“I’m Telling You For The Last Time”
Writer: Elliot Kalan
Artist: Mindy Lee
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Review by: Kendra Smart
Harley Quinn #49 is upon us again readers and with it a sneak peak behind what makes Althea Klang tick. Spoiler, she is the same as the rest of us. Her boil over trigger? Harley Quinn. But for Harley Quinn #49 we get a new hired hit-man providing complimentary warm towels, Amygdala. There are several special variant covers for Harley Quinn #49, with artists like David Nakayama, Jorge Fornes, Derrick Chew, and Mirka Andolfo.
Our main cover for Harley Quinn #49 is done by Elizabeth Torque and Dave McCaig. Featuring a cage match between Harley and Amygdala duking it out as Bud and Lou help Harls. The artists do an amazing job of setting the stage for what is to come. Enough stallin’, let’s dive in!
Give A Girl A Chance!
As Harley Quinn #49 begins, Althea Klang writes her own perspective and narrative. Going back to being a youngster surviving the throat-hold of hell that Throatcutter Hill had on her growing up. Her prose is soon interrupted by a vocal and quite the bed fellow Harley Quinn. Banter isn’t on Harley’s side though as readers are treated to the opposing view of a conversation of the internal kind being hauntingly quiet this issue.
Althea isn’t hip to Harley’s kind of flirting either as she goes from a duo to a trio of company, ordering room service. The room service comes in the form of Amygdala, and Harley is the target he is dialed in on. Althea delights in not having to be the one to take down Harley, why enter a battle when paying someone to do it is an option? And all Amygdala wants is a hug, surely Harley won’t say no to a tight cuddle?
2 Sides To The Story
Elliot Kalan sets up a pretty moving and pushing background story for Althea King, she actually becomes slightly more understandable with a purpose that isn’t to bone Harley, at least not in totality. Her background as a child directly affected by the dim and cruelness of Throatcutter Hill environment makes it entirely understandable why she is trying to make something out of the nothing she felt. Which really shines a distinct villain light on Harley, no?
But Harley Quinn #49 has some amazing artwork by Mindy Lee and Triona Farrell, the panels that were my favorite were probably the ones where Althea talked about her philosophy. That whole mood of leaving the world a better, more beautiful place than you found it is definitely something connectable. I really enjoyed the “journal voice” of Althea that Lucas Gattoni created as letters.
Conclusion
Althea seems to have tainted her purpose, but we will have to wait and see what the future holds as Harley Quinn #49 closes. But I would be remiss if I didn’t say I would love to have the WHOLE conversation back! See ya next time!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment.
