Harley Quinn #4
Writer: Jimmy Palmiotti
Amanda Conner
Artist: Stephanie Roux
Cover: Amanda Conner
The Rundown:
Story begins with Harley covering her bleached white skin with some flesh toned make-up while getting ready for her new job at the nursing home. On her way out she bumps into Tony and they work out a deal where he builds something for Harley, she will let him live rent free for four months. At the nursing home, Harley is having a session with a lady named Mrs Rubenstein, who is telling Harls about how her family never comes visit her. Ever the softy, Harley is choked up a bit by the story. Harley has her next appointments rescheduled to later tonight and proceeds to leave the nursing home.
At a home in the suburbs, a young boy is playing video games and his father is in the basement playing with his train set, while the wife and mother is holding a "Pleasure Party" showing off various "toys" to her female companions. Harley Quinn crashes the party, through the wall riding a bulldozer, and then proceeds to roughly bind the family. She then throws them in the trunk of a car before driving off. While making a stop at a diner to grab herself a meal, Harley is confronted by yet another assassin looking to cash in on the bounty of HQ's head. Before stabbing him in the heart with her fork, she learns that is "Bubba" who set this all up because of her botching a job she was hired to do for him.
Later on, Harley arrives to the the roller derby late, missing her teams game. After asking how she could make it up to her teammates, one sarcastically says crippling the team that beat them would do the trick, HQ takes her seriously and proceeds to run the other team down with her car before driving off. The thumping noise reminds her of the "junk in the trunk". While at the end of a pier, Harley proceeds to tell the family about what Mrs. Rubenstein told her, as she proceeds to kick the son and wife of the edge. She allows the husband to speak and he informs her that they do visit his mother and it is due to her Alzheimer's that she doesn't remember the visits. Harley quickly realizes her mistake, having forgotten to read her patients files. She unties the man, who attempts to save his family from drowning, diving head first of the edge. Turns out it was low tide, and the family is on the beach below safe and sound.
Back at the nursing home, Harley's rescheduled appointment shows up, a man named Sy Borgman. Who informs her that he knows who she really is and how she got the job here. He also tells her about his younger days when he was named Syborg and worked for the Government. He and the country needs her help to finally finish his mission. Harley Quinn agrees to help the old man out as the story ends.
The Review:
Another issue keeping with Harley being a light amongst a dark DC Comics universe. She may be a villain, she is still a bubbly, big heart gal who just happens to be crazy as hell, and has a definite mean streak if provoked. Jimmy and Amanda delivered exactly that, and the innuendos were quite funny and well done. As really, only adults reading the "Pleasure Party" panels really had an idea of what was for sale. Very much like 60's Batman television show was. It may have been just me, but also keeping with the origin of Harley and how gullible she is with her patients and their stories, and seemed to be a reference to her relationship with The Joker. I am hoping this "Bubba" character turns out to be either a bigger named villain or if it is a new character, then someone who is displayed as one and not some throwaway bad guy. Series is only five issues deep, but would like to see Harley develop her own little section within DC Comics. Her own villains for sure. I did like the swerve involving her "killing" the family when she dumps them off the end of the pier. I get more than I prefer in the "child killing" depictions in AMC's The Walking Dead.
The art wasn't great, but it was extremely far from being bad. The story didn't really depict the need for more dramatic panels, and did okay with what action there was. I did like the roller skate being the only thing we see from Harley's retribution for missing the game. I also liked the "Pleasure Party" panels art wise also, as Roux could have went other places in the "toy" department. It was again very much like how things were with 60's Batman television.
Overall, it was a good issue. It has set-up the next issue nicely, with my being a bit intrigued by the retro-cyborg, Syborg. Really like how even Harley's bad girl moments come across as more funny and lighter toned, as people are right, DCU is a dark place, which I like, but comic books like this make for a great break from it. Although it is nice to see her on her own and it is still early, there needs to be more characters either making appearances like they did with Ivy so far.
Stay Nerdy!
