Harley Quinn Vol. 4: Surprise, Surprise by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, John Timms and Alex Sinclair (graphic novel review).
No, you’re not mistaken. I’ve read volume 5 before volume 4 of the ‘DC Universe Rebirth’ of Harley Quinn. I didn’t realise it until I found it in my pile of books. Despite my comment that this series of graphic novels is like following a super-hero soap opera, I hadn’t realised I missed a book. Maybe it was the election for mayor that distracted from the side-plots, although meeting Harley’s parents here does make sense about why she chose to go there for a holiday later.
They’re almost as psychotic as their daughter, especially her father who picks up an illegal pistol for protection. Hmm…this is America after all.
Anyway, Harley’s parents come to visit and she takes them and one of her house-mates, Goat Boy, out for dinner on the New York Sound, only to have Stuntmaster and Clock King performing a heist and she gets in the way. She misses hearing that the mayor has released Madison Berkowitz from jail and she’s ordered up a gang to kill her. She likes the deal, only paying at the completion of the contract. Of course, things don’t go as planned, especially as the Unconquerable 25 proved less than their name and guess they didn’t get their fee.
The mystery was solved when there were then several fill-in issues that explained why I didn’t realise there was a gap in the plot run. Mystery solved. These aren’t bad stories and a couple are more flashbacks to Harley’s early life and her crazy boyfriend.
GF Willmetts
December 2020
(pub: DC Comics, 2017. 168 page graphic novel softcover. Price: I pulled my copy for about £ 6.00 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-40127-526-6)
check out website: www.dccomics.com
