The punk rock reconnaissance is over, and Harley Quinn decides she could use some time away with her favorite gal to recharge her batteries a bit. Is it good?
Harley Quinn #8 (DC Comics)
To get a feel for what we’re in store for, here’s DC’s official synopsis:
“LIFE’S A BEACH”! Harley owes Ivy a trip to the Bahamas…and delivers way more than either of them expected!
After the events of ‘Eat to This Beat,’ Harley takes a much needed vacation with Poison Ivy. After talking over a strange dream with Frank Frank–cutely depicted as old-school Harley–it becomes clear she needs to get away from it all for a while. Sy Borgman hooks the two up with a lavish condo in the Bahamas, as well as an up close and personal look at the Borgman bod (and his apparently world-class wedding tackle):
Yep, turns out this is a nudist colony. And genitalia-related jokes dominate the first half of the comic–from tennis balls to spotted dick for dessert–so if that’s your kind of thing (and I’ll be honest, my sense of humor stopped evolving at age 12, so it’s totally my thing), you’ll have a good time here.
Don’t worry if it’s not though, because the comic does get serious, kicking off with a flashback to Dr. Quinzel’s first meeting with The Joker.
Unfortunately, not a ton else happens this issue, but that’s okay. The issue is a breeze to read and if you feel any connection to these characters at all you’ll find yourself smiling a few times. Harley and Ivy discuss moving in together once more and while I won’t spoil it, it seems a decision is reached. As far as plot progression goes that’s really the meat of it here, but Conner and Palmiotti do a great job connecting us emotionally with both Harley and Ivy.
Art duties are passed off from John Timms to Chad Hardin this time around, and he does a great job. Harley and Ivy are both beautifully drawn in their own unique styles, and while Sy Borgman’s … erm, girth … is a bit less beautiful, it’s no less proficiently rendered. It’s hard to find any fault in the artwork here, and Hardin should be commended for continuing the artistic style of the series seamlessly.
Is It Good?
If all you care about is plot progression and bombshell reveals, this issue likely won’t be for you. But the emotional resonance here is high, and you really feel for Harley at points, thanks to the expected spot-on characterization of both her and Ivy from Conner and Palmiotti, and the lovely artwork by Hardin. This issue may not be hard hitting, but it’s a joy to read. It strikes the right balance of emotion and silliness that only Harley Quinn can.
And besides, like Harley and Ivy, who doesn’t want to get away once in a while?
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