A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #42
Author: Frank Tieri, Amanda Conner (Illustrator), Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), Paul Mounts (Illustrator), Mauricet (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 2/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: April 27, 2018
Book Summary: “THE GANG’S ALL HERE!” Harley’s grudgingly accepted the Gang of Harleys back into her life—and now they intend to impress her with all the new tricks they’ve learned in her absence! Unfortunately, they might’ve picked up some bad habits too…
Book Review: Why does this series continue to disappoint me?

Although this issue can be considered a one-shot, it really doesn't do much for Harley's series. We are pushed into the future where Harley is an old woman whom is living in a 'Jersey Wasteland'. We are given a run-down of what has happened to bring us to this point in Harley's world but it really isn't enough to stop this issue from being such a mess. There are nods to other franchises such as Mad Max and Old Man Logan but it is still not enough to give it any sort of balance. This series continues to lack something that Amanda brought to it. Unfortunately any hope of seeing it come back doesn't seem possible anymore.

I am not even sure right now if I am going to keep going with this series. I really don't want to give it up but at the same time I am becoming disenchanted with it.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #40
Author: Frank Tieri, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), Amanda Conner (Illustrator), John Timms (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 3.75/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: March 25, 2018
Book Summary: “ANGRY BIRD” part four! After the death of Mason Macabre, Harley refuses to put any more of her friends in harm’s way...but what happens when they just won’t stay out of it? Does Harley’s vow to keep them safe extend to getting herself killed? Or will she accept a little help from her friends?
Book Review: This issue sort of picks up right where the last issue has left off.

Although Penguin is pretty much the puppetmaster behind the hostile take over of Coney Island, Mr. Freeze and Croc are carving out parts of it for their own. Of course, this leads up to face off between the two of them as the place is big enough for only one and both have no plans of backing down from the other.

Harley is rushed into the hospital and she is reeled in. There a doctor named Hugo Strange is waiting for her. Apparently he is working for the Penguin as well and all this has been part of Penguin's plan. This last bit of serum he has will turn Harley into a puppet for Penguin. Unfortunately for Hugo, Harley is awake and cracks her head against his just as he is about to stick her with the needle.

Did I mention that Tweedle Dum didn't die in the last issue? No, well he didn't. In fact, he was swallowed whole and came out the other end. xD

Let's not forget those Harleys. They have come to kick ass, take names, and save Eggy.

And Harley. Well, she's back in Coney and greeted with a hero's welcome. She doesn't have a chance to really enjoy it as Croc and Freeze are doing an all out war between them and making Coney Island look nothing short of a warzone. So Harley decides enough is enough and breaks up the fight between them but not before asking Croc to help her stop Penguin and his croons.

I must admit it was nice to see Harley returning to Coney Island. Her return should tell Penguin that his time is over especially if she can get Croc on her side. I know this team will be temporary as it always is when it comes to two villains together for a cause. Still we have no clue whatsoever as to why Penguin is making his base here at Coney nor really why he has assembled all of the villains there. I suppose that won't be announced until the next issue.

Harley is back on Coney and Penguin is about to find out exactly what happens when you try to start shit while she is gone. I am sure Penguin is going to regret anything he does once Harley is finished with him.

As for Croc, I am looking forward to seeing the team up between he and Harley. I know with these two Penguin won't stand a chance and he will probably leave with his tail between his legs. We also know that whatever team up happens, it will certainly be temporary. After all, Croc still is hurting from his past on Coney when he was treated horribly but I am certain Harley can help him out. She has done it to numerous people and they have left Coney alone afterwards. So I am looking forward to seeing how Harley will get him to leave.

This series remains to keep me on the fence. I am glad Harley is back and I really hope that she apologizes for leaving the Harleys and her friends behind. I can sympathize with her when it comes to grieving but to just to leave thinking that her friends would be safe without her around is really the wrong choice. In truth, this is just what the villains look for and I am pretty sure that Penguin sees this as an opportunity to not only take over Coney but to rid himself of Harley's gang. Harley isn't there to protect them nor direct them to save the island.

Title: Harley Quinn: Be Careful What You Wish For Special Edition (2017) #1 (Harley Quinn (2016-))
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Paul Mounts (Illustrator), Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), Chad Hardin (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: January 13, 2018
Book Summary: If you thought you’d seen all the mayhem Harley was capable of unleashing with the help of an all-powerful genie and infinite wishes...well, we wish you’d known better!
Book Review: This issue was actually given out during a loot crate thing. Then it was re-issued for public consumption and given some new material to go along with it.

