“For She’s A Jolly Good Felon!”
Writer: Elliot Kalan
Artists: Terry Dodson and Carlos Olivares
Color Artist: Terry Dodson and Marissa Louise
Inker: Rachel Dodson
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Review by Kendra Smart
Harley Quinn #57 comes with not only an ending. Not only the return of beloved Harley Quinn Alumni and first artists for Harley Quinn Terry and Rachel Dodson for a “Secret Origin Story”. Not only just a date. But also reaching a stellar number with this being Harley Quinn’s 200th issue! Queue the kazoos and confetti, especially with such an eye-catching gem like the main cover by Yanick Paquette and Arif Prianto.
There are so many fun details to take in. The gift tag, cake, and presents let readers know they are in for a celebration. Speaking of celebrations, we get two stories in Harley Quinn #57. The first is a special origin story while the second is the long awaited conclusion of the new villain terrorizing Throatcutter Hill- The Deconspirator. Let’s dig in!
The Secret Origin Of Harley Quinn
Elliot Kalan is joined by Terry Dodson for pencil and colors, Rachel Dodson providing inks, and Lucas Gattoni doing the letters. We rejoin Harley on the return trip to Gotham, rephrase that…Convoy and The GunBuddies discussing Harley’s sleeping habits. But internally Harley is having a pivotal moment with the being causing chaos on her home turf, an introduction. The Deconspirator wants to free Harley from her shackles, freewill and cutting the puppet strings.
The Deconstructor goes through all the things that make Harley…well…Harley. Telling her that her life has been at the beck and call of whoever holds the pen that writes her story. That the way she looks and the style of her costume, how she looks when she fights are determined by their style of art. *LE GASP* Can the villainous wordplay in the guise of a Mid-Summer’s Night Dream be broken?
There Was A Fire Fight
Our regular gang, including new ongoing series artist Carlos Olivares, brings us the conclusion to this Deconspirator story line in “There Goes The Neighborhood.” Rejoining the group right where the origin story left them previously. They make it past the “Welcome to Gotham” sign before their journey is halted by chaos. The tech squared, Harley learning from Dolores about the murder she committed. Harley goes into a rage and that canon plus her accompanying squared have their target on Klang.
But Althea has issues of her own and while Amygdala is by her side and ready to stand in her honor…given the numbers they are faced with, it won’t be enough. Harley, with help from Amygdala as a distraction, gets Althea free but only Harley has the stuff to take on this intruder in the end. With she be able to snuff it up and win?
The Perfect Brutal Gentleman.
200 issues is a major feat, one that I am grateful to have read and seen the changes to Harley Quinn as different teams have taken her on all kinds of journeys. All of these steps through figuring out her friendships, her love affairs, being good, bad, neutral. Amazing artists that have given parts of themselves to the art, stunning covers…gosh there is just so much I could say.
There are many twists and turns that Harley has taken through her inner journey. One thing that rings with me from Harley Quinn #57 is the notion that the Writers and Artists do control the narrative. But isn’t that to be said of any character…ever? The Origin story with Terry and Rachel was stunning, the artwork was a nice hit of nostalgia for all that we have seen for Harley over these 200 issues. Truly enjoyable, honestly the same could be said of the whole of Harley Quinn #57
Conclusion
Harley Quinn #57 holds a lot of highs with the art, disgustingly beautiful covers to choose from, and genuine moments of humor. But to be honest. This forced narrative of a fight, most of which was off screen, and the build-up was really at the end of the day…Fluff. It was painful. All of the different narratives keep running around themselves and while the art is still delivering, Harley isn’t really going…anywhere.
It is a very odd thing to watch her go through all these different issues and scenarios. To be concerned about Throatcutter Hill but then randomly absconding away from the central plot to involve the GunBuddies at a different level. Then to be kidnapped from and with them into a wholly different scenario all together. All to return and face a villain with a lot of build up but no climax. This whole Deconspirator thing felt like a sham, there was no real meaning…just some slim grasp to being a community. Sadly it just doesn’t feel like enough.
Til next time friends!
Images Provided By DC Entertainment.