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Harley Quinn. Piękna katastrofa
Cykl powieści graficznych dedykowany młodym czytelnikom, poruszający ważne tematy społeczne. Składają się na niego pojedyncze albumy poświęcone nastoletnim bohaterom znanym z komiksów DC. Świat oglądany oczami młodych ludzi nie zawsze jest pięknym i przyjaznym miejscem, a problemy, z którymi przyjdzie zmierzyć się bohaterom, przerosłyby niejednego dorosłego. Na szczęście w ich życiu nie zabraknie również miejsca na przyjaźń, radość czy szalone przygody.
Autorami poszczególnych tomów są doskonale znani nastoletnim czytelnikom pisarze o międzynarodowej sławie tworzący literaturę dla młodzieży, jak Kami Garcia („Piękne istoty”), Lauren Myracle („3maj się”) czy Leigh Bardugo („Grisza”). Za warstwę graficzną odpowiadają utalentowani ilustratorzy i rysownicy, jak Gabriel Picolo, Kit Seaton czy Manuel Preitano Wygadana, zbuntowana i ekscentryczna piętnastoletnia Harleen Quinzel zostaje wysłana do Gotham z pięcioma dolarami w kieszeni. Dziewczyna nie miała łatwego dzieciństwa, lecz los w końcu się do niej uśmiecha, gdy Mama, najbardziej znana drag queen w Gotham, przygarnia ją pod swoje skrzydła. Z początku wydaje się, że Harleen wreszcie znalazła swoje miejsce na ziemi – miejsce, gdzie poznała swoją nową przyjaciółkę Ivy i gdzie naprawdę może być sobą. Ale wszystko się zmienia, gdy kabaret Mamy pada ofiarą nowej fali gentryfikacji, która powoli zalewa całą okolicę.
I teraz Harleen jest wściekła. A przekuwając swoją złość w czyn, musi dokonać wyboru: czy dołączyć do Ivy, która z całych sił stara się poprawić warunki życia w sąsiedztwie, czy do Jokera, który planuje zniszczyć Gotham, zaczynając od potężnych korporacji.
Laureatka Nagrody Eisnera Mariko Tamaki („Pewnego lata”) oraz nominowany do Nagrody Eisnera rysownik Steve Pugh („The Flintstones”) prezentują opowieść o dorastaniu, dokonywaniu wyborów i ponoszeniu ich konsekwencji. A także o dziwnej nastolatce z Gotham, która próbuje zrozumieć świat i odnaleźć swoją tożsamość.
Autorami poszczególnych tomów są doskonale znani nastoletnim czytelnikom pisarze o międzynarodowej sławie tworzący literaturę dla młodzieży, jak Kami Garcia („Piękne istoty”), Lauren Myracle („3maj się”) czy Leigh Bardugo („Grisza”). Za warstwę graficzną odpowiadają utalentowani ilustratorzy i rysownicy, jak Gabriel Picolo, Kit Seaton czy Manuel Preitano Wygadana, zbuntowana i ekscentryczna piętnastoletnia Harleen Quinzel zostaje wysłana do Gotham z pięcioma dolarami w kieszeni. Dziewczyna nie miała łatwego dzieciństwa, lecz los w końcu się do niej uśmiecha, gdy Mama, najbardziej znana drag queen w Gotham, przygarnia ją pod swoje skrzydła. Z początku wydaje się, że Harleen wreszcie znalazła swoje miejsce na ziemi – miejsce, gdzie poznała swoją nową przyjaciółkę Ivy i gdzie naprawdę może być sobą. Ale wszystko się zmienia, gdy kabaret Mamy pada ofiarą nowej fali gentryfikacji, która powoli zalewa całą okolicę.
I teraz Harleen jest wściekła. A przekuwając swoją złość w czyn, musi dokonać wyboru: czy dołączyć do Ivy, która z całych sił stara się poprawić warunki życia w sąsiedztwie, czy do Jokera, który planuje zniszczyć Gotham, zaczynając od potężnych korporacji.
Laureatka Nagrody Eisnera Mariko Tamaki („Pewnego lata”) oraz nominowany do Nagrody Eisnera rysownik Steve Pugh („The Flintstones”) prezentują opowieść o dorastaniu, dokonywaniu wyborów i ponoszeniu ich konsekwencji. A także o dziwnej nastolatce z Gotham, która próbuje zrozumieć świat i odnaleźć swoją tożsamość.
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2019
137 people are currently reading
5416 people want to read
About the author
Mariko Tamaki
377 books2,226 followersMariko Tamaki is a Toronto writer, playwright, activist and performer. She works and performs with fat activists Pretty Porky and Pissed Off and the theatre troupe TOA, whose recent play, A vs. B, was staged at the 2004 Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Her well-received novel, Cover Me (McGilligan Books) was followed by a short fiction collection, True Lies: The Book of Bad Advice (Women's Press). Mariko's third book, FAKE ID, is due out in spring 2005.
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,039 reviews
September 3, 2019
First off, let me just say these DC Ink books are typically YA Elseworlds books and that's what we have here. This is the best one of the bunch yet. Probably because this was actually written by a comic book writer who actually knows something about the nature of the character involved and not just a YA novelist.
Harley is sent to Gotham to live with her Grandmother while her mom works on a cruise ship. When she gets there, she finds out her Grandmother has passed away but the super decides to let her stay in her Grandmother's apartment as long as she goes to school. The super is a sweet middle aged drag queen and Harley ends up hanging out with all his buddies at their performances. It's actually a lot of fun. Versions of Poison Ivy and the Joker appear as the story progresses, but the main focus is that the Kane family is buying up all the real estate in the neighborhood and forcing everyone out. The story is well written, dealing with issues of social justice. Harley doesn't always make the right choices, but she is a strong, independent character who isn't swayed by others. The only thing I didn't care for was the ending. It feels unfinished. I'm sure there are plans for a sequel but that probably won't be for a long time given the length of this. I would have preferred a more definitive stopping point.
