Future State: Harley Quinn #1

Future State: Harley Quinn

by Stephanie Phillips, Simone Di Meo (Illustrator), Derrick Chew (Cover)

In a bold move that rocks Gotham City, the Magistrate has imprisoned Harley Quinn! The villain once known as the Scarecrow, now a pawn of the Magistrate, taps into Harley’s knowledge of Gotham’s villains and the Black Mask Gang for his own dark purposes. Crane and his bosses think they have Harley Quinn defeated and her spirit broken, but they are sorely mistaken-and Harley will have her revenge. Written by rising star writer Stephanie Phillips and drawn by fan-favorite artist Simone Di Meo, the next era of Harley Quinn begins here!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Bande Dessinée, Comic Book

25 pages, ebook

First published January 5, 2021

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally got my hands on Future State so I'm going to be going through quite a few of these issues in the coming weeks. I'm actually glad that I started with Harley Quinn because I quite enjoyed this.

This specific issue of Future State focuses on Harley after she's been captured. The most intriguing aspect of this issue was in the character analysis. Harley is often characterized as a trouble maker or a lot of people talk about her in reference to the Joker or other DC characters. This story; however, reminds readers that Harley Quinn at her core is a psychologist and a talented one at that. It was amazing to watch Phillips rely on that part of Quinn's story to navigate this issue and quite honestly I respected her for it. The art style definitely wasn't my cup of tea. I found it to be limiting in some ways that was unusual for the story being told. What I mean to say is that, it was distracting and didn't seem to flow well with the story at all times. With that being said, this was an interesting first look at Harley Quinn in Future State. I have the second issue so I'll definitely be picking that up soon.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who most times can't stand Harley Quinn this was good. The art is a great mix of anime style with western influence. Though the fight scenes can use a bit of work. The story itself seems pretty interesting. The best part is the interaction with Harley and Scarecrow. A solid start. A 3 out of 5.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I'm always a sucker for writers focusing on Harley's psychological expertise over just having her do cartwheels and be silly. This was a very interesting premise for her as a character. I definitely want to read more of it.

Although, I think I would've been a bit happier if it'd been a straight man type character that was trying to get her help on cases over Crane, as written, I liked this story.

Also - I skipped Dark Metal entirely so I have no clue what happened there.

[Clipsee · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Number score at bottom) I enjoyed this book although it still could have been better in my opinion. Writer Stephenie Phillips understands Harley perfectly. The art by Simone DiMeo was good and felt very futuristic and reminded me of into the spider verse a bit. The colors chosen by Bonvillan also helped to punctuate the new gotham setting. I liked how Phillips wrote Scarecrow although I feel like Crane would be smart enough to figure out his own problems without needing Harley’s help. The interactions between Harley and Scarecrow were well-written. Where I wish the book improved was more action and I wish some of the art was more clear in some of the smaller panels. I forgot to include I loved the use of Harley’s psych skills. So for that I’ll bump it up to a 7.5.

Rating: 7.5/10

[Roman Colombo · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I'm becoming a bigger fan of Simone Di Meo every time I see their work. They really bring the feeling of the "future" to "Future State." And the writing was pretty good too. Phillips gets what makes Harley so dangerous. I'll write more soon, for Comic Years.

[A Fan of Comics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harleys helping out!

In this issue Harley has to help Scarecrow round up the remaining criminals in Gotham for her freedom. I really liked seeing Harley and Crane work together. The art for this was crazy and just really different from the other Future State series (in a good way). They do a good job making Harley funny and honestly just a fun read.

[Burton Olivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really more of a 3.5 but I'll be nice because I like this idea of Harley as criminal expert

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this focused on Harley's psych knowledge. She's more than just a giggling hammer swinger.

[Cadu Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

achei alguns desenhos um pouco confusos, não dava pra saber 100% o que estava acontecendo, mas ainda são bem bonitos. ansioso pra ter o máscara negra como vilão !!

[Amy Walker - Trans-Scribe Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Future State: Harley Quinn might be one of the prettiest books out this week from DC, with some absolutely gorgeous artwork from artist Simone DiMeo and colourist Tamara Bonvillain, but it's also the most engaging book that centres on Gotham City.

The story sees readers in a Gotham where masks have been outlawed, and the forces of the Magistrate are making it their mission to arrest or kill anyone in a costume, hero or villain. It's here that we see Harley Quinn get captured by the Magistrate's forces, and brought in to be questioned by Doctor Jonathan Crane, the former villain Scarecrow.

