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Harley Quinn (2021) #2
Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Keepsake
Heya, folks, Harley Quinn here! In case you all haven't noticed...things have been a little wild lately...I'll help put fires out around Gotham...literally...and I might get some unexpected help in the process!
Hugo Strange, out-of-control orderlies, kidnapped clowns, and a new villain named Keepsake...it's a lot for any one former villain turned antihero turned real hero with impeccable fashion sense to handle. I'm talkin' about ME if that wasn't clear. With all the Fear State happening in Gotham, I thought it would be a good time to go on a little camping trip. But, turns out, Gotham is gonna be Gotham...Keepsake's forming a new army, Hugo's playin' dress-up, and the city is literally tearing itself apart. This looks like a job for Harley Quinn, Kevin, and...the Gardener? Oh yeah, there's a few other familiar faces...so keep your eyes peeled!
Hugo Strange, out-of-control orderlies, kidnapped clowns, and a new villain named Keepsake...it's a lot for any one former villain turned antihero turned real hero with impeccable fashion sense to handle. I'm talkin' about ME if that wasn't clear. With all the Fear State happening in Gotham, I thought it would be a good time to go on a little camping trip. But, turns out, Gotham is gonna be Gotham...Keepsake's forming a new army, Hugo's playin' dress-up, and the city is literally tearing itself apart. This looks like a job for Harley Quinn, Kevin, and...the Gardener? Oh yeah, there's a few other familiar faces...so keep your eyes peeled!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2022
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151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 18, 2022
The first half of this volume is a Fear State tie-in, so if you've read Catwoman, you'll get the other half of the story that started over there as Selina and Harley attempt to reunite Poison Ivy's disparate parts in time to save Gotham from Queen Ivy's destruction. For an event tie-in this isn't bad, but considering Harley's mostly been allowed to do her own thing for now, getting derailed by an event that she's actually pretty prominent in already feels a bit silly. Series artist Riley Rossmo tackles these three issues, for better or worse.
Issue 10 is the mid-point, and addresses the Harley/Ivy relationship in probably the most mature way it's been addressed in a hot minute, even if it's not the ending most people want. Laura Braga returns from issue 6 to pencil, so that's nice. Then the titular Keepsake, who's been bubbling around since the earliest parts of the series, takes centre stage for the last two issues (and Rossmo returns). I do like long-form plotting, but he's kind of been kept in a holding pattern as a result of the whole Fear State derailment.
Not a bad second instalment, and still the strongest Harley series in a long time, but plagued by event tie-ins and the issues that they bring with them.
Issue 10 is the mid-point, and addresses the Harley/Ivy relationship in probably the most mature way it's been addressed in a hot minute, even if it's not the ending most people want. Laura Braga returns from issue 6 to pencil, so that's nice. Then the titular Keepsake, who's been bubbling around since the earliest parts of the series, takes centre stage for the last two issues (and Rossmo returns). I do like long-form plotting, but he's kind of been kept in a holding pattern as a result of the whole Fear State derailment.
Not a bad second instalment, and still the strongest Harley series in a long time, but plagued by event tie-ins and the issues that they bring with them.
March 17, 2024
J’AIME 😭 TELLEMENT 😭 SI 😭 FORT 😭 harley et ivy 💚 à jamais troublée mais si reconnaissante! qu’elles soient canon, c’est pas de la fan fiction 🥹🥹🥹 elles s’aiment pour de vrai !!! elles se font des bisous !!! c’est des amoureuses !!!
quelle richesse dans le récit : niveau références, féminisme, santé mentale, rédemption 🌟 toute la place dans mon cœur.
quelle richesse dans le récit : niveau références, féminisme, santé mentale, rédemption 🌟 toute la place dans mon cœur.
July 12, 2022
Toujours aussi super, j'adore l'humour et le style de dessin déjanté qui colle super bien à Harley. Il n'y a que le chapitre 10 qui fait tâche avec le changement de style complet mais sinon très contente de ce tome
May 8, 2022
Ohhhhhhh wow.
