Harley Quinn: fake news and rant about Screenrant

 So - spoiler alert - ScreenRant isn't exactly the headquarters of factual information but they do a lot of clickbait and are allllways at the top of any search for general pop culturey stuff, which I know because I make an effort to avoid clicking on their articles. Today though, they got me. 

I was curious about the tattoo on Harley's back so I read this article by a Thomas Bacon (1/9/2020) in which he states it says property of no-one, which is a throwback to her 'property of Joker' jacket from the first Suicide Squad movie. While I wish we could see this relationship actually play out on the silver screen, Mr. Bacon portrays these tattoos like they're a full relationship run-down and all we need to know. 

But attentive viewers will have noticed a subtle change in Harley Quinn; specifically, her tattoos. Most of these were supposed to have been made by Harley herself, while she was languishing in prison, bored out of her mind. But there are a couple of exceptions, ones in places even the uber-flexible Harley couldn't reach. And all of these conveyed a sense of ownership, suggesting the Joker had branded Harley. One on Harley Quinn's back literally identifies her as "property of Joker." It's easy to miss, but this has actually changed in the behind-the-scenes footage from The Suicide Squad, suggesting Harley has had someone paid to alter the tat. It now reads, "property of no one.
It's a subtle detail, but a great visual way of reminding viewers of Harley's character arc. It suggests Harley Quinn is following the same journey she did in the comics, where she learns to define herself as an individual rather than by her relationships. While she no doubt won't stay single - Birds of Prey subtly set up the romance between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy - she will never again allow herself to be drawn into the kind of unhealthy, obsessive and abusive relationship she had with the Joker.
All this means Harley Quinn is more than a Joker abuse victim. Rather, she is recovering from her time with the Clown Prince of Crime, getting on with her life, and in so doing presenting a brilliant example to viewers. Superhero franchises rarely explore this theme, tending to show healthy relationships and present idealised views of love and romance. But Harley Quinn is far more real, meaning she has one of the best arcs in the DCEU to date. This tattoo confirms that arc will continue in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.

I was curious about the 'subtly set up romance' thing because if there's one thing DC doesn't do well in it's films it's.... ok, well, one thing among many is that they ain't subtle. 

The link is in the paragraph if you wish to read it yourself but be warned, it's nothing to do with the movie Birds of Prey.

Gotham City Sirens #10 - Taking Sides

This is one of my favourite Gotham City Sirens covers ever. Even though it's got a rather dark palette, it still manages to be kind of pastel. At first glance you could mistake the poses for generic, over posed comic book fare, or something right out of a James Bond poster but the poses are so in character, it's great. Ivy frolicking around her garden, tending to one of her many plants. Harley looks like she's stretching before jumping into some crazy gymnastics move, and Catwoman is stood there like why am I with these people again?

I also quite like the crossword puzzle aesthetic, tying it into the inclusion of the Riddler.

When we last left off with the Gotham City Sirens, Edward Nigma had been helping them solve a murder they were seemingly being framed for, and had now found himself into some hot water as a result.

Luckily, our antagonist Dr. Aesop likes to monologue - maybe not surprising for someone who stole their name from the famous fables author - and between Riddler's deductions and Dr. Aesop's explanations the whole story comes out. Our Sirens are listening in from the skylight and it's revealed they were using Nigma the whole time.


Harley at least has the decency to feel bad about it, Ivy couldn't give a plant fertiliser and Selina is somewhere in between - doesn't really care but also doesn't want Eddie to get hurt because of it.

Gotham City Sirens #9 - Pieces of the Puzzle

I love the detective noir style cover already but it just gets better when you turn the page and the scene continues - as if you're Nygma opening the office door and entering the room/ scene. 

Correctly deducing that the Sirens aren't here for tea and niceties,  he gets down to the thick of it. The Sirens have found a corpse,  or rather they have each witnessed the victim in varying stages of life and death.

Harley volunteers to give her recollection first so we get treated to an amazing run down of her day,  which begins with cartoons, exercise and keyboard battles then ends with a dead body smashing through their skylight and ruining Harley's swim.

Ivy had just got back from a job interview when she sees the body enter the pool. Selina on the other hand had been for a medical check-up post Hush then a quick spar with Wildcat. When she hands home via rooftop she sees the body fall from the sky - muttering "doctor..." - so she dives after her and ends up heading into the pool as well.

Nygma is equal parts exasperated with the Sirens and intrigued by the mystery so he resolves to check it out. At first glance it appears like the Sirens have attached the victim and left their trademarks on her body.  There is a vine around the neck but it's not one of Ivy's usual hybrids but a common plant.  The clown make up smeared on her face is cheap pharmacy brand stuff and not Harley's theatrical quality style. Claw marks that couldn't have come from Selina's gloves but rather a real animal.

