
She continuously produces cover work for Marvel Comics, DC Comics and an assortment of independent titles.
With PaperFilms co-founder Jimmy Palmiotti, they are currently working on the highly received Harley Quinn series and other Harley Quinn related titles for DC Comics, in addition to several upcoming DC related projects. Garnering national attention and sales results, the team continues to receive accolades for their work on these titles. The new relaunch of Harley Quinn for DC in the Rebirth line garnered an estimated 250,000 copies ordered.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
July 23, 2025
(B) 73% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: All rather crude (more lewd than rude), it's toilet humor flush, hardly stuns nor very fun, just try-hard screwy mush.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #1 ◦ Issues #2-3 ◦ Issue #4 ◦ Issues #5-7
Notes: All rather crude (more lewd than rude), it's toilet humor flush, hardly stuns nor very fun, just try-hard screwy mush.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #1 ◦ Issues #2-3 ◦ Issue #4 ◦ Issues #5-7
April 27, 2022
Not really a rebirth here, just more of the same New 52 version of Harley. Now she looks a bit more like the version from the Suicide Squad movie. The first story line about the shape-shifting alien who turned into a cow and was butchered and people ate him was directly ripped off from Grant Morrison's Skull Kill Crew series from the '90's. The only difference being that here they turned into zombies instead of getting shape-shifting powers. I find Palmiotti and Conner's writing of the series very hit and miss and right now there are way too many characters in this book to keep track of.
Received an advance copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2017
Oh jeez. This book was a mess. A sexist, queerbaiting mess.
It heavily sexualises the Harley/Ivy ship, which is why I vehemently reject that ship.
I lost count of all the times a joke was made out of sexual assault or harrassment. If I weren't on the meds I am now, this probably would have triggered me.
And just... it's not funny. It tries so hard and fails.
It heavily sexualises the Harley/Ivy ship, which is why I vehemently reject that ship.
I lost count of all the times a joke was made out of sexual assault or harrassment. If I weren't on the meds I am now, this probably would have triggered me.
And just... it's not funny. It tries so hard and fails.
June 5, 2017
Ever since watching Suicide Squad and loving it (take that critics!) I've been wanting to learn more about Harley Quinn. She's always been one of my favorite characters, but as time goes on, I love her more and more. I'm pretty clueless about the DC Comics order and originals vs. New 52 vs. Rebirth (I'm lucky I even know THAT), but this Rebirth issue was tons of fun and I can't wait for more. The artwork is colorful and so much fun and the story lines are action-packed and interesting. In the first few issues, Harley and her ragtag group of friends are battling zombies in the most inventive ways. Now these aren't your normal zombies either. They were created when an alien came to work and ended up being ground up as beef along with some cattle which then caused th epidemic. Harley then becomes lead in a punk rock band so she can determine who is stealing things from her Coney Island neighborhood and who killed her favorite mailman.
The new Harley has a heart. Now she is still wild and zany but she also has a caring side, which I always got when watching Harley anyway. She is a real animal lover (score another point for her in my book) and seems to go out of her way to help her friends. And since Harley has gotten away from Arkham, she is now working with the police to bring down criminals rather than being the hunted.
If you love DC Comics or just Harley in general, and want a great story along with some awesome artwork, pick this up!
The new Harley has a heart. Now she is still wild and zany but she also has a caring side, which I always got when watching Harley anyway. She is a real animal lover (score another point for her in my book) and seems to go out of her way to help her friends. And since Harley has gotten away from Arkham, she is now working with the police to bring down criminals rather than being the hunted.
If you love DC Comics or just Harley in general, and want a great story along with some awesome artwork, pick this up!
April 16, 2017
I so want to love this volume, but frankly, I struggled with reading it. Am I the only one that a bit sick and tired of Zombie storylines? It's up there with vampires that are also a bit overdone by now. Of course, now and then something good will be produced with vampire/zombie in it, I still like The Originals for instance.
Anyway, this volume (that I read a while back, so far back that I had to check up what it was all about since my memory is not getting better as older I get) start off with an alien getting made into hot dogs and turning people into Zombies. Yes, that's the storyline. I was not that impressed. But, at least it was better than the next story arc...
Harley goes to India. I kind of forgot about that. I mean how bad is it that I had to read a review to remember what it's all about and all I can think of is that it's the part of the volume that really sucked. Utterly boring. On to the next story...
