“Friends With Detriments”-Part Three- Late Afternoon Of The Hunter!
Writer: Elliot Kalan
Artists: Carlos Olivares
Color Artist: Marissa Louise
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Review by Kendra Smart
Harley Quinn #56 starts us off where Harley Quinn finds herself more and more often…kidnapped. At the close of Harley Quinn #55 Harley may have escaped prison but she immediately found herself captured by *gasp* Super Hunter Brock Blomquist. Also, Gunbunny’s Dad and the originator of the contract on Harley. Which is weird that a Super Hunter needed to put a hit on someone just to hunt them… but whatever math makes sense. Maybe that part was below him, speaking of things going down…Throatcutter Hill is in flames, so let’s check back in.
Yanick Paquette and Arif Prianto give a really cute cover for Harley Quinn #56. A snake falls in love as Harley and Mayfly contort their bodies to hide behind a tree trying to avoid Brock. The details are super fun in what is a not so fun encounter. There are also some amazing variant covers from David Nakayama, Rahzzah, and Jessica Luna. Absolutely stunning.
A Truck-Stitute If You Will
As Harley Quinn #56 opens Brock spells out the rules of this hunt as GunBunny does her best to explain why what he is doing is wrong. Her pleas fall on deaf ears. Harley and Mayfly do their best to stay ahead of Brock but fall into his plethora of traps. If all of this wasn’t enough Harley’s self proclaimed “Arch-Nemisis” makes his claim on her life in the middle of her running for it. At least Mayfly gets a kick out of the situation.
Stands are made, allegiances become fluid, a herd of Gnus is involved, and rainbow vomit is spewed. It is a whole lot happening, and the same could be said of Gotham City’s newest S’more making spot. Throatcutter Hill has become a madhouse at the hands of this mysterious Deconspirator, and his next target has been selected…Mrs. Grimwaldi.
Ford Above
With Harley Quinn #56 we finally get the close of the Super Hunter story and we see Harley finally on her way back to the old neighborhood. I wish I could say the build up felt genuine but it has been a whole lot of off screen action. While we see Harley heading back to Gotham, there has been no interaction between Harley and this character. It will be interesting to see Elliot close this situation up in an issue.
The artwork is really nice and there are moments of humor. The Gunbuddies shine in Harley Quinn #56 and provided some of my favorite moments. Especially GunBunny versus Ansle, that moment made me chuckle. There is a moment where it feels more like a means to an end with Quinntessece, but it could be something the history books reflect on as the moment where even Harley has abilities she was unaware of. Remains to be seen. But a sacrifice none the less.
Conclusion
Harley Quinn #56 leads readers back to Gotham along with Harley and a few new friends. . But given everything that has been going on in Throatcutter Hill-just what is Harley returning to?
Images Provided Courtesy of DC Entertainment.
