Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn #1 Review

 

My Babies and My Kids

Writer: Katana Collins and Sean Murphy

Artist: Matteo Scalera, Dave Stewart, and AndWorld Design

Cover Price: $4.99

Release Date: October 21, 2020

It's been a bit since Curse of the White Knight ended, and while I wasn't as hip on the sequel as I was the original, I have been looking forward to this book since DC Comics announced it.  I am a Harley fan, and I think she is one of the better characters in the White Knight Universe, so a solo side-story feels earned.  Plus, I want to see how Katana Collins writes these characters in this universe.  So, is this a good start?  Let's find out...

The first thing I noticed was how well Matteo Scalera's art fits the White Knight style.  This could go right in an omnibus and not look any bit out of place.  That goes for the writing as well.  Collins writes a great Harley that feels right and gives her a little something more to continue the strength with vulnerability vibe from the main series.

Of course, Harley is a mother of twins from Jack, and after a cool introduction showing us the faithful meeting that started it all, we get to see the kids and their mother.  There is no doubt that Harley loves her kids, but Collins does a good job showing a single mother in over her head, trying to do something that she may not be cut out to do.  Bills are piling up, and while we see Duke is making sure she is okay (by orders of Bruce), Harley is struggling.  While it is a trope that many Harley writers go to, seeing her care more for her hyenas than her kids at points is a sad reminder that this life isn't exactly the one for Harley.

The big thing, though, is Harley is a fighter and won't give up.  While she shuns the idea of working on a serial killer case involving old movie stars at first, we know Harley is going to get involved, and when she does, she is in her element and so awesome.  She leaps everyone on the case immediately, and the clues point towards a new villain set up in the regular White Knight books.  

I liked this start a whole lot.  While I was getting a bit tired of the entire Joker/Jack and Batman back and forth of the White Knight, this feels fresh without feeling forced or out of place.  Katana Collins shows she knows the characters and setting, especially in a scene with Harley talking to Bruce in prison.  I am looking forward to White Knight each month again!

I already mentioned Matteo Scalera's art, but I will repeat it, it looks great and fits 100% into the White Knight style.  I might even say some of it looks better!

Bits and Pieces:

Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn #1 is a good start for fans of the series and may even convince those who fell off to come back.  It may not be the best jumping on point, but the art and writing are top-notch, and I am looking forward to the next issue. 

8.5/10