Written by: Tini Howrd
Art by: Sweeney Boo
Colors by: Sweeney Boo
Letters by: Steve Wands
Cover art by: Sweeney Boo
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: May 23, 2020
Harley Quinn #30 finds Harley trying to make the wrong things right by traveling to Earth-26 to return the magic fish she accidentally stole from Captain Carrot during a critical moment in battle.
Is It Good?
I've held out as long as I can. I didn't want to do it, but DC and Tini Howard have forced my hand. I'm going to ask the one question I hoped I'd never have to ask - Is it too late to get Stephanie Phillips back?
Harley Quinn #30 is like watching a bad parody of a Looney Tunes cartoon, and the more you try to stop being a grumpy curmudgeon and just enjoy the story for what it is, the more this comic assaults your mind with terrible plot points and terrible humor and the more it assails your eyes with neon-colored cotton candy art that would make a sugar addict say, "Nah, that's too much for me."
When last we left Harley, she embarked on a bizarre scavenger hunt to find something to sacrifice that had personal meaning. The sacrifice was needed to complete a spell gifted by Zatanna to stop Harley's accidental punctures of the multiversal membrane. Now, Harley learns why the fish she accidentally plucked out of the multiverse was so important, so she embarks on a new mission to return the fish to its proper owner - Captain Carrot.
Putting aside the plot points not explained (how did Harley gain powers to break the multiversal membrane? Why do people think Harley's a hero when she gunned down one of Two-Face's henchmen two issues ago?), the story has some merit in terms of a hero's journey. The protagonist (Harley) reluctantly undertakes a risky mission to set the wrong things right. Fundamentally, that's a good foundation to build upon. Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Harley receives inspiration via a pep talk from Dr. Fate to resolve her problems, and she does so by purchasing a cosmic treadmill from the Flash Museum. Why does the Flash Museum have a very dangerous object lying around, and why would it sell such a dangerous object to a convicted criminal? Nobody knows or seems to care. How is Harley able to run with her hyena-shaped visitors on the cosmic treadmill when it requires super speed to work? Nobody knows or seems to care.
And there's the rub. This comic is filled with one nonsensical contrivance after the next, and the only way to enjoy it is to turn your brain completely off. Timi Howard appears to be doing everything possible to recreate the vibe and structure of a wacky kids' cartoon. If that goal is intentional, it's not a very good cartoon that any kid would enjoy. If it's not intentional, what the Hell is happening within DC?
How's the art? Garish to the brink of visual offensiveness. In fairness to Sweeney Boo, the nauseating rainbow of visuals appears to be designed specifically to match the story. You can't fault Boo for delivering art that works with the script, but that doesn't make the art any less tacky.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Bits and Pieces:
Colors by: Sweeney Boo
Letters by: Steve Wands
Cover art by: Sweeney Boo
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: May 23, 2020
Harley Quinn #30 finds Harley trying to make the wrong things right by traveling to Earth-26 to return the magic fish she accidentally stole from Captain Carrot during a critical moment in battle.
Is It Good?
I've held out as long as I can. I didn't want to do it, but DC and Tini Howard have forced my hand. I'm going to ask the one question I hoped I'd never have to ask - Is it too late to get Stephanie Phillips back?
Harley Quinn #30 is like watching a bad parody of a Looney Tunes cartoon, and the more you try to stop being a grumpy curmudgeon and just enjoy the story for what it is, the more this comic assaults your mind with terrible plot points and terrible humor and the more it assails your eyes with neon-colored cotton candy art that would make a sugar addict say, "Nah, that's too much for me."
When last we left Harley, she embarked on a bizarre scavenger hunt to find something to sacrifice that had personal meaning. The sacrifice was needed to complete a spell gifted by Zatanna to stop Harley's accidental punctures of the multiversal membrane. Now, Harley learns why the fish she accidentally plucked out of the multiverse was so important, so she embarks on a new mission to return the fish to its proper owner - Captain Carrot.
Putting aside the plot points not explained (how did Harley gain powers to break the multiversal membrane? Why do people think Harley's a hero when she gunned down one of Two-Face's henchmen two issues ago?), the story has some merit in terms of a hero's journey. The protagonist (Harley) reluctantly undertakes a risky mission to set the wrong things right. Fundamentally, that's a good foundation to build upon. Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Harley receives inspiration via a pep talk from Dr. Fate to resolve her problems, and she does so by purchasing a cosmic treadmill from the Flash Museum. Why does the Flash Museum have a very dangerous object lying around, and why would it sell such a dangerous object to a convicted criminal? Nobody knows or seems to care. How is Harley able to run with her hyena-shaped visitors on the cosmic treadmill when it requires super speed to work? Nobody knows or seems to care.
And there's the rub. This comic is filled with one nonsensical contrivance after the next, and the only way to enjoy it is to turn your brain completely off. Timi Howard appears to be doing everything possible to recreate the vibe and structure of a wacky kids' cartoon. If that goal is intentional, it's not a very good cartoon that any kid would enjoy. If it's not intentional, what the Hell is happening within DC?
How's the art? Garish to the brink of visual offensiveness. In fairness to Sweeney Boo, the nauseating rainbow of visuals appears to be designed specifically to match the story. You can't fault Boo for delivering art that works with the script, but that doesn't make the art any less tacky.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Bits and Pieces:
Harley Quinn #30 is a clownish nightmare of a comic masquerading as a bad Looney Tunes cartoon. The plot has a basic foundation for Harley to leverage in her journey to becoming a hero, but the random, over-the-top developments keep getting in the way. Coupled with offensively colored art, you have the comic equivalent of a candy store hit by a tornado.
4.5/10
Harley Quinn really suffered downgrade after becoming popular
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