Harley Quinn (2021-) #1

Harley Quinn (2021) (Single Issues)

by Stephanie Phillips, Riley Rossmo (Penciller), Ivan Plascencia (Colorist)

Ahem! You better read this closely, ’cause we’ve got a red-hot relaunch on our hands here-and I should know! Harley Quinn here to let everyone know that I got a brand-new monthly series here with a brand-new status quo. I’m coming back to Gotham City to make up for the sins of my past, and help the city recover from “The Joker War”!
But there’s no welcoming committee waiting for me, your favorite Maid of Mischief! And between you and me, some real creeps are working to keep the city broken. We can’t let that happen, can we? Rising-star writer Stephanie Phillips, my new partner in crime, takes me into a bold new era with her partner in artistic crime Riley Rossmo, who I gotta say designed a real nice new costume for me. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one, folks!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Batman

25 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2021

Reviews

[Bookishrealm]

This is a Harley Quinn book that's not for everyone. From what I've grown to understand, Harley Quinn is now becoming more of an anti-hero after what happened during the Joker War (don't worry I'm preparing to read this) so this is an introduction to her attempting to balance doing good things for Gotham City while trying not to pick up her old habits. I think I made the mistake of reading Punchline before this because Punchline literally feels like a copy of what I always expect Harley Quinn to be. I won't lie. I struggled to get through this one. The art was not my style. In fact, I knew that the artwork was rumored to be different from what we usually see; however, I really I didn't expect it to be so jaring. It actually detracted from the work as a whole. I believe that I would have rated this higher if it wasn't for the artwork. Nevertheless, I think that I may give this one more issue before I take it off my pull list.

[Kay ☾]

Finally! A Harley Quinn comic where she isn't in a toxic relationship with the Joker.

[Roland Baldwin]

I don’t like the art style. It’s far too chaotic and scratchy but the writing is good. She’s lacking the strong and iconic supporting cast she’s had for the past eight years such as The Harleys, Eggie, SyBorg and Red Tool. I preferred her in Coney Island but I always support Harley and will continue to do so.
I do hope the cast gets filled out too.
The writer needs to reintroduce fourth wall breaks too. It made Harley so much fun. Also Bernie and Nathan are MIA. I truly doubt she’d leave the beaver and dog behind her.

[Samhain]

I quite enjoyed the writing and I'm glad they've decided to get Harley a proper storyline again. I'm still sad and a bit pissed that they just scrapped her previous title's supporting cast as well as her hard earned growth, but this is such an improvement from the last issues of the previous run that I'm willing to forgive DC for once again making us feel like we spent years investing into a character's arc only for them to reboot it.

The art is a whole other story. I suppose a cartoon-ish style can fit Harley's shenanigans, but this one is... not good? I mean, art is subjective and all that, but is there anyone out there who genuinely thinks this is good? I'm curious as to what they see in it, because everything feels messy and lazy to me. Even the coloring isn't great, the hues are inconsistent as heck from one panel to another. I'm glad the lettering has gotten better, though, it's nice to read without having an emphasis on every other word.

I'm not even gonna try and make sense of DC's canon. This feels in total contradiction of what was supposedly happening in Punchline's own title, but at this point I'd be surprised if any title was coherent with the main universe's storyline.

Overall, it's a promising start, albeit I wish they'd stop giving Harley new ones and just let her keep her growth and support systems.

[Logan]

An okay first issue, but the art is just really not my thing!

[scribble]

Was kinda hesitant about what Rossmo’s art would look like with Harley because, frankly, I hadn’t enjoyed it so much in FS’ LoS. However, as much as it has yet to grow on me, I I liked it a little better here. The gags and storyline were fun as well.
Excited to have a Harley Quinn solo.

[Kastie Pavlik]

Yikes. Coming out of Murphy's art in Harley White Knight universe, this art is jarring. I don't like it. The story is decently written and I adore Bats for the gift. I'll give it another few issues, but it's lacking cast and depth.

[alia]

| "Gotham's got a clown problem."

Goodreads messed up my book updates so I'm going through and readding the comics correctly.

Please no one judge me for reading comics I don't know what ethics there are when it comes to Goodreads and comics. There's words and pictures.

Anyways! Everyone hating on this art style just hates fun because Harley looks so cute and wonderful and Bruce looks like a greasy shadow monster (canon). Fun start to Harley's new run and storyline and interesting to see how Harley is starting her shift to morally grey rather than full on villain.

(5 stars because I said so. Idc how this messes up my Goodreads metrics.)

[TJ, the Librarian.]

Really strong first issue! I loved the art style especially.

[Marina]

I'm rooting for this new cartoonish style!!!!¡¡¡

[Parker J]

Oh I loved this. The art, the humor, the story, the interaction with Batman, did I mention the art, Harley going good...its spectacular.

[Jasmine]

I love Harley Quinn, and this is finally a comic where she gets to break away from the joker 👌 I'm not sure about the art style, but it'll probably grow on me

[spencer]

4.5, really loved the writing and story here. I’m not at all sold on Rossmo’s art though, but it might grow on me in future issues. Looking forward to where this goes.

[Trae Stratton]

Like the new direction. Banter with Batman especially well done. Art style a great fit for Harley Quinn’s character and personality. Looking forward to this arc.

[Amy Walker - Trans-Scribe Reviews]

Harley Quinn has gone through a lot of changes in the last few years, and having now left the Joker behind and moved on to being her own person she's back in Gotham trying to make amends for her past deeds in the first issue of her new ongoing series. 

