Harley Quinn: Welcome To Metropolis by Karl Kesel, Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Craig Rousseu and Brandon Badeaux (graphic novel review).
The third volume, ‘Harley Quinn: Welcome To Metropolis’, reprinting the 2002 Harley Quinn # 14-25 stories does at least explain that it was the real Harley Quinn with Jimmy Olsen in the last story of the second volume.
When Harley and Poison Ivy motorcycle to Metropolis to get away from the heat they were getting from the other criminals of Gotham City, they do at least attempt to lie low there. Harley becomes Holly Chance and with a little aid from Olsen, becomes an agony aunt at the Daily Planet.
Their adventures include meeting Bizarro # 1 who doesn’t like them very much (remember to reverse whatever he says as he’s still terribly mixed up) and eventually a certain Man of Steel, even if his alter-ego has too many medical appointments to attend.
You do have to wonder if Clark Kent is on the Daily Planet’s medical insurance and why no one has questioned his health for a full medical. Then again, maybe he doesn’t submit medical bills. Odd fella, that Kent. Clearly not very fit.
I’m not sure if I like the idea of sending Harley to Hell even if it does get her out of a confrontation with Superman. If anything, Harley became far too serious and analytical and, this is purely subjective, but I think writer Karl Kesel was running out of ideas in the last few stories. The certain craziness in dealing with Harley Quinn is lost and even when she does something similar to Deadman isn’t exploited enough. In many respects, it doesn’t feel too surprising that there was the end of the 2002 comicbook series.
GF Willmetts
December 2021
(pub: DC Comics, 2014. 288 page graphic novel. Price: I pulled my copy for about £19.00 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-4012-4595-5)
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