Harley Quinn #7 - DC Comics

HARLEY QUINN No. 7, November 2021

Introducing a plethora of ‘tongue-in-cheek’ new villains in the shape of the Caucus of Corruption, and tentatively tying in to “DC Comics” comic book crossover storyline "Fear State", Stephanie Phillips’ script for Issue Seven of “Harley Quinn” probably left its 29,000 strong audience wanting a bit more from the twenty-two page periodical’s plot. Indeed, for those readers blissfully unaware of Doctor Jonathan Crane’s attempt to control Gotham City using his infamous fear toxin and the rumoured death of the Dark Knight, this book’s central premise concerning the titular character taking her Clowns Support Group on a supposedly therapeutic camping trip is arguably bemusing at best.

Fortunately, things do eventually start to ‘heat up’ towards the end of this publication, once Harleen Quinzel realises that an extraordinarily lengthy, multi-panel mediation sequence is “so boring” and sets out with Kevin on a quest to recover a lost dog called Waffles. This romp through the woodland is still debatably unduly lengthy, thanks in part to the female anti-hero angrily misinterpreting her friend’s concern as to her wellbeing as being purely chauvinistic. But at least it ends with the leading cast encountering a truly formidable-looking bear and having to hilariously run for their very lives; “He’s gaining on us!”

Likewise, the American author pens an intriguing insight into the mad happenings currently occurring upon the streets on Gotham now Batman is apparently no more. The large scale looting by the metropolis’ lower end criminals makes perfect sense. However, it is the writer’s depiction of Professor Hugo Strange which really captures the utter insanity of the rioting, as the maniacal psychiatrist dons a replica Caped Crusader costume and dishes out punishment to anyone foolish enough to get within his grasp – even innocent shop owners simply trying to protect their property.

Quite possibly this comic’s main draw therefore lies within the layouts of Riley Rossmo, whose pencilling of Quinn’s aforementioned encounter with a gigantic grizzly encapsulates all the sheer terror imaginable should a street-level anti-hero confront so massive a wild animal. In addition, the stark megalomania visible in Strange’s eyes as he stands laughing out loud amidst the chaos of Gotham City is truly palpable, and leaves no doubt at all that the super-villain is completely bonkers.

Writer: Stephanie Phillips, Artist: Riley Rossmo, and Colors: Ivan Plascencia