Batman: Prelude to the Wedding: Harley Quinn vs. Joker #1

In keeping with the rest of the prelude books, Tim Seely does an impressive job at revealing intimate sides of those in Batman's world and the way he deftly handles Harley and Joker will make you wish he wrote them all of the time. Read Full Review

I have really enjoyed these preludes, but the end of the road is in sight. If you've been reading the parallel arcs in the main Batman book, then these stories provide fantastic companion pieces. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Pick up Batman 48 and 49 right now! Once you've read 'em make sure you pick up issue #50 and the all-new Catwoman #1 both available on July 4th. Read Full Review

In the end, the Jokers biggest complain, of not having been invited to the big wedding takes the spotlight, and the epilogue paves the way for the events on the serial The Best Man, seen in Batman #48 and #49, the two issues preceding the big day. Read Full Review

It's about Harley and Joker addressing their explosive personalities, and the pain they inflict on each. It's about the patterns of abuse. It's about obsession. It's such a twisted, terrifying thought; and a bittersweet, poignant reflection to end on before the big day. Hats off to Seeley for sticking the landing. Read Full Review

I greatly enjoyed this issue, the connection between Harley and Joker has always been tumultuous at best. This issue seems to make great effort to put everything out on the table for the clowns. Now with only the wedding to wait for, this can only get more exciting. Read Full Review

My biggest takeaway from this arc is that Batman and Catwoman's wedding has effected practically everyone in the DC Universe and it's fun to see how each person (hero or villain) is getting ready for the event of the season. Read Full Review

BATMAN: PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING - HARLEY VS THE JOKER #1 is an exciting ending to the Prelude to the Wedding series. Tim Seeley delivers a real wedding present of a grand finale. The Joker lives up to the hype. The complicated relationship between him and Harley Quinn is center stage in this issue. Sami Basri's artwork is bright and playful and perfectly captures the craziness of these characters. Read Full Review

BATMAN: PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING - HARLEY QUINN VS. THE JOKER #1 is an exciting ending to the PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING series. Tim Seeley delivers a real wedding present of a grand finale. The Joker lives up to the hype. The complicated relationship between him and Harley Quinn is center stage in this issue. Sami Basri's artwork is bright and playful and perfectly captures the craziness of these characters. Read Full Review

Tim Seeley's understanding of the characters make Batman: Prelude to the Wedding: Harley Quinn Vs. Joker a joy to read Read Full Review

Prelude to the Wedding wasn't a must-read arc, but it was entertaining and rewarding for Bat-family fans who wanted a glimpse of the lead in to the big event. Harley vs. The Joker was one of the better installments and easily one worth searching out even if you've missed the other chapters. Read Full Review

The outfits Harley wears in this issue are some of the coolest I've seen her in for a while. I'm a fan of the art by Sami Basri, the art feels alive and the design of both characters are superb. There's also a brilliant closing epilogue by Otto Smidt. Overall this is a fun ride of a prelude before the wedding we've all been waiting for. Read Full Review

A good issue that'll satisfy Joker and Harley fans. Read Full Review

In short, this book is extremely well done. It ties directly into the previous two issues of Tom King's Batman, and sort of enhances the story. Seeley does an excellent job finding the characters voices and their interactions are great. The predictability is an issue, but I can imagine that Seeley's hands were tied and definitely makes the most out of the cards that he was dealt. This book is definitely worthwhile if you have an extra $4 to spend! Read Full Review

These wedding prelude issues have been very hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed this issue and thought it was an interesting progression for Harley Quinns character. Now on to the wedding. Read Full Review

Just a lackluster mini-event that didn't really add much to the coming wedding story. Read Full Review

If you absolutely love the Harley Quinn and Joker dynamic, you can while away some time reading this Batman wedding tie-in, but so far it feels like the absolutely most superfluous book of the bunch. Read Full Review

Overall, the Bat-Wedding preludes ranged in quality. Some are surprisingly good and some are mediocre. Unfortunately, the 'Harley vs. Joker' one-shot ultimately feels the most pointless. The character ideas are seeds to great plots, but it ended up being a shallow examination. Read Full Review

While these Preludes haven't been vital, this one is flat out unnecessary.  While the art was good, the story has been done before and just felt wedged in to make more money before the wedding happens (or doesn't?!?) next week.  This one is best left on the shelf. Read Full Review

Batman Jones

Jun 27, 2018

Each of the Seeley tie-ins has had something to offer but some have inevitably been better than others. Until this point Damian vs. Ra's has been my choice pick of the lot but this one outdoes it on several fronts. The artwork is often reminiscent of Janin which is a nice touch. He is our modern Joker artist and he's a wonderful one. I even felt the lettering mimicked Joker in the main Batman series. Those two visual approaches made me feel like this book was a cousin to King's main series. Seeley's Joker is consistent with King's but has a lot to say on his own and Harley (though I confess I don't follow any of her series') seems stronger than I'm used to her being portrayed. Maybe that's the norm now. If so, good. It was good to hav e her out from under The Joker's hold. All in all this was one of the best books I read from DC this week and that's saying a lot in a really great week. more

Gizmo

Jul 14, 2018

I don't quite get the setup at the beginning, does it pick up from something else, how did Joker get in the silo and where did all of those teeth come from? I can't say I like King's Joker much, but takes what King established and made lemonade out of lemons. I also like this take on Harley (both her personality and her outfits), it is head and shoulders above the Harley of the ongoing series that has been trying to be Deadpool.

bucswin611

Jun 28, 2018

Sami Basri's art is worth the price alone. Its similarity to Otto Schmidt's work transitions into the epilogue nicely, which I didn't see coming, re: the ending tie-in. The story is straightforward enough and representative of what a 21st century Harley-Joker dynamic should be.

Nihilist

Jun 27, 2018

This issue wouldn't be bad if it belonged to Harley's solo series (but on the other hand what would be, compared to it?), and it surely has redeeming qualities and interesting moments, but it's still not something I'd call good enough as a teaser of the upcoming wedding, which let me remind you, is one of the biggest events in DC comics in recent years. So yeah, I'd expect a little bit more from comics setting it up, and that applies to not only this particular issue, but every prelude preciding it. Maybe Nightwing vs. Hush, which was actually pretty good. It's readable, and the art is really good (Sami Basri would be a good fit for Harley Quinn comics), but when it comes to the story, it's a mixed bag. For starters, naturally Harley has her thick accent gimmick that's so overused since New 52, but I can't ignore the fact she's not portrayed as a complete idiot this time - she actually uses her brain and psychiatric skills, which I truly welcome. Yeah, she's being outsmarted by the Joker at the end, which was to be expected, but nonetheless, even a half successful attempt to give her some depth as a character is a rare sight. Give credit where credit is due. Joker himself was definitely more interesting than the pointless Ra's al Ghul's appearance, and completely out of character Riddler portrayal we've seen so far. He's not as terrifying as he was in Batman #49, but he wasn't a complete wimp either. He has some decent monologues, and does what he should - manipulates people, uses them for his own advantage. more

Dani

Jun 29, 2018

This was my least favorite issue in the Prelude To The Wedding series. If this was part of Harley Quinn's comic it would have been fine, but it felt out of place as a lead in to the Batman/Catwoman wedding. This issue should have went to Tim Drake or even Alfred. While the Joker's appearances in the previous Prelude issues have been fine due to limited exposure, this was the turning point where it was too much. This series has shifted from Batman and Catwoman to The Joker and it's putting a damper on the series. Batman and Catwoman have a long history and the lead up to their wedding deserves more than just being a plot device for the Joker. This was a sour note on an otherwise good series.

SomeDummy

Jun 28, 2018

Please, for the love of god DC, STOP. HIRING. OLD. FRIENDS. Its the same subpar circle of people for every damn B-list bat book.

Spacey Medicine

Feb 05, 2019

No.