This issue is also the last swan song for Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti.

Harley decides to spend a day at the beach. Unfortunately the water is polluted with garbage and needles, which one of them gets stuck right in the behind of Harley. This also angers her that she sets out to do some damage to the ships that she believes that are behind the polluted waters. Unfortunately for Harley, she ends up nearly drowning in the process but she also ends up getting a fabulous treasure. Once she is back on dry land, she finds a place to inspect her treasure lamp and rubs it. Out pops a genie, who grants some of the most ridiculous requests she can make.

I have to admit this was a rather interesting and fun for Harley. It was funny to see her various wishes and even more funny as hell to see a male version of her.

Unfortunately this issue was just not for me. I loved the hijinks but who doesn't when it comes to Harley? I am not what it was that made me not entirely fond of this issue. I love Harley and I love what is being done with her. She is becoming the anti-hero and not under the thumb of Joker. She is growing and becoming something she knows she can be.

I cannot wait to see more of her.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #33
Author: Jimmy Palmiotti, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), Amanda Conner (Illustrator), John Timms (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 31, 2017 to January 1, 2018
Book Summary: “AFTERMATH” part two! We said the election would change Harley’s life forever, and we weren’t kidding! For one of the people closest to her...it’s ended their life! And in the “Secret Origins” backup story, you’ll learn how the incredible Eggy came to be the man...err, egg...he is today!
Book Review: This issue opens where the last issue left off. Mason has been killed and now the members of Harley's crew as well as Mason's mother and Harley herself are finally having their chance to mourn his death. Together, they gather at his grave during this dreary and rainy day to take this moment to remember and to mourn his loss. Although his death was not as earth-shattering as many other deaths have been in the past, Mason's death is still felt among the group. It is a loss shared between both Mason's mother and Harley more than anything else. He was important to Harley and to his mother, a loss of a child is the most painful loss a parent should never have to feel.

Ivy offers Harley companionship during this time of grieving but Harley declines the offer. Ivy decides to leave to allow Harley time to heal.

After they return, Madame Macabre, who is going through a much different stage of grief, has made the decision to leave. She doesn't want to be in a place where she knows Mason isn't there and wants to be able to carry her last memories of him where he had been happy. Harley understands and watches Madame Macabre leave.

From there, we see a bit of a change in Harley from feeding the animals to returning to the game of roller derby. Plus her reunion with Ivy.

This issue offered real action but gave us a bit of an insight upon on how everyone is dealing with Mason's death. Although I have not been a fan of Mason's, I felt sorry for his mother and must only imagine exactly what sort of grief she is going through. Unlike Harley, whom seems to be going through the stages of grief, Madame Macabre's grief is different. This is a mother who had to bury her child when she should not have had to.

The one thing I am surprised is the fact she didn't seem angry at Harley for his death. I would have thought she would have lashed out in some way or another to lay the blame of his death at Harley's feet. Perhaps she doesn't which really surprises me over the entire thing. I do feel sorry for her and I hope we see her later on when she has come to grip with Mason's death.

This issue was somewhat of an aftermath epilogue letting us know what has happened to Harley since Mason's death. We know that there is more to come but this was just a simple forethought to end the Mason storyline. What is in Harley's future? One can only hope that Harley is going to make Madison pay for what she has done and I am seriously looking forward to that match.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #30
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), John Timms (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: November 2, 2017
Book Summary: "VOTE HARLEY" part three! Harley's making some pretty unsavory alliances to keep her mayoral campaign humming...including drafting some of the worst villains from her Gotham City days! How will her New York friends react to that? Can they hold their noses and vote for someone who accepts campaign contributions from the Penguin?
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.95

Okay I am not certain how I feel about Harley's new boytoy. I don't know much about him and I pretty sure I never really caught his name. I think it's Mason Macabre but I could be wrong. Still I am not the fence with him. I don't really care for the idea that he's taking her attention away from Ivy. I prefer those two together more than she and Mason. I hope we don't see much of him in the future.

