By Luke Abbott
Because the last issue of Harley Quinn was delayed, I have essentially been given two Harley Quinn comics in a single week. This is fantastic, because they are quickly turning into my favourite things to get through the post.
After the plot heavy Borgman double-parter, I was expecting things to quieten right down for a while. Harley Quinn was never too big on tackling things like a narrative, so I assumed Borgman’s addition was a compulsory attempt at tackling a storyline and then this week we would get back to the episodic misadventures with Harley. Seeing as handling story only worked 50% of the time, I couldn’t say I overly minded just spending an issue with Harley chilling. However, much to my surprise, this issue gets to the bottom of who put out the hit on Harley, causing these assassins to come after her. A lot of twists are uncovered (I didn’t see one coming and I thought I figured it out), yet the story never gets too much. While this does handle a narrative, I would still categorise as an issue where we just spend 32 pages hanging out with Harley getting up to mischief.
I love how disconnected Harley Quinn is from everyone else. Last issue, Poison Ivy appeared out of the blue, revealing that she had uncovered a lead on who is sending the assassins after her. Anyone else would have dived to the bottom of that mystery. Harley goes sun-bathing and invites Ivy around for a sleepover. Who does that? Poison Ivy is only a little better, occasionally tapping her watch and mildly suggesting that they ‘crack on with some work’. It is hilarious, especially when the two girls are distracted from their investigation when they find two hunks on the beach that they decide to brainwash for fun. I am loving the duo of Quinn and Ivy, creating a demand for Ivy to guest star more frequently. They really do convey the sense of two best buddies hanging out like teenagers, only when the action kicks in, they indulge in homicidal tendencies. There are some bloody deaths here that still surprise me by how graphic they are. I know this is Harley’s style, but I still get surprised when Quinn stabs a knife through a defeated enemy’s stomach. She is definitely a bad guy, which makes it very different to have her as the lead hero in this series. It sets this comic book apart from the rest of the New 52 and worth recommending.
The jokes are, as ever, told with perfect precision. It is the little details that make me chuckle. Harley’s pet beaver (the beaver jokes still aren’t getting old), gets shot through the chest, leaving a gaping hole in his body. He just rolls with it, already being dead and all, which is side-splittingly funny. Also, surely he doesn’t heal, seeing as he has already lost an eye and most of his face. Does that mean that for the rest of the series we will have this beaver with a gaping hole in his stomach? And this change has come about, so the writers could deliver a punchline to a background joke? Because, personally, I think that is bloody hilarious. Another frame sees a load of bullets miss the mark and half of a page is taken up showing those loose bullet’s path, as they destroy Harley’s neighbour’s apartment. It is a visual treat and boasts a massive imagination on the part of the writers.
Basically, out of all of the comic books I am reviewing for Inter-Comics right now, Harley Quinn is the best. Simple fun, wacky and not afraid to take risks with its hero and narrative: a refreshing break from the norm.
Quote of the Issue:
(Harley and Ivy are talking about what they should do with their brain-washed men.)
Harley: I’m keepin’ this one.
Ivy: Do what you want. Just put him away when I’m around.
Harley: Where should I put him?
For more comic views and reviews follow Luke on Twitter at @LukeBbtt and check out his website at www.oracleoffilm.com
Posted on June 20th, 2014
Category: ORACLE OF COMICS, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, Harley Quinn #7 Review, Luke Abbott, Poison Ivy