Beware, Keepsake! One of the 'deadliest' villains in Harley's rogues gallery. You have to check out the other villain analogues he's created with stolen villain tech. So funny!
Meanwhile, Fear State is happening all around Harley and her friends. She's is on a quest to get to Poison Ivy (a key player in the Fear State saga) and set things right. By her side is The Gardener and her plant dogs(?). If they can get to Poison Ivy in time, they can lessen the hold that Hugo Strange has created in Gotham.
It's very fun and very loose. As dark as Fear State should be....Harley's comic still have a hopeful air. Love it!
Bonus: The Gardener + Poison Ivy + Harley Quinn = some unique polyamory...
Bonus Bonus: Never underestimate Kev!
Beware, Keepsake! One of the 'deadliest' villains in Harley's rogues gallery. You have to check out the other villain analogues he's created with stolen villain tech. So funny!
Meanwhile, Fear State is happening all around Harley and her friends. She's is on a quest to get to Poison Ivy (a key player in the Fear State saga) and set things right. By her side is The Gardener and her plant dogs(?). If they can get to Poison Ivy in time, they can lessen the hold that Hugo Strange has created in Gotham.
It's very fun and very loose. As dark as Fear State should be....Harley's comic still have a hopeful air. Love it!
Bonus: The Gardener + Poison Ivy + Harley Quinn = some unique polyamory...
Bonus Bonus: Never underestimate Kev!
February 9, 2023
Not a huge fan of the Keepsake villain, as he seems, at least appearance-wise, a knock-off of Hobgoblin, and his theft of other villains' weaponry reminiscent of Taskmaster. Throw in the fact that I haven't read Fear State...I actually still quite enjoyed this volume! A bit too much narration but the direction Harley's heading is positive, even if Gotham itself seems rather dismal.
Enjoyed the less cartoony artwork as well!
Enjoyed the less cartoony artwork as well!
March 24, 2023
2.5 Stars.... really don't like the style of artwork. Throws off my reading...
We continue into Harley's involvement with "Fear State" and introduce a new villain, Keepsake. This guy sucks! I think that's the point, but he really feels like a cheesy villain that was given too much rope to develop. We still have Kevin, Harley's new friend/partner, and he gets a chance to grow a bit, which was good. We also get to see more of her with Ivy, newly rejoined after FS, but it seems as if Pamela is still wanting to be a criminal, and Harley has left that behind (for now!).
Overall, if you can get past the art style (I'm sure some will like it) you might enjoy this.
I know there is a Volume 3 coming with the same creative team, but I hope HQ takes a turn for the better soon, or I might let it go.
We continue into Harley's involvement with "Fear State" and introduce a new villain, Keepsake. This guy sucks! I think that's the point, but he really feels like a cheesy villain that was given too much rope to develop. We still have Kevin, Harley's new friend/partner, and he gets a chance to grow a bit, which was good. We also get to see more of her with Ivy, newly rejoined after FS, but it seems as if Pamela is still wanting to be a criminal, and Harley has left that behind (for now!).
Overall, if you can get past the art style (I'm sure some will like it) you might enjoy this.
I know there is a Volume 3 coming with the same creative team, but I hope HQ takes a turn for the better soon, or I might let it go.
June 22, 2023
Would have made a lot more sense if the put the annual at the beginning so you have any clue who the hell Keepsake is. Meh. I think this could've been a 4, but I hate Rossmo's art and there were a few too many issues centered on Kevin.
June 15, 2025
3 1/2 stars rounded up
Summary:
Harley Quinn is determined to make a solid effort to become a good person. No! More than that, she’s going to become a hero, and she’s even got Batman on her side. Sort of. Being a hero in Gotham means stepping up and taking care of the people, no matter the cost.
Naturally, this pits Harley Quinn against Hugo Strange, a villain who’s lately taken to kidnapping clowns and turning them into his new villain army. You can see why Harley might take this one a little personally.
Review:
Before I dive into my review, I just want to say that I had previously read through most of the Hugo Strange arc when the comics were first released. So most of Harley Quinn Vol. 2 isn’t new to me, and honestly, I’m tired of the Hugo arc.