Gotham City Sirens #8

March 2010
Plot/art: Guillem March
Dialogue: Marc Andreyko
Colours: Tomeu Morey

What better time to get back into Gotham City Sirens - and an Ivy-centric issue to boot - after reading about the lobotomised, bland, green place holder in the last review and the recent dramas I had in the comic store.
Givin' me the heebie jeebies just thinkin' about it. Even more so than opening up to the severely emaciated and shrivelled up form of Poison Ivy.

Jump cut to two weeks prior, showing Pam as beautiful as she is vengeful and deadly. Scorning the humans for doing things in her park. No, not THOSE things.. (that we know of, anyway) but rather children pulling up daisies, dudes thinking about their chances with her, people daring to exercise or sit on a bench.

Just imagine this face looking at you... it'll shave seconds off your run time!

Now as much as this is about Ivy's time in the spotlight, the issue shows us what's really happening within the team as a whole.

This scene for example. One look and you might think, oh that Harley, buying random shit in her name and having it delivered to their hideout?? What a card!

What we're really seeing is Selina not only ticked off at the breach of security.. but Harley's lounging on the couch watching TV, Ivy is nowhere to be seen until the last panel and Selina is picking up the slack in the kitchen. This hideout is a tinder box and it's about to explode.

The spark comes from Ivy strolling in from her saunter about Robinson Park at the same time a plant related murder that happened there is being reported on the news. 

DC Collectables Harley Quinn Red, White and Black Statue by Guillem March

So this DC Collectables Harley Quinn Red, White and Black Statue by Guillem March popped up in my emails today. I admit, when I saw it I was like oh no! Not another one!

Honestly, sometimes I think DC is staying afloat on Harley Quinn merchandise alone - which is probably why there seem to be more Red, White and Black collectables for Harley then there are Black and Whites for Batman. Or... you know.. any other character they have in their arsenal.

It sucks because we're seriously cutting down on the Harley Quinn merch. If it's not something extremely awesome or something we've been chasing down since the early 2000's then we aren't going to be bothered.

Anyway, this statue seems pretty cool. Let's check it out.

Gotham City Sirens #7

Gotham City Sirens turn Holiday Story on us when we see Catwoman wailing on some jerks in Santa costumes. She laughs it off to the new Batman (Dick Grayson) but her bravado hides that little bit of fear we saw in the fight scene - she's still concerned about her heart.

Dick asks if the other sirens are staying out of trouble and Selena mentions that because the shelter was damaged recently, Ivy has gone to Central America and Harley is visiting family. Dick's pretty surprised as he can't picture her sitting around being jolly with family. What a weird thing to say, come to think of it. I mean, yeah, the new Hardly Quinn murder-go-round sex doll would be a weird, uncomfortable person to have around a Christmas tree, but sweet ol' pre-Flashpoint/New fifty-poo Harley Quinn?

Robin (Damian) busts in the room angry as hell, calls Selena a tramp, calls Dick a lazy douche and storms off, warning he;s going to take the Batmobile if Dick holds him up more than two minutes.
At least no one's surprised about THAT characterisation.

The other weird thing is when they do that obligatory holiday special thing where they cheers to friends who can't be there with them. 

So, Brucie is a given, but Alfred? Alfred just served you a drink two seconds ago, Dick! He's probably outside in the hall crying his butlery eyes out, man! Also not sure if that's meant to be Catwoman's semi-side kick Holly Robinson in the middle or if it's Jenna the Carpenter. Is the baby Catwoman's from that random side story she had once? Ivy looks pissed about being in the fire. That's fair enough. 

Moving over to Central America - Ivy is relaxed, footloose and fancy free in a jungle. Also clothes free, but that's fine because she can manipulate plant censors like a Disney Princess entrances small animals to do her bidding. 

She's wondering why they hell she doesn't just live here instead of the stagnant filth hole Gotham. 

It's a fair question.

Gotham City Sirens #6

Jan 2010

When we last left off, original Joker sidekick Gaggy had been released from the big house (no pun intended) and was dead set on reliving the good old olden days.. you know what he means. The days with no Harley Quinn.

This cover... I like. Poison Ivy looks very powerful and the neon-ish petals are a nice touch.

Inside, Harley's getting dragged off to a nicer moider spot or maybe a retro death trap. Poison Ivy took a bubble thing (?!) to the face and now she can't adventure no mo'. Catwoman did not, I repeat, did NOT land on her feet when falling into the hyena enclosure, leaving thousands of fans and cat enthusiasts disappointed.

