Top 5 Harley Quinn Reads

Hi Everyone,

Many fans are already anticipating DC Comics' upcoming Suicide Squad movie. With a cast featuring Jared Leto as the Joker and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, now is as good as time as any to recommend some Harley Quinn reads for the summer! 

Harley Quinn a.k.a. Harleen Quinzel trained as a psychiatrist and applied at Arkham Asylum to work with the Joker. However, this quickly turned ugly and Harley soon became the Joker’s part-time partner in crime and girlfriend (how unprofessional is that?!)

Since the Batman Arkham Games produced by Rocksteady Studios, Harley Quinn has soared in popularity and she has become a real fan favourite. Many of her comic book cameos, including her first appearance in Batman Adventures #12, have become hugely collectible and as the price has gone up for all of her back issues, the best way to read some of her stories is though collected editions. This blog post was originally meant for the Stag newspaper but unfortunately the last issue did not get printed.
 

 

1) Harley Quinn Preludes and Knock Knock Jokes 

 

Story by: Karl Kesel

Art by: Terry and Rachel Dodson

 

This trade paperback is a great place to start reading the mad adventuress of Harley Quinn. Collecting #1-7 from her first series, Harley Quinn breaks her puddin’ out of Arkham Asylum only to discover that the he is trying to kill her (typical Joker!) With the help of her best friend and eco-terrorist, Poison Ivy, Harley tries to make it on her own for the first time ever. This leads to a run in with Two Face, a whole bunch of new henchmen (called the Quinntets) and during her downtime a slumber party with Catwoman and a kidnapped pizza delivery boy.

 

 

 

2) Harley Quinn: Hot in the City (The New 52) 

 

Story by: Jimmy Palmiotti

Art by: Chad Hardin 

 

Harley Quinn #0-8 has been collected in this trade paperback which features the New 52 origins of Harley Quinn. As crazy as it is, this graphic novel makes for a fantastic read. Once again Harley’s life has taken a whacky turn as she takes ownership of a building in ruins which comes with all sorts of problems such as many weird tenants and a ton of pets. Harley has also gone back to her roots and is putting her degree in psychology to the test in a new job while also finding time to join a roller derby team. Every page is packed with fun and if you like the first seven issues you can add her ongoing series to your pull list at any good comic shop!

 

 

3) Batman Mad Love and Other Stories 

 

 

Main Story by: Paul Dini

Main Art by: Bruce Timm 

 

 

This collection of Harley Quinn stories is one of my personal favourites. Not only does it collect the original 64 page Eisner Award winning story titled The Batman Adventures Mad Love, it also features many bonus Batman comics and short stories by various comic book creators. The spotlight however is on Harley Quinn as she realises she can never live a happy life with the Joker as long as Batman is around. Harley sets out on her own and as she kidnaps and attempts to kill the Batman, the Joker disrupts her plans and tries to take the attempted murder into his own hands. To Harley’s horror, the Joker resents her attempts to try and destroy his arch-nemesis and sends her back to Arkham Asylum in an ambulance.

When it looks like their toxic relationship is finally over, the Joker sneaks a single flower into her prison cell and unfortunately, all is forgiven. Batman Mad Love is the first comic which allows readers to sympathise with Harley in the most natural way possible.

 

 

 

4) Gotham City Sirens Volume 1

Story by: Paul Dini, Scott Lobdell, Marc Andreyko, Tony Bedard.

Art by: Guilliem March, Peter Nguyen, Andres Guinaldo, David Lopez, Alvaro Lopez.

In this 26 issue comic book series, Batman’s three femme fatales, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Catwoman team up and take Gotham by storm. The 13 issues collected in this graphic novel follow straight on from Batman R.I.P where Batman’s cape and cowl is adopted by Dick Grayson (the first Robin and later Nightwing) and the Heart of Hush storyline which leaves Catwoman seriously injured. In order to protect each other, Poison Ivy offers Catwoman a place to stay with her and Harley in the Riddler’s hideout and the Gotham City Sirens are born. They soon move into Selina Kyle's new hideout (which does get wrecked and built again after a jealous Joker goon came after Harley) and the girls are constantly being framed for crimes they did not commit. I have just started to re-read this series and I love it! Each story gets the dynamic of the girls relationship spot on and I love seeing them all in their classic costumes.

 

5) Batman: Harley Quinn

Story and art by a huge variety of DC creators.

Release date: 28^th July, 2015.