Steve Pugh produces some of the best art of his career. He handled everything except the lettering. I love his choice of muted monochromatic colors. It gives the book a color penciled that I adored.
Received a review copy from DC and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Harley is sent to Gotham to live with her Grandmother while her mom works on a cruise ship. When she gets there, she finds out her Grandmother has passed away but the super decides to let her stay in her Grandmother's apartment as long as she goes to school. The super is a sweet middle aged drag queen and Harley ends up hanging out with all his buddies at their performances. It's actually a lot of fun. Versions of Poison Ivy and the Joker appear as the story progresses, but the main focus is that the Kane family is buying up all the real estate in the neighborhood and forcing everyone out. The story is well written, dealing with issues of social justice. Harley doesn't always make the right choices, but she is a strong, independent character who isn't swayed by others. The only thing I didn't care for was the ending. It feels unfinished. I'm sure there are plans for a sequel but that probably won't be for a long time given the length of this. I would have preferred a more definitive stopping point.
Steve Pugh produces some of the best art of his career. He handled everything except the lettering. I love his choice of muted monochromatic colors. It gives the book a color penciled that I adored.
Received a review copy from DC and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
May 7, 2023
This was a buddy read with the Poetic Jayson and the Beautiful Whitney and the Kawaii Jenny
Canada has a winner and her name is Mariko Tamaki.
This is a tale of Little Brave Girls and Fairies fighting to stop puttholes and boogers.
I like this version of harley and i even like this version of young joker.
Mariko here reimagining the days of early Gotham, and a few of its residents like Harley, joker, Ivy, she gave them all background to what we know they will eventually become, that gradual progression is way more believable than joker who went crazy after falling in chemicals, or ivy suddenly becoming a nature person after her accident when she never gave a fuck, or Harley going from psychiatrist with a degree in curing mental disorders , to a stone cold killer just because she was manipulated by joker, a normal person with an education would most likely hand themselves over to the authorities, manipulation or not, but when you give her a record of not respecting authority, of being able to harm others and burn their things and tendency to taking matters into her own hands, now you are closer to a realistic switch to villainy.
Mariko is delivering a whole new modern origin story of Gotham, its inhabitants, their struggles, inserting modern feminism, LGBT rights, with a gentrification based plot, into her beautiful creation.
The only unrealistic thing in this novel, is Harley's fighting abilities, when Harley knocks out two grown men who work as guards, who are triple her weight, that's just ridiculous, specially when you ignore giving her a background in martial arts.
I thought joker's hair was way to pretty, that he must be a wealthy kid, but i guessed Bruce ! not the kane's kid, in hindsight Bruce being joker is too big a plot twist for a YA novel, that is followed by other novels featuring young bruce as a good guy.
The art i am not sure if it was intentional as a graphic novel about a harlequin and a joker, but those creepy ass smiles on everyone's face really made me not appreciate the art enough, even though its high level and really realistic, with a different coloring oh boy it would go up against sejic himself.
Now i like Harleen by sejic as much as the next guy, but just for the art, i think sejic failed to deliver a unique writing style, he failed to reimagine any of the famous stories that he wrote about, he used the exact same old stories and added nothing but pretty pictures and smutty romance.
Breaking Glass gets from me 4.5 Stars writing and 3 stars for art.
Harleen gets from me 5 star art and 2.5 star writing.
Canada has a winner and her name is Mariko Tamaki.
This is a tale of Little Brave Girls and Fairies fighting to stop puttholes and boogers.
I like this version of harley and i even like this version of young joker.
Mariko here reimagining the days of early Gotham, and a few of its residents like Harley, joker, Ivy, she gave them all background to what we know they will eventually become, that gradual progression is way more believable than joker who went crazy after falling in chemicals, or ivy suddenly becoming a nature person after her accident when she never gave a fuck, or Harley going from psychiatrist with a degree in curing mental disorders , to a stone cold killer just because she was manipulated by joker, a normal person with an education would most likely hand themselves over to the authorities, manipulation or not, but when you give her a record of not respecting authority, of being able to harm others and burn their things and tendency to taking matters into her own hands, now you are closer to a realistic switch to villainy.
Mariko is delivering a whole new modern origin story of Gotham, its inhabitants, their struggles, inserting modern feminism, LGBT rights, with a gentrification based plot, into her beautiful creation.
The only unrealistic thing in this novel, is Harley's fighting abilities, when Harley knocks out two grown men who work as guards, who are triple her weight, that's just ridiculous, specially when you ignore giving her a background in martial arts.
I thought joker's hair was way to pretty, that he must be a wealthy kid, but i guessed Bruce ! not the kane's kid, in hindsight Bruce being joker is too big a plot twist for a YA novel, that is followed by other novels featuring young bruce as a good guy.
The art i am not sure if it was intentional as a graphic novel about a harlequin and a joker, but those creepy ass smiles on everyone's face really made me not appreciate the art enough, even though its high level and really realistic, with a different coloring oh boy it would go up against sejic himself.
Now i like Harleen by sejic as much as the next guy, but just for the art, i think sejic failed to deliver a unique writing style, he failed to reimagine any of the famous stories that he wrote about, he used the exact same old stories and added nothing but pretty pictures and smutty romance.
Breaking Glass gets from me 4.5 Stars writing and 3 stars for art.
Harleen gets from me 5 star art and 2.5 star writing.
November 1, 2019
"Yeah, it wasn't really my cup of milkshake." -- Harley, on page 156 (inadvertently giving my review)
I think the mistake of Breaking Glass was hitching its wagon to the known quantities of Harley Quinn and Joker - they are not particularly 'kid friendly' characters to begin with (unless perhaps you are offspring of the Manson Family), though they are presented here in teenage incarnations as in the other DC Ink titles - when it could probably stand on its own as an original and energetic YA-type of story. Also hit-or-miss were some of the supporting characters - the uppity and then predictably villainous family was very sneer-worthy and Harley's adopted squad of caretakers were humorous, but that always-angry best friend / classmate Ivy was just intolerable with her one-track mind. (She seemed either stereotypical or just written in a pandering manner - I'm not sure which.) So it was not as much fun as it could have been, but at least the illustrations were consistently good throughout.
I think the mistake of Breaking Glass was hitching its wagon to the known quantities of Harley Quinn and Joker - they are not particularly 'kid friendly' characters to begin with (unless perhaps you are offspring of the Manson Family), though they are presented here in teenage incarnations as in the other DC Ink titles - when it could probably stand on its own as an original and energetic YA-type of story. Also hit-or-miss were some of the supporting characters - the uppity and then predictably villainous family was very sneer-worthy and Harley's adopted squad of caretakers were humorous, but that always-angry best friend / classmate Ivy was just intolerable with her one-track mind. (She seemed either stereotypical or just written in a pandering manner - I'm not sure which.) So it was not as much fun as it could have been, but at least the illustrations were consistently good throughout.
September 20, 2019
Great dialogue from Mariko Tamaki and great art from Steve Pugh in what appears to be a new Elseworlds series featuring a new origin story of Harley Quinn. Answers the question: Which superheroes might be tweaked to have particular appeal to an inclusive, queer community? Harley moves out of her house after her parents' divorce, befriends (Poison) Ivy, meets a kind of wild (but not Dark Knight-style psychotic) Joker who is mainly just bored and wants to stir things up. She's attracted to him, of course.
Harley is kind of nice, a little alternative, whereas Ivy is an out-there angry activist, connected to a community garden, leading the charge in a kind of lame story about gentrification I just read and am already forgetting. Let me try: Harley gets to live with Mama, an older, lovable drag queen whose club is being taken over by some evil corporation. So now she's sad, needs a hug. Those mean gentrifiers!
The community Harley connects to in this version is fun; so it's the fun Queer Eye drag queen world where she develops her sense of style, with the help of some affordable Dollar Store kitsch. There's always a bit of teen railing (led by Ivy, mainly) in this volume against "The Man": for instance, Ivy screams about a white rich boy Gotham High School film club that is only interested in white male classic films from the likes of Hitchcock and Truffaut. Whaddya mean there are no good films by women directors?!
The vibe for this particular version of Harley world is PC, social justice, housing issues, queer-friendly, and again, stamped with Tamaki humor and great Pugh art. Maybe 3.5, rated down to 3 for the story I wanted to like but felt stereotypical. I'll read on, though.
Harley is kind of nice, a little alternative, whereas Ivy is an out-there angry activist, connected to a community garden, leading the charge in a kind of lame story about gentrification I just read and am already forgetting. Let me try: Harley gets to live with Mama, an older, lovable drag queen whose club is being taken over by some evil corporation. So now she's sad, needs a hug. Those mean gentrifiers!
The community Harley connects to in this version is fun; so it's the fun Queer Eye drag queen world where she develops her sense of style, with the help of some affordable Dollar Store kitsch. There's always a bit of teen railing (led by Ivy, mainly) in this volume against "The Man": for instance, Ivy screams about a white rich boy Gotham High School film club that is only interested in white male classic films from the likes of Hitchcock and Truffaut. Whaddya mean there are no good films by women directors?!
The vibe for this particular version of Harley world is PC, social justice, housing issues, queer-friendly, and again, stamped with Tamaki humor and great Pugh art. Maybe 3.5, rated down to 3 for the story I wanted to like but felt stereotypical. I'll read on, though.
October 6, 2025
Harley Quinn (HQ) gets an updated origin story here. It is amazing to me how HQ has resonated with so many groups; her 'journey to power' is relatable to many who have been marginalized and ignored. Mariko Tamaki does a fine job of telling us a backstory that fills in many of the HQ questions that we have all wondered about over the years.
August 2, 2023
First, a thank you to Edelweiss and DC Ink for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is set up to become a fantastic origin / coming-of-age story for Harleen Quinzel. The writer captures the ‘voice’ of our tough, outspoken and sometimes rebellious protagonist brilliantly and I can already tell this will be a brilliant book you can give to any Harley fan.
This first issue is told entirely by Harley as a prelude to the series, and it carries a great subversive fairy tale vibe from the start and introduced key players in her life including Mama (her drag queen patron) and Poison Ivy (her future best friend and partner in crime).
This will be a great book to give to young girls especially since, unlike her older far more insane alter ego, I actually feel Harleen is a decent, relatable role model that if handled correctly, could offer didactic and introspective messages to young women. The story centres on a very different Harley that most people expect.
The art by Steve Pugh (The Flintstones) is different from any I’ve read so far but I think it suited the story perfectly and I adored how even though she isn’t yet Harley Quinn, her aesthetic was incorporated into her street clothes subtly and in keeping with how I can actually imagine a young Harley dressing.
This book was published under the imprint DC Ink, a new line of original comics aimed at young adults aged 13 to 17 (with a pretty awesome array of authors from that genre too) and if Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is anything to go by, I think DC are going to achieve all there are setting out to with this new line. I will definitely be following it closely.