The Scarecrow has grown tired of playing games with the mayor. He's not the sort who likes these type of games either and the mayor seems bent on playing these games with him. Unfortunately for the mayor, the Scarecrow isn't in the mood and has decided to cut the leash off of him and move on. He does so by knocking out the mayor and taking his money to go. Is this the end of the Scarecrow? Who knows? We may see him later on. We know he isn't quite Harley's fan and I am certain that since she has bested him this time around, there is bound to some revenge or another in the future.

As for Harley, she has decided that there is too much concrete and massive buildings in the city. With the help of Ivy and the rest of the gang, she turns the city into something of a green space. Unfortunately for Harley, it backfires spontaneously on her. Her plan has caused power outages and other sort of problems for the city.

But Harley still has another problem in the form of the current and corrupted mayor. As she prepares for another round with candidate forums and such, she finds herself in a predicament when she is forced to give up her mayor candidacy. Apparently the mayor has gained the upper hand and has captured her friends and forced her hand.

Harley isn't going to let the mayor get away with this and we know there is bound to be a ton of revenge coming his way. If the mayor survives this, I will be surprised.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #25
Author: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Paul Dini, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), Chad Hardin (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: September 18, 2017
Book Summary: “BIRTHDAY!” It’s an oversize anniversary issue as Harley’s entire cast of crazy characters comes together to celebrate the birthday of cyborg senior citizen Sy Borgman…but is there actually a bigger secret behind this gathering? And in “Harley Loves Joker” part nine, Harley’s spent a fortune building out The Joker Gang’s new hideout, and now they’re gonna have to take drastic measures to pay the bill!
Book Review: The story opens with some development in the Madison storyline. She is in the process of hiring the biggest guns she can find and tossing them in Harley's directon, hoping that they will have the ability to take her out.

The scene changes and we find Harley at a hot tub with senior citizen cyborg, Sy Borgman. She is trying to keep the man busy as the rest of the crew get the surprise party together for him. As the two head back, Harley finds that the party that was planned was actually for her. Here we have a reunion of sorts with the Gotham Sirens. Of course, Harley is always happy to see Ivy. :D

As the party gets into full swing so does Harley. She ends up jumping out the window and into the arms of Power Girl.

But what is a party without bullets and beatdowns from Harley? It would not be a party, now would it? So Harley and her gang are off to war and things don't really seem to be going as well but I suppose we won't really know the results until the next issue.

This was a rather fun issue. I loved seeing Harley allowing herself to be free for once and having no real cares in the world. I also enjoyed the fact that not only did the Gotham Sirens have a reunion so did Ivy and Harley. It was nice to see them together. I cannot wait to see what the next issue has in store for us.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #21
Author: Paul Dini, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), J. Bone (Illustrator), Joseph Linsner (Illustrator), John Timms (Illustrator), Bret Blevins (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: June 8, 2017 to June 9, 2017
Book Summary: “Red Roses” part one! Red Tool is done waiting for Harley to take him seriously—the poor sap’s hopelessly in love with her, and it’s time he made his move! Unfortunately, he’s picked a moment of peak distraction for Harley! And in the backup, “Harley Loves Joker” part five, Harley crosses paths with an old pal—Jenna Duffy, the crook known as the Carpenter! There won’t be much palling around, though…Jenna’s convinced Harley’s trying to scam her out of one of the biggest scores of her career!
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.5

This comic opens on a cabin somewhere in the mountains where Harley Sinn is holding her captives. It is during this that that the two captives place doubt within Harley Sinn's mind of Harley Quinn's hand in her incarceration.

We find Harley herself battling the future Batgirl when something happens. When the two wake again, they are tied up. We learn from the future Batgirl that Harley has killed the Batman in a future timeline and Batgirl has come to kill her off before she can do any harm. This is where we learn that Red Tool is from the future (did I get that right? I am really out of the loop with the history of these characters) and he takes the Batgirl to his home. We learn Red Tool is from the same future timeline and that Harley is his special project.

Harley finds herself back in her room. Her room cleaned up. As she goes to get dressed, she hears her doorbell. Hoping that the person that had brought her home had ordered pizza, Harley opens the door to find her parents standing in the doorway.

This issue really had no action in it. It sort of tied up the ending to the future Batgirl story but have we seen the last of that character? I doubt it. I would love to see her be a bit more of a regular and maybe allow her to get a chance to know Harley better. After all, she came to this timeline believing that Harley was behind the death of Batman. Maybe a chance of interactions might change her mind?

