***Contains Spoilers***
The series kicks off with Harley trying to establish herself as more than just “The Joker’s girlfriend,” setting up her own criminal empire in Gotham. Along the way, she’s joined by her loyal (and hilariously inept) henchmen and becomes deeply entangled with Poison Ivy, cementing their iconic partnership early on. The tone of the run leans heavily into comedy and hijinks, giving us a lighter take on Gotham’s dark underbelly.
What I really enjoyed about the series was how it managed to put a fresh, female-focused spin on the comedic ensemble format—think Justice League International, but with a more mischievous flair.
Harley’s dynamic with Poison Ivy was a highlight for me; I didn’t realize Ivy played such a prominent role from the beginning of Harley’s solo ventures, and their chemistry really shines. The “slumber party” issue where Harley, Ivy, and a few others just sit around roasting Gotham’s heroes was genuinely laugh-out-loud funny—like eavesdropping on a snarky sorority event. Another standout moment was Big Barda accidentally spilling the Batcave’s location to the Riddler, which was such a wonderfully ridiculous moment that it felt right at home in Harley’s world. Harley herself is an excellent character here—energetic, unpredictable, and undeniably charming—and her henchmen add just the right amount of goofy sidekick energy.
That said, Kesel struggled to hold my attention over his 25-issue run. While the lighthearted tone and focus on comedy were fun at first, they eventually started to feel repetitive, with the storylines lacking the depth or stakes to keep me fully invested.
There’s no doubt that Harley is a magnetic character, but the plots didn’t do her justice, often feeling like a collection of disconnected hijinks rather than a cohesive narrative. I found myself waiting for the series to go deeper into her character or to take risks with the story, but it stayed firmly on the surface.
In the end, I’d rate this run 2 stars. It’s a solid introduction to Harley as a solo character, with a few standout moments and lots of humor, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. While I’m glad I read it, I don’t see myself coming back to it again. If you’re a diehard Harley fan or enjoy lighthearted, comedic takes on Gotham, it’s worth checking out—but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
Feature Image Harley Quinn #4 cover art by Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Ken Lopez, and Alex Sinclair
Keep NewToComics.com running with a donation or shopping with through our affiliates—your support helps maintain the site and continue guiding new readers into the world of comics!