“The Offer”
Artist: Sami Basri
Color Artists: Jessica Kholinne and Hi-Fi
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review By: Kendra Hale
Shattering The Fourth Wall
Harley Quinn #64 is here, and quite honestly – as the series goes on – they are pulling no punches. I have said it before that this current run has literally given me all of my faith back in this character. These last few issues have been a little harder, because I can relate to the struggle Harley is going through with her Mother’s Cancer, but for this I must give supreme kudos to the writing and art team. Their ability to break her struggles to life so realistically have honestly made the series heart shine even brighter. If you have not had a chance to catch up with my last review for Issue #63 can be found here.
Also There’s Wi-Fi
The story starts us off with a private moment where Harley’s talking to her Mother, who has fallen into a coma. I admit that, even with the serious tone of the scene, it did get a laugh from me. Seeing the cover to the very issue I was reading in Harley’s hands was genius! Harley begins to read the comic to her Mom and, as she goes on, it tells quite a tale. Lex, in his ultimate Apex Lex form, is trying to con Harley over to the crossover “Year Of The Villain.” She quite literally goes through the entire DC catalog, to tell Lex no, time and time again.
Now while this is all happening the comic does something wonderful. In fact, it’s one of the first times I personally have ever seen this done. It goes back and forth from the comic Harley is reading to her Mother, and then back to inside the book itself. The Neverending Story vibes are absolutely wonderful and enhanced the issue.
Heavens To Miss Martian
This series has a dynamo of a team working on these stories. Sam Humphries’ writing and Sami Basri’s art has seriously not disappointed me yet. We get a new set of color artists with Hi-Fi and Jessica Kholinne, and they do not disappoint. Steve Wands on the letters is also pitch perfect. Everything comes together to give us action, despair, love, craziness, and a dash of Hanna-Barbera.
One of the best moments is this book was that, every time you turned away, more people keep showing up for Harley reading to her Mom. This show of support is heartwarming in itself, but there’s a scene with her Dad that steals the show. Mr. Quinzel and Harl’s brothers show up finally and, if you’ve read the Christmas issue you know what a whirlwind they can be. Dad leans over her shoulder, urging her to read and she asks if he will do the sound effects. I am unashamed to say I welled up slightly at the answer of “Pew! Pew! Pew!” In this moment they are together and they are there for one another for support with the tragedy that has hit their family. It’s moments like these that, as a reader of the series, keep me coming back. Absolutely astounding work.
Herpes Simp-Lex
In closing with Harley Quinn #64, I hope that readers are enjoying the series as much as I am. I don’t know what will come next for our Harley Quinn, as Lex may have finally found the offer that Harley cannot refuse. What will Harley choose? Will it affect the trials she’s worked so hard on? Would it be something her Mom would want her to do? I guess we will have to wait ’til the next issue, to see just what is next for Harley Quinn!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment