Spinning out of the events of the first volume (Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes), Harley Quinn has ended things with the joker and starts her own gang. Now on her own, a price has been placed on Quinn's head for destroying that Gotham villains theme park. It seems like just about every criminal element known to the Dark Knight is after her including Two-Face, Killer Croc, a some petty criminal named Matches Malone.
Plus, Harls has a sleepover with her friends in a two-parter that will bring the safe house down- literally!
I enjoyed this volume very much. Really enjoyed it! In fact, I think I liked it more than volume one! Karl Kesel has amped up the insanity, stuffing this book with laughs, and having added so much sex appeal and heart. Kesel also adds to Harley's origin with a look at her tumultuous college days.
The art also gets better and better than that in volume 1. Along with Terry Dodson, a number of guess artists take a swipe or two at the Joker's EX-girlfriend including Larry Lieber, Paul Chadwick and Amanda Conner. One neat element is the frequent change over from more traditional DC looking Harley Quinn to Animated Series classic Harley, especially when we go inside Quinn's head. It's a really neat plot device that pays homage to the Paul Dini/Bruce Timm days introducing us to the Maid of Mischief.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
A businessman seeks to turn Gotham City into the next vacation destination. His plan is to infringe of the copyrights of the Batman's Rogues Gallery and freely use their likenesses in a villain themed theme park. Upset that he wasn't asked, the Joker seeks to get the permission and respect he fells that he is due.
Feigning illness, the Clown Prince of Crime manipulates his gal pal Harley Quinn to do his dirty work for him. The Joker really just wants to get her out of his hair. But with this new batch of responsibility, Harley starts to feel independent and gains a new sense of worth-while. Thus starts the beginning of the end of the relationship of Harley and her Puddin'.
I was very excited about finding the volumes that reprint this entire first series devoted to the Joker's girlfriend. I've been a Harley Quinn fan since day one and I really want any and everything of her's in terms of comic books and trades. These are among some of the most difficult and not cheapest ones to find.
The Final Night's Karl Kesel does a really excellent job here. I thought only Paul Dini was able to write definitive Harley Quinn stories. I can now add Kesel to that list.
As for the art, I was really impressed with the work by husband and wife team Terry and Rachel Dodson. They add a very soft ink whimsy to Harley. It's a stark contrast to Bruce Timm's very sharp curves used in Batman: The Animated Series. Yet, the Dodson touch works!
Volume One was a wild ride. I can't wait to see where volume 2 goes next!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
Star Wars has returned to it's original home- Marvel Comics. I've not been able to get my hands on that series but was lucky enough to find this premiere issue of Princess Leia in a grab bag during this year's Free Comic Book Day.
Leia takes place immediately after the credits to Episode IV begin to roll. The celebration for the destruction of the Death Star is short lived as the Empire now knows where the Rebels' hidden base is located. As Luke, Han, Threepio, and the rest of the Rebellion begin to pack up and move out, Leia is left to grieve for her beloved Alderaan. But the fiery Princess wants action and demands the right to serve her cause.
However, with the Empire just issuing a 10 milloin credits bounty on her head, General Dodonna refuses to let the last living member of the ruling House of Organa off planet without an assault garrison, much less out of his sight. As rumors swirl that the Empire is capturing and murdering Alderaanian survivors in retaliation to the Princess' involvement with the destruction on the Death Star, Leia is determined to gather up as many refugees as possible before it is too late.
This series looks to explore Leia's pivotal role in the Rebellion post Battle of Yavin. Along with R2-D2 and a House of Organa hand maiden turned X-wing pilot, this looks to be an exciting series that will take Princess Leia to the furthest reaches of the Star Wars universe.
Next stop: Naboo!- home of Leia's birth mother Padme Amidala.
I really enjoyed this opening chapter. The art by the great Terry Dodson (who was an artist on some of Dark Horse Publishing's Star Wars titles) is stunning. Dodson does a fantastic job with his photo-realistic renderings of not only the iconic characters but the vehicles as well. Directing Dodson into which corners of the Star Wars galaxy to explore is one of my favorite writers- Mark (Daredevil) Waid! He answers some lingering questions about the Battle of Yavin, such as 'Was Admiral Ackbar there?' Short answer- Yep, he was!
I hope to get my hands on the rest of this storyline if not the entire series. I was thrilled to see that Marvel was getting it's hands back on Star Wars and with this first taste, I'm hungry for more.
As Lord Vader would say "Impressive...Most Impressive."
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
