Writers: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist: Elsa Charretier
All good things must come to an end. In this case, for one week.
Before Harley Quinn kicks off her new Rebirth series next week, her New 52 run comes to a close this week. For the past few years, I’ve given it top marks and credited it as having made me fall in love with a character that I previously didn’t have as much interest in. Thankfully, the same creative team is sticking around for the foreseeable future as I couldn’t imagine anyone better guiding Harley in the comic book medium while she’s experiencing a pop culture explosion.
Let me just say that this issue boasts what may be one of Amanda Conner’s best covers to date: It’s simple, yet effective and nothing short of a stroke of genius. Interiors are provided by guest artist Elsa Charretier, who doesn’t deviate from what came before. I find her style to be highly appropriate for this title, as it looks like a hybrid of John Timms and Bruce Timm’s work with the character, at least in my opinion.
Upon waking from a wild dream of going to see “The Kill Yourself Crew” in theaters, we’re taken on a hilarious ride that is not without emotional resonance as we see what a big heart Harley truly has. It serves as a reminder of how far she has come as a character, especially in recent years. Even the smallest events of this series yield payoff and I never get tired of seeing hipsters depicted in jest.
Overall, this was a fine conclusion to this volume of Harley Quinn and did a good job of encapsulating what this series can do. If this were television, you could term it a season finale because they do plant seeds (that serves as a pun due to a Poison Ivy guest shot) for what’s to come. I’m expecting Conner and Palmiotti to make good on those teases for a day at the spa and a trip to the Bahamas.
I guarantee this is the best comic book with an old guy peeing on Harley Quinn you will read all summer long.