Justice League Red #6 – Saladin Ahmed, Writer; Clayton Henry, Artist; Arif Prianto, Colorist
Ray – 8.5/10
Ray: It’s the final issue of this action-packed techno-thriller, as the true villain has finally been revealed – the Crimson Cloud, a sinister AI linked to Red Tornado who has now taken over in fully. The visuals by Clayton Henry here are top-notch, and the Cloud manages to take advantage of the team by showing us snippets from each of their worst fears and lowest moments – Red Canary in particular gets a really affecting one for any child of immigrants. In many ways, she turns out to be the main character here, thanks to her unique connection to the Red and her key role to play in the final battle. The hints at a major death here were clearly never going to happen, and that’s for the best, but this issue does a good job of restoring Red Tornado’s character and doing some interesting things with this misfit group of heroes, although I don’t know if this team dynamic will be revisited any time soon.
Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3 – Erica Henderson, Writer/Artist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Erica Henderson’s cartooning is some of the best in the business – the perfect mix of exaggerated and perfectly evocative. Harley and Ivy have formed a tight bond, but now it’s tested like never before with the return of the Joker at his most unappealing. This is skinned-Joker, with his repulsive stapled-on face, and yet he’s still able to put on the sad-sack act, trying to win Harley back after all his abuse. Harley’s vulnerability and Ivy’s anger makes it seem like something genuinely bad is coming – but there’s a great swerve followed by one of the most satisfying moments of the series and a great series of jokes about it. While this is a very quick read, mostly told in double-page spreads, it’s the perfect length and pace it needs to be for a critical moment in Harley and Ivy’s relationship. The sex jokes don’t distract all for just how good these two are together.
Harley Quinn #58 – Elliott Kalan, Writer; Carlos Olivares, Artist; Marissa Louise, Colorist
Ray – 8/10
Ray: In the aftermath of the Deconspirator’s attack on Throatcutter Hill and the death of a supporting character, Harley is trying to pick up the pieces, help the people affected by the attack – and sort out her confusing feelings for Althea Klang. Just like Janet over in Ivy’s book, I do find this subplot the least interesting part of the title, but it is amusing that Harley’s idea of courtship continues to be trying to blow up Klang’s building. But she doesn’t get the chance – because a new villain named Colonel Blimp descends into the city and starts dropping bombs. This leads to a chaotic string of pages as Harley tries to save the very building she just tried to blow up, and in the end of the issue she’s finally ready to take her evil billionaire love interest out on a date. Fun issue, but it kind of feels like we’re circling around the same few plot points with stopovers for colorful new villains.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
