Detective Comics #1114 main cover by Mikel Janín (DC Comics)
Comic Reviews and Editorials

Detective Comics #1114 Review

by Adam Koppel
written by Adam Koppel

In this review of Detective Comics #1114, as dawn quickly approaches, Batman’s plan to save Gotham City from being consumed by The Green hinges on Victor and Nora Fries who are currently in the middle of a violent marital spat.

 

Detective Comics #1114 Review

Detective Comics #1114 main cover by Mikel Janín (DC Comics)

DETECTIVE COMICS #1114
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Main Cover: MIKEL JANÍN
Variant Covers: DAN MORA, MARGUERITE SAUVAGE, DAVID NAKAYAMA, BJÖRN BARENDS
Page Count: | 32 Pages
Release Date: 10/21/26

 

This review contains spoilers 

Detective Comics #1114 begins in the winter kingdom under Gotham City, where Batman attempts to convince Noar Fries that he needs to save her estranged husband Victor in order to bring winter to Gotham before sunrise dooms the city. Despite Nora’s anger towards Victor, Batman utilizes his Bat-interpersonal skills to persuade the couple to work together for a common cause.

As the trio climb to the surface, Batman realizes that the sun will rise in less than twenty minutes, triggering the full plant bloom that will consume Gotham. A cry for help draws Batman from his mission as he attempts to save a young girl from a giant plant attack. Dumbfounded, Nora and Victor question Batman’s sanity in choosing to save one life over all of Gotham. Batman is undeterred and his stubbornness prompts Nora and Victor to aid in rescuing the girl.

The girl thanks Nora and she and her mother go inside as the trio get back on track, heading for Victor’s lab, only to discover that The Green is watching and has sent a giant to deal with them. Victor and Nora prepare the “engine of eternal winter” as Batman uses a freeze gun to battle the plant giant to no avail. Batman is knocked through a window as the first hint of sunrise appears over the horizon.

Detective Comics #1114 ends as Victor triggers the winter engine, engulfing Gotham in ice and snow while freezing every plant monster in their tracks. Amid the lush snowfall, Victor and Nora share a dance.

Analysis 

Detective Comics #1114 picks up threads from Batman #14 and runs all the way to the goal line. After an arduous twelve hours (nine weeks of real time), this chapter of the “Bad Seeds” event moves the plot forward while resolving a supervillain marital crisis and establishing why Batman is still a hero along the way. Writer Tom Taylor deftly weaves Victor and Nora Fries’ tragic love story into the tapestry of the Bad Seeds event and remarkably offers a solution to the mounting crisis and a resolution to the Fries’ marital strife.

The finale of Detective Comics #1114 provides emotion and huge stakes as the issue purposely comes full circle from the opening page of the issue (as well as Batman #14). It’s heartening that DC Comics has maintained writer Paul Dini’s classic animated “Heart of Ice” episode as the current Mister Freeze origin story. Taylor digs deep within the limited space of this issue to move the event plot forward while exploring the Fries’ fractured marriage which proves integral to Batman’s plan to save Gotham City.

The contrast of Victor’s icy demeanor and Nora’s fiery wrath illustrates the pair as true polar opposites, while Batman is out of his depth in attempting to counsel them, yet he still manages to convince the couple to work with him by tapping into what matters most to each of them.

Taylor’s script also allows an exploration Batman’s core drive to protect the innocent even as his “illogical” fixation to save the young girl might imperil all of Gotham. Batman’s dedication appears to at least temporarily inspire Victor and Nora into action, although their reunion might not last. With two issues to go before the Bad Seeds finale, the fallout from Poison Ivy’s gambit and Batman’s radical resolution is still to be revealed.

Clay Mann’s art fits well within the house style established by series artist Mikel Janin and guest artist Pete Woods’ clean, bold lines full of action, energy and emotion. The opening sequence and the final few pages of Detective Comics #1114 are gorgeous and moving parallels amid a lush winter snowfall, while the bulk of the issue is full of dramatic tension and heroic action.

Final Thoughts 

Detective Comics #1114 moves the “Bad Seeds” plot closer to the goal line with a ticking clock and a stunningly climactic finale. Tom Taylor’s writing remains sharp, intense and witty, while guest artist Clay Mann offers stunning visuals full of energy.

 

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Batman & Robin: Year One - Dynamic Duos #3 main cover by Chris Samnee (DC Comics)
Comic Reviews and Editorials

Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #3 Review

by D.M. Grant
written by D.M. Grant

In this review of Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #3, while Batman is battling the Mad Hatter, Dick is undercover being forced to kill the Catwoman for the mysterious Crime Master!

 

Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #3 Review

Batman & Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #3 main cover by Chris Samnee (DC Comics)

BATMAN & ROBIN: YEAR ONE – DYNAMIC DUOS #3
Written by MARK WAID and CHRIS SAMNEE
Art and Main Cover: CHRIS SAMNEE
Variant Covers: JIM CHEUNG, GORAN PARLOV, DIEGO OLORTEGUI, BRIAN BOLLAND
Page Count: 32 Pages
Release Date: 10/14/26

 

This review contains spoilers

Midnight in Gotham City, The Batman battles his way through costumed henchmen and apprehends The Mad Hatter, but not before contending with a monstrous creature called Gryphon. Batman takes Gryphon down and strong-arms The Hatter, who comments that he’s being meaner than usual without Robin at his side. The GCPD arrive on the scene and Gordon agrees, as both he and Batman discuss the changing nature of Gotham City and what keeps giving them hope.

Elsewhere, Dick is undercover as “Big Top”, with a gun in his hand and a command to execute Catwoman by the Crime Master. Dick hesitates, remembering Batman’s strict rules against firearms, and lets just enough time pass for the young girl Mehitabel to push over a pillar, causing a brief collapse around the area for Catwoman to escape. Crime Master furiously kicks Dick out of the Wolf Pack, and shows concern for Mehitabel, whom he calls “Kitten”.

In the Batcave, Alfred opens a letter and appears distressed. Batman pulls up in the Batmobile, informing his butler that he’s merely changing costumes and is responding to Dick’s message that he’s ready to be picked up. Alfred tries to inform Bruce about the contents of the letter, but Batman is eager to bring Dick back home as soon as possible. As he finds Dick and is informed by the evening’s events, the Dynamic Duo are unwittingly being followed by The Catwoman.

Analysis

Three issues into this series, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Like I said last time, the growing pains of reading yet another “Year One” book kept me from fully appreciating what Waid and Samnee were putting down. Now that we’re in a true ongoing flashback series a’la Legends of The Dark Knight, it’s been a ton of fun. Samnee’s art is as great as ever, and Waid’s mastery of the characters and scripting make this possibly my favorite monthly book. There’s not too much to say beyond praising its qualities from issue to issue.

I will admit to being slightly confused at the start with the Mad Hatter scene. We’ve not been given any reference to Jervis Tetch in this series before, and this adventure is presented to us at its end, and while there doesn’t seem to be anything deep happening, Tetch references that he’s used to seeing Batman with Robin, which we’ve never seen previously in this book. Time is being played pretty fast and loose in this series, but its fine. I like The Mad Hatter as a villain, and too often he’s presented as a kind of throwaway B-lister who is rarely given much time in the spotlight. A Hatter plot in this book would be neat to see sometime in the future. At the same time, I enjoyed how Waid wrote him, with Hatter insisting that he hates his own name. I was also slightly confused by how Batman described the Gryphon as a general hallucination, but then what exactly is he fighting? We don’t see the creature turn into anything else once the fight is finished.

I think the last thing that comes to mind is maybe getting a bit more into Bruce and Dick’s personal lives. We know Dick was attending public school (he got kicked out on his first day), but Waid excels at superheroes’ civilian personas. There’s plenty of time to explore that in the future, but since this is the Batman and Robin book going forward, it’d be nice to have that grounding on how they live early on.

But really, this is a solid series that continues to delight. Very fun issue for a fun title.

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Batman: Bad Seeds - Gotham Central #2 main cover by Jacob Phillips (DC Comics)
Comic Reviews and Editorials

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 Comic Review

by Adam Koppel
written by Adam Koppel

In this review of Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2, prepare yourselves for an epic showdown inside the claustrophobic confines of a stranded subway train where an escaped killer might be the least of officer Jim Gordon’s worries. Luckily, help is on the way.