Writing Quality – 9/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 8/10
Character Development – 8/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.
This is set up to become a fantastic origin / coming-of-age story for Harleen Quinzel. The writer captures the ‘voice’ of our tough, outspoken and sometimes rebellious protagonist brilliantly and I can already tell this will be a brilliant book you can give to any Harley fan.
This first issue is told entirely by Harley as a prelude to the series, and it carries a great subversive fairy tale vibe from the start and introduced key players in her life including Mama (her drag queen patron) and Poison Ivy (her future best friend and partner in crime).
This will be a great book to give to young girls especially since, unlike her older far more insane alter ego, I actually feel Harleen is a decent, relatable role model that if handled correctly, could offer didactic and introspective messages to young women. The story centres on a very different Harley that most people expect.
The art by Steve Pugh (The Flintstones) is different from any I’ve read so far but I think it suited the story perfectly and I adored how even though she isn’t yet Harley Quinn, her aesthetic was incorporated into her street clothes subtly and in keeping with how I can actually imagine a young Harley dressing.
This book was published under the imprint DC Ink, a new line of original comics aimed at young adults aged 13 to 17 (with a pretty awesome array of authors from that genre too) and if Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is anything to go by, I think DC are going to achieve all there are setting out to with this new line. I will definitely be following it closely.
Writing Quality – 9/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 8/10
Character Development – 8/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.
August 18, 2021
I loved everything about this!
The art, the story, the new versions of old characters and the imaginative origin story.
My fav part? The comedy Mariko Tamaki pulled off so effortlessly.
🖤🖤🖤Totally worth the wait to have my own copy🖤🖤🖤
The art, the story, the new versions of old characters and the imaginative origin story.
My fav part? The comedy Mariko Tamaki pulled off so effortlessly.
🖤🖤🖤Totally worth the wait to have my own copy🖤🖤🖤
September 2, 2019
Harleen is sent to Gotham to live with her grandmother, but her life takes a drastic turn once she gets there. The story unfolds as the teen makes decisions, starts to discover who she is, makes friends, and faces danger, unfairness and bad people.
I love this new spin on a favorite character. Harley Quinn gets a bit of an update....she's facing current issues and learning as she goes. I like how she is portrayed as a strong, intelligent and driven teen, who also has some issues. She meets up with real evil....and makes some iffy decisions. The Joker is interesting and different in this story. At first, I just didn't want the character to be different. But as I saw more of the character and Harley's interactions with him, I found myself enjoying the change.
There is one point in the story where Harley refuses to put on a skimpy outfit and designs her own instead. I love that! She refuses to walk around half naked to gratify anyone else.....and designs something she wants to wear. She isn't afraid to say NO, I'm not going to wear that. Love it!
The storyline is well written and enjoyable. The artwork is great! Loved it! I'm curious where the story will go from here. I will definitely read the next graphic novel, if this continues as a series.
**I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book from DC Entertainment via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I love this new spin on a favorite character. Harley Quinn gets a bit of an update....she's facing current issues and learning as she goes. I like how she is portrayed as a strong, intelligent and driven teen, who also has some issues. She meets up with real evil....and makes some iffy decisions. The Joker is interesting and different in this story. At first, I just didn't want the character to be different. But as I saw more of the character and Harley's interactions with him, I found myself enjoying the change.
There is one point in the story where Harley refuses to put on a skimpy outfit and designs her own instead. I love that! She refuses to walk around half naked to gratify anyone else.....and designs something she wants to wear. She isn't afraid to say NO, I'm not going to wear that. Love it!
The storyline is well written and enjoyable. The artwork is great! Loved it! I'm curious where the story will go from here. I will definitely read the next graphic novel, if this continues as a series.
**I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book from DC Entertainment via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
May 4, 2019
I've never really been a fan of Harley Quinn. I get how she is appealing as a side character, good for a laugh, but the books she headlines are usually as lifeless and dull as this one.
Here we have a revamped Elseworlds-style origin story that has Harleen Quinzel becoming Harley in high school when she gets involved with a community activist named Ivy and a local business owner whose drag queen venue is being crushed by evil real estate developers. And there's a weak ass version of Joker (definitely not your father's Joker, kids) running around doing a whole lot of nothing with a very easily guessed secret identity.
It's a shame this mediocrity of a story is draped over some of Steve Pugh's most gorgeous art ever.
Reviewed from an Advance Reader's Copy.
Here we have a revamped Elseworlds-style origin story that has Harleen Quinzel becoming Harley in high school when she gets involved with a community activist named Ivy and a local business owner whose drag queen venue is being crushed by evil real estate developers. And there's a weak ass version of Joker (definitely not your father's Joker, kids) running around doing a whole lot of nothing with a very easily guessed secret identity.
It's a shame this mediocrity of a story is draped over some of Steve Pugh's most gorgeous art ever.
Reviewed from an Advance Reader's Copy.
March 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this. Probably the first iteration of Harley Quinn that I actually like.
Great art, too. And only one puddin'.
Great art, too. And only one puddin'.
December 13, 2021
L’histoire est trop prévisible mais cool pareil et les dessins sont beaux
August 6, 2020
Wow, this was a generally pretty rubbish graphic novel with only a few shakily good parts to it.
Harleen was a dumb character. She was like a 5 year-old trapped in a 14 year-old’s body.
Ivy was far more interesting. I wish she was the protagonist!
A list of RIDICULOUS but real quotes from Harleen’s narrative:
- “Gotham looks like... like building building building really big building building building-type thing.”
