Harleen #2

An excellent, compelling tale which uses its extra pages to great effect a triumph of storytelling. This is a must get for Harley and Joker fans. Read Full Review

Harleen #2 was everything a reader could want. It's a love letter to the fans of both Joker and Harley Quinn. It was suspenseful and moving, the artwork was so gorgeous, and the writing next level. I enjoyed this issue immensely and give it full marks. This is 10 out of 10 easily, in any aspect. Kudos to this team, thank you for the amazing read, truly. Read Full Review

Sejic has really come into his own as an auteur here. He not only illustrates an incredible story, he writes one as well. This is a masterful work and I love this comic. It is super well done. Read Full Review

If you're into complex character studies, you really should pick up this book. The art is great, the writing is deep and intricate, and everything fits together so well that the story flows organically and easily, despite it being so complex. There's not a single book like this on stands right now, and this is the kind of comic that I fully support and recommend. Sejic is killing it on this title"in a good way. Harley Quinn hasn't been this relatable for me in years! Read Full Review

Though it starts a bit slower than the initial issue in the miniseries, Harleen #2 is every bit as complex and intriguing, diving deep into the psychological monstrosity that is the Joker and how the descent of Dr. Harleen Quinzel really began. Read Full Review

There are so many paths this narrative can take and Sejic has been picking all the best ones. Also, if you cant find a copy of this issue or you do not like digital there is something you should know: coming out next year is a hardcover of this series that looks beautiful. If you are a fan of graphic novels (instead of single issues) you need to add this series to your comic collection. It is seldom hard to find a series that not only has excellent writing and fabulous art but also understands the character. If you are on the search for that comic, look no further than the Harleen series. Read Full Review

The boom in Harley comics has led to a lot of interesting takes " just in the last few months, we've had Harley as a mentally ill doctor here, an obsessed profiler, and a teenage rebel. They all have their strengths and weak points, but this is a gorgeous and highly creepy take on the classic Harley. Read Full Review

Overall, Harleen #2 is a strong second issue. The issues with pacing are not nearly enough of a hiccup to deter from rereading the series over and over again before the next issue hits stands. Read Full Review

Harleen #2 is a great story that puts us deeper inside the mind of Harley Quinn. It's an insightful glimpse at how the monsters that roam the earth aren't just the ones locked away in a prison cell. Stejic's art continues to be glorious to look at. Read Full Review

eji's art continues to be a treat. There's nothing more I can really add from my review of Book One, but I will say that eji is a master of the on-panel expressions. I've always been a fan of artists like Kevin Maguire who really demonstrate real emotions through their art, and eji is among a select few artists today that I follow that do it really well. Read Full Review

Harleen #2 is a solid book, depicting the title character's descent into evil deeds, with a disturbing flash-forward reminding us of what's to come. It's also a deep dive into Batman lore, reexamining parts of the Batman mythos without radically changing them. Read Full Review

Harleen is far from perfect, but the flaws are forgivable and the strengths are rare enough to deserve far more attention. Read Full Review

Although the art is amazing, I am just not really a big fan of the story. That does not mean that I hated it either. The overly romantic elements that control the narrative are just not for me. A few times the dialogue just felt repetitive and drawn out. This series may have been served better if it was shorter. The art is a slam dunk all the way through. Overall, I would say this series is okay. I will still be checking out the next story since there are elements here that intrigue me. Read Full Review

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Nov 03, 2019

I thought this was excellent. I feel like he improved as a writer already and it is honestly surprising this is his first written book at DC. Also I know Stejpan is very in touch with the fan community so if he somehow sees this... hello o7

M1sf1r3

Dec 01, 2019

Prelude: Stjepan Sejic started Harleen with barely a flaw last issue. Let's see how it goes at the halfway 2nd issue. The Good: The Joker is great in this. Perfectly done and oozing charisma. I'm also a fan of this Two-Face. It's similar to his past origins but fits the universe. Hell, the Executioners are interesting too and what they mean for the GCPD and Gotham as a whole. Harleen's time at the GCPD is also a pivotal point of the story, showing the consequences for the GCPD and Batman's take on Gotham's criminals and his code. Harleen is done so well, showing her character and her attempts to avoid her life from spiraling. Sejic's art is also done superbly well. The Bad: Art is slightly off around the edges. Co nclusion: Despite some slightly off artwork and that's if you pay close attention, Harleen #2 is utterly amazing. Every aspect works well, the writing is tight, characterisation's are amazing and it asks the right questions. Easily my favourite Harley origin and the series isn't even done. more

Ryan

Dec 20, 2019

Harley Quinn is finally getting the origin she deserves. Sejic’s portrayal of Joker is fantastically terrifying and he’s the ultimate unreliable narrator. Such a great comic, one of the best Harley stories ever

