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A review by audjmo91
Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes by Karl Kesel
3.0
This is a solid three stars entry.
I really enjoy Harley Quinn; my first introductions to the Batman universe came through BTAS and she fit in so seamlessly, I had no idea I was seeing her represented for the first time. I read all her lines in Arleen Sorkin's perfectly pitched voice which added the whimsy and sense of fun that she's known for.
This collection falls a little flat in two ways:
While Harley pops in every scene, the other characters (with the exception of faithful henchman Lewis) are lacking in depth. I don't know if this is a result of my reading this collection without any supporting or crossover comics that may have simultaneously broached this story, or that there are too many little storylines without a larger overreaching plot (beyond Harley's venture into independence).
The other qualm I have is with the art. On its face, the art is gorgeous - the colors are rich, the action is clear and fun, and there are some great visual references. That being said, the poses Harley is often in are clearly geared towards the male gaze, in a way that no real person would move. Even relaxing on a chair to watch TV involves a comically arched back (pun aside) whose purpose doesn't serve the character, but those who wanted a pin-up girl on a chair. In a post-Hawkeye Initiative world (http://thehawkeyeinitiative.com/), I can't help being tripped up by some particularly silly poses and dialogue (i.e. Harley telling Poison Ivy, "I wouldn't dress like this if I had a body as nice as yours!", ignoring the fact that they're functionally identical in form); the sleepover chapter highlights this as well.
I'll be interested to continue the story regardless; it's hard not to like Harley Quinn :)
I really enjoy Harley Quinn; my first introductions to the Batman universe came through BTAS and she fit in so seamlessly, I had no idea I was seeing her represented for the first time. I read all her lines in Arleen Sorkin's perfectly pitched voice which added the whimsy and sense of fun that she's known for.
This collection falls a little flat in two ways:
While Harley pops in every scene, the other characters (with the exception of faithful henchman Lewis) are lacking in depth. I don't know if this is a result of my reading this collection without any supporting or crossover comics that may have simultaneously broached this story, or that there are too many little storylines without a larger overreaching plot (beyond Harley's venture into independence).
The other qualm I have is with the art. On its face, the art is gorgeous - the colors are rich, the action is clear and fun, and there are some great visual references. That being said, the poses Harley is often in are clearly geared towards the male gaze, in a way that no real person would move. Even relaxing on a chair to watch TV involves a comically arched back (pun aside) whose purpose doesn't serve the character, but those who wanted a pin-up girl on a chair. In a post-Hawkeye Initiative world (http://thehawkeyeinitiative.com/), I can't help being tripped up by some particularly silly poses and dialogue (i.e. Harley telling Poison Ivy, "I wouldn't dress like this if I had a body as nice as yours!", ignoring the fact that they're functionally identical in form); the sleepover chapter highlights this as well.
I'll be interested to continue the story regardless; it's hard not to like Harley Quinn :)