Harley Quinn #5 // Review
When the last issue left off, things weren’t looking good for Harley. Hugo Strange’s minions captured her, and at the start of Harley Quinn #5, she’s face-to-face with the man himself. And he really wants her dead. But fortunately, she’s not that easy to eliminate. Harley Quinn #5 is written by Stephanie Phillips, drawn by Riley Rossmo, colored by Ivan Plascencia, inked by Jay Leisten, and lettered by AndWorld Design.
Like many egotistical villains, Hugo Strange is overconfident to the point that it becomes a massive weakness. And because he’s so overconfident, he doesn’t realize his own huge faults, and it’s a whole thing. That’s perfect for Harley, though, because Hugo’s enormous ego can’t handle any criticism, perceived or otherwise. So when she uses her psychiatrist skills to analyze his obsession with dressing up as Batman, implying that he’s doing it because he’s insecure, Hugo loses it. Precisely the reaction Harley wanted.
Harley can’t win a straight-up fight against Strange in his office. Not when she’s handcuffed, and he’s expecting her to attack. He’s got a big physical advantage. But using her wits, Harley far outclasses him. In Harley Quinn #5, Phillips once again proves that she understands Harley’s character and knows how to use her. Phillips does let Harley get physical because she is a capable fighter, but she’s not getting into fights she can’t win.
In an attempt to demoralize her, Hugo tells Harley she’s never going to be the Joker or Batman; she’ll never be this mythic level villain or hero. From a guy that dressed up as Batman, this seems a bit like projecting his own insecurities onto her. A clever way for Phillips to develop his character and show the character development Harley’s gone through, as she’s no longer striving to be someone she’s not.
The friendship between Harley and Kevin is such a good element of this Harley Quinn run. These two characters are in a very unique position to understand each other, having both been used by the Joker, and now wanting to make amends. And both of them are constantly being mischaracterized and misunderstood by people in Gotham. It’s a challenging position to be in, but at least they have each other.
The art team has been crushing it with every issue, and Harley Quinn #5 is no exception. This is a beautifully done book. Rossmo seems to really lean into the cartoonishness in this issue, and it’s a fantastic choice. It leads to some great facial expressions from Harley that convey her mood and thoughts perfectly, even without dialogue. The face she made when she asked Hugo if his Batman cosplay obsession was a “sexual thing” made me laugh so hard. Easily my favorite panel in the entire book.
The other artistic elements in the book are also fantastically done. Leisten’s inks are smooth, and the linework is phenomenal. And Plascencia’s colors are vivid and well saturated. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating; I am completely in love with the overall cartoon vibe of this series.
Harley Quinn #5 was another top-tier entry for this series. With the introduction of a new villain, it’s clear things won’t calm down for Harley any time soon, and I eagerly anticipate her next adventure. At this rate, this Harley Quinn series is rapidly becoming my favorite run for the character.