I Review Comics

Jan 03, 2021

Of all the different versions of Harley Quinn out there, Harleen presents the most realistic, relatable, and honestly pitiful takes on the character. Harleen doesn't tread new ground. This is the Harley Quinn origin we've seen floated for about 20+ years now but the book still comes together nicely on the strength of the writing and art direction. StJepan clearly gets this character and treats her seriously. Other writers tend to treat Harleen like a broken clown and never really dive beneath the surface of the Harley Quinn tragedy. Although I think we all know where the series is going I appreciate that StJepan doesn't portray Harleen as a victim or brainwashed groupie. We all have our vices or hangups. Harleen's problem is that she m akes shitty decisions. She also has the unfortunate hangup of being attracted to and attempting to rehab broken men. How many people can relate to the destructive behavior that comes along with those personality traits regardless of gender or sexuality? Unfortunately for Harley, she falls for the worst guy available in The Joker. What makes Harleens fall so tragic is that she literally has everything going for her aside from her unresolved personal issues. She's great-looking and is the model career woman but still falls short. This is the type of role I'd really like to see taken up by Margot Robbie eventually. The story details Harley's fall but never takes agency from her or her decision making. This is what we also see in most modern takes from writers trying to soften Harley Quinn into an anti-hero. The book focuses on Harley and her growing infatuation with the Joker. The title also continues detailing the parallel origin of Harvey Dent aka Two-Face. This is also one of my favorites depictions of the character that I've read since getting back into comics. The presentation here is flat-out gorgeous. Stjepan and Mike Mayhew are the only writers working today that seem to be able to draw realistic characters without hitting uncanny valley territory. I've seen some complaints about Joker being too handsome but considering that the book is written entirely from Harleen's perspective it makes sense that Joker isn't presented as a twisted monster but as an idealized version of himself. I have one more issue of the series to review and I expect the transition from Doctor to Supervillain will be completed by the end of the series. The script is solid and the story is as heartbreaking as I expected it to be walking into the series. The origin of Harley Quinn has been retold countless times over the years but it never becomes less tragic. There are a lot of Harleens out there and I think the series is doing an amazing job of highlighting how lust and infatuation can lead to self-destructive outcomes. Rating: GOD-TIER more

liolia

Oct 13, 2023

Holy shit, this is fantastic. This is one of the best comic books I've ever read. I love how it's such a thoughtful, nuanced portrayal of their relationship, and I love what they're doing with Harvey. And the art! The art is just fantastic.

EDiakota

Oct 31, 2019

" After all Gotham's a city where angels fly on wings of icarus... Up, Up they go and then... Down, down, down they fall. Until we all stand revealed for who we truly are underneath. - JOKER

Gizmo

Nov 03, 2019

It strikes me that Harleen is playing a bit of a manipulation game of her own at the end, am I the only one picking up on this? Maybe she had a genuine fling with an instructor in her past, but it didn't end up hurting her career. So part of her may be falling into old habits, but I have a feeling there's more to it. Either way, this title is standing out above the other Joker/Harley DC Black Label titles bring published right now.

Azrael

Nov 04, 2019

The part of Joker’s allure is that he’ll adapt his personality to whatever condition he is present in. This story does quite well in showing how Harley’s desire to prove a theory can be twisted into feelings of affection. The whole subplot with Harvey was also quite good.

KittyNone

Oct 30, 2019

Well this was a pleasant surprise after the first issue's slow start! One could argue that the world needed neither another story about the Joker & Harley nor another story about how Gotham destroys people, but Sejic makes a solid case for there being more to say. I was skeptical of his too-beautiful Joker, but it's actually perfect for a story that convincingly explains how Harley fell in love with him in the first place.

Darkseid24

Oct 30, 2019

Harleen is finally a good Harley Quinn story& a story, that doesnt portray her as a total joke. However on the one hand Harley is portrayed as a smart young psychiatrist, but on the other hand it’s odd, that she fell for such a lame attempt of Joker. I mean I expected him to be more manipulative, but he didnt say anything impressing. There is also no reason at all, why Harley would evén be impressed by Joker given the fact, that her life is portrayed succesful with no severe trauma, so why would a succesfull psychiatrist from a happy family fall for him? Harleen also cant give the answers so far. I also hope we don’t get to see hypocritical Harley& her being portrayed too much as a victim. We will see.

Spacey Medicine

Nov 04, 2019

Once again just a roller coaster from cringe to melodrama to interest and back into cringe. Like, girl, could you be any dumber, bless your heart.

egonnn244

Nov 08, 2019

"Don't! Touch! My! Puddin!" I like Sejic's work, his art and I enjoyed the first chapter very much, but this one, honestly, was hard to get through. The best part, for me, was the Harvey stuff, his "accident" and his speech at the press conference. The Harleen part felt, well, a little bit too wordy. The dialogue and the narration were overstuffed with words, so much so sometimes that they brought the pacing of the book to a screeching halt. Because of that, I couldn't finish this chapter in one sitting. The part about stolen nights, days, smile and heart didn't help either. Way too melodramatic for my liking, made me roll my eyes and got an audible chuckle out of me. I hope that the third chapter will be better.

Psycamorean

Nov 01, 2019

Well, thank god this mob boss does something a mob boss would never do in order for Harley to be driven to love Joker. I don't like this story, I won't lie. Nothing about the Joker is alluring, and his manipulation would only work on a pre-teen that's already hot for his... gangly Tom Hiddleston-ness. There's too much Twilight infusion in this for my tastes. I think it makes Harley look like an incredibly weak person, which I guess may be in line with her character, but it certainly becomes a hindrance in a story that's supposed to highlight and study this transition. It just sort of amounts to "He's, like, soooo pretty and he's soooo smart. He *understands* me." And if that's truly what the Harley/Joker relationship boils down to, what's t he point of this series? That's not worth the exploration. more