You can see all their names on the cover above, and not one page disappoints - just look at some of this stuff:
 |
| Walt Simonson |
 |
| Art Baltazar |
 |
| Dan Panosian |
The only name you'll likely not recognise is Jeremy Roberts, who won DC's infamous tryout contest and the chance to draw a page. His Harley is a little too posed, but the lad's new, and will hopefully loosen up as he gets more assignments - he's closing off the Stormwatch series with #30 (I assume that one's set in a clinic in Switzerland).
 |
| Jeremy Roberts |
 |
| Darwyn Cooke |
As an old She-Hulk and Ambush Bug fan, I got a huge kick out of this issue. Rather than the sleazy murderess of DC's New 52 revamp, we have a Harley akin to the delightful nutter created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, the latter of whom draws the psycho psychiatrix here. There's joshing at the expense of Palmiotti's other DC titles, a clever Jim Lee gag, the return of the Tiny Titans prior to their book's coming uncancellation, and lots more fun.
And as a fan of different visual takes on characters, this comic is a dream. Not keen on one Harley? Turn the page and there's another.
I don't know if the regular series will be as much fun as this, but Conner, Palmiotti, their army of artists and, of course, Harley have convinced me to put my prejudices aside and give it a try.
And as a fan of different visual takes on characters, this comic is a dream. Not keen on one Harley? Turn the page and there's another.
I don't know if the regular series will be as much fun as this, but Conner, Palmiotti, their army of artists and, of course, Harley have convinced me to put my prejudices aside and give it a try.
Actually, Stormwatch kicks the bucket in April with #30. But that's besides the point.
ReplyDeleteThis was a glorious issue to me (I handed it a 9.5 over on AiPT). The complete and utter opposite of DC's dark and grim outlook on most of their books, with a bright and colorful world with humor and an upbeat vibe to it. Sure, it's a dream, but dang it, it's just so nice regardless.
Ta for the correction, IG! Fixed now, I'm off to read your review ...
DeleteI wanted to like it, and I probably would have loved it, but I can't stand Harley's ugly-ass new52 look. as you say, the art through-out is lovely, but the awful character design puts a mocker on it for me.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't blame you, Joe. I have a feeling the classic will be back within a year or two, with its appearance this time just the beginning.
DeleteI for one love the classic look myself it just works
DeleteOh, damn, after reading your positive review and viewing some of the examples of the great artwork inside, now I'm probably going to have to buy this. Looks like a lot of fun... wait, is fun even allowed in the New 52? We will have to wait & see how the actual ongoing series plays out, of course. At least Harley's look was modified somewhat away from that demented clown dominatrix redesign to something a bit more comedic and akin to her classic costume.
ReplyDeleteYou'll not regret it, Ben, it's a great-looking, fun comic.
DeleteI loved this book.
ReplyDeleteIt felt back to Harley's roots of silly and fun and irreverant.
Hurrah!
Aw yeah!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I enjoyed the comic too. I think too much Fourth Wall smashing would get old fast (Harley promises to stop it), but this was fine.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think the regular title will keep that final wall up.
DeleteI love how DC runs a talent search for 'New, Undiscovered Talent', but then just makes the winner a guy who has been working for them and other publishers for the past 10 years.
ReplyDeleteTotally legit contest, that.