On the way to her certain doom, Harley catches Gaggy by surprise and he begins to villain monologue. It's nice to know that some things never change.










Selina and Ivy escape their own personal death traps only to fall victim to another one. They delay their painful deaths momentarily but end up calling for back up in the form of one Jenna Duffy the Carpenter and her Tools of Compounding Invoices.
That's pretty much how you know the Sirens were desperate. They may leave with their lives today, but my gosh they will pay through the nose now if they weren't already!

The thing I like about the Gaggy saga is how it quietly parallels Harley's story and gives a new insight to the Joker before she arrived.

Gotham City Sirens #5

Out of the Paest
Dec 09

Can I just say how awesome this cover is? My only quibble is Harley's twisty ass and tits torso and what one of my old work friends used to call 'mono-boob'. I think you could put a pencil under one side, and lift the entire set equally. It's a disturbing notion, yet somewhat tempting. Hmm.
Apart from that though, the dynamic background, the nice work with the shadows and lighting effects, the sweet cane pose and the pop gun... it's just a nice cover.



Anyway, where we last left of in Sirens, a horrifying Joker car-drone had just driven into their hideout and exploded. Selina and Ivy are alarmed by the sudden appearance of fire while dear Harley Quinn - ever on the ball - simply gets peeved that Joker didn't try to finish them off with a funnier gag.

Ivy - a woman of entirely plant parts and wavy hair - leaps dramatically from the fire, into the frying pan. Which is also very much on fire. She quickly grows and then sacrifices one of her budding cacti which is enough to extinguish the fire but can't avoid creating another kind of damage.

Needless to say, the other Sirens aren't exactly pleased with
Harley's dismissive and unhelpful attitude.









They decide enough is enough, this Joker's gotta go. Harley, true to form - doesn't seem to want him dead and offers anything apart from that - plant shopping trips, getting a restraining order...
Finally Ivy gets through to her by telling her what she wants to hear and then smacking her in the face with reality.

Gotham City Sirens #4

Another lovely cover - Harley's baby blues are striking. Ivy's her usual cheery self and so is Catwoman. Not sure why Ivy's hair is constantly standing on end these days but all the better to see your butt with my dear. I do like her lacy looking vine arm thingies. So chic. 

Remember this bit that's been teased over the last few issues?

Yes, we'e finally going to see what Harley Quinn's been up to.
Also, this TMZ for superheroes/villains is terrible. What sort of cow cheers when a superhero like Power Girl is decked one? That's when you go 'oh crap - this could be the end of my existence too!'

Still, it's a refreshing change from the ass kissing we normally get on real life celebrity shows.

And wow, Ultra Humanite? There's a blast from the past!

But I digress.

Now who do we know who owns a purple extend-o-gloves (and who also can't watch their favourite tv shows anymore) and has two white thumbs?? 

This guy!

Gotham City Sirens #3

Forgetting how weird I think those turn over heeled boots look on Harley Quinn.. this cover is ace. It sets a sort of Bond girls sort of look, we can see Harley's leg, Ivy is posing looking back at us like we're useless sacks of meat and Catwoman's whip is strewn all over the place. They've got a clear colour scheme going on. The logo of the comic flows over the figures like it's being projected in the sky, Bat-signal style and the question marks in the background give a clever (heh heh) nod to the special guest without being too on the nose.

Speaking of - here he is. Dead.

There's a lot of dialogue boxes here, from the 'current' not Bruce Wayne Batman. They explain why the Riddler was a massive pain in the ass crime wise but that he was gone now.

Clarity awaits on the next page, when we're told that Edward Nygma is still alive, kicking and presumably a whizz at puzzles.

Turns out Eddie has been trying to solve a tricky case in his new guise at private investigator.

His rude interruption arrives in the form of two out of three of the Sirens - Ivy and Catwoman who are understandably concerned because Harley is missing.

Eddie has been a bit focused on his case that he's been almost gleefully ignoring the sirens but when asked directly he bluntly replies, airing his grievances about being kidnapped and brainwashed himself and the sirens were either directly responsible or did little or nothing to help him.

Eddie realises that the murderer is leaving clues to their next murder on the bodies of the previous victim.

Gotham City Sirens #2

Sept 2009

Writer: Paul Dini

Artist: Guillem March

Colours: Jose Villarrubia

Letters: Steve Wands

After reading waaay too much Hardly Quinn lately and feeling sad about the much hyped Paul Dini co-written Harley Loves Joker mini.. I decided the best way to refresh was to come back and do a Sirens review. 