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Detective Comics #29
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Art Thibert
Aaron Lopresti
Cover: Guillem March
The Rundown:
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The story begins showing "Gothtopia", a bright and sunny Gotham City, filled with happy and content citizens, while Batman reminds us all that this is not Gotham, this is all a lie. A lie that belongs to the Scarecrow, and a lie he must play along with. Batman is pretending to be under the control of Scarecrow, thanks to his new formulated fear toxin, and must play along in order to maintain his cover. Scarecrow aka Jonathan Crane, is showing off his accomplishment to his villainous cohorts, Mr. Freeze, Pyg, Merry-Maker and Harley Quinn. And informs them that they are free to kill Batman if they suspect he isn't under Crane's control, as Batman will be accompanying them while they venture out to perform their experiments. We see flashbacks to last issue where Batman was teaming with Poison Ivy to take Crane down when they were confronted by Batman's allies, all under Crane's control. Needing to gain Crane's trust, Batman incapacitates Ivy, before being hit with a whiff of Crane's fear gas. Batman breaks down the effects for us, telling us how it begins with either hot or cold sensations, followed by the feeling of insects crawling all over your body, finished with a flood of the persons deepest fears at an intensified level. Batman's of course, was the death of his parents.
Back to the present, again not wanting to break cover, Batman plays along with Crane's cohorts as they hit the town in search of test subjects. Batman even takes the lead in performing the test using the gas on the victim and then gathering a sample for Crane. We find out that the samples are used to create new toxins within Crane's current formula, which he also plans to cover the entire state with via blimps. Batman reveals to us that he purposely led Merry-Maker and Pyg to the homes of criminals to perform the tests, criminals who will now suffer possibly permanent nightmares of Batman, and hopefully think twice before breaking the law. As for the samples, Batman had slipped in an antidote, that when mixed into the original formulas causes a chemical reaction triggering an explosion, and unleashing the new antidote-laced fear toxin, reversing the original effects. Batman's allies regain themselves, and begin to take down Freeze, Harley, and others. Just as Batman is about to apprehend Scarecrow, Crane uses his claws to stab Batman in the chest, killing him, and reclaiming Gotham.
We then see Crane wearing a straightjacket hallucinating in a padded cell at Arkham Asylum as Batman, Jim Gordon and Dr. Arkham look on discussing the situation. Jim points out the Ivy wasn't accounted for to which Batman plays dumb, revealing to us that for helping him save Gotham, he gave Ivy a pass this time. Upon a rooftop, Batman is confronted by Catwoman, who was looking to discuss the events in the previous issues, and how they were together. Batman pushes her away, despite knowing they have feelings for each other, and receives a message from Alfred reporting multiple situations. Story closes with full page panel of Batman taking on Clayface.
The Review:
Was a pretty good ending to the "Gothtopia" story arc, and was written quite well. It was also a good example of how to give fans a really good story, but not drag it out too long (see Forever Evil). I wasn't a fan however of how Harley Quinn was used, nor Freeze, but with Harley it was a complete filler role, and conflicts with the events of her current solo title. As much as I love Harley and I know stories rarely line-up time wise, they should've used another character though with how small it was. Merry-Maker and Pyg got more face time and lines. I did really like the slight twist ending, with Scarecrow apparently killing Batman. Initial reaction was, "this is continuing on?" but was pleased with the "oh ya, the antidote" follow-up thought as I turned the page. Layman's run was decent one, although at times sidetracked by other events taking place in Batman's universe. Will be interesting to see what direction the new writer (come next issue) take the Dark Knight in DC Comics' namesake title.
Art and Aaron really performed very well in the art department. The visuals both told the story very nicely, but also delivered an even quality in almost every panel. Another thing with Harley being used, they could have also perhaps kept with her more current look, if again she had to be used. However, I am also not really a fan of the "Suicide Squad" look as I call it. Compared to the overall art though, this is a very small complaint. The inks and colors were spot on as well, helping make the pictures pop off the page when needed.
Overall this was a really good issue. The art as mentioned was really good, and this was a well done, classic Batman ending to a story arc. The creative team went out on a definite high point as things switch up come next issue. With "Gothtopia" being quite interesting and very well done, the new crew will have some big shoes to fill. Until then...
Stay Nerdy!
