Harley Quinn by Kesel & Dodson Deluxe Edition Book One
DC Comics
Writer: Karl Kesel
Artist: Terry & Rachel Dodson
In the wake of the incredible Harley Quinn/Birds of Prey film released earlier this year, I’ve been getting the urge to read some of Quinn’s solo material. Naturally, my first thought was, to begin with, the Conner/Palmiotti run. That’s where most of the inspiration for the films seem to come from so it seemed logical. Fate intervened though when I came across this beauty in my local comic shop. This lovely oversized hardcover contains the first 8 issues of Harley’s first-ever solo run and it is a hoot.
The premise of this run is that Harley has split from the Joker after his latest attempt on her life and she’s forming her own gang called the Quinntettes. Of course, the idea of Harley splitting from Mr. J is nothing new but I think this is the best version of the story I’ve read. Most Harley solo stories tend to focus on comedy and it’s not a bad thing but it can go too far. This series manages to strike a nice balance between the laughs and the drama though and it makes for a great read. Throughout this book, we’re treated to appearances from the likes of Poison Ivy, Big Barda, Catwoman, Riddler & Two-face. Kesel writes them well and he has a real gift for fun dialogue, especially in the Riddler and Two-face issues.
Terry and Rachel Dodson handle the art throughout this run and their style is perfect for the series. It’s realistic enough to be taken seriously but at the same time, it’s cartoonish enough that it doesn’t fall into uncanny valley territory. In my opinion, it’s almost a perfect artstyle for a modern superhero comic. The only flaw I’ve noticed is that sometimes the faces can be too similar, particularly on the female characters. Thankfully this isn’t too noticeable here though since so many of the female characters featured wear either masks or helmets.
I think the thing that struck me most was how Kesel uses Harley’s mental health issues throughout the run. He and the Dodson’s manage to use them not only for drama and suspense but for comedy as well. Harley’s usually portrayed as a tragic character who was manipulated into going down the criminal path by an abusive partner. That aspect is shown here but a recurring plot-thread in the series is her time prior to meeting the Joker. We’re shown some of her past and she’s not the angel she’s often portrayed as. These flashbacks and Harley’s current actions are used to make us wonder when did she actually commit her first crimes? Was she murdering people before she met her beloved Mr. J? If so then how much is Harleen Quinzel responsible for her actions since becoming Harley Quinn? Is she just a bad person?
Now, I know that explains how Harley’s mental health is used to produce drama but you’re probably wondering about the comedy. As some readers will know Harley Quinn first appeared in the Batman Animated series of the ’90s. She developed a following and became popular enough to appear in the comics and that history’s utilised here. Throughout this book, we’re regularly shown things from Harley’s point-of-view and naturally, it’s a little warped. She sees the world in the style of the Batman Animated series, specifically its final season. Her point-of-view normalises at times, particularly when she’s in the presence of someone she cares for or knows like Joker or Ivy. It’s a fantastic way to get across our lead character’s personality and worldview. She sees people as cartoons, unrealistic, and incapable of being truly hurt by her actions. Only those she cares for and views as more powerful than herself are real in her eyes. It’s an effect used successfully for both comedy and drama throughout the book and it’ll definitely appeal to any fans of the Batman animated show or the Batman Adventures line of comics that were based on it.
The book contains a few special features towards the back. We get some early sketches of Harley and some other characters from the Dodsons along with some of the covers and pages prior to colouring. It’s a nice little look at the work that went into creating these issues. The book itself is pretty standard for a DC deluxe edition. You get a high-quality hardcover with some nice art on the front and back. The binding’s solid and I noticed very little gutter-loss throughout the book which made a fun read even better. The book comes with a nice dustjacket featuring some unique artwork on both sides. It was a nice touch considering that DC could easily have used the same art as on the book itself.
Overall this is a great book, well worth the money and it’d serve as not only a great introduction to Harley but to comics in general. The storytelling is phenomenal to the point where I’d say it’s one of the best villain-led books I’ve ever read. I’d also put the artwork up on a similar tier to Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Amanda Conner, and Ed McGuinness. Those are some of my favourite artists in comics and Dodson’s artwork more than holds up alongside them. I highly recommend this to anyone whether you’re a Harley fan or just looking for a good read. You won’t be disappointed.
This is a fantastic introduction to the character of Harley Quinn. Through the 8 issues contained here, we get an excellent view of her own personality as well as her relationships with most of Gotham's most prominent characters. The artwork from the Dodson's is consistently impressive throughout and the book manages to be funny without losing any of the drama that makes Harley such an interesting and relatable character. The book is built well with a lovely dustjacket and a solid binding that should last for years and there's a decent selection of special features spread throughout the book that gives a nice insight into the creation of these comics. I'd have liked a little more, maybe some interviews with the creators but what's here is alright. This is a great collection and it's impressed me so much that I've already ordered book two.Harley Quinn by Kesel & Dodson Deluxe Edition Book 1