 

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 Comic Review

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 main cover by Jacob Phillips (DC Comics)

BATMAN: BAD SEEDS – GOTHAM CENTRAL #2
Written by CHRISTOPHER CANTWELL
Art and Main Cover: JACOB PHILLIPS
Variant Covers: MARTIN SIMMONDS, MIKE PERKINS, TAURIN CLARKE
Page Counut: 32 Pages
Release Date: 10/14/26

 

This review contains spoilers 

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 begins as GCPD officer Jim Gordon attempts to apprehend Anarky inside a jam-packed subway train that is stalled underground. Gordon tells his partner Espinoza to radio the transit police for an update while they look for escaped killer, Victor Szasz. Anarky attacks Gordon and escapes with his stolen sack of cash. Meanwhile, the train conductor is killed by part of Poison Ivy’s mutant plants accidentally sending the train lurching forward on an out-of-control run.

Szasz reveals himself and kills a civilian without hesitation while threatening another. Elsewhere, Anarky loses hold of the cash and is knocked back inside the train car by Stephanie Brown (Spoiler…or a Batgirl).  Steph disarms Szasz but he still manages to cut Espinoza. Harvey Bullock opens fire on Szasz but the shot hits officer Baker in the shoulder. Steph knocks out Szasz as the train finally stops thanks to Gordon’s transit cop friend, Garber.

Commissioner Vandal Savage orders the Tuco team to blow the subway tunnel and surprisingly Arnold Flass protests. Back on the train, Gordon is surprised and relieved to find Garber has arrived and is ready to help evacuate the passengers to the surface. Szasz makes a break for it and is trapped by a giant carnivorous plant in the tunnel. Steph and Bullock pull him free, and Doctor Zeller confronts Szasz about his fear of her new treatment.

Steph goes back for Anarky and frees him from another giant plant, and it appears that they have established a rapport before all hell breaks loose after the tunnel explodes.

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 ends as Anarky recovers from the blast and finds Steph unconscious amid the rubble. After a few attempts to revive her, Anarky decides to bail, leaving Steph injured and alone.

Analysis 

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 maintains the high quality of the first issue while ramping up the tension, the stakes and plot twists as the micro-series ends on an unpleasant cliffhanger. Writer Christopher Cantwell amps up the paranoia amid the Bad Seeds event as Jim Gordon and various allies confront the dangers from giant carnivorous plants and serial killer Victor Szasz. Gordon’s a good cop, but the crowded underground chaos results in injuries and a couple of deaths before Stephanie Brown leaps onto the speeding train to help even the odds.

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 is truly a team effort with Gordon and his transit cop Garber pitching in to help save the civilians on the train, while Steph takes charge by disarming Szasz and freeing Anarky from a hungry plant, and endangering herself in the process. Cantwell’s taut script and plotting mixes gritty street level crime fiction with absurdist comedy of errors from Bullock, as well as some on point social commentary from Anarky.

It even appears that Lonnie (Anarky) and Steph have begun to bond before he ditches her after Vandal Savage orders his Tucos to blow up train tunnel. Meanwhile Szasz is more unstable than ever, killing a passenger for trying to calm him down and threatening another. His obsession with Doctor Zeller’s “Crown” drove him to escape Arkham Towers and almost into the maw of a hungry carnivorous plant.

Steph and Anarky take the spotlight in Bad Seeds: Gotham Central #2, but Jim Gordon still gets to show why he is Gotham City’s top cop. Bullock is less of a supporting character than a walking disaster. Shoehorning in GCPD officer Baker to the crowded proceedings limits officer Espinoza’s screentime where she was a highlight in issue #1. Likely most of these characters will get more focus in the upcoming Gangs of Gotham series.

Jacob Phillips proves that there is more to the artist than just clever slow boil crime noir by introducing dynamic action to the Steph’s various fight scenes in Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2. The confined quarters, facial expressions and use of shadow enhance the sense of claustrophobia and mood, working well with the horrific designs of the carnivorous plants.

Final Thoughts 

Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #2 wraps up the micro story arc by focusing on Stephanie Brown and Anarky, while setting up the rest of Bad Seeds and beyond. Cantwell’s script maintains the grounded, character-focused street level crime procedural energy, ably assisted by Jacob Phillips’ moody art and color.

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Batman #14 main cover by Matteo Scalera (DC Comics)
Comic Reviews and Editorials

Comic Review: Batman #14

by Ian Miller
written by Ian Miller

In this review of Batman #14, as Batman searches for the whereabouts of Mister Freeze, Verity Pennyworth has some unexpected guests at Pennyworth Manor.