Harley Quinn #3
Writer: Amanda Conner
Jim Palmiotti
Artist: Chad Harden
Cover: Amanda Conner
Dave Johnson
The Rundown:
We begin issue number three, with what initially appears to be Harley Quinn watching a horror movie with zombies and gore, which reminds HQ of her puddin' The Joker and that it is Valentine's Day. When a shotgun blasting assassin (who loos like Moloch from "Watchmen" fame) comes in a takes a shot at Harley. Missing her of course, and she then turns the tables on him, and kills him with his own shotgun. Turns out she was actually on a horror tour, and she informs the employee he has a "mess" to clean up inside the ride.
On her walk home she can't help but be put off by all the "love" around her, even telling a kissing couple to get a room. When she arrives at her recently acquired apartment, she see's Big Tony sitting with a bouquet of flowers, and assumes are for her. He gives them to her, even though they were meant for Queenie who was on a date with someone else. While taking a bath and still feeling down on love while missing Mr. J there is even Superman and Wonder Woman kissing on the television. Her talking Beaver, Bernie, tells her she needs to get out and meet someone new. Harley notices that one of the plants Poison Ivy left after her visit (see last issue for Ivy and Harley's reunion) has started to sprout berries. Which of course she decides to ingest one without knowing if they are even safe to eat. Other than they smell better then they taste, she notices nothing out of the ordinary. She receives a phone call saying that she got a job at as a therapist at an old age home and decides to throw on a new dress and head out to celebrate.
While out on the town, we see that there are fumes or an aroma coming from her. Her scent reaches the nostrils of a bus driver and causes him to crash his bus. Which contained criminals en route to prison, who then escaped from the bus. They too "smell" her, and we see it's effects, which is to cause them to become infatuated with her. The baddies begin to chase Harley down, who runs into a hardware store and convinces the now "intoxicated" clerk to fend off the guys chasing her. Naturally he agrees and attempts to take them on by himself, quickly being overwhelmed and has his neck snapped by one of them. Enter, "Hardware Harley", equipped with a variety of tools from a weed whacker to a nail gun, as well as a welders helmet. She proceeds to take them out with what she's equipped with as well as some classic corny one-liners. Finishing the last one off with a monkey wrench. While exiting the hardware store, she is confronted by a female officer who then proceeds to plant a kiss on Harley. Both are a bit shocked, the officer stating she didn't know what happened as she was about to arrest her, but couldn't resist because of how good Harley's scent was. It is then that HQ realizes that whatever is happening must be from the berry she ate earlier.
Rushing home all eyes are on Harley as everyone catches a whiff of her. Once she arrives back at home, the scent wears off and she sling shots the plant out the window and into a seal den at the zoo. Big Tony comes in and asks if he could get those flowers back as he's decided to fight for Queenie. Harley agrees but also gives him a leftover berry from the plant to "help" him out with his "mission". It ends with Harley sharing her thoughts on Valentine's Day and how it is "sad if you're alone, debt inducing if you're not". The final panel shows Big Tony being "molested" by a man and woman who caught his new scent.
The Review:
I have been loving this series so far. I wasn't sure how she would hold up on her own, as she is a great character, but is even better as a co-star or part of the squad (pun intended). But, those worries have been put to rest so far with pretty good writing. The lighter tone is an added plus in an otherwise dark DC Universe. Hopefully this isn't lost down the road, or if it is, only briefly. The innuendos through out make laugh and of course think of the Batman television series back in the 60's as well as Harley's corny one-liners. So far it has been a nice even blend, another thing I hope continues and doesn't just become a book of one-liners, as her character does have a lot of depth. Speaking of innuendos, Bernie the talking Beaver. When he was first introduced I wasn't sure what to make of him, he is after all Harley's stuffed beaver *ahem*. But, he has made a good "side-kick" for HQ in the verbal department.
As for the art? Also something which has been pretty good, and continued in this issue. Was a bit worried about who they would choose after a group of them were on display in "Harley Quinn #0", but very pleased with their choice. Although there have been scenes where she's in a bathtub, or getting dressed, but hasn't been "sexual" art wise like female titles tend to be, which is also a nice change.
Over-all a decent issue. Even though Valentine's Day is not high on the list of favorite holidays, I am a sucker for "holiday themed" things for all holidays (okay the more commercial ones) like they do with television shows. And they did a good job at not making it too corny, despite how easy it is on Valentine's Day. And looking forward to next issue even though this one wasn't leading up to anything, which says something about the title and everyone involved.
Stay Nerdy!
