The Batman Who Laughs
by Scott Snyder
*
I'm always anxious to see what new things DC is throwing at us an was pleased to get early access through NetGalley.
In the aftermath of the Dark Knights: Metal saga, Batman is faced with a grotesque Batman/Joker amalgamation. Things get worse from there.
Snyder and crew do and excellent job sustaining the tone and keeping things consistent and immersive. The Elseworlds tales have a long history and can make for great story telling. It can be interesting to subvert the norm with a twisted story like this, but is tailored to a very specific taste. (Not mine.) I found it to be unpleasant, ugly and unnecessary.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Book Review: Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass
Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass
Mariko Tamaki
**
I'm a big fan of Mariko Tamaki, having particularly enjoyed her take on Supergirl with "Being Super." Harley Quinn isn't a character that does much for me. Still, I was anxious to read this because of the author and was pleased to get an advanced copy from NetGalley.
I have give props for retelling the origin in a way that still works with the character we know, while stripping away the darker, pseudo-sexual parts. With the way this character is being used now, that makes absolute sense. I just wish this was better. The evil rich tycoon is an overused villain and I thought going to that well lacked teeth. I also found some of the supporting cast, Mama in particular, to rely on dated stereotypes. That being said, the art was good, and Harley and Ivy have a relationship that is engaging. I also enjoyed this take on a proto-Joker and felt that Bruce Wayne was used just enough. There were things to like about this, but as a whole, I think it falls short.
Mariko Tamaki
**
I'm a big fan of Mariko Tamaki, having particularly enjoyed her take on Supergirl with "Being Super." Harley Quinn isn't a character that does much for me. Still, I was anxious to read this because of the author and was pleased to get an advanced copy from NetGalley.
I have give props for retelling the origin in a way that still works with the character we know, while stripping away the darker, pseudo-sexual parts. With the way this character is being used now, that makes absolute sense. I just wish this was better. The evil rich tycoon is an overused villain and I thought going to that well lacked teeth. I also found some of the supporting cast, Mama in particular, to rely on dated stereotypes. That being said, the art was good, and Harley and Ivy have a relationship that is engaging. I also enjoyed this take on a proto-Joker and felt that Bruce Wayne was used just enough. There were things to like about this, but as a whole, I think it falls short.
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