What on Earth? Not quality narrative, that’s for sure.
- “Mama gets to be the fairy godperson of the story because he said he is a fairy and because he is the most non-booger person in any story ever.”
Sounds like something a little kid would say.
- “Harleen had once lived in a town called Putthole. If you can live in a city called Putthole...”
Well, is it a town? Or is it a city? Can’t believe the editor didn’t pick up on that mistake.
- “High school is so... high school.”
- “A booger person is a person who acts like a booger”
The amount of times she said “booger” in this book has caused an actual lowering of my IQ, I swear.
- “Our happy heroine Harleen was happy as a kitten on a radiator.”
What does that even mean? *Major facepalm*
Yet there were some interesting aspects to this book. I like how the author shone a light on all these different and important issues:
- Diversity
- Racism
- Importance of history
- Classism
- Sexism
- Queer representation
I feel like I would’ve liked them to go into more depth on some of these, though. It was surface-level at best. A nice attempt at approaching sensitive topics but the graphic novel spent too much time building up to the climactic event to spare much more time and effort into exploring the racism aspects and Ivy’s way of dealing with them which I was very interested in.
The best part without a doubt was the ending of the book.
That surprise appearance by was actually amazing. And totally unexpected.
Harley definitely came into her own at the end of the novel. I’d like a sequel to this book, if only to see how Harley, Joker and Bruce would all interact now. And to see how Harley finally becomes confident enough and perhaps relishes in her new Harley Quinn persona in her attempt to enact revenge on the Joker...
Harleen was a dumb character. She was like a 5 year-old trapped in a 14 year-old’s body.
Ivy was far more interesting. I wish she was the protagonist!
A list of RIDICULOUS but real quotes from Harleen’s narrative:
- “Gotham looks like... like building building building really big building building building-type thing.”
What on Earth? Not quality narrative, that’s for sure.
- “Mama gets to be the fairy godperson of the story because he said he is a fairy and because he is the most non-booger person in any story ever.”
Sounds like something a little kid would say.
- “Harleen had once lived in a town called Putthole. If you can live in a city called Putthole...”
Well, is it a town? Or is it a city? Can’t believe the editor didn’t pick up on that mistake.
- “High school is so... high school.”
- “A booger person is a person who acts like a booger”
The amount of times she said “booger” in this book has caused an actual lowering of my IQ, I swear.
- “Our happy heroine Harleen was happy as a kitten on a radiator.”
What does that even mean? *Major facepalm*
Yet there were some interesting aspects to this book. I like how the author shone a light on all these different and important issues:
- Diversity
- Racism
- Importance of history
- Classism
- Sexism
- Queer representation
I feel like I would’ve liked them to go into more depth on some of these, though. It was surface-level at best. A nice attempt at approaching sensitive topics but the graphic novel spent too much time building up to the climactic event to spare much more time and effort into exploring the racism aspects and Ivy’s way of dealing with them which I was very interested in.
The best part without a doubt was the ending of the book.
That surprise appearance by was actually amazing. And totally unexpected.
Harley definitely came into her own at the end of the novel. I’d like a sequel to this book, if only to see how Harley, Joker and Bruce would all interact now. And to see how Harley finally becomes confident enough and perhaps relishes in her new Harley Quinn persona in her attempt to enact revenge on the Joker...
August 16, 2019
Thank you DC Ink for gifting me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Harley has always been one of my favorites from the DC universe. I was looking forward to this graphic novel for so long, and I was so happy to have the chance to read and review it.
The art style was amazing, and the story was fun to follow. It was nice to see a standalone of hers. Harley was fun and had her quirky qualities on display throughout the entire book which I loved. We got a glimpse of Ivy too who is biracial and an activist for all the right things. The story mostly follows Harley while she protects her neighborhood from being bulldozed. Of course this is very different from her origin story but it's quite fun if you don't know the character very much and it'll probably appeal to younger readers.
Harley has always been one of my favorites from the DC universe. I was looking forward to this graphic novel for so long, and I was so happy to have the chance to read and review it.
The art style was amazing, and the story was fun to follow. It was nice to see a standalone of hers. Harley was fun and had her quirky qualities on display throughout the entire book which I loved. We got a glimpse of Ivy too who is biracial and an activist for all the right things. The story mostly follows Harley while she protects her neighborhood from being bulldozed. Of course this is very different from her origin story but it's quite fun if you don't know the character very much and it'll probably appeal to younger readers.
June 3, 2020
Harleen Quinzel apenas tiene cinco dólares cuando va a vivir a Gotham en casa de su abuela, cuando llega resulta que murió hace tiempo y ahora lo ocupa la drag queen más fabulosa de Gotham. Allí empieza una nueva vida, en el instituto conoce a Ivy que se convierte en su mejor amiga. Entonces la fortuna de Harley cambia y una empresa quiere comprar los edificios del vecindario y convertirlo en un vecindario de pijos... pisando los derechos de los que viven ahora. El cabaret de las drags de Mamá se convierte en víctima.
Harley está muy enfadada y decidirá actuar para salvar a los suyos, para ello puede elegir entre unirse a las protestas con Ivy o unirse al Jocker.
Me ha gustado mucho ya que vemos cómo Harleen se convierte en Harley Quinn, cómo era de pequeña, su forma de ser y como las decisiones llevan a las consecuencias. Ella sólo quiere cambiar el rumbo de la historia.
Harley está muy enfadada y decidirá actuar para salvar a los suyos, para ello puede elegir entre unirse a las protestas con Ivy o unirse al Jocker.
