Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn (2013) (Single Issues) #1-7

by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti

Harley Quinn is one of the most reconizable comic book characters is now going to be featured in the upcoming Birds of Prey movie!

Harley Quinn sets off for a whole new adventure to New York City! What could possible go wrong...almost everything!
When Gotham's favorite sociopath inherits a building from the famous Coney Island boardwalk, she feels right at home in the (literal) freakshow. Unfortunately, the legion of bounty hunters after the price on her head seem to know it, too.

Who else but Harley Quinn could handle all that Brooklyn's criminal underbelly has to offer-Russian spies, senior citizens, and rival roller derby teams included-and still have time for a double chili dog! Collects Harley Quinn #1-7 and Harley Quinn: Future's End #1

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Fantasy, Superheroes

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2020

About the author

Amanda 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.

Reviews

[Sunny Lu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love love love Harley Quinn but I think men should be banned from writing her lmfao this was racist sexist anti communist and annoying

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, 1.5 but like just barely.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this on a list of newish graphic novels suggested for teens but I'm not entirely sure I would ever actually suggest it to a teen unless I knew them fairly well and knew they could handle the gore because this is very gory in places. Also, very sexualized portrayals of women. Lots of panels and outfits focusing on butts and boobs.

I did like how Harley was constantly making friends with all of the animals though I'm not sure letting your new dogs eat the bad guy is a good plan...

[Brigid Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used to buy the weekly issues of the 2016-2020 Harley Quinn run at my local comic book store….. so very nostalgic but this isn’t her best run

[Liza Leithead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love poison Ivy's and Harley's relationship in this and especially seeing different sides to Harley sadly this lost a star because syborgs story seemed boring to me near the end plus i'm not a big fan of joker so when he showed up I was glad the comic was ending since it took away from Harley development through the comic :/

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork was fantastic! the story lines were okay. I liked it. It was a good and fun read.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avec la sortie récente du film « Birds Of Prey » je me suis laissé tenter par ce tome spécial Harley Quinn d’une nouvelle collection avec certains personnages du film (Black Canary & Huntress ont une version).

Je ne sais pas vous mais je trouve la couverture tout particulièrement jolie, elle est exactement comme j’imagine Harley, sauvage, pleines de couleur, espiègle et sexy. Par contre j’ai l’impression de voir Cara dessus, sa me perturbe un peu. 😂

J’ai eu un véritable coup de coeur pour ce comics, il y a de l’humour, de l’action, les dessins sont parfaitement réalisés, à mes yeux les personnages sont conformes, mais étant donné que je commence à peine dans la lecture des comics, je peux me tromper sur ce point.

J’espère vraiment qu’ils vont continuer sur ce terrains, et mettre en avant plus de femmes dans les prochains films (que ce doit dc ou marvel), il serrait temps que les petites filles ont de qui s’identifier (et non juste pour réaliser des fantasmes - certains pensent réellement que les rôles des personnages féminins dans les comics sont juste pour leurs fantasmes...)

Harley est vraiment un personnage touchant je trouve, oui certes, elle à certaines actions qui ne sont pas correct (en même temps, elle est pas censé être « gentilles»), mais elle arrive quand même à faire certaines actions pour remonter la barre, notamment avec les animaux dans ce comics, ou quand elle pense aider une personne âgée en « demandant » à ses proches d’allez la voir et chérir leurs moment avec elle. Elle ne nie pas que sa relation avec le Joker est toxique (j’espère la voir un jour, sans son influence), j’aime beaucoup son amitié avec Poison Ivy, j’aime le fait qu’elles sont toujours présentes l’une pour l’autre. Harley est également une femme forte et intelligente (contrairement à ce que beaucoup pensent..), elle et serra toujours l’un de mes personnages préférés dc comics.

Pour ceux qui ont vu le film « Birds Of Prey » ? Est-ce qu’il est bien ? Je n’ai pas aimé Suicide Squad (mais j’ai apprécié la Harley dedans) et j’hésite beaucoup à le voir...

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this! It almost reads as a series of shorts with a loose plot tying them together. Harley sounds like Harley and the art- for the most part- was fun. I'm not really a fan of switching artists because I like facial consistency, but that's just personal preference.
I actually found this artist/writer less sexist than usual, as our favorite sociopath gets to wear clothing that consists of more than just a string bikini (I've started a series where she's literally in a bikini most of the time and just...yikes.) and has a personality, with no unhealthy romance in sight!

"But what about the last chapt-"

Thank you, no further questions at this time.

