Harley Quinn #68

Harley Quinn finds herself a holiday fugitive in this festive issue!


Harley Quinn #68
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by: Sami Basri
Covers by Guillem March, Frank Cho
Published by DC Comics
Retail: $3.99

This has not been a great holiday season for the Joker's ex-girlfriend thus far. The first Thanksgiving after the death of her mother, didn't leave much for the Quinzel family to be thankful for.  Thus, Harley Quinn is determined to make this Christmas the most holly jolliest of them all!

Harley Quinn finds a way to get herself accepted to Tinseltown- an all-inclusive Christmas resort! But when memories of Momma start to bring Harley down, the self-proclaimed Cupid of Crime finds herself on the wrong side of Tinseltown's security force. For it's a mandated law that in order to be welcomed to this Yuletide wonderland, one must be full of Christmas Spirit!

Now in prison at the resort, can Harley 'Escape From Tinseltown?'

I loved this issue. There's been a Harley Quinn Christmas issue for the past couple of years. These holiday home runs have become an annual tradition for me. And this one was worth the wait.

Citizen Jack's Sam Humphries took over the reigns for this series earlier this year from Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Chad Hardin. They were the best group to handle Harley since she was first crafted by creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. So, I was a little cautious that Humphries' holiday take of Harley Quinn just wouldn't be the same. But like I mentioned earlier, this issue was a home run. Thus, Sam Humphries really knocked it out of the park!


On top of the writing, I was in love with the art. Sami Basri (Batgirl) gave all of the characters such life and warmth. It reminds me quite of bit of Frank Cho's (Liberty Meadows) work. (By-the-way, Cho illustrates that festively fun variant that has Harley hijacking Rudolph!) Basri has this long standing member of the Gang of Harley's stamp of approval.

I would have liked a little more of Harley's interactions with Tinseltown before her banishment. But other than that, I enjoyed this Christmas comic book very much! And kudos to the gang at DC Comics to actually use the words Merry Christmas (and a Happy Hanukkah!) instead of a generic Happy Holidays! It was refreshing for the House That Superman Built to actually be a Cindy Lou Who instead of a Grinch for once!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars. 

Harley Quinn #55

It's Christmas Time on Coney Island. Harley Quinn is all ready for her annual holiday party when it's crashed by those she dreads most- her family! 

I was really looking forward to this issue. A couple of years ago, the team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti knocked it out of the park with their holiday Harley tale. So when DC announced another round of Christmas hi-jinx with the Joker's ex, I was excited. And a little cautious.

I had yet to read anything with new series scribe Sam Humphries (Avengers A.I.) on board. From what I can tell from read the solicitations, he's really put Harley through the wringer this year with tragedy upon tragedy. This solo Christmas tale was for the most part very light-hearted and very, very funny. 

One thing though, I always thought Harley's father was abusive. Yet he's as kind as Mister Rogers in this issue. Has that aspect been rebooted or has Mr. Quinzel gone through a positive change in personality? 

If anything, this issue went by way too fast. I couldn't tell if this was a quick read or if I was cheated out of pages. However, the bonus intro into The Batman Who Laughs mini was a nice stocking stuffer. 

A very enjoyable holiday read that actually makes you feel a little warm and fuzzy inside. But don't get used to a happy Harley. The last page promises for a major set of trials and tribulations for Harls.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.