Me ha gustado mucho ya que vemos cómo Harleen se convierte en Harley Quinn, cómo era de pequeña, su forma de ser y como las decisiones llevan a las consecuencias. Ella sólo quiere cambiar el rumbo de la historia.
June 3, 2019
I mostly dabble in comics, so I don't usually dive into a well-known, established character. I don't keep close enough track of what may be happening in a long or short term arc, who may be drawing them, what their history is, etc. But if you are like me, you can definitely pick up BREAKING GLASS and have a grand old time with Harley Quinn, no matter how much or how little you know about her. I probably wouldn't have picked this up if I hadn't had a chat with someone at DC about their titles for younger readers, and then I really would have missed out. While technically a YA title, it's also great for adult readers who may not spend much time in the genre.
This book is a damn delight. Harley is so clearly and lovingly built, with the art and the writing in harmony for the story. Harley is effervescent and bubbly, suspicious and dangerous. She is street smart, not book smart. A devoted and loyal friend. Harley is impulsive and brash, she goes big but she goes for the people she cares about. Oh, and she has a killer fashion sense. This is an origin story, so it's great for people like me who are only vaguely familiar with the character, or for people who know her well and are ready for her to get a whole new, very modern story.
This Harley is new to Gotham, taken in by a drag queen named Mama, best friends with passionate biracial activist Ivy. She is threatened not by a masked villain, but by a corporation that threatens to buy up and bulldoze her neighborhood. During her costumed late night escapades she meets a strange masked guy who calls himself the Joker and seems to know all about her.
I enjoyed Harley so much that, honestly, I didn't really care that much about the plot. I just wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. And I am automatically in for any more in this universe, and from this author/artist combo, we can get.
This book is a damn delight. Harley is so clearly and lovingly built, with the art and the writing in harmony for the story. Harley is effervescent and bubbly, suspicious and dangerous. She is street smart, not book smart. A devoted and loyal friend. Harley is impulsive and brash, she goes big but she goes for the people she cares about. Oh, and she has a killer fashion sense. This is an origin story, so it's great for people like me who are only vaguely familiar with the character, or for people who know her well and are ready for her to get a whole new, very modern story.
This Harley is new to Gotham, taken in by a drag queen named Mama, best friends with passionate biracial activist Ivy. She is threatened not by a masked villain, but by a corporation that threatens to buy up and bulldoze her neighborhood. During her costumed late night escapades she meets a strange masked guy who calls himself the Joker and seems to know all about her.
I enjoyed Harley so much that, honestly, I didn't really care that much about the plot. I just wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. And I am automatically in for any more in this universe, and from this author/artist combo, we can get.
May 14, 2025
The art is the greatest thing about this. Steve Pugh chose a wonderful color scheme, and the style was very enjoyable. Honestly, for me, the thing that hurt this the most was the storyline.
I also have a bit of an issue with the desecration of the intelligence of Harley Queen to this improper and often educationally lacking speech of the Harleen in this comic. I felt like this was taken from the Arkham Asylum personality of this brilliant woman to show her before the true fall into madness for the Joker. It felt offensive to the character's true self.
There was nothing wrong with the ancillary characters, but it felt like there was a force to be inclusive of as many groups as possible. Mama was the greatest addition to her crew. The Joker arc was interesting, but I just couldn't get over the narrative language and dialogue that cheapened a brilliant villainous.
5 stars for Art 2.5 Stars overall.
I also have a bit of an issue with the desecration of the intelligence of Harley Queen to this improper and often educationally lacking speech of the Harleen in this comic. I felt like this was taken from the Arkham Asylum personality of this brilliant woman to show her before the true fall into madness for the Joker. It felt offensive to the character's true self.
There was nothing wrong with the ancillary characters, but it felt like there was a force to be inclusive of as many groups as possible. Mama was the greatest addition to her crew. The Joker arc was interesting, but I just couldn't get over the narrative language and dialogue that cheapened a brilliant villainous.
5 stars for Art 2.5 Stars overall.
May 2, 2025
This brilliantly written (Mariko Tamaki) and drawn (Steve Pugh) comic book tells the backstory of Harley Quinn: of how unruly teenager Harleen Quinzel, who has to look after herself, is welcomed to the LGBT community of Gotham City, meets feisty Ivy and fights against evil. This is without any question one of the most stunning graphic novels that I’ve ever seen! A very queer, antiracist, anticlassist, feminist, deeply human approach to the Harley Quinn character and a stunning work of art.
5 stars.
5 stars.
Read
July 14, 2021This well-known star of comic books, animated and live-action TV shows, and feature films receives a fun, fresh treatment in this excellent graphic novel for teens. Fifteen-year-old Harleen Quinzell arrives in Gotham City, planning to stay with her grandmother while her mother is away on her cruise line job, only to learn that the woman is dead. Happily, Harley is able to stay with Mama, the manager of a drag queen show. She soon forms friendships with the performers and with Ivy, a fellow high school student who is passionate about justice and deeply opposed to the plan to condemn the homes and businesses in their neighborhood, turning the area into a gentrified upscale development. The stage is set for conflict and the appearance of The Joker, who simply loves to create mayhem and blow things up. Readers will love the story, Harley's upbeat (and slightly snarky) attitude, along with the top-notch artwork. – Louisa A.
September 5, 2019
This was okay. One of those books I think I would have enjoyed a lot more if I was about 10 or so years younger? It read like a YA novel.
Many Harley Quinn stories don’t really work for me. In fact, the only one I remember enjoying a lot was Preludes and Knock Knock Jokes - no story aside from that one have really made me love reading about this character. This dialogue reads like it was made for a much younger audience and that’s just fine.
