![]() It’s probably not a coincidence that Harley Quinn and Birds of Prey share the same storytelling launching pad, starting with the breakup of Harley and Mistah J. This is post-Batman storytelling we know the drill, so flip the toy on its head and maybe that will form a smile. Harley Quinn’s Batman is still a recognizable hero – there’s a tenderness in Diedrich Bader’s voice as he saves Harley from another Joker heartbreak – but he also spits out “You’re going to Arkham,” like a broken toy. Plus, when Harley Quinn does include Batman in the story, it’s as a supporting mythology, largely in place for Harley to accuse him of having sex with actual bats, or to poke fun at Bats and Jim Gordon’s terse friendship. Harley Quinn is a one-million-jokes per minute roller coaster where you’re likely to flip between Aquaman, Bane, and Lex Luthor cameos at any given moment. Psycho (?!), and King Shark gives her quest for Legion of Doom validation so much DCU lifeblood. Yes, there are the expected players like Batman, Robin (truly a boy wonder), and Joker, but Harley’s crew of Poison Ivy, Clayface, Dr. The DC Comics version felt like an overeager attempt to replicate the success of Deadpool, and I just was never able to bridge the gap between Mad LoveĮra Harlequinn and contemporary Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad.ĭC Universe’s animated Harley Quinn has been a revelation, an R-rated madcap exploration of everything that makes DC interesting. ![]() I say “amazingly” because until this year I’d never really fallen for the Harley phenomena. Now it’s nothing new for Batman’s popularity to drive spinoffs (shouts to New 52 Talon getting an ongoing), but the broad familiarity of the darkest dark knight has opened the door to inject humor, doubt, and color into the absolute justice of Batman’s war on crime.Īmazingly, Harley Quinn has proven the perfect modern vehicle for living in Gotham’s dark streets while simultaneously sharing the feeling that we’re all in on the Bat-tropes together. Birds of Prey (yada yada Harley Quinn) (February 2020).Harley Quinn (DC Universe) (November 2019).Lego Batman Movie (Feb 2017 – Yes, it’s “Batman,” but lego-comedy does wonders for freshness).Support CBH on Patreon for exclusive rewards, or Donate here! Thank you for reading! When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a qualifying affiliate commission.Ĭomic Book Herald’s reading orders and guides are also made possible by reader support on Patreon, and generous reader donations.Īny size contribution will help keep CBH alive and full of new comics guides and content. While the quality varies, this has left a sizable opening in fresh attempts at Batman Universe content such as:Ĭomic Book Herald is reader-supported. That’s a 5 year window of creative visions playing in the world of Batman without really focusing on the star of the show. It’s not like the world has turned its back on the Dark Knight, but certainly there’s a degree of pop culture weariness that demands different perspectives and angles to approach Gotham.įor my money, this period of “Post Batman-ism” – the time in which Batman feature films and TV are largely on hiatus – begins with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (March 2016) and will ultimately conclude with the Matt Reeves, Robert Pattinson version of The Batman (scheduled for release summer 2021). While I stand by this claim (so cool), that degree of popularity and effortless swagger inevitably leads to overexposure. ![]() In the opening to my Batman reading order (which remains the most popular character reading order month in and month out!), I write “Let’s face it: Batman is the coolest.” ![]() Today on “Previously On,” I unveil my theory that we’re living in a time of “Post Batman-ism” and Harley Quinn is precisely the right antidote.
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