Harley Quinn is trapped in a nightmare thanks to the Knight Terrors event, and it’s getting multiversally crazy for her. Tying into her own multiverse shenanigans from the main series, Harley must consider a universe where she’s the main hero. Can she take all the positivity and warm salutations from the citizens, or will she lose her mind in the process?
Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #2 continues the trend of great art mixed with fun multiverse nods to DC Comics superfans. This issue opens with actual pages from the Multiversity Guidebook, which is super meta. There’s even a page dealing with the Knight Terrors issue you’re reading, complete with a Knight Terrors logo and a version of Harley that’s leading the Justice League with her own new super-suit. It’s Deadpool-level meta, but it doesn’t feel like it’s cribbing since Harley’s being amped up by the nightmare.
Much of this issue focuses on Harley experiencing a life where she’s the main hero. Hayden Sherman impresses with a pop art style that gives the book an old-school feel. It’s like we’re reading a comic from the 1940s. The art is impressive, and it’s even more impressive when the style changes up in the later pages. If you love comics and comics history, Sherman impresses you in a big way.
This is a real trip.
Credit: DC Comics
Howard continues to play around in the meta sandbox using thought balloons in a fun way. We’ve got Harley literally clutching a thought balloon at one point, frustrated with them since they’re part of this period of comics. If you like potty humor, you’ll love the little comment about thought balloons being like farts that follow you around.
I did find the story to meander a bit too much, though. Once Harley realizes she’s the hero of the land, the story awkwardly shifts to her home life with Poison Ivy, then another confrontation. Finally, this issue zips into the main narrative Howard has been crafting. While this gives the issue more purpose and reason to read — many tie-ins are skippable if you’re only interested in the main story arcs — the dialogue really piles on in this final sequence. It’s doing too much and makes the last few pages a slog.
Wrapping the issue up is Leah Williams and PJ Holden’s backup, which features a punk Harley from the future teaming up with Harley of the now. There’s an intriguing concept about time and energy that’s fun to unpack here. Basically, old Harley explains the ship they’re on and the universe. It’s heavy stuff, and it pairs well with the meta-multiverse main story.
If you ever wanted to see Harley Quinn as the greatest superhero of the DC universe, step right up and read Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #2. This issue also ties into the main story, so don’t miss it if you’ve been enjoying the main series.
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