The story is the plot of many “feel good” stories. The neighborhood is trying to save their local establishments from gentrification as a big bad corporation comes in and tries to buy up and bulldoze all the land. Ivy is one of the protesters. As is Mama, a local drag queen that becomes Harley’s (not so legal) guardian.
It’s a pretty basic story. I like the art a lot. Overall, not a bad story, just not quite what I enjoy from a Harley Quinn book.
Many Harley Quinn stories don’t really work for me. In fact, the only one I remember enjoying a lot was Preludes and Knock Knock Jokes - no story aside from that one have really made me love reading about this character. This dialogue reads like it was made for a much younger audience and that’s just fine.
The story is the plot of many “feel good” stories. The neighborhood is trying to save their local establishments from gentrification as a big bad corporation comes in and tries to buy up and bulldoze all the land. Ivy is one of the protesters. As is Mama, a local drag queen that becomes Harley’s (not so legal) guardian.
It’s a pretty basic story. I like the art a lot. Overall, not a bad story, just not quite what I enjoy from a Harley Quinn book.
September 17, 2019
This is a really fun alternate origin story for Harley! I LOVE that it brought Harley more in line with the chaotic feminist incarnation that's in the air these days.
AND that Ivy is an awesome black feminist community activist?? And that Harley's found family is a group of drag queens? Ugh, who could ask for anything more?! (OK I could also for Harley and Ivy to be explicitly girlfriends in this but even without it, their friendship here is amazing.)
This is a really smart origin story/coming of age story for new and experienced comics fans alike.
The art is lovely too.
AND that Ivy is an awesome black feminist community activist?? And that Harley's found family is a group of drag queens? Ugh, who could ask for anything more?! (OK I could also for Harley and Ivy to be explicitly girlfriends in this but even without it, their friendship here is amazing.)
This is a really smart origin story/coming of age story for new and experienced comics fans alike.
The art is lovely too.
January 24, 2020
One of the best graphic novels I have read in awhile! I absolutely loved this take on a Harley Quinn backstory for a YA audience. It's funny and smart with incisive social critiques and a version of Harley that I would love to see return.
In Breaking Glass, Harleen is a teen girl shipped off to Gotham City to live with her grandmother. Unfortunately, it turns out that her grandmother has passed away, and so a group of drag queens take her under their wing. (The idea that her wild costumes come from hanging out with drag queens is amazing by the way!) She starts highschool and becomes friends with a Black teen named Ivy who is a socially conscious vegetarian who loves plants. Her parents are community organizers and she is working to fight against racism and misogyny in their highschool, and join her parents in combating neighborhood gentrification led by a malicious corporation. She's brilliant and passionate, which makes the charmingly silly Harleen a perfect foil for her. (Obviously she is meant to eventually become Poison Ivy).
I thought this was smart, funny, and very well-executed. It feels like a fully-fleshed out story with strong characters that makes good use of the graphic novel format. Really recommend checking this one out! I received an advance copy of this graphic novel for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
In Breaking Glass, Harleen is a teen girl shipped off to Gotham City to live with her grandmother. Unfortunately, it turns out that her grandmother has passed away, and so a group of drag queens take her under their wing. (The idea that her wild costumes come from hanging out with drag queens is amazing by the way!) She starts highschool and becomes friends with a Black teen named Ivy who is a socially conscious vegetarian who loves plants. Her parents are community organizers and she is working to fight against racism and misogyny in their highschool, and join her parents in combating neighborhood gentrification led by a malicious corporation. She's brilliant and passionate, which makes the charmingly silly Harleen a perfect foil for her. (Obviously she is meant to eventually become Poison Ivy).
I thought this was smart, funny, and very well-executed. It feels like a fully-fleshed out story with strong characters that makes good use of the graphic novel format. Really recommend checking this one out! I received an advance copy of this graphic novel for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2019
Part of the soon-to-be-defunct DC Ink imprint, this contemporary graphic novel tells the story of 15-year-old Harleen Quinzel, a recent Gotham arrival who is taken in by a drag club owner named Mama and her squadron of queens, befriends a plant-loving political activist named Ivy, and is beguiled by a mysterious anarchist calling himself the Joker. When gentrification comes to Harleen's neighborhood and threatens her loved one's livelihoods, it's up to this lovable, quirky teen to save the community she now calls home. Full of a lively cast of new and familiar characters, Tamaki's wholly unique story paired with illustrator Steve Pugh's bewitching artwork will have you itching for a sequel to this brand-new Harley Quinn origin story.
January 26, 2020
This is my kind of Harley! Everything is better with drag queens.
2020 Quick Picks
2020 Quick Picks
November 8, 2019
"I think people can be a lot of things. Things you don't expect."
Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is a YA Harley Quinn novel. Since Harley usually has more adult-ish storylines, I was very curious to see how this was going to play out. I was worried she was going to be cleaned up too much, but I think Mariko Tamaki did a great job adapting her for a YA audience while keeping the essence of the character intact.
There are a couple familiar DC faces in the book like Ivy, Joker, and Bruce Wayne. I like that Ivy was an activist - it fits with a 2019 interpretation of Ivy. This book gave Joker a little more background than I usually like, but it was fine.
This story was cute, and I liked it more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed the art, and I hope that there's going to be another book.
Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is a YA Harley Quinn novel. Since Harley usually has more adult-ish storylines, I was very curious to see how this was going to play out. I was worried she was going to be cleaned up too much, but I think Mariko Tamaki did a great job adapting her for a YA audience while keeping the essence of the character intact.
There are a couple familiar DC faces in the book like Ivy, Joker, and Bruce Wayne. I like that Ivy was an activist - it fits with a 2019 interpretation of Ivy. This book gave Joker a little more background than I usually like, but it was fine.
