The character of Harley Quinn is a complicated one. In the past, she has been portrayed as an all-ages pal, a cautionary tale of abuse, a kinky cheesecake, and more. This diversity has helped to make her a popular pop culture icon, attracting audiences who are both young and old. The problem with this is that it can be confusing for fans who want to follow the character and see her progression over time.
Harley’s first introduction to the main DC Universe was a one-shot spinoff from the No Man’s Land storyline. It was written by Paul Dini and saw her enter the world of mainline comics. Dini characterized her as darker and crazier than her previous pre-Flashpoint counterpart, and she wore a more sexualized jester harlequin costume. In this story, she was also given powers to better combat Batman and other villains.
In this new series, Harley finds herself in a different place than the Gotham she knew and loved, but her desire to cause chaos hasn’t diminished. In fact, it has increased as she becomes more experienced in her career as a supervillain.
She is now on a global quest to wreak havoc and prove that she has the right to exist in this world. She is a woman who has been hurt by the men in her life, but has found the strength to rise above that pain. She is no longer willing to let the Joker control her, and instead fights for herself.
While Harley is not quite the superhero she once was, she still has a lot of heart and compassion for those close to her. She is still able to find joy in the small things, like a delicious soda (Soder Cola), a juicy Big Belly Burger, or cuddling up with Poison Ivy. She is an empath, so she can feel the emotions of those around her. Her relationship with Ivy is a testament to this as well, as they are both able to put their differences aside to care for each other.
Throughout this new series, we also get to see Harley forming new alliances as she makes her way through the globe. Her biggest ally remains Ivy, but she is starting to find new people who are willing to help her in her quest. The main threat she faces is a malevolent alien race who wants to use her power for their own agenda.
The first issue of this new comic does an excellent job at setting up the premise of the story. Shae Beagle’s artwork is cartoonish, but the characters are all characterized with large eyes and mouths, making them feel more alive. This helps sell the light romance between Harley and Ivy, who spend a good chunk of the issue making goo-goo eyes at each other. The fluid and bubbly linework also helps sell the action and kinetic energy of this comic, making for a fun read that expands the DC Universe.