The last part I actually enjoyed reading. Harley goes punk. This was at least fun to read and brought an old villain into the story. Loved Harley's punk style and that she sucked at singing. Ah, if the rest of the volume had been this fun had I liked it a lot more.
So, not a favorite volume of mine, it was OK to read (mostly), but I hope the next one is better!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
Anyway, this volume (that I read a while back, so far back that I had to check up what it was all about since my memory is not getting better as older I get) start off with an alien getting made into hot dogs and turning people into Zombies. Yes, that's the storyline. I was not that impressed. But, at least it was better than the next story arc...
Harley goes to India. I kind of forgot about that. I mean how bad is it that I had to read a review to remember what it's all about and all I can think of is that it's the part of the volume that really sucked. Utterly boring. On to the next story...
The last part I actually enjoyed reading. Harley goes punk. This was at least fun to read and brought an old villain into the story. Loved Harley's punk style and that she sucked at singing. Ah, if the rest of the volume had been this fun had I liked it a lot more.
So, not a favorite volume of mine, it was OK to read (mostly), but I hope the next one is better!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
April 4, 2024
This was a fun book. It has the same kind of wacky over-the-top irreverence as Deadpool, but I found it to be mostly cute and amusing rather than offensive and silly. There are three nicely self-contained stories included. The first one is the best, in which an alien is ground up in Coney Island hotdogs and spawns an army of zombies. Then it's off to India to take revenge on a telemarketing center, and finally an underground mission as a punk-rock band. Anarchy in 'frigerator by GG Harlin and the Skull Bags... who wouldn't want that at the top of their play list?
March 23, 2017
Read more reviews like this at my blog!
How do you solve a problem like Harley? If you're Conner and Palmiotti, you don't. You just grab hold with both hands and ride that bucking bronco wherever she takes you, no matter how bizarre (or dangerous) that may turn out.
Die Laughing is the first volume in the DC rebirth reintroduction of Harley (which is pretty much the same Harley of the New 52 reintroduction, with some tweaks and her suicide-squad blonde locks back on board). It starts off a little shaky, with an over-the-top alien-tourist-causes-a-zombie-plague-on-Coney-Island and yes, it is as messy and high-concept as it sounds. It's a funny story, and an excuse for Harley to unleash ultra-violence without reverting to full psychopathy and mass murder. Still, the joke wears thin after a while and the gross-out humour gets old fast.
Far stronger are the stories that follow, in which Harley takes down a crime syndicate that swindles old people (violently, and with great delight), and then takes down a punk band that is committing grand larceny and acts of crazed violence (she'd like them, but they killed her favourite mailman, and now they have to pay). These stories allow her to show off her considerable skills (she's a creative and ruthless killer, a tide of pure anarchy and id, with snappy comebacks and relentless wordplay), but without forgetting the broken woman lurking underneath - the brilliant psychiatrist who threw it all away to reinvent herself, followed her heart into an abusive relationship, and who is picking up the pieces of her life.
Harley is charming precisely because she's both self-aware and feckless (and reckless), brilliant and ditzy, a loyal friend who drives those around her to distraction with her quirks. She loves small animals and will straight up murder those who abuse them. One of her best friends is a taxidermy beaver, another is an egg in a mecha suit. Honestly, the bizarre cast of characters (including a Deadpool parody named, uh, Red Tool) are such that they make Poison Ivy (Harley's BFF -and-more) seem a rational, mature adult who probably pays her bills and writes well-thought-out letters to the editor of her local newspaper.
If the series can reign in the excessive "we're so ker-ay-zee" hijinks of the zombie story, and have more of Harley being the bonkers badass bunny-hugger we love, this series will be a favourite. Holding thumbs (in case Harley cut 'em off)!
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
How do you solve a problem like Harley? If you're Conner and Palmiotti, you don't. You just grab hold with both hands and ride that bucking bronco wherever she takes you, no matter how bizarre (or dangerous) that may turn out.
Die Laughing is the first volume in the DC rebirth reintroduction of Harley (which is pretty much the same Harley of the New 52 reintroduction, with some tweaks and her suicide-squad blonde locks back on board). It starts off a little shaky, with an over-the-top alien-tourist-causes-a-zombie-plague-on-Coney-Island and yes, it is as messy and high-concept as it sounds. It's a funny story, and an excuse for Harley to unleash ultra-violence without reverting to full psychopathy and mass murder. Still, the joke wears thin after a while and the gross-out humour gets old fast.
Far stronger are the stories that follow, in which Harley takes down a crime syndicate that swindles old people (violently, and with great delight), and then takes down a punk band that is committing grand larceny and acts of crazed violence (she'd like them, but they killed her favourite mailman, and now they have to pay). These stories allow her to show off her considerable skills (she's a creative and ruthless killer, a tide of pure anarchy and id, with snappy comebacks and relentless wordplay), but without forgetting the broken woman lurking underneath - the brilliant psychiatrist who threw it all away to reinvent herself, followed her heart into an abusive relationship, and who is picking up the pieces of her life.
Harley is charming precisely because she's both self-aware and feckless (and reckless), brilliant and ditzy, a loyal friend who drives those around her to distraction with her quirks. She loves small animals and will straight up murder those who abuse them. One of her best friends is a taxidermy beaver, another is an egg in a mecha suit. Honestly, the bizarre cast of characters (including a Deadpool parody named, uh, Red Tool) are such that they make Poison Ivy (Harley's BFF -and-more) seem a rational, mature adult who probably pays her bills and writes well-thought-out letters to the editor of her local newspaper.
If the series can reign in the excessive "we're so ker-ay-zee" hijinks of the zombie story, and have more of Harley being the bonkers badass bunny-hugger we love, this series will be a favourite. Holding thumbs (in case Harley cut 'em off)!
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
This is obviously not made for me. The art is great, but the story? Zombies, bad humor, over the top situations...yeah no.
April 4, 2020
2.5 rounded up!
June 23, 2020
Harley Quinn and zombie. Who woulda thought.
August 13, 2017
This collection contains three story arcs, and, as probably should be expected for a book that involves, as the main character, Harley Quinn - there is a huge dose of wacky throughout.
First story arc - an alien kid lands on earth. Figures he would blend in as a cow (they are shape-shifting kind of aliens), gets killed and made into hot-dogs. The tainted hot-dogs end up at Coney Island and are eaten. The eaters turn into zombies.
Second Story arc - Harley and one of her gang head to India to 'get revenge' on a evil scamming call center that scams people with things like calling them and saying the IRS is about to sue them and stuff.
Third story arc - Harley goes under cover as a punk rocker and forms a punk band. Special appearance by: Penguin (and special flashback that includes the Joker).
Except for that India story, a competent set of stories. Enjoyable.
Rating: 3.73
August 13 2017
First story arc - an alien kid lands on earth. Figures he would blend in as a cow (they are shape-shifting kind of aliens), gets killed and made into hot-dogs. The tainted hot-dogs end up at Coney Island and are eaten. The eaters turn into zombies.
Second Story arc - Harley and one of her gang head to India to 'get revenge' on a evil scamming call center that scams people with things like calling them and saying the IRS is about to sue them and stuff.
Third story arc - Harley goes under cover as a punk rocker and forms a punk band. Special appearance by: Penguin (and special flashback that includes the Joker).
Except for that India story, a competent set of stories. Enjoyable.
Rating: 3.73
August 13 2017
March 11, 2017
Openly queer Harley is EVERYTHING to me. This rep is a gift.
The art is perfect, the story is as quirky and wild and bloody as I expected (and SO much more - Harley started a BAND!) The only thing is the India storyline didn't fit with the rest + seemed odd, but I still liked it! I just love the characters, they're so unique and memorable and funny as hell. This comic makes me so damn happy. I can't wait for volume 2!
The art is perfect, the story is as quirky and wild and bloody as I expected (and SO much more - Harley started a BAND!) The only thing is the India storyline didn't fit with the rest + seemed odd, but I still liked it! I just love the characters, they're so unique and memorable and funny as hell. This comic makes me so damn happy. I can't wait for volume 2!
December 19, 2020
❤️Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy❤️
November 14, 2017
If you like it you like it. If you don't you don't.
World: The art is a mixed bag that mostly hits. When Conners is drawing it's full of whimsy and weird, the middle issue between the arcs, not so much. The world building is pretty self contained within the DCU. Harley's little slice of the world is quirky it's over the top and just nuts. If you can just go for the ride the world is a fun place to be.