The good: Harley needs allies; it’s where her stories have always shone brightest. People like Ivy and the Gang of Harleys help bring Harley back to Earth and give her a reason to care about the present. So, obviously, Kevin’s presence is critical. The same goes for the reappearance of the Gardener and Poison Ivy.
The less-stellar: I don’t like Hugo Strange as a villain, at least not in the Harley Quinn comics. On the surface, the connection should make sense, but I’m just not digging it. The whole thing feels shallow and contrived.
Side note: The first half of Harley Quinn Vol. 2 ties into the Fear State event. I’d advise reading Catwoman’s series, at least until then, if you want a better idea of what is happening.
Artwork:
The artwork in Harley Quinn Vol. 2 did a fantastic job of capturing the manic energy that Harley Quinn runs on. I cannot emphasize that fact enough. It may not be my favorite style, but it does match the character very well.
Highlights:
Superhero Comics
Batman Adjacent Storytelling
Harley Quinn Chaos
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Tumblr | Reedsy | CBR | Storylace
Summary:
Harley Quinn is determined to make a solid effort to become a good person. No! More than that, she’s going to become a hero, and she’s even got Batman on her side. Sort of. Being a hero in Gotham means stepping up and taking care of the people, no matter the cost.
Naturally, this pits Harley Quinn against Hugo Strange, a villain who’s lately taken to kidnapping clowns and turning them into his new villain army. You can see why Harley might take this one a little personally.
Review:
Before I dive into my review, I just want to say that I had previously read through most of the Hugo Strange arc when the comics were first released. So most of Harley Quinn Vol. 2 isn’t new to me, and honestly, I’m tired of the Hugo arc.
The good: Harley needs allies; it’s where her stories have always shone brightest. People like Ivy and the Gang of Harleys help bring Harley back to Earth and give her a reason to care about the present. So, obviously, Kevin’s presence is critical. The same goes for the reappearance of the Gardener and Poison Ivy.
The less-stellar: I don’t like Hugo Strange as a villain, at least not in the Harley Quinn comics. On the surface, the connection should make sense, but I’m just not digging it. The whole thing feels shallow and contrived.
Side note: The first half of Harley Quinn Vol. 2 ties into the Fear State event. I’d advise reading Catwoman’s series, at least until then, if you want a better idea of what is happening.
Artwork:
The artwork in Harley Quinn Vol. 2 did a fantastic job of capturing the manic energy that Harley Quinn runs on. I cannot emphasize that fact enough. It may not be my favorite style, but it does match the character very well.
Highlights:
Superhero Comics
Batman Adjacent Storytelling
Harley Quinn Chaos
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Tumblr | Reedsy | CBR | Storylace
April 5, 2023
Honestly this was kid of all over the place with some of the plot points, you had Harley dives a plan to take down Keepsake and then an issue later a huge battle had happened and they were just quipping with him. It was super weird and I'm not sure if something happened in the Fear State story as Catwoman just appeared after the battle but says she was there the whole time.
Also Keepsake keeps getting beat up in this and coming back, he even gets killed but somehow comes back. It's weird, not sure if that was supposed to be his first meeting with Harley but last volume established that they hadn't met before. Same creative team, just odd decisions.
We get some nice closure with Ivy and Harley, it felt like it was just included do to DC mandating it because of the success of the show, the creative team finally said no more. Then we got some nice bits with her giving people therapy and her sidekick getting a love interest. This was quick good given how all over the place the plot was and the narrative nonsense.
Also Keepsake keeps getting beat up in this and coming back, he even gets killed but somehow comes back. It's weird, not sure if that was supposed to be his first meeting with Harley but last volume established that they hadn't met before. Same creative team, just odd decisions.
We get some nice closure with Ivy and Harley, it felt like it was just included do to DC mandating it because of the success of the show, the creative team finally said no more. Then we got some nice bits with her giving people therapy and her sidekick getting a love interest. This was quick good given how all over the place the plot was and the narrative nonsense.