My last recommendation is this brand new Harley Quinn graphic novel which features 200 pages of everything Harley! It is set to come out in July and collects everything from her DC Universe debut story in Batman: Harley Quinn #1 to Joker’s Asylum II #2. It also features; Batman Gotham Knights #14, #30, Batman: Black & White #1, #3, Detective Comics #831, #837, Detective Comics: Harley Quinn #23.2, and Legends of the Dark Knight 100-page Super Spectacular #1.

 

These top five Harley Quinn picks offer some of the best stories over a wide period of time. As Harley has been one of my favourite characters since I was a little girl there are so many stories I would have liked to write about but I really don’t think there is enough space. Harley’s comics shine a bit of light in the dark DC universe.

 

Thanks for reading, comment some of your favourite HQ reads!

- Ellie x

J. Scott Campbell SDCC'15 Renew Your Vows Variant

Hi Everyone,

Today J. Scott Campbell has been teasing his new San Diego Comic Con exclusive cover to the Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows #2. It appears to be available in both colour & black and white.

I am SO excited about this cover and I really hope I can get a copy! I think it will be part of Stan Lee's Collectible products as it features a little Stan Lee plush toy.

 

In this preview we can see Spidey unmasked and Mary Jane cuddled up to him.

However, the two are not alone. Just above them the Black Cat is being drawn and I am pretty sure she won't be happy with their relationship!

When my little sister was tiny, Dad read her Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man at bedtime. Therefore, Lil is a huge Black Cat fan and so I know she is going to love the cover too!

We were lucky enough to meet J. Scott Campbell at London Super Comic Con in 2013 and he was so lovely! He signed a few comics and prints for us and asked Lil some questions about the Black Cat (who she was cosplaying as) and I hope one day we can see him again!

Thanks for reading,
- Ellie x

New 52 Harley Quinn Action Figure

Hi Everyone,

Today I received my roller derby Harley Quinn action figure which I pre-ordered from lairoftheoctopus.co.uk ! I first discovered this website while looking at Funkos and I have now ordered may items from them and the service has been very good.

 I have been excited about this Harley action figure for a while now and I am definetly not disappointed! 

 

Harley Quinn Boxed 

 

HQ is clearly displayed in her box, with a view of the figure itself and the multiple accessories which comes with her including a hammer, a gun and roller blades which clip on and off her feet. 

 

Harley comes from the DC Comics Super  Villain series and the back features the rest of the wave which includes her best gal pal, Posion Ivy featured in her Suicide Squad costume and her on and off pyscotic boyfriend, the Joker.
 

The sides of the box shows the figure posed and also a silhouette of Harley Quinn from the comic books. I really like the silhouette side as you can see the diamonds on her costume still. 

The Figure Itself

Harley has been painted with a total of seven colours; red, black, white, silver, brown, blue and gold. Her costume is very shiny and is decorated with stars, diamonds and pom-poms on her boots. Harley also wears a chocker necklace, a belt with bullets and a gun compartment (which the accessory actually fits in to) and socks which have a striped texture to them. 

Harley has a very skinny waist which I was surprised to see as it is very tiny and stands without the need of an extra base. 

Front View 

Side View

Back View

Side View 

The Accessories

As a collector of multiple HQ items, I have a vast number of hammers, multiple weapons and hyenas. 

What I think is really cool about this particular Harley action figure is the roller blades. The wheels on the skates actually roll so you can push the figure alone and they even feature mini breaks. 

Overall

 

I really like this action figure which depicts Harley Quinn from her New 52 series. My favourite features of the figure includes the roller skates and the shininess of her costume. I would recommend this for any fan of the series as it stays true to the costume in the comics!

Thanks for reading,

- Ellie x 

 

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Review

Hi Everyone,

Recently DC has released three 6 minute episodes to promote and set the context for the new animated adventure - Justice League: Gods and Monsters - which is set to hit shops on 28th July, 2015. It is set on an alternate world (DC just love their multiple universes) which features Superman as the son of General Zod, Batman as a scientist who turned himself into a creepy vampire and Wonder Woman who is Bekka, a New God created by Jack Kirby.


I have grown up with the DC animated universe and I have mixed feelings about these clips. They are definitely made for an older audience but being that older audience I don't think they're hitting the target. In a way, I feel like the creative team are trying to create the exact opposite of classics such as Batman Adventures or Justice League Unlimited. Sure they are giving us something new but the cartoons seem to be following the same dark pattern that is featured in the New 52 and somehow I feel like DC are forgetting the fun side of their characters. I do like the Wonder Woman and Superman clips but I believe the Batman one goes WAY too far!!