Story: If you are easily offended you should not be reading this series. If you are looking for a grand arc and great character development you should not read this series. If you just want a crazy gal running around with her gang doing crazy stuff and cracking a joke every page and offending everyone and making you feel slightly uncomfortable you will enjoy this book. This is a Harley that's not the classic animated series harley. Since the New52 the series has been like this and if you like it you'll get more of the same after Rebirth. If you don't this new series will not change that. The two main arcs the time were okay, they had all the fun I expected and also the ridiculous that makes me read this book between heavy books for a palate cleanse. The zombie book was fun but expected and the punk rock one was genre but also expected. It's fun.
Characters: This is not the animated Harley, nor is it the first series Harley and it's absolutely not the movie Harley. She's beyond Joker and this gal is just crazy and off to do stuff cause it's fun. She's inconsistent, ridiculous and makes no sense but when the stars align and the story hits she's fun. The rest of the cast is also great. I think New52 knowledge is needed but the cast is fun, stupid and fun. Eggsy I want more stories with you.
It is what it is.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is a mixed bag that mostly hits. When Conners is drawing it's full of whimsy and weird, the middle issue between the arcs, not so much. The world building is pretty self contained within the DCU. Harley's little slice of the world is quirky it's over the top and just nuts. If you can just go for the ride the world is a fun place to be.
Story: If you are easily offended you should not be reading this series. If you are looking for a grand arc and great character development you should not read this series. If you just want a crazy gal running around with her gang doing crazy stuff and cracking a joke every page and offending everyone and making you feel slightly uncomfortable you will enjoy this book. This is a Harley that's not the classic animated series harley. Since the New52 the series has been like this and if you like it you'll get more of the same after Rebirth. If you don't this new series will not change that. The two main arcs the time were okay, they had all the fun I expected and also the ridiculous that makes me read this book between heavy books for a palate cleanse. The zombie book was fun but expected and the punk rock one was genre but also expected. It's fun.
Characters: This is not the animated Harley, nor is it the first series Harley and it's absolutely not the movie Harley. She's beyond Joker and this gal is just crazy and off to do stuff cause it's fun. She's inconsistent, ridiculous and makes no sense but when the stars align and the story hits she's fun. The rest of the cast is also great. I think New52 knowledge is needed but the cast is fun, stupid and fun. Eggsy I want more stories with you.
It is what it is.
Onward to the next book!
July 18, 2017
3 Stars.
So I think I have an advantage here.
I do not know Harley Quinn as a character at all. I did some minor research on her but this GN was basically a fresh slate for me.
Needless to say the whole Suicide-Squad-Harley epidemic left me really annoyed and completely put off by anything Harley Quinn related.
The only exposure I've had to modern Harley was seeing her character in-game for Injustice. I really like their version of her and decided to buy the comic based on that.
The zombie/Mumbai adventures in this issue did not appeal to me that much and I was having a really hard time getting into the story (even though the art style is really cool). I was feeling skeptical up until the punk adventure and then the comic really started doing it for me. It was super fun, quirky, ridiculous and bizzare and I think that's where I had a bit of a mind shift. Not to mention I might have snorted with laughter at (I love Brazil). Always a good thing.
The last adventure TOTALLY paid off and I will be getting the second GN of the series when it's released.
I don't know how die-hard fans will feel about this but I thought it was cool enough and has potential.
So I think I have an advantage here.
I do not know Harley Quinn as a character at all. I did some minor research on her but this GN was basically a fresh slate for me.
Needless to say the whole Suicide-Squad-Harley epidemic left me really annoyed and completely put off by anything Harley Quinn related.
The only exposure I've had to modern Harley was seeing her character in-game for Injustice. I really like their version of her and decided to buy the comic based on that.
The zombie/Mumbai adventures in this issue did not appeal to me that much and I was having a really hard time getting into the story (even though the art style is really cool). I was feeling skeptical up until the punk adventure and then the comic really started doing it for me. It was super fun, quirky, ridiculous and bizzare and I think that's where I had a bit of a mind shift. Not to mention I might have snorted with laughter at (I love Brazil). Always a good thing.
The last adventure TOTALLY paid off and I will be getting the second GN of the series when it's released.
I don't know how die-hard fans will feel about this but I thought it was cool enough and has potential.
