[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
Artists: Mirka Andolfo, Michael Kaluta & Tom Derenick
Summary
Vote Harely! Well into the new mayoral election this issue sees Harley connecting to the people and preparing for a live debate on TV. While she isn’t ahead in the poles at the moment she is steadily gaining momentum and sure to take the lead soon! Her whole cacophony of friends is helping run her campaign and supporting her in any way they can.
Meanwhile, Mayor DePerto and Madison Berkowitz have plans of their own to take her out of the running, permanently! They have contacted Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow, to help intervene.
Amid the stress of the campaign Harley has time to meet up with her old flame Mason. Finally after the “Arkham thing,” a kidnapping and multiple deaths they get to reconnect and they don’t waste time doing it!
What do the Mayor and Scarecrow have planned for Quinn? What drugs, gasses, and toxins could they use to take her out of the running without incriminating themselves?
Positives
The art in this issue is fantastic! Mirka Andolfo does a fantastic job of making Harley look high energy, strong but also vulnerable. Vulnerable in a human way that is induced when under a lot of stress and when people need a break. The smooth and soft lines that Andolfo uses to depict Harley make her look the way she feels in this issue. Nothing about the illustrations of her are sharp or hard. In contrast to Andolfo’s art, Kaluta’s is harsh. It is full of gritty, detailed drawings that feel like you are uncomfortably close to something, even if it is depicted as being across a room. This conflicting style perfectly match the events of Harley Quinn #29.
Negatives
Through out the issue it is clear that Harley is dealing with insecurities in her ability to be mayor. The issue goes on to show that she is insecure about her relationship with Ivy, but it feels seriously out of place. Especially with the previous issues showing Harley having a strong bond with many of those that she holds dear.
There are also a few inconsistencies in the art from the same artists. I might expect that with three total artists illustrating a book that they would have differences with how they draw a character, but there are quite a few inconsistencies from the same artists.
Because of these issues, Harley Quinn #29 feels a little lacking by the end.
Verdict
While a gorgeous book with good jokes, great characters, and some real personal moments for Harley, it doesn’t quite hit the mark.
