Harley Quinn Invades Comic-Con International #1

   What could be more natural than a special issue combining the lunacy of Harley Quinn with the chaotic gathering known as Comic-Con International?

   Don't answer too quickly.

   It's a great idea on the surface of it, but in execution it's a very mixed bag - at least for me.

   Part of that is because the issue is struggling with the balance between the real world and the more cartoonish, Warner Brothers cartoon-type action it really calls for.

   Another part of the problem is that the art is supplied by a crazy-quilt collection of artists whose styles don't always mesh - we're talking Paul Pope, Javier Garron, Damion Scott, Robert Campanella, Amanda Conner, John Timms, Marco Failla, Dave Johnson and Stehanie Roux. All talented artists, but to try to mold their efforts into a single coherent story is a bit much (though I admit I'd follow Amanda Conner anywhere).

   Oh, and if you're going to load in lots of in-jokes, how about providing a key at the end of the issue so we can all join in?

   So a good idea for a comic celebrating the premier comics convention and celebration of all things related thereupon - but this issue just didn't work for me. Better luck next year!

Grade: B-

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Harley Quinn #1

   Harley Quinn has always been a challenging character for DC.

   Is she a hero? A villain? Something else? Can she be a love interest for the Joker, now that he's a crazed murderer?

   Sorting that out is up to the new creative team, writers Amanda Conner (who also provides the terrific cover) and Jimmy Palmiotti.

   Their solution is to change things up, taking Harley out of Gotham City and placing her in Coney Island, where she has plenty of strange characters to deal with, and a new job: landlord.

   She becomes the owner of a building that serves as her hangout, a gathering place for strange characters, and a springboard for a new career or two.

   The story keeps things moving briskly, introducing characters and new challenges for our protagonist.

   The art is by Chad Hardin is very good, with a good mix of straight action and humor - not always an easy mix to maintain. He's also good at depicting lovely ladies, which gets no complaints from me.

   So is Harley a hero on villain? So far, she seems pretty amoral - saving a helpless character one minute, while brutally dispatching a villain the next. Of course, never quite answering the question may be the best answer for the character.

Grade: B+

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Harley Quinn #0

   Harley Quinn is a terrific character who has never quite caught on in the comics.

   Invented for Batman: the Animated Series, she's a hilarious counterpart / partner for the Joker, though a tougher match with the new, crazier and murder-ier Clown Prince of Crime.

   Which is a shame, because she's funny, she's sexy, she dresses in cute little outfits, and she can kick butt. Comics needs more of that!

   She's also beloved by Cosplayers (real-life people who like to dress up as their favorite characters).

   So in an attempt to make the character work, DC has given her the spotlight (again) and provided top talent (again) - and who knows, this time it just might work.

   The comic is written by Amanda Palmer and Jimmy Palmiotti, and while this issue may not be indicative of the regular series, it is a heck of a lot of fun.

   They use a small army of artists, including Palmer, Adam Hughes, Jim Lee, Darwyn Cooke, Bruce Timm and Walt Simonson (there are 19 in all), each providing a page of art in a stream of fantasy scenarios.

   It's a heck of a lot of fun, and Harley's running dialogue (with much breaking of the fourth wall) just makes it that much more entertaining.

   It's a sizzling start for a character who should be in the top tier - instead of being another second banana.

Grade: A-

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