Harleen #1

There's one thing people forget about Harley Quinn. She's smart. Intelligent. A psychiatrist. Not a ditzy blond. Yet still manipulated by the Joker all the same. And this is what makes her story so tragic. Harleen is essentially Harley Quinn origin story, printed under DC's Black Label. A label known for more mature content and this is the perfect place to tell her story. Because let's be real, Harley story is already dark, a psychiatrist who falls in love with a mass murderer. Well, not a nice love story.

I love the framing for this story. There's a lot of ethics at play. Harley is investigating her thesis on empathy and is using the subjects at Arkham to investigate. She has a desire to help. But we see through the eyes of Harley. Her flaws, her alcoholism, her attraction to older men and forbidden romance. She wants to help. Yet, in the world of Gotham and Joker's manipulation we see Harley enter into a world of depression and madness.

This story was only 3 issues, yet the pacing never felt rushed. It felt like a developed character study of Harley's character. One you could write a whole essay on. I wasn't expecting so much Harvey Dent in this story, but it fits perfectly. The juxtaposition between two good serving members of society slowly descending into madness works. I also loved the gorgeous art as well, especially the use of shadows. Loved that we saw Harley's shadow slowly turn into Harley Quinn, and the Joker's shadow often being bigger than Harley, reflecting this deranged power dynamic.

An impressive graphic novel showing Harley's origins, tragic, gripping, with gorgeous art as well. And yes, this comic somehow made the Joker seem sexy and I hate how that's possible.