Batman Detective Comics 23.2 - The Wrath of the Hardly Quinn

Stop me if you've heard this before... oh wait, it's not a joke it's just another hideous cover featuring HQ. I know people have been clamouring to buy all the tacky gimmick covers for this year's event but this cover sent me running away before I even knew what was IN this issue.

Put bluntly, this issue has issues. This cover, has issues. This comic needs pre-52 Harley Quinn to psycho-analyse the crap out of it.

I won't go into too much detail about how horrible it is, it can certainly speak for itself. I have named it the molten-turd cave of Holy Weird Crotch Angle, Batman! And as I do my best to avoid looking at that or Hardly Quinn's ... well, whatever she is I can't help but notice that Batman has the same bat shaped knee covers that Batgirl copped flack for.

DC's New Talent Search

I've read the Harley Quinn #0 even if I've been slack on here about reviewing it. What I want to talk about today is the talent search that DC held, the panel that resulted and the person who won it.

When I read Harley Quinn #0, I had to go back and re-read the submission requirements because I really don't feel the artwork met them.

So with panel one - first of all her eyes don't even make contact with ours she's just looking down in our general direction and doesn't appear to be 'beside herself' or that she can't believe what she's doing. Also, those roller blades on a wet rooftop are dangerous, man. 

Panel two I can't really complain about this one although I will nit pick about it not being an entire chicken suit. She's wearing her suit plus a bit of chicken. Also, the contest was very ambiguous about WHICH Harley suit she was supposed to wear. 

SDCC Harley Black and White announced!

Batman Black and White refers both to a four-issue comic book limited series published in 1996 by DC Comics, and three collections of 8-page black-and-white Batman stories, comprising the limited series and backup features from the Batman: Gotham Knights comic.
Wikipedia Batman Black and White last modified on 9 June 2013

In it, Harley Quinn makes three appearances..

"Case Study" - Written by Paul Dini, art by Alex Ross (New material)When the Joker is once again captured and sent to Arkham Asylum, a doctor laments that all of his work has not pierced the Clown Prince of Crime's insanity. Another doctor offers up a report written years ago, which suggests that the reason the Joker cannot be cured is because he is not insane. The report outlines the Joker's history before his accident, and suggests that his "revenge" against Gotham for ruining him is to commit perfectly sane crimes under the guise of madness. The doctors are convinced, but Harleen Quinzel is then escorted past, commenting that she was the one who wrote the report prior to her personal sessions with the Joker. The doctors wearily put the report away, realizing that though it is plausible, its origin renders it worthless - it is just another one of the Joker's sadistic pranks, left where it would someday be found, examined, and ultimately dismissed; a spot of hope crushed just as it shines brightest.


"The Bet" - Written by Paul Dini, art by Ronnie Del Carmen (Originally published in Gotham Knights #14)Incarcerated in adjoining cells at Arkham Asylum, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn bet over which can get a kiss from every man in the asylum. As her pheromones spread through the building, it looks like Ivy will win the bet. However, when the Joker finally appears on the scene, he murmurs about how much he loves Harley; Ivy has lost the bet as Joker thought he was kissing someone else. Later, Harley pays off The Ventriloquist, the real power behind Joker's sweet nothings.


"Punchline" - Written by Doug Alexander, art by Rob Haynes (Originally published in Gotham Knights #30)Told silently, Harley Quinn attempts to trick another criminal out of their ill-gotten gains by inspiring the fear of Batman in them. Her attempts to mimic the Caped Crusader, however, cannot match up to the man himself.

Bulletin Board Bonanza

So, I came across this forum discussing the Harley Quinn solo issue - pretty standard stuff until I got to page four.

The usual 'I hate new Harley' and 'Give new Harley a chance!' bull crap finally gave way to this pot of fried gold..

comic_loverPosted 7/16/2013 12:28:54 PM

Why in the world would DC think anyone wants her in anything but Suicide Squad.

SocialAssassin(Topic Creator)Posted 7/16/2013 12:32:58 PM

too cold boi posted... comic_lover posted... Why in the world would DC think anyone wants her in anything but Suicide Squad. People want her in Suicide Squad? People want Suicide Squad? ---

SkandraePosted 7/16/2013 2:44:17 PM

comic_lover posted... Why in the world would DC think anyone wants her in anything but Suicide Squad. because she's awful in Suicide Squad and someone finally realized in it? Anyway, on the one hand WOOHOO **** YEAH, MORE HARLEY, CHRISTMAS IN JULY on the other hand nu52 Harley still kinda sucks I'm gonna buy this, but I'm gonna complain about it. ---

So yes, I just copied and pasted some people's comments in here but THIS is what I'm talking about!

I laughed so hard when I read it and just needed to immortalise it on here so if things go wrong with this new comic as they're pretty much guaranteed to go wrong with Suicide Squad, I can bask in the feeling of being around people who hate things because they suck badly for no reason too. 

Naked Harley Quinn!!

That's right folks! If you're downwind of any kind of news relay or comic blog chances are that you've heard about DC finally catching on and letting people compete for the glory of being a one page spread in the upcoming Harley Quinn series.

