[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner
Artists: John Timms & Joseph Michael Linsner
Summary
Harley finds herself in a rather wide variety of unusual situations, but 15,000 feet or more off the ground with a plane coming at her is not something that one, even she, would expect. Of course, that is how this issue begins as Zarcrom threw her in a rage brought on by a certain lack of pastrami sammiches. Luckily Power Girl was able to save her in time, which gave Harley some unintended bosom time. From there, the night just gets crazier with dates, mating rituals, and rabies!
In another time and another place we also get to learn the fate of Devani Kage, the brawler who lives 150 years into Gotham’s future. What connection might she have to Harley who would be long dead by then? And why is she dressed as Batman?
Positives
One of the things I liked most about this issue were the constant jokes and movie references. This issue is littered with little things that older readers will enjoy. You also feel the companionship between Harley and Power Girl, which even then extends to Atlee. There is a sisterhood between them, especially noticeable in the small talk. I think Atlee will be a welcome character in the world of Harley Quinn, or even that of Power Girl in the future.
Negatives
I don’t know exactly why, perhaps it has been the multiple story lines, or the super light hearted nature of the current arc, but Zarcrom has become somewhat boring. At his core he is a pretty typical villain, the other characters even elude to this directly and indirectly. Thankfully the jokes and other characters help carry the story, but the tale of Zarcrom feels quite flat and played out in this issue.
Summary
While the references, jokes, bosoms, and beatings in this issue were great and even made me laugh, Zarcrom and this issue felt impotent by the end.
