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Is It Good? Harley Quinn #5 Review

Comic Books

Is It Good? Harley Quinn #5 Review

Time for some more fun with Harley Quinn as she teams up with an old cyborg spy to take out some KGB members. Only in comics, people. Is it good?


Harley Quinn #5 (DC Comics)


harley-quinn-5-cover

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Harley Quinn has teamed up with Sy Borgman to take down some old evil Russians that got away many years ago. In return for her help, he promises not to reveal her identity and also help her find out who has been sending assassins to try to kill her. She agrees, but before she gets into the spy business, she gets a little distracted…

harley-quinn-5-burlesque
To be fair, burlesque shows do tend to be distracting.

After a so-so issue last time, this issue was back to the over the top insanity and fun craziness that we have been getting for most of the series. Harley Quinn #5 was very funny and zany, with Harley getting into more enjoyable shenanigans — from watching a burlesque show to breaking into a hospital via zip line scooter (yeah, that happens). The jokes were more on point here and not overly cruel like the previous issue. We had plenty of fun lines, sight gags, physical, and absurdist humor to go around; most of them hitting their target (the way Harley takes out the first Russian is just so silly and ridiculous that you can’t help but chuckle).

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s writing is just as strong as the humor, with great character moments and enjoyable dialogue. It’s pacing is strong, the transitions are smooth (even in the crazy dream sequence), and it’s very engaging and quick to read. One thing to note that wasn’t really that strong was the lack of focus this issue. Most of the issues so far have focused on a particular storyline and stuck to it, while weaving a bigger story in the background. This one, not so much. It jumped around to different random events a few times and honestly, some of the scenes feel like filler in parts despite how fun or enjoyable they are. It does not hurt the comic a lot, but it is noticeable.

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Hey! You be quiet in the back! We’re trying to put on a fancy and sophisticated show here!

The artwork is done again by Chad Hardin after he took last month off and like before, he does a good job. While some of the more distant shots of the characters and a few facial expressions look weird, the characters here are well-drawn and distinguishable with some decent expressions. The layouts are fine and easily to follow, even in the more surreal dream sequence, while there are plenty of enjoyable sight gags littered throughout the issue. Speaking of that dream, the imagery in there is pretty trippy and surreal in the right way, leaving quite an impression with what happens in it. Overall, very good artwork from the comic.

Is It Good?

Harley Quinn #5 is a solid and fun comic, with tons of solid humor and quality writing. It’s easily one of if not the most unique title that DC Comics is putting out at this time. Worth your time without a doubt.

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