Last time we left off with Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy both moving in with Catwoman and then interrogating her about Batman's identity. Classic Gotham behaviour. Catwoman says screw you guys and mentally goes back three years to an encounter with Talia in Tibet. Which, while sounding like a Tintin reference, is a great way to show how awesome Catwoman is.

She just took out like a dozen assassin guards and almost snuck up on Talia. (Pro-tip, one does not simply sneak up on Talia) Heck, she came all the way to Tibet despite knowing who invited her.
Talia also has back up guards... hey, I told you about sneaking up on her.



Why has Talia asked Catwoman to fly all this way for a creepy yoga influenced sleepover in this cold ass location surrounded by cuddly assassin guards?
Why, to help safe guard Batman's secret, so as to prevent Gotham assholes from discovering his identity through them.

That's right Harley and Ivy! You've gotta get up a lot earlier than this to get Catwoman.
Exactly three years earlier to be precise.

Gotham City Sirens #1

UNION

 

Released: August 2009

Writer: Paul Dini

Artist: Guillem March

With all the hype surrounding a Gotham City Sirens movie, I just wanted to go back and re-read all the issues before Hotpant Powered Hollywood types bastardise the ever-loving funk out of it, and therefore maintain my sanity. 

Maybe they won't screw it up? Yeah, well, we all thought that about Suicide Squad too. 

This super-villain team up was one of my first ever single issue collections. I prefer trades but I enjoyed this series and decided not to wait until they were all released as trades. 

The cover got some flack for Harley's perky butt (how times have changed!) but I think Catwoman's more hilarious. Look at her, suitably cat like but clearly forced into a pose to fit in around Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, who appear to be standing on... maybe the Bat signal?

Opening on Catwoman, who monologues internally about how she's still struggling from the consecutive attacks of Jason Todd and Hush, even after getting treatment from the best surgeons and also magical aid. 

"Then a scream reminds me... in Gotham, weakness is relative."

Too true, Cat Lady. She leaps in to rescue a couple from a wannabe-thug named Boneblaster. Don't worry about remembering the name. Anyway, Poison Ivy shows up to stop a meatbag getting away with animal cruelty.

Turns out Ivy is crashing at Riddler's place after they patched up their differences... or something loosely based on that line.

REBIRTH HARLEY QUINN #17 - Red Meat or overdone hash?

It may fit, but the diamonds and your reflection are both wrong

Same name, different characters

 Why is there Rebirth Hardly Quinn on my blog?
Is there going to be a rant? Probably.

Truth is, it's on here because I wanted to discuss the 'new back-up feature' of "Harley Loves Joker" featuring Paul Dini.

First of all... featuring? does that mean he's in the comic himself? Is he writing it?
Second of all.... ugh.. the comparison of Harley and Hardly makes my heart hurt. Hardly appears to have Friggin' Lucille from The Walking Dead in her hands, and ooh it's a grenade but it looks like a mobile phone the way she's holding it. Shit, they even gave Harley some of Hardly's tacky blue eye make-up.

Harley Quinn: Convergence pt 2

Harley Quinn: Convergence pt 2

2015

"Rabbit Season"

Writer: Steve Pugh

Pencils: Phil Winslade

Where we last left off, Harley Quinn had been selected as Pre-Flashpoint Gotham City's champion, her boyfriend was assaulted, she was drugged by her friends and the battle was looming. 

This issue has a bit of time skipping, we start out in the battle where Harley has apparently killed on of Captain Carrot's team mates after he was sent to warn Cap that HQ was a demon. 

Harley Quinn meet him outside the Hall of Mirrors featuring the Joker's visage and introduces herself comically. Captain Carrot is an all around nice guy and tells Harley politely that he's not here to hurt her. Harley however, has several tricks and traps set to ensure her advantage on top of this. 

Sometimes they work, like her bluff about what super powers she has. Other times... not so much.

Harley Quinn: Convergence pt 1

Harley Quinn: Convergence pt 1

2015

Writer: Steve Pugh

Pencils: Phil Winslade

Along with the collective "uuurgh" of yet another DC wide 'event' there was also a "oooh!" from my side of the planet when I saw the promotional pages and ads featuring an original costume Harley Quinn getting into shenanigans that didn't involve poorly timed bathtub suicide jokes without context or constant fawning over Power Girl. 

Gosh darn, the new Hardly Quinn comics made me hate not just Hardly Quinn but also G-D Pee-gee! Graaaagh!!

*deep breath, sips whiskey*

H'okay. The point I was getting to was that this comic was my ever loving hope for a good Harley Quinn comic in a sea of new fifty-poop. 

Did we get said good comic? Well, one look at the Gotham City Sirens inspired cover and I was already happy but yes, the comic gets much better.