[Hayley Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

nothing special, honestly. it felt more focused on sexualizing the women and being vaguely racist than anything else.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn is a trade paperback that collects nine issues from various titles: Harley Quinn #1–7 of the 2013 series, Harley Quinn: Futures End, and Secret Origins #4, which briefly introduces the character of Harley Quinn for the film: Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

The first seven issues are one-issue storyline line, some of which are interconnected, from the rebooted Harley Quinn series. Harley Quinn is redefined from the codependent and abusive relationship with the Joker to a smart, self-assured woman who is every bit as funny and outrageous as she ever was before, but without the questionable esteem issues. Having being freed from the influence of the Joker and Batman, Harley shines brilliantly.

"Crappily Ever After" is a one-shot issue and tie-in event for Futures End (Harley Quinn: Futures End) which is a story that takes place five years in the future and has Harley Quinn crashing on a deserted island while on a trip to the Bahamas. There, she meets The Joker and hilarity ensues. "Harley Quinn" is a short story (Secret Origins #4) which serves as a origin and back story to Harley Quinn.

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is surprisingly written rather well. Conner and Palmiotti have recreated Harley Quinn into a strong and loveable woman, albeit a tad eccentric – some time a tad too eccentric for my taste. They turned a codependent woman into a strong independent one with friends, family, frenemeis, and fracases galore.

Chad Hardin (Harley Quinn #1–3, 5–7, and Harley Quinn: Futures End) and Stéphane Roux (Harley Quinn #2, 4, and Secret Origins #4) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, the pencilers complement with each other rather well, while remains distinct, which makes a rather artistic flow somewhat seamless. Hardin’s penciling is rather remarkable for depicting faces and their emotions.

All in all, Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn is a wonderful collection of issues that gives a nice, but brief introduction to the redefined Harley Quinn of the rebooted DC Universe.

[Andrew Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley Quinn brings out the best in so many of the Gotham characters. The art style and storytelling in this is brilliant and thus did not take me long to get through. 100% recommended especially if you want to drift away from some of the more obvious superhero plotlines.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's just like the other one. Breaking Glass. I thought it was going to follow it. They did add some different story lines to it.

[bri 🧸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

literally obsessed

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m late to the Harley Quinn world but I say better late than never! I fell deep when I saw Suicide Squad and I couldn’t stop shaking the feeling of reading about her because she’s in comics. So, I took a chance on this one once I saw Birds of Prey earlier last month. I was super hesitant because I am not a “comics” kinda girl. I read books with words only and let my own imagination create the scene so this was really my second time in all my years reading a comic book. I have to say that this one exceeded the enjoyment I thought I’d have because of three major components: 1)pages were more porous than slick like the ones I’ve seen before and so it reminded me a little bit more of regular book pages 2)the graphics, colors, word balloons, etc. was simply beautiful and well thought out 3)Harley’s personality and snarky, sadistic and playful nature that I fell in love with in the movies came through without any trouble. Take it from me, a non-comic reader, I loved this so much and I STAN Harley “freakin” Quinn so much I plan to purchase a few more of these comics but only by these authors because they brought out the best of reading a comic! Highly recommend!!!

[JamalT · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a Harley anthology, I'm disappointed that it's basically just a straight play through of Harley Quinn 1-7. I'd prefer a more varied selection of stories, and especially since this is released with the Birds of Prey label, I'd like it if really any story in this had anything to do with any of the BOP.

That said, I generally enjoy the Conner/Palmiotti run, and I really liked having the Secret Origins comic explain Bernie (I also thought it's a better take on a Harley origin story--I'm enjoying the takes like this and the animated show that either directly say or imply that Harley has always been Harley. Her relationship with Joker was an excuse, not an origin).

Also, I liked the Harley/Joker story at the end. The art is great, and overall I think the content is fine, and the cover is amazing but the actual job of putting together an anthology feels lazy and disappointing. Just get the actual Harley Quinn bind ups; they are essentially the same book.

[FrontalNerdaty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harley Quinn has a bounty on her head but just whom is doing it?

What I liked -
Removing Harley from Gotham and most of the characters she’s normally with is a great move in keeping her fresh and having her agency increased. The idea of her returning to her former profession and showing the character had some positives was a fun, if not all that used, idea. Ivy is a welcome addition and the small band of characters Harley has are interesting enough to enjoy their inclusion.

What I disliked -
The rise of Deadpool seems to have given DC a mandate to make Harley more of the same. This could work but at times it comes off as a poor rendition. The set ups are good for story but the writers don’t tend to take it all the way. The double entendres are a bit eye roll inducing.