Having apparently been cured of the psychological trauma that made him act out as Scarecrow, Crane is now working for the Magistrates, using his background as a psychologist to hunt down the other costumed heroes from Batman's rogues gallery. However, rather than simply locking Quinn away he offers her the chance to do the same, to use her past as a psychologist to help him bring these criminals to justice, in exchange for a more comfy incarceration.

On some level the book feels a little like Suicide Squad, chiefly due to the fact that Quinn is being given a chance to make things better for herself by doing some good in the world. However, instead of this meaning that she will be going out into the field on missions, she's using her mind to come up with plan and tactics to capture other criminals. It's a neat twist on the formula, and one that shows that Harley is more than a costumed clown with a baseball bat, but an incredibly intelligent woman.

Over the course of the issue we get to see Harley help with the capture of both Professor Pyg and Firefly, and we learn a lot about those characters along the way. Harley goes into the minds of these criminals, explains what motivates them, what drives them to do what they do, and shows how you can use these insights to bring them out into the open so that they can be neutralised. We also learn that Crane's biggest goal is to bring down Black Mask, who's so far managed to avoid capture.






The book seems to be setting the stage for things to come, for future conflict between the forces of the Magistrate and Black Mask and his gang, yet manages to tell a pretty self contained and satisfying story as we watch Harley help to bring two of the city's criminals to justice.

Stephanie Phillips really seems to know how to write Harley as more than an over the top, 'crazy' character, and walks that fine line where we can see the weirdness that inhabits Harley along side her educated intelligent side. It makes her feel like a more well rounded character, and someone who might be more of a challenge when she takes a step back and actually allows herself time to thin things through.

The book also looks gorgeous throughout, and there were times where panels felt more like they were frames lifted from an incredibly well polished and sleek animated movie rather than a comic, and the colour pallet and inclusion of things like lens flare here and there really add to that feel.

Out of all of the books from Future State set in Gotham City this is the most fun, and most engaging, one that actually did something interesting with its main character that didn't feel like a huge departure from their nature. I'm definitely interesting in seeing what else Harley will be doing in future issues, as well as seeing what happens next with Black Mask.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es cierto que me cansan bastante la cantidad de eventos que han rescrito el Multiverso DC desde Flashpoint. De hecho, todo lo concerniente a Metal lo descubrí por vídeos narrados o artículos por la red... Pero la verdad es que, aunque algo reticente, he querido descubrir esto de Future State. Y tiene su gracia, la verdad. Un mundo futurista pero a la vez no tanto como sí que podía ser el de Batman Beyond. Y, bueno, me la jugué empezando por una serie protagonizada por Harley Quinn, pero la verdad es que me gusta lo que propone Stephanie. Con una dinámica muy a lo Hannibal Lecter, donde volvemos a descubrir que Harley antes que alocada novia del Joker y villana, es reputada psiquiátra. Lo de Crane creo que me gusta menos, pero seguramente no sea dinámica habitual del personaje y vuelva a ser el señor del Miedo de Gotham.

El apartado gráfico es tremendamente atractivo. Con un estilo cercano al manga y con esa viva paleta de colores y difuminados.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the futuristic blend of art using lighting and blurred focus, and that Harley gets to use her brain and doctor skills. That said, this doesn't break new ground and they continue to demean her and write her off as Joker's girlfriend. This would have been the perfect opportunity to display her as a victim of domestic violence who rose above and overcame instead of continuing the same rhetoric. Also - if you didn't read Death Metal, it won't affect how you experience the Future State titles. The little blurb in the beginning can be taken literally - the end of Death Metal opened the door to new possibilities and unwritten stories for the future or present of DC in our world and elseworlds.

[Cameron Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how we get to continue to see how the magistrate operates in this issue. Harley is captured by a former “mask” that wants her to use her skills and aid in capturing some of the other masks still on the loose. I enjoy Harley Quinn more when she’s by herself, or at the least not paired up with Joker. The art seemed to fit her character as well, though at times it was hard to see what was going on. I’m glad Future State is starting off strong

[Madison Longley · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what DC has been going through as of late, I think that this rendition of Harley Quinn is interesting so far. While it wasn't as Harley-centric as I wanted it to be, it was still entertaining. In a way, I think it's more of a display as to how her mind works, that is: zany, over-the-top, and yet it somehow seems to do the job.

[Daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great way to kick off the comic issue series. I wasn't a fan of the art style; it didn't seem to fit the story well, but I did enjoy seeing Harley Quinn's point of view on things, especially since we mostly see her as a villain most of the time. It's also interesting to see her away from Joker now that she's been apprehended and is being held in jail for the time being.

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was different. The artstyle felt like a combination between anime and western comics. And yes, I mean anime and not manga. I love the psychological Harley, but I felt the comic was a bit convoluted and all over the place. It could have been better if it didn't feel so rushed. I am going to read the second volume though, and hopefully it is paced better than this one.

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed it a lot. The art style reminds me of Batman Beyond and is very angular and futuristic. Stephanie Philips captures Harley’s voice perfectly. A touch slow to start off.

[Tris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this! The art style was really nice and the Magistrate is quite an interesting idea. The writing got confusing for me at some points but over time I understood what was going on. The paneling is really beautiful and satisfying to me!

[River · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Harley Quinn, this comic was no exception. Harley's hair style in this comic is also really cute. The comic itself was great. The plot is interesting, but it does remind me a little of suicide squad, so there is that. I love the art of this particular series.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay issue, didn't care too much for the art, even though it was pretty unique and different to what we usually see in comics.

[Jacob Helberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I feel a little bit spoiled by Harleen since I just finished that today as well and this is nowhere near that level. It was honestly just fine. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.

[RG · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is just pure amazing. The story not so much. Harley and scarecrow kinda work together. Sometimes the fight scenes were a bit hazy. Probs more the panelling

[Jeremy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://youtu.be/X7b_ycP8JZI
I thought the book was really fun. Check out the link for a video of more of my thoughts.

[Orestes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving it. Can't wait to see what's going to happen next.

[Kay ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love me some Harley, but I feel as if I am missing something.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between the anime style art and one of my all time favorites (Scarecrow) making an apperance this one had a lot going for it. The story was decent and I like where it is going.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool Harley Quinn book, but also I like all the Future State

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ eh

[Ashe Catlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harley is captured by the Magistrates and the only way to get out, is to work with Jonathan Crane, to capture the rest of Gotham's criminals.

I loved the dynamic between Quinn and Crane, they really utilized their psychologist backgrounds. Which I've never seen before, it worked so well because it wasn't one over explaining everything to the other, they both built on each others ideas. Which is what would happen in a specialist field as no one knows everything.

[Zacky JC · Rating 2 out of 5]

«La mente realmente puede mezclar los terrores más horribles, ¿no es así?
Cuando estás solo en la oscuridad, Roman… ¿qué terrores son los que ves?»

Mmmmm…
Vaya, pensé que iba a llevarme más tiempo leyendo pero no fue así. Obvio agradezco que la historia vaya al grano y no armen historias secundarias cuando, pues, solo tenemos dos números para llegar al foco central de la trama.
Primero que nada, creo que esto no debió llamarse «Harley Quinn» cuando claramente Scarecrow o más bien, Jonathan Crane, fue co-protagonista junto con Harley. Y si lo vemos desde todas las perspectivas posibles, el enfrentamiento final (a mí percepción, y por como se estaba manejando la historia) debió ser Black Mask vs Scarecrow, es decir, desde el número uno se ve el odio que tiene Crane por querer acabar con su objetivo (Sionis) y fallar varias veces, por lo que tiene que recurrir a Harley con tal de ver si ella será la solución.
Se agradece mucho que en tan solo dos números me hayan metido tanto interés con dos personajes que realmente nunca había tratado al cien por ciento, hablo de Sionis y Crane, pero a la vez es allí donde yace el problema, hablaban mucho de lo que realmente significa para Sionis el que alguien portara una máscara, y también se mencionaba que Crane ya NO pensaba usar nuevamente su máscara, o sea, dos posiciones contrarias entre si. Y entonces ¿por qué fue tratado solo por encimita sin llegar a decir sus motivos de ambos con la profundidad necesaria? Si la serie hubiera tenido más números esas cosas no se hubieran sentido tan inconclusas.
¿El mayor problema? Es una historia que se supone es de la protagonista Harley Quinn y se sintió justo como dijo Black Mask: la carnada para el verdadero protagonista.
Espero eso sea resuelto en la siguiente serie, que al menos tiene más de dos números.