 

Comic Review: Batman #14

Batman #14 main cover by Matteo Scalera (DC Comics)

BATMAN #14
Written by MATT FRACTION
Art and Main Cover: MATTEO SCALERA
Variant Covers: DAN MORA, DUSTIN NGUYEN, RYAN SOOK, DAVID AJA, KYUYONG EOM, JIM LEE
Page Count: 40 Pages
Release Date: 10/7/26

 

This review contains spoilers

Under the cover of the Poison Ivy attack, three disgruntled cops try to burgle Pennyworth Manor. As Batman seeks Mr. Freeze in the sewers with Verity Pennyworth on comms, he finds a huge science fortress of Freeze underground. As Verity snarks on the boom-tube comms, she takes down the burglar cops one by one. Batman finds a badly injured Freeze in Nora’s arms, and fights off a distressed and furious Nora to save Freeze’s life. Freeze and Nora were having a fight to the death (or possibly to divorce), when Ivy’s attack interrupted, injuring Freeze. Nora says she hates her husband and wants him to die, but not like this. Batman says he needs her and Freeze to save Gotham and Freeze’s lives by turning the city into Winter to kill Ivy’s plants.

page from Batman #14 showing three cops about to break into Pennyworth Manor

This will not end well… for them. (DC Comics)

Analysis

Matt Fraction and guest artist Matteo Scalera put together a very functional and fun chapter of Batman and Bad Seeds that pushes the Bad Seeds story into its endgame, picks up some lore from several years ago in a solid way, and develops the new character Verity Pennyworth a little bit more. Though that last bit still doesn’t give us any backstory for Verity (we NEED a flashback for her! I’m so annoyed that the Annual this year is going to the very dull Minotaur instead of our new majordomo!), we get her dry British wit and pure competence, as well as her commitment to Batman’s values in not killing. Brilliant action by Scalera, using a long string of sketched Verity figures to show the speed and force of her first attack. It’s also interesting that Fraction puts the class warfare lines in the mouths of his incompetent and clearly not very admirable cop burglars. Though the burglar dopes do get some Russian Tracksuit Mafia “bro” level banter about “vase or vahhz” pronunciation.

Peter Tomasi developed Mr. Freeze’s story from the frozen quagmire (pun intended) that it had been in since Heart of Ice, where writers kept trying to retcon him or change his origins or motivations, and instead pushed the character forward by having him actually cure Nora, but then she rejects him angrily and becomes her own villain. Fraction picks that up with some funny/tragic divorce battling between out His and Her Frozen Villains. Bringing up this older recent history (where Ram V didn’t really play with it in the execrable Gotham Nocturne) provides a nice emotional hook that Batman can use to manipulate Nora to help him save Gotham. The plan to use Freeze and his winter machines to kill the Ivy plants is a good one – perhaps a bit predictable, but also very cool (PUN INTENDED AGAIN). It’s nice seeing a past story relevant and useful for a new story, though of course I fully expect some twists in the Poison Ivy issue and Bad Seeds: Sunrise that closes out the story!

Backup Story: Rhetoric

Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Scott Hepburn

Batman fights a new villain, Rhetoric, with telekinesis powers, who is trying to destroy Gotham systematically by destroying what Bruce Wayne does. A former Penguin thug injured by Batman and then tortured in Arkham, he lives only to tear down the systems Batman protects.

Analysis

Dan Watters gives a decent shot at an exposition heavy short story, just coming out and saying all the stuff Batman and Rhetoric stand for. The design is kind of generic looking, and I’m curious to see if Rhetoric is given a big storyline in the comics and if so, whether whoever writes him will agree with Batman in this story that “the ideologues are the worst.” Such an explicitly political villain always has the potential to topple over into preaching (something Punchline never did, for all that she was underused and underwritten). We shall have to wait and see on Rhetoric!

Our main cover by Matteo Scalera (also available in virgin foil variant for a big surcharge) shows Batman looking off to the side towards a huge Mr. Freeze head, as snow battles Ivy’s vines (with Ivy behind them both). Dan Mora’s variant features Verity, Batman, and Freeze in a nice tryptic. Dustin Nguyen continues his watercolor series of covers with Mr. Freeze serving as frozen backdrop to Ivy’s throne of vines. Nguyen also provides a 30th Anniversary Kingdom Come variant, featuring Batman in his flying power suit against some nice skyscrapers. Ryan Sook continues his own series of variants with Freeze covered with vines as Batman descends into his icy fortress. Kyuyong Eom provides a Spot Foil variant (again at a significant surcharge) with Batman turning into a weird monster as he stands in a broken Batsignal. Jim Lee draws a Clayface movie variant, with Clayface at a movie premier deforming into clay, trying to push away a reporter. Lee also provides a foil virgin variant of his Rhetoric cover to highlight the backup story. Dan Quintana, doing a series of glow in the dark Halloween variants (surprisingly with no apparent surcharge) shows Batman with a bunch of glowing eyed bats flying from his spooky cape, seemingly in a crypt of some sort. David Aja (1 in 25 incentive variant) has Batman in a vine and pollen attacked alley, headed off to fight!

