This Friday, Harley Quinn’s animated show begins and proves once again this is her DC Universe. Harley has been a favorite of mine even before I read her comics. I fell in love with her more once I picked up Harley Quinn: Hot in the City.
Hot in the City and Beyond
I adore Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Chad Hardin, and Stephane Roux’s work with Harley. Hot in the City, Harley’s Little Black Book, and Harley Quinn and Power Girl are pure fun These comic keep what we love about Harley like her bubbly personality, liberated sexuality, and flair for violence. They also give her a healthier support system and go in depth about Harley’s moral ambiguity. Issue 2 of their New 52 run shows this best. Harley and Ivy save a kennel full of animals about to be euthanized, causing chaos on the way. It’s a fun, weird run where we see how big Harley’s heart is.
Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass
Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is another graphic novel that’s an easy way to dip your toes into the DC universe. Mariko Tamaki – writer of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up with Me – proves once again that she knows how to write for teenagers. Her take on the young Harleen leans into the fun of the character. Harley narrates the book like a wild fairy tale. Meanwhile, Steve Pugh’s art is a balance of fluid fantasy and relatable realism. Even with the fun tone, the story emphasizes the struggles Harley and her friends endure because they’re from disadvantaged backgrounds. It’s a relatable take on the character but still has super hero antics.
Harleen
Stjepan Sejic also takes a look into Harley’s life before turning to villainy, re-imagining her meet up with the Joker. I’ve talked about this comic before, but I cannot emphasize enough how phenomenal it is to see this story from Harley’s perspective. Instead of erasing the toxic aspects of their relationship, Sejic addresses them head on. He also expands on the other aspects of Harley’s life, focusing on her psychiatric work. We see how Harley is an optimist with a good heart, holding onto hope that the criminals of Gotham can be rehabilitated. With fantastic characterization and beautiful art, I’m looking forward to seeing Harley’s transformation from doctor to villain in Sejic’s final installment this December 18th.
I have high hopes for Harley’s animated show, it emphasizes her emancipation from the Joker. It appears to be in the vein of her more contemporary comics, following a determined, morally gray, and liberated Harley as she has unapologetic fun.
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