FORMAT: HARDCOVER (REVIEWED), DIGITAL | RELEASE DATE: MARCH 23rd
Do you remember when DC comic books used to be fun? When the super-hero fantasy wasn’t bogged down with grimacing anti-heroes and convoluted storylines that weren’t essentially reworkings of the trolley problem, but somehow more violent? Do you remember when Batman and chums actually contained some glee?
The creators of The Hunt for Harley do and have remembered to pack in a many gags and silly situations as they can. Harley Quinn And The Birds Of Prey: The Hunt For Harley is DC Black Label comic book, which means they can use swear-words, sex and innuendo without having to worry about complaints. They use this privilege sparingly in order to mine it for humour rather than shock. As the name suggests, it’s about everybody’s favourite villain turned sort-of-hero Harley Quinn.
The plot, such as it is, see’s Harley having a lover’s tiff with Poison Ivy only to discover that bad sorts have burned down her home. Fortunately the adopted band of weirdoes who live there get out mostly unharmed, but Harley, already frustrated, decides to seek vengeance. This involves a hare-brained schemed and a journey to Gotham city. Of course this attracts the attention of not only The Joker but her fellow vigilante friends and wackiness ensues. It’s a silly plot and it doesn’t try to shock the reader; it’s just fun.
The book is full of running gags, such as a side-kick called Red Tool (who wears a familiar full face mask) and the fact that Harley insists on carrying a dead, stuffed beaver around. Amanda Conner’s art is clever and not one to waste a single sight gag and this compliments Jimmy Palmiotti writing perfectly. This is a lot of dumb fun and though it’s aimed squarely at adults, the childish humour and refusal to take things seriously is a welcome change of pace.