July 14, 2017
I CAN NOT WITH THIS CRAP.
This was just plain bad guys. So disappointed. They are RUINING my favorite DC villain ever. Stop with these dumb story lines. Stop with these freakshow circus side characters. Stop with the queer baiting. JUST STOP FUCKING WITH HARLEY.
They need to fire the creative team behind this. They are taking Harley and dragging her through mud and flushing her own the toilet.
I'm so pissed.
This was just plain bad guys. So disappointed. They are RUINING my favorite DC villain ever. Stop with these dumb story lines. Stop with these freakshow circus side characters. Stop with the queer baiting. JUST STOP FUCKING WITH HARLEY.
They need to fire the creative team behind this. They are taking Harley and dragging her through mud and flushing her own the toilet.
I'm so pissed.
March 7, 2017
I do not know what happened to Harley Quinn. I did not like new 52 version of her and this is just continuation of that. Scores of stupid support characters, cheesy humor, plot-less talking or plot-less kicking which is drawn like it is about to premiere in cartoon network. I am not impressed
April 25, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
A fun read with dark humor.
I understand the HQ humor but some of the dialogue and plot unfolded in cliche.
I had a great time. Love this crazy woman.
A fun read with dark humor.
I understand the HQ humor but some of the dialogue and plot unfolded in cliche.
I had a great time. Love this crazy woman.
January 3, 2019
So I originally planned on reading the deluxe edition with the first 2 volumes in one book, but this is fucking horrible.
What’s it about?
Harley does a bunch of dumb shit with her boring character friends.
Pros:
The art is pretty good. It does a good job of giving the comic the tone that it seems to want.
The action scenes are decent. Maybe nothing special but still fun.
Cons:
The stories told in this volume are lame. They’re too explicit for anyone under 12 but too stupid for anyone older than 12. I honestly put it down having no idea who this book is for.
The characters are boring as fuck. Harley, a character who is actually sorta interesting in some comics I’ve read (example: Batman Hush or Suicide Squad), is not interesting in this. It’s basically just “HEY I’M BATSHIT INSANE AND MAKE BATHROOM JOKES. TIME FOR A FORCED REFERENCE AND JOKE ABOUT FOOD LOL I’M SO RANDOM!” and it’s annoying as fuck. At the risk of sounding like a pig, the fan service is the only thing I liked about the character in this book. Poison Ivy briefly shows up a couple of times and though usually interesting is just boring in this. There’s apparently a bunch of other Harley copycat characters that are bland and annoying. Some tool guy that is coincidentally a tool (and not the cool kind that performs Schism). Oh a stereotypical metalhead is in this. I almost forgot the weird humpty dumpty knockoff. The only character that was well done in this is in his brief appearance.
This book is fairly predictable. There are a few minor twists but most people who have a decent amount of knowledge on DC know how the story is probably going to go.
This book tries to be super funny and isn’t. There are a few chuckle worthy moments but for the most part it’s dumb stuff like bathroom jokes, a weird obsession with food (I don’t know why) or thinking random = funny. One specific thing I noticed is that it tries too hard with references. I actually really like well done references and easter eggs (see: Archer, Deadpool, Futurama, things like that) but most of this book’s attempts at references are the definition of trying too hard.
The dialogue is cringey as hell. A big part of that is the mistaking random for funny thing that this book greatly suffers from but it’s just so bad. An especially annoying example is the constant “Ho-lee (insert something random)-ee!” that fills this book! Every time Harley did that I wanted a more vicious comic character show up to rip her in half.
It tries too hard to be edgy. I don’t mind... umm... I can’t really call it “mature content”... uhh... you know what I’m on about, most of the stuff I read is much more graphic than this but is a bit more NSFW than most non-Vertigo DC comics but instead of being good and slightly more edgy this just tries too hard to be edgy. It seems like the kind of thing that isn’t appropriate for kids but the only people who would find it impressive are kids, as it fills the page with random sex comments (not even jokes, just references), constant fan service, slightly more bloodshed than most superhero comics and mild swearing (example: ass). I don’t mind that much but the execution is done in a way that I thought would only appeal to 9 year olds who want to look tough and edgy.
Overall:
I don’t get how this series isn’t cancelled to be honest. Who is buying this? It’s a complete trainwreck. Maybe if you don’t read comics and just look at the pictures?
