Book Review: Harley Quinn, Volume 1: No Good Deed

Stephanie Phillips (author) and Riley Rossmo (artist), Harley Quinn, Volume 1: No Good Deed. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2021. ISBN: 9781779514233.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: superheroes

Format: trade paperback

Source: Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library

 

We have a new author, and a new artist, and yet another new run for the character in the comics. Harley returns to Gotham City after the events of the Joker  War (link to my review of that series). Harley wants to atone for her sins and do good. However, Gotham is not feeling too welcoming. In a decision that makes no sense (at least in a sane world), the city names Dr. Hugo Strange to run a radical "therapy" program for criminal clowns remaining from the Joker War. He definitely has his sights on Harley Quinn. 

To be honest, the story is a bit of a mess. The Hugo Strange plot just seems desperate. I know it's hard times for Gotham, but still it does not quite work. Compared to previous Harley Quinn runs, this story tries to be more serious, and that just does not work well either. The new art does not do any favors to the story. It's a somewhat child-like style closer to some television cartoons, and it just does not suit the story well. To be honest, the best parts are the supplement issues from Batman Urban Legends issue 1 and Harley Quinn issue 6. The first issue has Harley with Poison Ivy, and the second features Harley in an adventure with Catwoman. Both of those comics have different artists with the more realistic art style that just works. The main story art seems inferior by comparison. 

Overall, I'd consider this a very optional selection. I enjoy Harley Quinn comics, some of which I have reviewed on this blog (you can check the DC Comics tag), but I may wait until this run ends and DC gets a new writer and artist team before I try again. If you must read it, borrow it. This is not one I would buy for our graphic novels collection. 

1 out of 5 stars.