HARLEY QUINN #27 Review

Writers:  Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist:  John Timms
Colors:  Alex Sinclair
Letters:  Dave Sharpe
Publisher:  DC Comics

Its always interesting to jump into a comic midway through a story arc.  That’s what I’m doing with Harley Quinn #27.  This can go a few different ways — either the reader can be confused or entertained.  Luckily, I’m on the side of “entertained.”

The very first page of the comic gives the rundown of our main cast.  It’s Harley Quinn vs. Red Tool in a roller derby throwdown!

I was initially confused on who Red Tool was.

He has peculiar word balloons.

A full body costume with a red and black color scheme.

Lots of weapons on his body.

Where have I seen a wise-cracking mercenary like that before?  At the distinguished competition perhaps?  It took a couple of pages before I connected the dots.  Then the issue became all the more hilarious!

The first clue to the Red Tool spoof was his word balloons.  I wonder if artist John Timms or letterer Dave Sharpe are behind the clever balloons.  They’re shaped in the forms of various weapons.  Some examples are saws and blades.

Timms art style is so fluid.  He displays transitions from panel to panel in a seamless fashion.  Timms has a way of making everyone’s faces slim yet unique.  Each body is in motion, even if its a simple conversation.

With this being a Harley Quinn comic, there has to be cartoon violence.  In fact, its soooo cartoonish in spots that it lessens the shock value.  What other comics can make you laugh at a crowded room being impaled by swords and knives.  Added bonus to the sound effects during this massacre.

One complaint I’ve had with Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti comics is they are super-wordy.  Yes I know its counter-productive to criticize a comic for having too many words.  I believe having too many word balloons can overcrowd panels and affect the art.  While some of that happens here, its at a minimum.  I only noticed during the last portion of the comic.  The majority is filled with so much action that the dialogue didn’t stick out to me in a bad way.

After the action we get a quiet moment between Harley and Red Tool.  Red Tool tried bonding with Harley.  You can guess how well that went.

I will give praise to Conner and Palmiotti praise for Harley’s supporting cast.  Bowling Belle, Bernie and Summer Daze all provide commentary to help move things along.  Though their moments are short, their personalities shine through.

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#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE