Harley Quinn #5 - DC Comics

HARLEY QUINN No. 5, September 2021

Somewhat disconcertingly starting with the suggestion that Hugo Strange’s obsession with Batman might actually be “a sexual thing”, Stephanie Phillips’ second instalment to her “No Good Deed” storyline might have initially perplexed some within this comic’s 36,000 strong circulation. In fact, this twenty-two page periodical’s opening quarter could arguably be criticised as consisting of little more than a rather perplexing, dialogue-drowning sequence in which Harley Quinn simply doesn’t stop talking psychobabble to her captor for approximately thirty-five panels straight; “Is this a bad time to tell ya I gotta pee? I drank an extra-large caramel latte before breakin’ in here…”

Happily however, all these speech bubbles are eventually shown to simply be part of the qualified psychiatrist’s cunning plan to be left alone in a toilet cubicle long enough so as to rid herself of her handcuffs, and summon the help of Solomon Grundy from the sewers. This marvellous team-up results in just the sort of beatings a bibliophile might hope Strange’s sadistic orderlies would receive following the physical abuse they themselves have heaped upon their hapless patients, and additionally clears the way for a short-lived but satisfying bout of fisticuffs between the persistently talking Gotham City Siren and the formidably-sized professor himself.

Similarly as successful as this comic’s action-packed antics is the American author’s subplot that “another hand [is] working behind the scenes” to antagonise Quinn, who is called Keepsake. Somewhat shockingly this mysterious new villain certainly seems capable of berating Hugo as if the bespectacled leader of the S.A.F.E. programme was just one of his own underlings, and also appears to intriguingly arm himself with an astonishing array of items presumably stolen from his previous fallen foes.

Helping this publication bound along with plenty of dynamic energy are Riley Rossmo’s layouts, which initially go a long way to making Quinn’s aforementioned semi-soliloquy during the book’s opening, much more tolerable. Indeed, Strange’s prodigiously pencilled rooftop confrontation with the Dark Knight during a thunderstorm, is undoubtedly one of this comic’s biggest draws, and definitely helps this tome’s readers partially navigate Harley’s incessant banter with Hugo until he eventually caves in and permits the anti-heroine to go to the hospital facility's bathroom.

Written by: Stephanie Phillips, Art & Cover by: Riley Rossmo, and Colored by: Ivan Plascencia