As for Red Tool, I found a little bit more of his story. This helped fill in some of the blanks of what I did not know of him. It gave his character a bit of a build but I don't know if this has changed any of his past history. Harley's comic is the first time I really have met him. He reminds me a bit of Deadpool. Okay a lot of Deadpool. I'm not sure if this a good thing or a bad thing but I suppose most characters within the DC and Marvel universes are knock offs of each other.

This was a nice read. I am looking forward to seeing how things go with Harley Sinn next and how that storyline will wrap up.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #19
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), J. Bone (Illustrator), John Timms (Illustrator), Bret Blevins (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: May 5, 2017
Book Summary: “DEADLY SIN” finale! Harley Sinn’s shown Harley her absolute worst…but she-and you-are not ready to see Harley Quinn’s rage unleashed! This one will shock you to your core! And in the backup story, “Harley Loves Joker” part three, a simpler time in the past for Harley and The Joker becomes much more complicated when they’re forced to mix it up with Batman!
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.5

This issue continues where the last one left off.

We find out anti-heroine, Harley, tied up and bleeding in a room filled with broken bones and skulls. With a little help from a sort of talking-skull/ghost, she frees herself and heads off in search of weapons.

The other anti-hero, Red Tool, has found out where they have Harley and has gone to rescue her on his own. Of course you know this never ends quite well on Red Tool's part and he blasted right out the building.

Harley heads up to find the ones responsible for not only her kidnapping but also the murders of those missing people. She finds the final boss at the top and a nice little Harley-style climatic fight ensues with the bad guy in more pain than anything but that has always been Harley's way - give pain when they given you pain first.

This comic was a nice little wrap up. Harley is really growing on me. I like how her character continues to get fleshed out ever a bit more with each issue. I am quite looking forward to seeing what the next storyline brings to the table and what Harley will be getting herself into next.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #16
Author: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), John Timms (Illustrator), Joseph Linsner (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 3.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: March 15, 2017
Book Summary: “Red Meat” part three! Harley mixes it up with the mayor’s bloodthirsty secret weapons…and now she’s taking the fight straight to the steps of City Hall!
Book Review: Real Rating: 3.5

Once more I was thrilled to see the art of Joseph Linsner gracing the pages of this comic book. I have truly missed his art.

Second, this story does conclude one story in a gruesome way but it continues two others which I hope to see a conclusion to before anything further is added.

I have never read anything with Power Girl but I must say that her interaction with Harley is comical. Those two seem to have some sort of fondness for each other, although I believe that Power Girl might say otherwise. Still they are a fun pair and I hope we will be seeing more of her to come. She added a nice addition to the storyline.

I am glad this story is over but I would like to see answers to come with the ones that have sprung up before we see anything new. I understand that there are always other things happening around the world before Harley becomes a part of it but still there are a lot of confusion for us readers that we need to some answers made to the new characters' appearances.

Again I am partially waning away from these comics but there is still the part of me that remains hooked. I think it is mainly that I want to see exactly what Harley is capable of, Yet some of the storylines seem to drag on with no end in sight and yet others spring up for no real reason at the moment except to confuse the reader as to their purpose.

Has Harley's new series lost its luster for me? No, I don't think so yet.

Title: Harley Quinn (2016-) #14
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Alex Sinclair (Illustrator), Khari Evans (Illustrator), John Timms (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 3.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: February 25, 2017 to February 26, 2017
Book Summary: “RED MEAT”! Red Tool lives up to his name and Poison Ivy drops by as Harley investigates what is happening to New York’s disappearing homeless population!
Book Review: Real Rating: 2.5

Normally I have enjoyed the Harley series but this one I just could not like whatsoever. Maybe it was the many storylines going. We had an organization at the beginning plotting something against the homeless. Then we have ant-like alien creatures bringing up some sort of God-like creatures cocoon only to have it open and turn on them, killing them all. And last but not least we have a new hero show up and take Harley on a ride to find that creature, only find it has found them.

Yet according to the blurb to this we were suppose to see Ivy but I did not see her anywhere in sight plus we were suppose to see a bit of Red Tool but correct me if I wrong but did I miss him? Did I miss Ivy?

I am still going to continue this series because I like Harley. I like how she has grown and changed since being the beginning of this series. Plus I want to see this new heroine and what she has to offer. Maybe she might stick around a bit. :D