Thinking about it maybe this is the wrong approach for the character. I mean they took the psychotic character with a twisted origin story who uses large, blunt objects as weapons and instead of making I dunno: a dark, gripping psychological horror, made “what if Deadpool wasn’t funny and had boobs?” Maybe there’s a better Harley Quinn comic out there and maybe I’ll try another comic about her but it won’t be any time soon.
Only recommended to 8-11 year olds who want to look edgy to their friends and are good at hiding comics... wait, no, you could hide a good comic like Deadpool, Kick Ass, Berserk or Preacher. Okay, not recommended to anyone.
2/5
What’s it about?
Harley does a bunch of dumb shit with her boring character friends.
Pros:
The art is pretty good. It does a good job of giving the comic the tone that it seems to want.
The action scenes are decent. Maybe nothing special but still fun.
Cons:
The stories told in this volume are lame. They’re too explicit for anyone under 12 but too stupid for anyone older than 12. I honestly put it down having no idea who this book is for.
The characters are boring as fuck. Harley, a character who is actually sorta interesting in some comics I’ve read (example: Batman Hush or Suicide Squad), is not interesting in this. It’s basically just “HEY I’M BATSHIT INSANE AND MAKE BATHROOM JOKES. TIME FOR A FORCED REFERENCE AND JOKE ABOUT FOOD LOL I’M SO RANDOM!” and it’s annoying as fuck. At the risk of sounding like a pig, the fan service is the only thing I liked about the character in this book. Poison Ivy briefly shows up a couple of times and though usually interesting is just boring in this. There’s apparently a bunch of other Harley copycat characters that are bland and annoying. Some tool guy that is coincidentally a tool (and not the cool kind that performs Schism). Oh a stereotypical metalhead is in this. I almost forgot the weird humpty dumpty knockoff. The only character that was well done in this is in his brief appearance.
This book is fairly predictable. There are a few minor twists but most people who have a decent amount of knowledge on DC know how the story is probably going to go.
This book tries to be super funny and isn’t. There are a few chuckle worthy moments but for the most part it’s dumb stuff like bathroom jokes, a weird obsession with food (I don’t know why) or thinking random = funny. One specific thing I noticed is that it tries too hard with references. I actually really like well done references and easter eggs (see: Archer, Deadpool, Futurama, things like that) but most of this book’s attempts at references are the definition of trying too hard.
The dialogue is cringey as hell. A big part of that is the mistaking random for funny thing that this book greatly suffers from but it’s just so bad. An especially annoying example is the constant “Ho-lee (insert something random)-ee!” that fills this book! Every time Harley did that I wanted a more vicious comic character show up to rip her in half.
It tries too hard to be edgy. I don’t mind... umm... I can’t really call it “mature content”... uhh... you know what I’m on about, most of the stuff I read is much more graphic than this but is a bit more NSFW than most non-Vertigo DC comics but instead of being good and slightly more edgy this just tries too hard to be edgy. It seems like the kind of thing that isn’t appropriate for kids but the only people who would find it impressive are kids, as it fills the page with random sex comments (not even jokes, just references), constant fan service, slightly more bloodshed than most superhero comics and mild swearing (example: ass). I don’t mind that much but the execution is done in a way that I thought would only appeal to 9 year olds who want to look tough and edgy.
Overall:
I don’t get how this series isn’t cancelled to be honest. Who is buying this? It’s a complete trainwreck. Maybe if you don’t read comics and just look at the pictures?
Thinking about it maybe this is the wrong approach for the character. I mean they took the psychotic character with a twisted origin story who uses large, blunt objects as weapons and instead of making I dunno: a dark, gripping psychological horror, made “what if Deadpool wasn’t funny and had boobs?” Maybe there’s a better Harley Quinn comic out there and maybe I’ll try another comic about her but it won’t be any time soon.
Only recommended to 8-11 year olds who want to look edgy to their friends and are good at hiding comics... wait, no, you could hide a good comic like Deadpool, Kick Ass, Berserk or Preacher. Okay, not recommended to anyone.
2/5
June 1, 2018
Harley Quinn, DC Rebirth Series Ratings:
Harley Quinn, Volume 1: Die Laughing: ★★★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley: ★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat: Lost Interest in Series
—
This is probably the most I've enjoyed a DC Graphic Novel so far.