November 8, 2024
A BIG part of the low rating is that the main villain's origin story and motivations are not explained until the ANNUAL AT THE END OF THE BOOK. And not in like a dramatic flashback reveal either: the annual literally takes place first chronologically. Not sure if this was a mistake in the original publishing order or not. So READ THE LAST CHAPTER FIRST.
Similarly, despite having read the main Bat books from around this time period, I'm not sure when or in what books the bulk of the "Queen Ivy" story happens (at least part of it seems to be in Catwoman), so that added to the confusion as well.
Rosmo's art seems even more chaotic in this one, and it does not help that the style seen in the annual works much better for this book.
Similarly, despite having read the main Bat books from around this time period, I'm not sure when or in what books the bulk of the "Queen Ivy" story happens (at least part of it seems to be in Catwoman), so that added to the confusion as well.
Rosmo's art seems even more chaotic in this one, and it does not help that the style seen in the annual works much better for this book.
April 2, 2023
The Fear State issues feel very disjointed on their own. If read recently with the rest of Fear State they read better. Otherwise it's rough. Then Laura Braga comes in for issue #10 and sets up the Poison Ivy series. Unfortunately that means we are back to Riley Rossmo for the last 2 issues. He's got to be one of the worst artists working in comics next to Erica Henderson. The 2021 annual is included at the end which feels presented out of order since it's talked about earlier in this book. It may have taken place right before the Fear State stuff actually. Keepsake is just a completely uninteresting villain who is really being drawn out here.
February 10, 2025
I love harley and ivy so much 🥰 The art in this series is just so perfect for harley in my opinion, issue 10 was a nice surprise and definitely did no wrong, but I loveee Rossmo’s art for this series. Also I can’t help but love the heroine path she is on, Kevin and her dynamic is really sweet and helps keep her grounded. I’m intrigued even more to learn more about him and what is going on with these new villains 🦹♀️
December 30, 2023
Another fun Harley entry, with chaos and humor throughout. The art is weird, and takes some getting used to but then definitely feels like Harley.
I did have trouble placing where this fits in the timeline, especially since I’ve also been reading Poison Ivy and I don’t know how they fit together. But each one is fun on its own.
I did have trouble placing where this fits in the timeline, especially since I’ve also been reading Poison Ivy and I don’t know how they fit together. But each one is fun on its own.
December 5, 2024
Art style is changing too much
It's annoying the new series is good but every other issue the art style change i understand ensemble cast of artist but the differing art styles keep taking me out of the story
It's annoying the new series is good but every other issue the art style change i understand ensemble cast of artist but the differing art styles keep taking me out of the story
June 15, 2022
harley and ivy 3
August 31, 2022
it was okay, it was nice, i enjoyed it
January 8, 2023
Sigue muy divertido todo
March 26, 2023
Some of the artwork is not to my taste, but I really enjoy Kevin and Harley's development as they try to redeem their bad pasts.
August 14, 2023
Loved the variety of illustrations of Harley Quinn. The story of Keepsake was some what inconsistent. Sidekicks of Quinn kicked a**.
January 7, 2024
(Includes Harley Quinn #7-12 & the Harley Quinn 2021 Annual)
Read
March 20, 2024Not for me. Difficult to follow since I've not read the corresponding volumes.
May 3, 2024
Harley gets Ivy back for a bit. The villains are all very eccentric. Kant dilemma.
June 8, 2025
Read this AT comic con, happy pride
June 16, 2025
Love her redemption arc
July 27, 2025
So even though this was mostly a tie-in to Fear State, it stood apart well as a look into how Harley relates to other people. I LOVED the Harlivy issues and also seeing how Kevin and Harley's friendship showed her more down-to-earth (no pun intended) side.
December 27, 2022
a little confusing but overall really good, love stephanie philips sm
November 10, 2024
Annual '21, This Shadow That Hangs, ☆☆☆☆
7-9, Fear State, ☆☆☆
10, Thorns, ☆☆☆
11-12, Bad Math, ☆☆☆
7-9, Fear State, ☆☆☆
10, Thorns, ☆☆☆
11-12, Bad Math, ☆☆☆
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews