Review of Batman: Harley Quinn

Batman: Harley Quinn by Paul Dini

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Confession time: I’ve danced around picking up this collection. Knowing the timeline in which the comics fit, I assumed I’d feel animosity towards the writers (no offense, Mr. Dini). I didn’t want to pick up a book full of Harley pining over Joker. And the original Batman arc fell into that category (to my knowledge, anyway).

But a girl needs a complete collection, right? (And you can’t allow preconceptions to rule your life)

I’m glad I took the chance. Oh, sure, the original Harley Quinn’s there. But so’s the determined wit and brilliance. Angles I’ve never seen. The groundwork for the independent Harley lay within the pages. You get a chance to see where later writers and artists would take the character. And you can appreciate that she wasn’t always a lovesick sidekick.

Although, I’m sorry, I can’t take her seriously as a blonde. (Am I the only one?)

I probably SHOULD have split this into two nights, but I couldn’t set it down. Between the phenomenal artwork (always a plus) and the grin-inducing writing, I stayed up past all common sense to finish the book. And I tip my hat to the creative teams.

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