It was fun, I love the dynamic between Harley and Poison Ivy!
The biggest thing that I came away with after reading this is that I want more Poison Ivy! Does she have her own series???
___
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Harley Quinn, Volume 1: Die Laughing: ★★★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 2: Joker Loves Harley: ★★
Harley Quinn, Volume 3: Red Meat: Lost Interest in Series
—
This is probably the most I've enjoyed a DC Graphic Novel so far.
It was fun, I love the dynamic between Harley and Poison Ivy!
The biggest thing that I came away with after reading this is that I want more Poison Ivy! Does she have her own series???
___
│Blog│Instagram│Twitter│Tumblr│
June 23, 2017
big huge stinking turd with a blue and pink mohawk.......no just no...*SMH
January 5, 2021
It was really funny and full of life, I liked the artwork and dialogues, storyline was good.
March 21, 2017
Story: I think this one was started right because they basically have Harley give you all the poignant information and reintroduce everyone. So if you haven’t read the Harley Quinn series that this continues you are all caught up. The first three issues Afterbirth, Coney Island of the Dammed, and Goin’ for Takeout follow one story arc which I had problems getting into, Coney Island gets overrun by zombie/not zombies and I personally am very tired of zombies but I did like the twist they put on the zombies. Then we have 108 Million Ways to Die! Harley and Bolly Quinn travel to India to take down an evil call center from swindling money from the unsuspecting. Undercover Punker is the next story arc which is in three parts Eat This Beat, The Skull Bags’ Big Snag, and Satin Underground. In these Harley is asked to help track down and take down a band of thieves stealing mail. This leads to Harley forming a punk band and getting a new look. It goes from performing on stage, horribly singing and abusing her audience, to an underground superhero cosplay club. Harley takes down the gang and also discovers who really was behind it all.
Art: It’s good it’s your typical Harley Quinn. It has some really fantastic cover art and variant cover art. This group is pretty consistently good. The tool shaped dialogue bubbles/speech balloons for Red Tool was a nice touch; although a few of the hand saw one look like a weird unicorn. The New 52 Harley took some getting used to when it first came out, but I like what Conner did with Harley when she got her own comic, I love the roller derby Harley. Poison Ivy is so beautifully done. The backgrounds and the coloring are outstanding.
Characters: Harley is joined by her usual band of misfits, specifically Big Tony, Eggy, Bolly Quinn, and Red Tool who is a not funny parody of Deadpool, and Poison Ivy. I have been in love with Harley since her first appearance in Batman: The Animated series. She was funny, cute, pun-tastic, and no matter how hard she tried things never went her way and she always ended up back in Arkham.
Review: Overall, it was a funny as hell read as soon as I got through the first three issues, the funniest part from the first story arc was when Harley cut off Red Tool’s arm and the hospital transplanted a replacement arm from a notorious masturbator. Harley Quinn is as lovably crazy as always as she should be. Her cohorts are a nice balance to her insanity. I quite enjoy the silly humor, bad jokes, and outrageous side characters. Harley is pretty out there herself so of course she would surround herself with like minded individuals, even if she is too crazy for them sometimes.
Art: It’s good it’s your typical Harley Quinn. It has some really fantastic cover art and variant cover art. This group is pretty consistently good. The tool shaped dialogue bubbles/speech balloons for Red Tool was a nice touch; although a few of the hand saw one look like a weird unicorn. The New 52 Harley took some getting used to when it first came out, but I like what Conner did with Harley when she got her own comic, I love the roller derby Harley. Poison Ivy is so beautifully done. The backgrounds and the coloring are outstanding.
Characters: Harley is joined by her usual band of misfits, specifically Big Tony, Eggy, Bolly Quinn, and Red Tool who is a not funny parody of Deadpool, and Poison Ivy. I have been in love with Harley since her first appearance in Batman: The Animated series. She was funny, cute, pun-tastic, and no matter how hard she tried things never went her way and she always ended up back in Arkham.
Review: Overall, it was a funny as hell read as soon as I got through the first three issues, the funniest part from the first story arc was when Harley cut off Red Tool’s arm and the hospital transplanted a replacement arm from a notorious masturbator. Harley Quinn is as lovably crazy as always as she should be. Her cohorts are a nice balance to her insanity. I quite enjoy the silly humor, bad jokes, and outrageous side characters. Harley is pretty out there herself so of course she would surround herself with like minded individuals, even if she is too crazy for them sometimes.