Final Thoughts

Fraction ties together some pretty decent lore, characterization, and action with guest artist Scalera to push Bad Seeds into the endgame. 

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TBUCP Season 18 Episode 14 Podcast Cover
The Batman Universe Comic Podcast

TBU Comic Podcast Season 18 Episode 14

by Theodis Wright
written by Theodis Wright

TBU Comic Podcast Season 18 Episode 14

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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The gang is back with Season 18 Episode 14 of The Batman Universe Comic Podcast. This week, we cover Weeks 4, 5, and 6 of Batman: Bad Seeds. This episode covers Batwoman #7, Detective Comics #1113, Catwoman #91, Nightwing #142, Harley Quinn #66, and Poison Ivy #48. As Batman take on Vandal Savage and his poisoned airships, the Bat-Family and Harley tackle individual issues across Gotham and Blüdhaven. Meanwhile, a day of reckoning for Ivy (and vindication for Ian) happens. How will it all play out? Listen in to get the crew’s thoughts.

Titles Covered In Season 18 Episode 14
Main Titles

Batwoman #7
Detective Comics #1113
Catwoman #91
Nightwing #142

Harley Quinn #66

Poison Ivy #48

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Poison Ivy #48 main cover by Jessica Fong (DC Comics)
Comic Reviews and Editorials

Poison Ivy #48 Comic Review

by Adam Koppel
written by Adam Koppel

In this review of Poison Ivy #48, Mayor Pamela Isley faces a reckoning after her scheme to secure Gotham City for the Parliament of Trees goes south in this continuation of the multi-part “Bad Seeds” crossover.

 

Poison Ivy #48 Comic Review

Poison Ivy #48 main cover by Jessica Fong (DC Comics)

POISON IVY #48
Written by G. WILLOW WILSON
Art by MARCIO TAKARA
Main Cover: JESSICA FONG
Variant Covers: NOOBOVICH, DAN MORA, MANNY VINCENT CARBONILLA, HAYDEN SHERMAN, ALEXANDER LOZANO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 9/30/26

 

This review contains spoilers 

Poison Ivy #48 begins as Ivy reminisces about nature and humanity’s small place in it during a walk through the rapidly transforming Gotham City. The disgraced mayor encounters a pair of unhappy constituents who confront her, and Ivy admits she chose a higher calling than protecting the city. Arriving at Robinson Park, Ivy finds one of her few remaining allies, The Hill, ready to leave.

The Hill tells Ivy how much she screwed up and that the Parliament of Trees considers Ivy as only a human. Frustrated, Ivy witnesses the arrival of a new creature called a Wood Elemental as it bursts up from below and lumbers (heh) straight to Gotham, followed soon by more.

The Hill bails, leaving Ivy with a warning as she is approached by an envoy of the Parliament who reminds her that they could have taken Gotham at any time, and she must still pay for killing Bog Venus. Incensed, Ivy lashes out but the envoy easily fends off her attack.  Gripped by a sudden realization about her life, and how she had the temerity to take on the origin of plant life itself (as if), Ivy flees.

page from Poison Ivy #48

The mayor makes her intentions clear to those who supported her… (DC Comics)

Back in the city, Ivy is struck in the ankle by a crossbow bolt from none other than Huntress. Wounded, Ivy tries to bluff Huntress into a showdown, but the vigilante leaves Ivy to suffer.

Poison Ivy #48 ends as Ivy begins to suffer from the toxic effects from the change in Gotham’s air and she decides that her only desire is to reconcile with Harley Quinn.

Analysis 

Poison Ivy #48 marks a major turning point in the “Bad Seeds” crossover as Pamela Isley herself faces a reckoning and a revelation that echoes from months of bad decisions. Ivy has pushed away her remaining friends and allies and heaps scorn on everyone who dared to love, support (or worship) her in an effort to maintain her arrangement with the Parliament of Trees. Writer G. Willow Wilson crafts Ivy’s downfall, comeuppance, what have you, in brutal fashion.

