Harley Quinn #43 – Tini Howard, Alexis Quasarano, Writers; Sweeney Boo, Natacha Bustos, Riccardo Federici, Artists
Ray – 8.5/10
Ray: Tini Howard wraps up her Harley run this issue, only a week after her Catwoman run, and one of the things I greatly enjoyed about both this and the previous Stephanie Phillips run is the way it used Harley’s background as a psychologist. Her failed attempt to reform her fellow villains through the power of Mental health has brought her into conflict with Mr. Freeze, leaving Robin frozen and Freeze on the rampage. But after that, she still has to face the fallout for her failed criminal scheme and try to save Maxie Zeus as well. Her solution kind of stretches the boundaries of the law – which is lampshaded – and plays out a little too fast, but it was satisfying to see Detective Pulaski hoisted on her own petard in the courtroom. The whole run was just a little too wacky at points, especially in the multiversal stuff, but Howard’s take on Harley’s character and her relationship with Ivy was strong throughout.
The backup, the second installment of “Harley the Barbarian” by Quasarano and Federici, brings great fantasy art and some gruesome action to a story that manages to pack a lot of lore into only a few pages. This whole “Harley’s Dreams” backup feature could be a mixed bag, but was a lot of fun.
The Flash #13 – Simon Spurrier, Writer; Ramon Perez, Artist; Matt Herms, Colorist
Ray – 8/10
Ray: Simon Spurrier’s Flash run has been an at-times fascinating, at-times baffling cosmic odyssey, bringing Wally closer to the Speed Force than every before and pulling him away from the rest of his family. This issue finds him reunited with them, stronger than ever as he faces the end of his journey – but a rift seems to be emerging between him and Barry, who views the forces as a threat rather than as a force of nature. This leads Wally to enter the speed force alone for one more journey, challenging some cosmic entities and communing with another until the reveal of what this strange force is finally unfolds. There are some brilliant elements here, but also a lot of exposition and so many characters it’s hard for many to get focus. When things slow down a little, it’s much better and shows elements of the Flash family we all know and love. Next arc – Skartaris, apparently!
Power Girl #13 – Leah Williams, Writer; Adriana Melo, Artist; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist
Ray – 8/10
Ray: This issue takes the odd tack of following up on a major cliffhanger by not having the main character in it at all, instead focusing on the secondary lead of Omen. In between wrangling Streaky, Lilith Clay is busy planning a date and working with Natasha Irons on intel about a potential threat to a gala being held by Mayoral candidate Perry White. But when she infiltrates the party (after dealing with some creepy guys on the outside) and attempts to listen to everyone’s thoughts before they can pull off an attack, she’s surprised by a new metahuman, Ejecta, who seems to have some sort of grudge against telepaths – and views Lilith as the threat she needs to neutralize. It’s an interesting plot that ties into the ongoing threat of Blue Earth that Phillip Kennedy Johnson set up, but the absence of all the other ongoing plots makes it a slightly odd read, especially with Peeg’s face on the cover.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