March 8, 2017
I received this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The graphics were really amazing but the story line fell so flat. I just wasn't a fan of it. It pretty much put me to sleep. It was choppy, boring, and annoying.
The graphics were really amazing but the story line fell so flat. I just wasn't a fan of it. It pretty much put me to sleep. It was choppy, boring, and annoying.
October 8, 2023
This book is as schizophrenic as its central character. Zombies, Aliens, robots, Punk Rock bands, Bacon Vodka and Indian call centers are all prominent pieces of this book, which does its best to collect all the pieces of New 52 Harley Quinn and put them in some semblance of order. It does its best, but several pieces that worked well are dropped (Gang of Harleys basically cameos, and the retirement center serves as the impetus for the India adventure and that's it), and some of the pieces that are kept aren't Harley at her best. The whole Red Tool character is such an obvious derivative of Deadpool but there isn't enough satire or humor in the character to justify the page time he gets. While the page-to-page stories aren't bad, and the use of the Apartment crew is good (Eggsy and Tony especially get some good attention), it goes in so many directions that it never settles down into a good through story. And there's an artifact that shows up in the Punk rock section that seems to promise some backsliding for Harley, which is not something the character needs. The art is good throughout; nothing super memorable, but it all tells the story just fine.
There's a lot of content here, and most of it is okay to good, but it's not Quinn at her best, and too often it seems like Harley's at the mercy of outside forces rather than the master of her own destiny, which is a bit of a disappointment for the character.
There's a lot of content here, and most of it is okay to good, but it's not Quinn at her best, and too often it seems like Harley's at the mercy of outside forces rather than the master of her own destiny, which is a bit of a disappointment for the character.
March 23, 2017
I never really paid much attention to Harley Quinn in the past. I just know that a close friend of mine dressed up as her character last Halloween. Well, in this graphic novel, she is absolutely nuts, unpredictable, impulsive, brave, smart and outrageous. I loved the back story, but I enjoyed even more the story of the alien-minced meat that transformed everyone into flesh-hungry entities aka zombies. Great art work, witty banter, and cohesive storyline. Highly recommended.
Graphic novel provided for review purposes.
Graphic novel provided for review purposes.
Read
October 10, 2017Harley Quinn is probably the most recently created Big Two character whom you could expect a member of the general public to maybe recognise* – and she just celebrated her 25th anniversary. She’s also the only mainstream DC comic I was reading as it went into their Rebirth de-reboot-ish-thing…and here it emerges from the other side, pretty much unchanged and with the same writers at the helm. The advantage of Harley’s fairly loose relationship with the fourth wall, and her irreverent style, is that you can happily dump enough info to bring potential new readers up to speed, and do so in such a way that it’s not boring those who were already on side. Plus, it’s just plain lovely that compared to the other four Rebirth volume 1s I've attempted, the first issue of this one largely skips the painfully obvious retreads of superhero cliches and opens with Harley and her chief squeeze Poison Ivy having a spa day. Yes, obviously by the end of the issue we have moved on to aliens and zombies, but come on, that’s still a novel way to begin a relaunch. After that story wraps up we get a brief Bond pastiche which doesn’t quite land, possibly because it’s trying to do too many things in too little space while hampered by leaden Linsner art, and then a story which mixes promisingly daft stuff (Harley undercover as a punk, and a superhero fetish club) with a bit too much retread of her old Joker romance for my taste – especially since that storyline seemed to have been thoroughly wrapped up a volume or two before the relaunch. Still, for the most part DC seem to have had the wit not to try fixing their one core book that wasn’t broken, so I suppose we should be grateful they’ve not moved Promethea in as Harley’s new neighbour or something.
*Yes, Jessica Jones has her own TV show, but she’s hampered by not really working as a Hallowe’en costume.
*Yes, Jessica Jones has her own TV show, but she’s hampered by not really working as a Hallowe’en costume.
March 30, 2020
Omg what did you do to Harley ‘a hair ????
February 26, 2021
3 🌟
Harley is in New York and stops crime with her gang.
This comic was difficult to get through.
Harley is in New York and stops crime with her gang.
This comic was difficult to get through.
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