Ivy’s dark night (dark knight?) of the soul breaks her as she is forced to face her own culpability in her string of bad decisions even as she believed that she was doing the right thing. Ivy’s pity party was all about Pam, but she is now keenly aware of her own shortcomings and that the eleventh-hour desperation play of selling out Gotham City to the Parliament was a terrible decision.

However, Ivy is still thinking about herself when bluffing Huntress and seeking out Harley Quinn. Also, how many of the supernatural creatures in Poison Ivy #48 could have come from Ivy’s own wounded psyche and not from any actual encounters? Is Ivy cracking? She is certainly at her lowest point since the end of Joker War.

Ivy is an extreme environmental activist, but her just cause doesn’t excuse her years of villainy, or her manipulation of those closest to her. The ramifications from “Bad Seeds” should prove to be Ivy’s undoing. Longtime series artist Marcio Takara’s art is a joy as always, providing seemingly simplistic linework that contains volumes in body language, shadow and facial expressions.

The only quibble with the art might be how much blood Ivy lost from her ankle wound. Also, shouldn’t she be hobbling with that injury or does Ivy have recuperative abilities too?

Final Thoughts 

Poison Ivy #48 crosses the midpoint of “Bad Seeds” with a reckoning for the title character, and more threats looming on the horizon. G. Willow Wilson’s in-depth exploration of Pamela Isley’s emotional torment reveals that the character is indeed human after all, but not necessarily one to root for. The script crackles and the art sings.

Poison Ivy #48 Comic Review
Poison Ivy #48
Final Thoughts
Poison Ivy #48 crosses the midpoint of "Bad Seeds" with a reckoning for the title character, and more threats looming on the horizon. G. Willow Wilson's in-depth exploration of Pamela Isley's emotional torment reveals that the character is indeed human after all, but not necessarily one to root for. The script crackles and the art sings.
4
Final Score
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batgirl to oracle episode 277 podcast cover
Batgirl to Oracle

Episode 277

by Kimberley Rockmore
written by Kimberley Rockmore

Episode 277

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

 

After giving a brief recap of my Saturday at Baltimore Comic Con, I review Barbara Gordon: Breakout #5. Stella’s Dungeon of Smut and my literature recommendations also appear.

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Harley Quinn #66 main cover by Bailie Rosenlund (DC Comics)
Comic Reviews and Editorials

Harley Quinn #66 Comic Review

by Adam Koppel
written by Adam Koppel

In this review of Harley Quinn #66, everything is going “Bad Seeds” crazy in Throatcutter Hill as Harley tries to protect her friends and neighbors from an onslaught of aggressive plant life. Also, it looks like Convoy, the Entruckulated Man has made a new friend.

 

Harley Quinn #66 Comic Review

Harley Quinn #66 main cover by Bailie Rosenlund (DC Comics)

HARLEY QUINN #66
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by CARLOS OLIVARES
Main Cover: BAILIE ROSENLUND
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, TERRY DODSON, DERRICK CHEW, MATTIA DE IULIS
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 9/23/26

 

This review contains spoilers 

Harley Quinn #66 begins as Harley spends some downtime with her landlady Mrs. Grimaldi and she suddenly decides that all she wants in life is to get Poison Ivy back. First though, Harley must contend with Ivy’s attack on the neighborhood. Harley ventures outside just as the power goes out (Ivy!) and takes off courtesy of Batquinn’s grapnel launcher (long story).

Harley’s quest is thwarted as she rescues a neighborhood couple who are suffering from complications due to the toxic air. Luckily, superpowered Chicken Fingers arrives and whisks the couple away to safety. More neighborhood people need her help and soon after, the Gunbuddies (and Convoy) round up the citizens to take them to safety. Meanwhile, Harley encounter Dolores, who was forced to kill a loved one during the Deconspirator arc and blames herself.

Harley and Dolores are attacked by the NKVDemon, a Russian assassin who wants to collect the bounty on Harley. Harley and Dolores climb a giant beanstalk but the NKVDemon grabs Harley threatens her with bodily harm. Dolores risks her life and knocks the NKVDemon off and Harley saves her. Harley gives Dolores a quick therapy session as the pair arrives at Althea Klang’s building to join the other Throatcutter Hill refugees.

Harley Quinn #66 ends as Harley and Althea have a little heart-to-heart before Harley swings off to find Ivy.