Oh, you haven't heard it like that? Well, in that case you've probably seen the million headlines focusing on ONE panel of the Harley Quinn splash and it is that she is naked in a bath tub.
Personally, I like how they specified... NAKED. As if ordinarily, people just hop into bath tubs fully dressed.

Full competition spiel after the jump.

Zombie Harley Quinn because..... um....

Well, here ya go. Our favourite little Juggalo whore is back in full zombie swing!
What does that mean, 'Zombie swing'? It means that someone who can't draw or proportion for shit is getting paid for this cover. What the freaking hell?

Okay sooo... first of all Harley's arm thingies increase in size while her legs - which we have seen as very skinny despite what appears to be thermal knit thigh highs, have decreased in mass. Her gun holster is massive, while her tightie whities have shrunk to a c-string. Girl - when your belt is literally larger than your pants.... you really.. REALLY need to STAHP.

September Villains in 3D.. kind of.

So, had an update from one of my interstate comic stores - apologising for DC failing to anticipate the demand for the 3D motion covers due in Villain's month September, as well as production issues.

Oh look, there's about five women hiding in this picture. 

Thoughts on the new new 52 Harley Quinn

This is starting to become a bit Futurama/Dr. Who with the new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-new-....somethings.

So, as we've established already..

1) DC hates any kind of continuity.
2) Harley Quinn has a roller derby outfit.

What I just realised when reading more about the proposed Harley Quinn monthly serial is that it's going to focus on what she does out of Gotham and when she's not hanging around the Suicide Squad kiddies.

So....

Hang on.

Roller Derby Harley Quinn

So here's the new Harley Quinn - as you can see it's very roller derby inspired and while not too different from the duds she sports (hah! My humour is quite competitive!) it manages to look ten thousand times better, more suited to Harley and a hell of a lot more practical. 

I have to say I'm not opposed to the look, roller derby fashion is something I can definitely see Harley rocking I am disappointed that her skin is still Smylex white. I imagine that's part of the skid marks that the New 52 poopies have left. She would look so much better with her blonde pigtails and girl next door look... provided you a) live next to a girl b) live next to a white girl and c) live next to a white homicidal maniac girl. 

Monthly Harley Quinn announced!?

Wow, I must have been living under a rock to have missed this! Here's an exclusive interview reposted from Comic Book Resources about Harley's new monthly series! (Official link below). I've recoloured the interviwer's speech and made a few spelling adjustments but like I said, it's from CBR. I'm just too excited to gather my own thoughts just yet! 

CBR News: Congrats on the new series! It's been a while since we've seen a true Harley Quinn title. What was your first response to the idea of working with the character in the New 52?

Conner's cover for her and Palmiotti's "Harley Quinn" #1

Jimmy Palmiotti: When we were offered the book, it wasn't something we said yes to right away. We needed to do a lot of reading and playing catch up on what the character has been up to since we knew the other version so well. Amanda and I spent a lot of time talking about approach, if we can find a real voice for the character , and what the series would be about before we sent in our pitch. On the surface, this is a no brainer with the two of us writing, but like anything else we do together, we needed to really dig in and find the who , what and where of the new Harley.

Amanda Conner: It was a little daunting, at first. She is a totally beloved character, and you have to show that some respect, all while bringing her into a whole new atmosphere. We have to make her world very believable. We want to make her almost like she's someone you've met before.

Palmiotti: After a lot of back and forth, we found the place we needed to find and pitched it to DC, and they loved it.

Harley is a character that was born with a very specific, very beloved iteration on "Batman: The Animated Series," though over the years she's evolved in the comics as many of the DC characters do. What versions loom largest in how you see her today?

Ame-Comi Skin for Harley Quinn in Injustice Game

It is what it is! Harley Quinn's character in Injustice: Gods among us has yet another DLC costume skin and this time it's based off the popular Ame-Comi comics/figurines.

Harley now has her Injustice outfit, Insurgency, Classic, Arkham City and now this.

Suicide Squad #22 - Viva Las Something

We open this issue with a shocking revelation...

Harley Quinn is again a something in a terrible costume with blank eyes on the cover!
This month it's some sort of Vegas drag queen and/or clown whore.

Nice purpley tones here with swirlies action up top for foreshadowing the villain and King Shark maybe doing something. Deadshot looks funny. Well, funnier. He also looks like he's taking an oath or something. I've heard a lot of that goes on in Vegas. 

Suicide Squad #21 - Interview with the Quinn-pire

Yeaaaah, that time again. Another 'Harley Quinn' is 'something' in a weird outfit with no pupils on a Suicide Squad cover. This time it's a Belle Reve - not Reeve? - warden with an appalling abdomen.

Anyway, opening on a Las Vegas spread for some reason, in comic Harley is wearing pants because cover Harley is stupid. Again, we never really know what the squad is supposed to be doing but, you know, whatever. Edgy new DC universe! *cough*

I mean, surely there's some heroes that could be saving the world from whatever the hell that Clayface thing is? Shouldn't the Suicide Squad be covering up Waller's boo-boos from detection? No? Oh, okay then.

