Timala Elliott
Timala Elliott
Harley Quinn #5
DC Comics
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Art by Riley Rossmo
Colors by Ivan Plascencia
Letters by AndWorld Design
The Rundown: Harley Quinn attempts to rescue the clowns from Hugo Strange’s headquarters.
Harley narrates the history of an unusual fight between Hugo Strange and Batman. Then, Harley and Hugo have an enlightening conversation. Afterwards, Harley uses a creative ploy to escape Hugo’s guards and find Kevin. Next, during a confrontation with more guards, Harley reveals she has brought Solomon Grundy along on her mission. Havoc ensues, and the clowns make their escape. Meanwhile, Harley stays behind to search for a missing weapon. Then, after a brief confrontation with Strange, she meets up with her friends. Finally, a defeated Strange plots his revenge with a mysterious new ally.
The Story: Phillips once again delivers with her creative take on Harley Quinn. The use of story telling through narration allows for a deeper understanding of Harley’s thought process. Her perspective is both entertaining and informative. I really appreciate how this series leans into Harley’s past training as a psychiatrist. Her journey away from villainy appears to be creating a fascinating character that blends high spirited, manic deportment with sobering intellect. And I am here for it. I look forward to the next issue.
The Art: The illustrations in this chapter combine detailed, lively drawings with a colorful palette that changes with the perspective and intensity of a scene. I found the action oriented panels to be very exciting and engaging. This is a fun issue that perfectly captures the tone of Harley Quinn’s world.
Harley Quinn #5