Analysis 

Harley Quinn #66 is another entertaining romp through Harley’s heightened reality and her weird Throatcutter Hill neighborhood. As expected, Harley’s quest to find Poison Ivy is repeatedly thwarted by the needs of her strange but endearing neighbors. Writer Elliot Kalan crafts another enjoyable installment which includes the introduction of yet another oddball nemesis, this time the NKVDemon, a little-known Russian operative looking to cash in on Vandal Savage’s million-dollar bounty on Batman allies.

At the same time, Kalan also taps into Harley’s anti-hero humanity as she rescues her friends and neighbors while counseling Dolores over her recent trauma, sidelining her own wants for the needs of others. While the Quinntellect aspect of Harley’s brain has gone silent, Harley still needs to deal with the fallout from the violent actions of Batquinn.

Kalan’s script and pacing are engaging as always, however, given that this is part of a massive Batman crossover, too much emphasis is given to Harley’s continuing story. For longtime readers of this run, Harley Quinn #66 ticks off all of the boxes with Harley’s out of the box approach, her neighborhood and a new wannabe member of her growing rogue’s gallery.

Any reader of the “Bad Seeds” crossover might find this installment baffling and not new reader friendly, which is too bad as the title is a delight. Love that Convoy gets his first fan that is interested in his tragic backstory.

Carlos Olivares nails the story beats and visuals in Harley Quinn #66 (as usual), with a dazzling array of expressive faces, dramatic panel angles, mind-boggling acrobatics and thrilling panel-to-panel sequences that are dramatic, humorous and thrilling.

Final Thoughts 

Harley Quinn #66 works better as a continuation of the series’ various ongoing storylines with more of the enjoyable Throatcutter Hill chaos and characters, but the issue suffers as part of the overall “Bad Seeds” crossover. Despite Harley’s intention to find Poison Ivy and potentially stop the terraforming of Gotham City, the issue is too dense for new readers as an introduction for anyone reading the entire crossover. (For fans of this run: a 4.1 rating).

Harley Quinn #66 Comic Review
Harley Quinn #66
Final Thoughts
Harley Quinn #66 works better as a continuation of the series' various ongoing storylines with more of the enjoyable Throatcutter Hill chaos and characters, but the issue suffers as part of the overall "Bad Seeds" crossover. Despite Harley's intention to find Poison Ivy and potentially stop the terraforming of Gotham City, the issue is too dense for new readers as an introduction for anyone reading the entire crossover.
3.5
Final Score
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TBU Podcast season 14 episode 15 podcast cover
The Batman Universe Podcast

The Batman Universe Podcast Season 14 Episode 15 – Batman: Knightfall Part 1 review

by Ian Miller
written by Ian Miller

The Batman Universe Podcast Season 14 Episode 15 – Batman: Knightfall Part 1 review

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In Season 14 Episode 15 of The Batman Universe Podcast, Ian (@ibmmiller) and BJ (@bjshea33) review the new animated adaptation of Knightfall! How does it compare to the comics and other adaptations? What new and fresh ideas and approaches does it bring to the story? (We also reference previous episodes https://thebatmanuniverse.net/batman-universe-podcast-season-14-episode-8/ and https://thebatmanuniverse.net/the-batman-universe-podcast-episode-279/ pretty heavily, if you want to check those out!)

For our Bat-Family: What’s your favorite version of Knightfall – comics, novel, BBC radio drama, Dark Knight Rises, kid’s novel, animated movie?

Drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net.  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. It’s a great way to show your support, and it’s quick and easy! Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here.

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tbu podcast season 14 episode 14 podcast cover
The Batman Universe Podcast

The Batman Universe Podcast Season 14 Episode 14 – Batman/Green Arrow/The Question – Fables and Arcadia

by Ian Miller
written by Ian Miller

The Batman Universe Podcast Season 14 Episode 14 – Batman/Green Arrow/The Question – Fables and Arcadia

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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In Season 14 Episode 14 of The Batman Universe Podcast, Ian (@ibmmiller) and BJ (@bjshea33) compare the 1988 storyline Fables by Denny O’Neil and the 2025-26 storyline Arcadia by Gabriel Hardman – both featuring Batman, Green Arrow, and the Question! How do these different characters stack up against each other? What is the purpose of putting them together in these two stories? And which would we recommend for readers?

Drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net.  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. It’s a great way to show your support, and it’s quick and easy! Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here.

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