POP! Culture Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn merchandising glee - after long last, there will be a Funko POP! Vinyl Harley Quinn... thing. Yay!

Especially good news for me as they should be fairly inexpensive compared to the other Harley Quinn goodies coming out, but you never know.

Suicide Squad #20

Y'know, I used to review these all the time before it became way too hard - it's a whole new level trying to type something when your arms keep getting thrown up in the air and my typist left because she thought I was swearing at her when I read this stuff. However, now there's a new brain-head doing the series I thought I'd give it another go. 

The cover art here shows some wannabe flesh, a sad little skeleton still holding on to the freaking grenade. There are times in life where it pays to drop the ball. Or pear shaped object with a pin. 

Around Skeletor is little photos of the Squad, in case we forget who they are. For a 'secret' team, there sure is a lot of this photo stuff going on. That's a problem for another day. Me? I can't get past Hardly Quinn's ugly piggy nose and the fact that Deadshot looks like a scrapped plan for a robot in a third rate sci fi show. 

Harley Quinn - Suicide Wardrobe

Alright, so I've had a few comments about my hate for the new 52 Hardly Quinn - her outfit in particular - the people want to know why. Well you know, apart from the obvious.

It's not the fact that she's changed, things change, it's the nature of the world. I've already been through my problem with Harley Quinn being changed for every single new medium she's in so I'm not going to elaborate on this point any further for the time being.

                                              

Fans of the classic Harley Quinn and her awesome yet appropriate costume will remember the official introduction of Harley to the mainstream DCU by way of Batman: Harley Quinn (Mad Love).
The now iconic painting of the romantic yet deadly tango of Harley and her beau the Joker sums up the story in one page, but if you keep reading you'll witness Harley Quinn trying out costumes on her way to rescue the Joker.

                                   

Harley Quinn Ame Comi V2

A re-blog from my previous blog, but related to Harley Quinn goodness so I've decided to re locate it. 

When the Ame-comi series first came out, I missed my chance to pay a few hundred and grab the Harley Quinn one. Now you can't find them for less. Unless of course, you buy the mini version (which I did) for about $20AU.

                                                     Crazy things come in small packages!

This time around, I did the smart thing and pre-ordered v2 off of the almighty eBay machine.
So basically I paid less, got it fast and don't have to hunt for bargains that seem wonderful until you find that the jerks only ship inside America or only to Mars or some other jerk thing to do. Jerks.

Undead Deadshot?

To be brutally honest - this is the first thing I thought of when I saw this stupid panel. Hahaha

Bombshell Harley Quinn

So just when I thought it was safe to go into the money saving waters again, another Harley Quinn figure is announced!

That's right, and it's a Bombshell!

Part of DC Collectibles new Bombshell line, first announced at the NYC Comic Convention like most things are, then the noise trickles down to Australia later on when it feels like it. Anyway, these are some reworkings of the women in the DC Universe, based on the pin up girls of war time - the type you'd see painted on the nose of fighter jets, etc. 

New Harley Quinn flips off fans.. again!

This just in - oh, hang on, this is old news.

Anyway, with the 'New' 52 series DC seems intent on publishing all the time, history has been re-written, costumes have been muddled, previously prominent characters are now either in the shadows or missing entirely, and frankly the story lines suck. Which brings me to the Harley Quinn New 52 statue.

Does anyone else think this looks like she just stepped on a rake?

                                                               
Here she is.. the one dubbed 'Hardly Quinn.' When the character revamp debuted, fans over the world were outraged and disappointed. That isn't to say it's hated by all, but it's not our Harley and DC cared not what the fans thought. You know, the fans who supported Harley and saw her leap from the animated show to mainstream comics. Whose collectibles are constantly the most expensive AND hard to find, even now.

Hush, little Harley..

Word has reached this Harley HQ that the Hush figures will be re released this year with new paint jobs.

Release party to be held over Batman's battered body. 

This is great news for me, as I've been looking for another original Hush Harley Quinn figure under a million dollars on eBay etc. Well, no they aren't that expensive - but I paid $30 for an original back in the day - I'm not shelling out near a hundred or so for someone else's off cast figure, which is usually without a box.

The Injustice of Harley Quinn's costumes

For those who haven't been paying attention,
Oh, just like the people who made this train wreck!

This morning while mooching off some free Wi-Fi, I come across a news article about an alternate costume for Harley Quinn in the Injustice: Gods among us game.

To be completely honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to click the link. I mean, Harley Quinn, massive fan favourite with a costume that made sense to her character and her name - has suffered greatly at the hands of game developers and DC  New 52 'artists' who assume that a re-model has to be WORSE than the original, as well as trashy and un-clownlike.

Why, hello there!

MASSIVE CUPCAKES!
HELL YEAH!!!

This is not to say that Harley can never have a new outfit ever - alternate outfits and disguises through out the DC universe have worked wonderfully for her. There was the alternate universe Harley in her Thrillkiller outfit, the gal-in-waiting from Emperor Joker, every new day in Gotham City Sirens.. the Ame-comi series of figurines.. um, this monkey of death thingy.. -->


Even if they were a little weird, we knew it was only for this issue/TPB and then things would be back to normal.