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 #36
Author: Frank Tieri, Inaki Miranda (illustrator), Amanda Conner (illustrator), Alex Sinclair (colorist)
Format: Epub
Rating: 3.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: February 2, 2018
Book Summary: “Man-Batter Up” part two! Harley was sure she knew who was targeting her friends—but man, was she wrong! Or should we say “Man-Bat, was she wrong!”? And if you thought Harley had anger issues before, wait until you see her juiced up with Man-Bat serum!
Book Review: This issue is the second of the Tieri's takeover on Harley and it picks up right where the last issue leaves off.

Harley has been changed into a bat and is currently wrecking havok upon Coney Island. Her team of Harleys are doing their best to try to figure out exactly what to do with this new Harley but Harley isn't having it and she goes after them as well.

As for Red Tool, he has the easier job as he has headed off to search for a cure and the find the mad-man who made this serum that has changed Harley.

Harley continues to wreck havok upon the Coney Island pier and the Harley Quinns are doing their best to try their best to get through to the human part of her, even going as far as to offer her food in hopes of stopping the carnage but another female human-bat appears and sets about to destroy the Harleys with the hope of dragging them back to the lair and changing them.

It is at this very moment Red Tool arrives with the antidote and uses it on Harley. With Harley back to her old self, her depressive guilt of Mason's death comes back as well. She finds herself center of attention of those who believe in her but Harley's guilt is still fresh and the wounds of it have yet to heal.

Oh? And what is this? Could it be he behind it all? The suspense!


My Thoughts

I still find the storyline of the human bat still rather silly and stupid but I suppose it is needed. Harley is still in a funk and hopefully this may just pull her out of it. At least that is what I am hoping. I know she believes herself to be the one to blame and I am hoping that she will realize his death wasn't her fault. It belongs squarely upon the shoulders of Madison and I would love to see a rematch between these two women especially once Harley has accepted Mason is gone.

So I am looking forward to this one ending and we return to Madison and the crooked Mayor. Those two still need to be dealt with.

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.