This story was cute, and I liked it more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed the art, and I hope that there's going to be another book.
August 15, 2020
Me ha flipado este cómic, sí señor. No esperaba menos de Tamaki, aunque admito que tenía mis dudas y pensaba que sería un rollaco adolescente. Pero no. Es adolescente, sí, pero no es para nada un rollaco.
La historia es sencilla pero sumamente especial. En ella nos presentan a una Harley adolescente que acaba de llegar a Gotham, con sus luces y sombras, con su personalidad arrolladora y ese encanto innato en el personaje. Una Harley independiente, feminista, que no necesita al Joker para brillar. Y es genial. El cómic trata temas actuales, está lleno de valores y cuenta con un elenco de personajes muy interesante.
Un cómic que merece mucho la pena, con un guión notable y un dibujazo que lo hace brillar todavía más.
Otra cosa que me ha gustado es ver cómo van presentándonos a esos personajes ligados a la vida de la Harley que todos conocemos.
En fin. Una delicia♥️.
La historia es sencilla pero sumamente especial. En ella nos presentan a una Harley adolescente que acaba de llegar a Gotham, con sus luces y sombras, con su personalidad arrolladora y ese encanto innato en el personaje. Una Harley independiente, feminista, que no necesita al Joker para brillar. Y es genial. El cómic trata temas actuales, está lleno de valores y cuenta con un elenco de personajes muy interesante.
Un cómic que merece mucho la pena, con un guión notable y un dibujazo que lo hace brillar todavía más.
Otra cosa que me ha gustado es ver cómo van presentándonos a esos personajes ligados a la vida de la Harley que todos conocemos.
En fin. Una delicia♥️.
July 28, 2019
Great artwork. DC comics origin story for Harley Quinn.
The story introduces Harley and drag queen Mama and friend Ivy.
High school years are tough on everyone. Harley wants to help Ivy and Film club and the neighborhood but the Joker’s idea of helping isn’t so nice.
Includes several back scenes of Harley and her mother, and quotes that Harley remembers as being pivotal life challenges.
I’ll not a fan of violence or swearing or fighting or bullies. This story is full of all those things. While the prescribed age is 13 to 17, I feel this is more adult material than impressionable teens.
The story introduces Harley and drag queen Mama and friend Ivy.
High school years are tough on everyone. Harley wants to help Ivy and Film club and the neighborhood but the Joker’s idea of helping isn’t so nice.
Includes several back scenes of Harley and her mother, and quotes that Harley remembers as being pivotal life challenges.
I’ll not a fan of violence or swearing or fighting or bullies. This story is full of all those things. While the prescribed age is 13 to 17, I feel this is more adult material than impressionable teens.
May 23, 2020
That was amazing!!!! I couldn't have hoped for anything better than this. I loved the relationship between Ivy and Harleen (no romance though), and I loved the way the joker was portrayed and talked about (spoiler alert: as a complete jerk, as he should.)
The way this story addressed gentrification, oppression, white privilege, drag queen community, etc.... I'm floored, what a gift.
Plus, the art was GORGEOUS. The use of colours, black and white, and just the way faces were rendered... this book did wonderful things in all aspects!
The way this story addressed gentrification, oppression, white privilege, drag queen community, etc.... I'm floored, what a gift.
Plus, the art was GORGEOUS. The use of colours, black and white, and just the way faces were rendered... this book did wonderful things in all aspects!
December 17, 2019
Teenage Harley Quinn raised by drag queens? Yes please. My favorite Chaotic Neutral <3
December 16, 2022
Buddy read this with Jayson, Jenny, and Tawfek.
First of all, I have to preface that Harleen was a Psychologist. She had an uptight, type A personality that was flipped upside down by the Joker. To me, it makes sense that she wouldn’t be a wild child delinquent. So this book has already failed to keep up with the lore we know. If the writer isn’t following the lore, then we have to assume Harleen’s transition to Harley will be reworked.
Breaking Glass starts with Harleen travelling to Gotham to live with her grandmother. Of course her mom never contacted grandma before sending her precious daughter to a city of crime. Harleen finds out grandma is dead (poor grandma) and begs the landlord, Mama - if she can still stay there with the other roommates, thus the story becoming Snow White and the 7 gays who put on drag shows on the ground floor of the building.
Harleen gets a high school life with a high school bestfriend/feminist/gardener named Ivy. She does not have red hair. Harleen gains a stalker boyfriend, Joker, who tries to convince her into teaming up against a common enemy, the Kane family. Mr and Mrs Kane bought up the neighborhood and that means every character will be evicted from their homes. Kane jr is also causing havoc in the film club at school, according to Ivy.
This book checks all the boxes on issues: racism, feminism, homophobia, classism, etc. But, honestly, it just feels really superficial. It sets up situations with these issues just so the characters can get offended and tell the offender off. These situations don’t affect the plot or characters. The characters are caricatures of their adult counterparts. They lack depth and the story is easily forgettable. We truly never get to know a character beyond their surface level. The writing is bad; see page 10 for the fabulous quote of ‘‘…like building building building really big building building building-type thing.’ Harley is very childish and lacks basic intelligence. It’s not cool to have a dumb MC just because she’s blonde, especially when this one is supposed to become a brain doctor. The one thing that really stands out is the art. I wasn’t a fan of the color schemes. It didn’t fit wacky Harleen’s personality.
If you’re expecting a dumb, wacky, teen read with representation and a surface level plot, then go for it. If you, like me, need more meat, characters that actually resemble their lore, and a story that gives you a reason to care about them, then give this a pass.
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