The last we saw the character, in Future State: Harley Quinn, she had gone through yet another change, leaving behind some of the wackiness and weirdness that have become synonymous with the character, and was being used by the forces of the Magistrate, and Jonathan Crane, to hunt down other Gotham criminals. Writer Stephanie Phillips had made Harley into an almost Hannibal Lecter like character who was being pumped for psychological insight whilst being held in her cell. This was an interesting new take for the character, and one I particularly liked.

Phillips has continued on with the character in this new series, and whilst Harley isn't at the same point she was in Future State she does seem to be on a similar path. The Harley presented in this issue is a woman who's put her crimes behind her, thanks in part to having her record wiped clean thanks to the Suicide Squad, and is trying to fix a lot of the wrongs she has done.

This is easier than said, however, particularly in a Gotham City where anyone who looks like a clown can become a target for mob vengeance. Despite this, Harley is trying to do her best, and we even get to see her trying to make up with Killer Croc, complete with gluten free cake. But despite the set-backs she faces as she has to deal with angry crocodile men, and even angrier citizens, she's determined to do good; and this is the real heart of the issue.




We get to see that despite not quite having everything together, with only a half-baked plan and a rundown apartment, she's genuinely trying. Even when confronted by Batman she refuses to back down and shows him that she's earnest in her goals, and that she truly believes that she's one of the good guys now. And even if she's not an official member of the Bat-Family yet she's still given the seal of approval from Batman, a nice toasty seal of approval.

Whilst not a huge amount happens in this first issue it does a lot to set important groundwork. It shows readers the state of Gotham following the events of the Joker War, what's motivating Harley, and even sets up an antagonist for her in the final pages of the issue. Thanks to some artwork from Riley Rossmo and Ivan Plascencia that feels very playful and uniquely Harley-ish the book always feels bold and bright, even when it's set in dingy sewers and dirty apartments.

With so much exciting promise set up in Future State: Harley Quinn I'm super excited to see what Stephanie Phillips has in store for the character, and the places that she's going to take Harley.

[Annemarie]

I'll be honest, I did not expect to like this. But Harley has been the best part of the Batman issues for a while now, so I got curious. The art is very different and I have to admit, I kinda like it? I wouldn't have expected it, but it works. (Though I had to giggle when I first saw batman, I mean... lol xD) I like seeing Harley find herself again. I hope that we kinda get to see her struggle with her past (we already have her trying to make amends, which was fun) and hopefully it will also get into some deeper aspects by using her psychology major and such. (yeah, I just want Harleen influence in everything, but that was such a good comic).
If you had told me I'd prefer this over a book about Jim Gordon and punchline (The Joker (2021-) #1) I wouldn't have believed you, but as far as first volumes go, I actually prefer this one.

[Shawn Ingle]

After reading the Harley Quinn story in Batman: Urban Legends, this is not at all what I was expecting. That's not a bad thing though. The Urban Legends story was more of a somber and introspective (and fantastic!) character study. Here the mood and tone are much different. The bold and energetic artwork in particular showcases the enthusiastic Harley Quinn we're accustomed to. A great blend of humor, action and drama, we get to see Harley use her intellect in a whole new way as she works to find her place in Gotham. Her interactions with Batman are extremely well done. Very promising start to the series.

[Devin Wilson]

For individual panels, I actually really appreciate the unusual style of the art. I do find it kind of confusing sometimes in terms of layout/action/etc, though. Too often I had to really scrutinize what I was looking at to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Like, there are just a handful of pages where it feels like a panel is missing.

Despite the lukewarm rating here, I'm pretty excited to continue! This has a ton of potential.

[Melody (theliteraryowl)]

i liked this one, but it’s my first harley quinn comics so *shrug*. i’ve seen people didn’t like the art style, it wasn’t a prop elm for me. i for one do not like the art style in the previous harley quinn comics because of how sexualized she is. so i really liked this one. and i liked that harley wanted to make amends. i absolutely love her so i’m looking forward to reading more of her adventures ♥️

[mars]

i like the art but i hate the idea of harley working with batman and esp where this comic was basically entirely men being mean to her...... literally no other women.... like i dont think theres anything inherently wrong with that but im not interested in continuing the series

very interested in figuring out how they will address the apology to “pam” tho

[mire]

I think I’m in the minority because I found the art style to be quite unique and fun! yes, it is chaotic, but I really liked how the artist played with forms and the are some pages that quite stood up to me for the originality.

[PixieART]

New series Harley Quinn #1 (2021) I'd off to a great start. Harley wants to make up for her past by becoming a hero.
There is a reverence to Batman #103 (2016) soni found and read that, but you don't need to do that to enjoy this comic.
Also there is interviews with the artist in the end.

[Burton Olivier]

The Bat-toaster gag and the "there's no way your license is still valid" line really got me. I wasn't gonna pick this up because I'm a little tired of Rossmo's art but he really pulled it off

[david Wood]

Nice looking book with very good art, still unsure about the story and but it has promise

[Casey]

Yooooo okay I’m digging this look and this book already

[Emily]

3.5
This is the first issue of a new series and I'm hopeful

[Vlad Cristescu]

Unfortunately for me the story was not that engaging and the ads from every 3 pages made me lose focus.

Some scene layouts are confusing. The art is alright but not the best.

[Terri]

Batman toaster, that is all I need to say! XD

[Wongi]

Cool read. Looking forward to reading more.

[Steven Shinder]

I really like the idea of Harley trying to make amends. She's also trying hard to remain in Batman's good graces.