“Dressed To Kill”
Writer: Elliot Kalan
Artists: Mindy Lee
Color Artist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Review by Kendra Smart
For Harley Quinn #53, we get a cover that almost seems reminiscent of Steve Jobs and the seminars he would have for Apple. Yanick Paquette and Arif Prianto deliver an inspiring cover where Harley reaches out with her mantra “Move fast and break %@$#!“. It is a great cover with a well defined vision, certainly a more decisive Harley than we find inside. When last we left her, Harley had been asked on a date by Althea. Let’s dive right back in to see how things are going.
Dating Woes And Bock Party Prep
What do you do when you don’t know how to move forward with a situation? You get by with some advice from your friends of course, which Harley organizes in the form of her own brain trust. Chicken Fingers, Mrs. Grimaldi, and…her own brain, Quintellect, are the ones she trusts for relationship advice. That and taste testers for the pies she is creating for the block party. A knock on the door derails that plan however, and Harley comes face to face with a consequence.
Meanwhile, Althea is internally imploding attempting any solid attempt at patience waiting for Harley’s answer. Sadly, Ravager isn’t equipped to help her chill out. But in Krang’s version of Hotel Artemis, there is a secondary plot a foot. One that ends in a bigger picture in a world with Harley gone. Between that and the tech head Clang in power armor knocking on her door…Harley just can’t win!
Prepare Your Pies…And Your Last Words.
Harley Quinn #53 has quite a few stories happening as it unfolds. Instead of seeing a date unfold, instead we see power armored misguided broken hearts getting some closure, several reasons why reading the instructions and anything we may sign is imperative. But the biggest surprise is the plot that evolves outside of Althea’s attempts to thwart her traitor’s heart.
There are many moments of hilarity, such as the initial reactions from the peanut gallery over Harley’s plight of dating. Ravager trying to be emotional support really was a highlight, the failure was so loud. A very memorable moment was definitely the reference to the pie crust being “tougher than Superman’s butt.”, I believe I will pass on the pie. But meeting Clang and taking on SUPR seems to also bring moments of closure and making things right. It also puts Harley in cross hairs.
Conclusion
There are several important moments in Harley Quinn #53, but to be fair, all pale in comparison to the closing scene. It’s a beautiful day…until it isn’t. Seeing the building and dismantling of SUPR and the USER BASE was interesting and humorous. What could be next? See you next time to find out!
Images Provided Courtesy of DC Entertainment.