Warning, spoilers below!


Wonder Woman - Big

• This is actually the third episode I saw but I want to order these chronicles in order of how dark I found them.
• In this clip Wonder Woman is barely recognisable. With the use of boom tubes, she reminds me more of Big Barda. However her love interest, Steve Trevor, is clearly himself.
• The pair come across an Ultron like Giganta, set free by the guards they were fighting. At first, Trevor wanted to defeat Giganta himself while Wonder Woman stood by and watched. However, she knew (and we knew) that soon she would have to step in, save Trevor and save the day. I thought this was pretty funny and I am glad she stayed true to her character.
• Overall, I liked this chronicle because of it's funny moments. The only reason it is for mature viewers is because of the flirting between Wonder Woman and Trevor.

Superman - Bomb

• This Superman chronicle starts with Amanda Waller debating whether to use nuclear weapons against the dome Brainiac has created which is destroying the city.
• As she gives the signal the pilot gets ready to use the nuclear missile and just as he was about to shoot, Superman etches onto the plane's window "Give me 5 minutes".
• As Superman enters the city, you see flashes of his classic blue and red colours and a 'S' on his belt. While he enters the zone you prepare yourself for a fight but then you see something unexpected.
• In this parallel world, Brainiac is a little child who cannot control his powers. He is curled up and crying and this is when it gets worse. The city will be destroyed in a matter of minutes if Brainiac is not stopped and Superman does not seem to have the 'boy scout' attitude he does in the comics.
• He asks mini Brainiac if he can turn off his powers which he cannot. Superman tells him that he knows a way and Brainiac looks up and asks him to do it. You then see Superman use his heat vision and the force field is destroyed.
• I found this episode very upsetting but it was a good story. I felt so sorry for mini Brainiac and it would have been nice if Superman taught him how to control his powers but I guess there wasn't enough time and Brainiac didn't want to live in fear of his powers.

Batman - Twisted

• So this is the clip which I am not happy about and puts me off Justice League: Gods and Monsters. If it was like the Wonder Woman and Superman chronicles then I would be excited for this film.
• I was actually shocked by this episode. It is the first episode I saw and I hated it!
• Firstly, Harley Quinn's costume is barely a costume. She's not really wearing anything. Her neck and face are painted white and it looks like her head is attached by black stitches.
• Secondly, Harley lives in an actual house of horrors. We follow Batman through her lair as he opens her fridge to reveal heads and body parts, as he opens a jack in box which is half a human and through to a living room which has corpses sitting around with flies buzzing around them.
• It then gets worse. Much worse. Harley is angry at Batman for freeing her prisoner and starts chasing him around with a saw, this saw cuts through one of the corpses' head. Bleh.
• At the end of the mini clip, Batman (remember he is a vampire) bites her neck and you see all the blood. It's not nice.
• This version of Harley Quinn cannot possible be redeemed like our Harley can be. She takes on the persona of the Joker with a massive grin and crazy eyes. On the other hand, Batman has an interesting back story. He was a scientist who accidentally turned himself into a vampire whilst trying to cure himself from cancer. The story is good but it's not Batman. Not at all. I think they should have used this story for a new character.
• I cannot express how much I didn't like this clip. It was way too violent, way too creepy and you cannot see glimpses of the real Harley Quinn and Batman at all like you can with Wonder Woman and Superman. The language is also not appropriate.

 

 

Overall I believe this film has potential but it really depends how they go about it. Yes, it is another parallel universe story and yes it is very dark. But I know this may not be a bad thing for some viewers as comics aren't all about the kids. However, I look at these films with kids in mind as the DC animated films always seem to end up in the children's DVD section at Target and at Wal-Mart. This really shouldn't happen as there is no way young people should see this as I think, mostly based on the Batman clip, it is going to be completely inappropriate. I would much rather see another DC film inspired by the classic DC cartoons I grew up watching - something light heated with an amazing story to it! I am getting a bit fed up with gruesome DC animated films such as this and Batman: Assault on Arkham.

Let me know what you think about these clips below and whether you will be watching the DVD or not! :)

Thanks for reading,
Ellie x

The Stag Newspaper

Hi Everyone,

Since it is coming to the end of my first year at the University of Surrey I thought I would post all the comic book columns that I wrote for the Stag newspaper/magazine. 

1) Batman Hush Review 

- This was my first article and I wanted to make a good impression. Batman Hush is one of my favourite stories and I had just finished reading Batman Hush Unwrapped and so I thought it would make for a good first review! 

2) Comic Book Auction Review 

- My Dad, sister and I went to an auction close to my university which had a number of Silver Age comics for sale including some issues of Spider-Man and Daredevil. 

3) The Dark Phoenix Saga Review 

- One of my favourite characters is Jean Grey and I've read the Dark Phoenix Saga since I was little. In this article I write a bit about the history of the character and review the saga.

4) An Introduction to Spider-Gwen 

- I have a lot of love for Spider-Gwen and so I knew I had to write an article about her new series!

5) London Super Comic Convention 2015 Review 

- On this double page spread I reviewed the London Super Comic Con and also the top 5 things that happened since the last issue of the Stag!

The final issue of the Stag sadly got cancelled however I did submit my top Harley Quinn reads as an article. This will be posted online instead!

Thanks for reading,

Ellie x 

Arkham Knight Harley Quinn Action Figure

Hi Everyone,

Today I am going to show you guys this pick up from the comic shop, Raygun, in Richmond. It is Harley Quinn from the new Arkham Knight action figure wave and she is the fourth piece in the collection. 

The Box.

Even though I decided I would like to take Harley out of the box, I still took some photos of it for this post. 

The front of the box nicely shows off Harley and her accessories. Unlike other action figures, there is no description of who she is or a bit about the game but I guess by now no one really needs it as Harley is so popular! The box does however show the three other action figures in the wave, Batman, Arkham Knight and Scarecrow! It also features a bit of Harley Quinn artwork and at the top of the box Batman's logo! 

The Figure.

What drew my attention to the figure is the costume. I do not have any Arkham Knight merchandise so I thought this would look nice on my Harley Quinn shelf as it is a slight variation of the character.

I particularly like the detail on the action figure. The diamonds on her leggings have been painted well as has the ends of her hair and hair bands. The figure stands well without a need for a stand. 

Above is a close up of Harley's face which is great except from a small defect on her nose but this is not uncommon and doesn't really effect the figure. I have also pictured the figure's accessories which include various weapons, a jack in a box and a change of hands. 

Overall this figure is a great addition to my Harley Quinn collection and stands well amongst the Arkham Asylum action figure and pop vinyl as well as the Arkham City statue! I am now on the look out for the Arkham City Harley Quinn's Revenge action figure. 

Thanks for reading, 

- Ellie x

J Scott Campbell Renew Your Vows #1

Hi Everyone,

While I was searching eBay tonight I noticed that the J Scott Campbell exclusive Renew Your Vows #1 has sold out and is selling for quite a lot. A raw copy of the book is selling for at least $69.

 

I believe that the cheapest way to buy this cover now is to go directly to Rupps World who sell J Scott Campbell store items. Even though both the raw coloured cover and the colour/black and white set is sold out, there is still a coloured cover signed by J Scott Campbell available at the cost of $59.99. This is limited to 200 copies and is selling for less money in comparison to eBay prices.

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps anyone who is in search for the cover!

 

- Ellie x    

 



 



My Harley Quinn Collection

Hi Everyone,

Today I would like to show you my Harley Quinn collection! I have been a big fan of the character since I was a little girl and watched the Batman Adventures TV. 

I have not included my comic books and CGCs in this post but some notable issues I have include Batman Adventures Mad Love + variant and Batman: Harley Quinn. I also have the complete run of Gotham City Sirens, Harley Quinn Volume 2, most issues of Volume 1 and her appearances in various Batman TV Show adaptations. :)

1) Chess Piece, DC Figurine and Two Mini Figures. 

2) My two plushies. 

3) Batman Adventures Joker and Harley Statues. 

4) Batman Black and White Harley Statue. 

5) Action Figures.

6) Funkos.

7) Doll and miniature. 

8) Money Box and Keyrings. 

9) Lego. 

10) Pullip Doll from Lil. 

11) Women of DC Busts. 

12) Arkham Asylum Action Figure and Arkham City Statue.

13) Women of DC Statue.

14) Batman Adventures Musical Snowglobe.

15) Batman Adventures Trading Cards

 

16) Harley Quinn Barbie 

17) Tonner Doll. 

18) Photo Frame from the Warner Bros. Store.

19) Bomshell Make Up Bag

20) Purses.

21) Clothes.

22) Accessories. 

Thanks for checking out my collection,

Ellie x