“Master of Her Domain”
Artist: Eleonora Carlini
(Minor Spoilers ahead)
Harley Quinn storytellers Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner take an issue off, leaving Frank Tieri and Eleonora Carlini with big shoes to fill. Though that’s a tall order, they do a great job of subbing in.
Harley likes to do some roller derby, and likes taking out the competition even more. After taking out her latest competition, she learns that her favorite place to roll will soon be no more, and major changes are coming to the Coney area. That’s because a mean ol’ bird, Penguin, is taking over the area. This motivates are antihero to take matters into her own hands and confront the villain. After her first encounter doesn’t bring the results she desired, Harley reconvenes and gets her way. Oh, and Palmiotti and Conner return to the book (in a way you wouldn’t expect).
Harley Quinn #27 is a lot of fun. This book has been cruising to greatness the past 10 issues, with the exceptional team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (and Paul Dini too!) in the driver’s seat. In what appears to be a one-off filler issue, Frank Tieri does a great job of giving us a quick, self-contained story. Or is it? I think some seeds were planted in these 21 pages that will come to pay off in future issues, mainly with the Penguin and his goal of taking over Coney Island. Harley is set to run for mayor and I’m sensing an election that’ll be just as wild as the real world.
Eleonora Carlini does a great job stepping in with art duties this issue. Her style closely resembles what’s been happening in the book lately, yet stands on its own. The strengths of the Harley Quinn book is how much fun the story is, and how great it looks. It’s more of the same in this issue, and I mean that in a good way. Each panel is colorful. Each character is detailed and distinct. Each setting is mocked from reality. I loved each page in this issue.
Conclusion
Harley Quinn #27 takes a detour this week, but the route is still a blast. Witty dialogue, surprise cameos and a familiar world keeps this book at the top of the DC line.
Images courtesy of DC Entertainment