Originally published on Patreon
We get to start a new story arc with issue 22 of Harley Quinn following the month long of weekly issues leading up to the Annual last month, and it feels nice to have the character once a month again as Harley is best in small doses.
And this issue seems to know that, as it opens not with Harley, but Kevin, as he drags a covered sled up through the snowy mountains, seeking out the League of Assassins. Brought before Angel Breaker, who asks why a man like him would be seeking out the League (very valid question). He reveals that he need to use the Lazarus Pit; at which point the contents of the sled are revealed; a dead Harley Quinn.
From here we flashback to Harley showing Kevin her new home, an old ferry that she bought with the money she got from Luke Fox for going into space and saving Earth. Kevin moans about Harley's recent spending, pointing out how she's not acting smart. At which point Harley screams at him and says ridiculous stuff.
Harley's new side-kick, Parry the parasitic alien life-form (who was introduced in the Annual) points out that there's someone on the ferry. Harley dashes off to investigate, whilst Kevin discovers that Harley has made a room for him on the boat, kitted out in stuff from their friendship. There's a scuffle outside, and Harley gets shot and killed by an unseen assailant.
Back in the present, Angel Breaker agrees to let Kevin use the pit, but warns that there could be a terrible cost. Harley gets dunked, and comes out looking incredibly psychotic and evil.
So, there are some things in this issue that I do actually like. The main one is Kevin. I like the guy. He's grown on me as the series has gone on, and whilst I can see him completely vanishing forever once this series comes to an end, his inclusion has definitely been a big part of the series working as well as it has. He's a voice of reason for a character that has none.
Speaking of, Harley once again is the thing that drags her own series down, and I've come to find her more annoying than anything else. I prefer the character when she does weird stuff, but you can tell that there's a smart woman under it all who will shine through from time to time. This version of Harley is just a toddler, with no self control who says and does whatever she wants. It's not endearing at all.
I'm not sure what I think of Parry yet. It's a weird inclusion that has no real explanation or reason yet. Him being put in the cat suit makes him a bit more enjoyable and unique looking, and I've been reading him with a deep gravelly voice ( a bit like Tom Hardy's Venom), which makes some of what he says more enjoyable when you think of it being said that way from a tiny, catlike monster.
The art is done by Matteo Lolli, and looks really nice throughout, and is some of the better artwork on this series. The characters all look good, with clear, distinct expressions that help with the story, and the locations all look distinct and good. Parry is drawn really well, and Lolli may be selling me on the idea of getting one of these creatures myself, because he's pretty cute at times.
Overall, this isn't a bad issue of the series, but this is a series that I struggle with at times because I sometimes find it hard to get on with the lead character. It's a shame that for Harley to really work she has to be relegated to a secondary character in her own series.
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