3/5

[Brittany Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Filled in gaps from the “Birds Of Prey”movie which was awesome, but never included any of the other bad a** female team members that came to be. I started off really loving this but it ended literally out in the blue, leaving me dissatisfied from the midway point on. The artwork had a much darker color scheme than anticipated, I was expecting brilliant vivid colors like her outfit on the cover -which was never seen once within the comic, she wears her classic black & red look the entire time, which is fine but I was just expecting to see my favorite outfit in action. The back cover is a much better depiction of her look within. I’ll read anything HQ though! The beginning stories were my favorite & gave me a couple of good laughs how morbid & cute lil’ Harls can be. ♦️🖤 I will say great facial expressions and perspectives in the artwork too.

Borrowed this comic from my local library, all reviews are honest & voluntary.

[N.L. McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont read too many comics but this was Harley Quinn...as my favourite character, I had to have a read and see what it was all about.....the stories were strange and fun... weird and totally Harley. It was a fun evening read and nice to let my inner child devour the illustrations and nonsensical tales xD a fantastic read for fans of Harley although I always see the Harley from suicide squad now so I was a tad disappointed with her depiction but that's personal preference and not a major dissatisfaction factor.

[Daisysbookmusings · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

The imagery and colours are lovely and it gave me more of an understanding of Harley as a fully developed character and her moral code, which may be skewed but still interesting however the final story resorted back to her obsession with joker. I get the point of her being obsessed bit she seemed to develop all round as the book went on then just reverted back as if the previous stories hadn't existed.

Harley and poison ivys relationship was explored in this volume too which I loved to see because they are just typical villains. All round interesting.

[Stacey-girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I watched the Suicide Squad, I have been intrigued with Harley Quinn. I decided to try reading some of her comics, to really see if it was love at first sight with her, and alas, it was true! I really enjoyed this comic book and will definitely read more about her. There were a couple parts to the book that I was a bit "meh" about, but overall, I couldn't put it down. Although, I am married to my long time love Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn is now my sweetie on the side.

[d_caius · Rating 1 out of 5]

J'avais vraiment pas du tout aimé et je l'ai difficile fini. Je pense pas pour autant que ça dise grand-chose de la qualité de la BD, juste c'est pas du tout mon truc, j'ai pas du tout accroché avec le dessin que j'ai trouvé pénible à regarder. C'est semi-réaliste mais vraiment hypersexualisé de manière ridicule en ce qui concerne les femmes, et j'ai vraiment du mal avec ça, je trouve ça juste ennuyeux au possible. L'intrigue a pas vraiment retenu mon attention non plus.

[Al Swainger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing to do with Birds of Prey

Beware this is a reprint of Harley Quinn 1 - 7. It has literally nothing to do with the Birds of Prey comics run or the film - they’ve just slapped the title on to cash in. This isn’t to say the material isn’t worth reading but l’d advise buying it as Harley Quinn vol. 1 instead as the title of this collection is completely misleading and caused me to buy material I already had without realising till too late to get a refund.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't seen the movie, but am interested after this!

Following Harley Quinn on a quest from leaving her boyfriend to tracking down villains and avoiding being thrown in a volcano - this is a fun read! While certainly graphic at times we get a background on Harley and see how the choices she makes leads her on unlikely adventures.

The art is beautiful and the story was great.

[Chastity · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time fav book. The story line with the old dude was kinda dumb but everything else was awesome. I love how she loves animals and how her friendship with Ivy is unbreakable. There should be way more scenes with them together. Best couple ever. :) Also, the artwork was brutally beautiful at times, all gorgeous.

Chastity Vincent 13 y.o.

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just had such a fun time reading this. It may not be quite 5 stars but my enjoyment of it is definitely a solid 5 stars. The artwork is absolutely stunning and I love the appearances of Poison Ivy. There were some rather wacky parts but that is what made it so fun.
I read this for the 2020 Reading Rush :)

[Sarah Leather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, this graphic novel is nothing like the film Birds of Prey, I didn’t mind that though. I struggled with some of the text which slowed down my reading flow which then lessened my enjoyment of the story, however I understand that the words are written that way to show the characters accent or way of speaking.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A pretty mixed bag of fun Harley shenanigans and then out of character or unfunny jokes that went on too long. This style of humor really set the tone for Harley to this day in the comics, which has some good and bad consequences in my opinion. I really only have this because the cover is some great art of Margot Robbie's Harley.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, a generally enjoyable read. My first ever dive into Harley Quinn comics, the plot was so-so but I really liked the artwork. The final short story was odd and this volume could easily have done without it.

[Cherylin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a ball with the first half of this collection, but found the last few issues far less interesting or original. Glad they didn’t bring a deserted island or Russian hit list into the super fun movie!