Retro Review: Harley Quinn #4!

HARLEY QUINN #4 - THE WILDE LIFE

COVER DATE: March, 2001

WRITER: Karl Kesel 

PENCILER(s): Terry Dodson 

INKER(s): Rachel Dodson 

COLORS: Alex Sinclair 

LETTERS: Ken Lopez 

EDITOR(s): Matt Idelson 

COVER: Rachel Dodson; Terry Dodson

Issue four begins with an excellent artistic opening - using her city and locale to introduce the artists, the series and the title itself. Harley is meeting Lewis from the original Joker gang - she's beginning her own gang and he's helped put the word out. As they open the doors to the meeting place however, they are greeted by none other than the narrator himself - a self proclaimed dead ringer for the Joker - LESTER WILDE. 

Of course, Harley and Lewis find this hilarious. Lewis gently puts it to Lester that they need specialised operatives, particularly as it's revealed that Lester hasn't actually done anything illegal yet and tries to discourage Harley when she seems to accept their new applicant. In Harley's opinion - Lester has given himself a hefty yardstick, and if he can't handle it - then it's not her problem. 

The other applicants are not much better, a junkie known to Lewis, an ill named crook, a deaf crook, a crazy crook, a not quite super powered but willing to experiment crook and a paranoid crook... until they run into Buster - also from the original gang. 

There's a slight beef when Buster realises who's in charge - he's not happy that she's out while Joker is behind bars. Harley explains it was just them working out some personal issues, and he's welcome to join her gang. Lewis convinces him to stay - frankly with the crop they've seen tonight, they need Buster. 

The Two-Bear brothers Ken and Nixon follow shortly after and the gang is complete. Some mixed reactions from meeting Lester and then some stylish new threads. 

Their first task? Break someone out of jail. Lester is quickly falling for Harley Quinn and mentions in his narration how he knows now why the Joker loves her so. Buster is excited - he thinks the Joker is the target tonight. Lester meanwhile, ponders what Harley would need him for when she gets the real Joker back. He plots to take his place - accidentally speaking out loud and drawing a bit of mocking from the other guys. They hit the location but something's not quite right. Nixon notices the lack of security, Buster notices the weird smell - Lewis notices Lester is AWOL. He's transforming himself. 

He lines up his big reveal but finds his audience to be penguins. Yes, it's the Gotham City Zoo. After taking a tip from Hope and Mercy, Harley has come to track down her beloved pet Hyenas Bud and Lou!

An explosion is created to free them - which Lester believes is a sign that Harley needs him and he dashes off immediately. Unfortunately for him, by the time he gets there the gang has already made an escape and he is shot by the Zoo Guards. His monologue continues the story - believing he never had a choice, and that this is what the real Joker would have done, and he has contributed to Harley's escape. 

Harley has made it this far, a leader of a criminal gang. She's managed to get her pets back successfully. She isn't particularly concerned for Lester's fate - believing that he too would be simply locked up. She still speaks favourably of the Joker but isn't ready or willing to jump into a look a like's arms. It's kind of a reversal, having a devoted 'Joker' around Harley - as even when the Joker briefly shows affection for Harley it's never like this and mainly if he needs a patsy to manipulate. Lester is a sympathetic character in many ways and didn't have much time with us but he died doing what he loved, and being true to what he thought he was. 

This issue is also the first appearance of the letter column and a small preview for next month.