In this review of Harley Quinn #47, Harley’s role as the unconventional protector of her new neighborhood runs afoul of the strangest family reunion ever.
Harley Quinn #47 main cover by Elizabeth Torque
HARLEY QUINN #47
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by MINDY LEE
Main Cover: ELIZABETH TORQUE
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, JORGE FORNÉS, KNIGHT ZHANG, SIMONE DI MEO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: January 22, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Harley Quinn #47 kicks off with a leisurely but unsanctioned shopping spree at the local grocery store as Harley and her friend Chicken Fingers discuss Harley’s new venture as protector of the Throatcutter Hill neighborhood.
Harley’s exuberance is somewhat dampened by the elderly and disheveled Chicken Fingers’ reminder that he too was once the protector of their neighborhood. Harley dismisses her friend’s warning but cannot shake her own nagging inner voice.
As Harley and Chicken Fingers grapple with the herculean task of maneuvering their loaded shopping cart up the stairs of their apartment building, a mysterious woman named Althea observes their efforts from her balcony. Althea monologues in classic villain fashion about her plans for the neighborhood and revels in the fact that Harley is completely unaware of her schemes. As if in reply, Harley waves hello to Althea and asks if she is plotting revenge against her.
Harley is then confronted by her landlady Mrs. Grimaldi, who warns her to stay away from her grandson Richie. Harley assures her that their recent encounter was only a game. Chicken Fingers again warns Harley about her recent series of reckless decisions.
At her office upstairs Harley greets a new client named Dell Coleman, a sous chef for an up-and-coming restaurant. Dell wants Harley to rob the restaurant during a special event for a new clientele that could spell trouble for the Throatcutter Hill neighborhood.
An elated Harley agrees to Dell’s request and packs her gear for what she calls a night of “Activist Larceny”. Mrs. Grimaldi’s grandson Richie approaches Harley about their previous pseudo-romantic encounter. Harley reassures the clearly smitten and nervous Richie and tells him to put a pin in the discussion until he sorts out his thoughts.
That night as Harley sets up a series of explosives on the restaurant roof, the private event is in full swing. Unknown to Harley she is about to crash the party of a Clayface family reunion.
The original Clayface, former actor Basil Karlo welcomes the odd assortment of shape-shifters just as Harley blows the roof and crashes into the middle of the event. While Basil Karlo chides the stunned Harley’s rude entrance, the rest of the group go on the attack. Harley is unprepared to deal with this level of super powered mayhem as her inner voice admonishes her actions. Basil Karlo transforms into a clay version of Harley so she actually has to fight with herself. As Harley disappears under the mass of the Clayface horde, the floor collapses into a hidden basement that used to be part of a funeral home. Harley destroys one of the Clayfaces with a spray of formaldehyde and the rest of the group backs off.
Harley climbs out of the hole to find Dell Coleman standing in the remnants dining room, delighted with the destruction. He explains that he is actually the owner of the restaurant which is too cultured a venue for the neighborhood to ever make a profit. He figured he could use Harley’s talents for destruction to collect on the insurance. A horrified Harley realizes her mistake and clocks Dell.
Later back at her apartment, Richie approaches Harley again and asks if they could go out on a proper date, to which Harley bursts into laughter.
Analysis
As a lapsed Harley Quinn reader, Harley Quinn #47 was a welcome surprise to this reviewer. Easily accessible with tiny, digestible bits of exposition seeded into conversation to get me up to speed.
Characters like Harley Quinn and Deadpool are extremely popular for their screwball antics as they deal with obstacles much differently than the typical straitlaced comic book heroes. However as lead characters it is important that they come across as relatable and even vulnerable. Comedy writer Elliot Kalan (Spider-Man and The X-Men) crafts a compelling series of challenges for Harley to overcome in Harley Quinn #47 as she attempts to reconcile her criminal and vigilante pasts with her new direction.
Harley was once a psychologist so it is interesting to watch her struggle to find a new path. Her combative inner voice actually functions on multiple levels as both an enjoyable comic foil, but also as a much needed therapist for Harley, who will call her out and challenge her on her choices.
The Clayface family reunion was an entertaining plot twist, (and who knew there were more than three Clayfaces?) Harley’s penchant for impulsive behavior continues to humble her at every turn. Hopefully after this recent encounter she will start to heed her inner voice at least a little bit.
Mindy Lee’s (Masters of the Universe) art is delightfully cartoonish and expressive, well-suited to the character and her world, while also providing the requisite emotion and pacing demanded from the whirlwind script. Each character is intricately detailed and distinct, and the panel layouts showcase a sense of energy whether Harley is in conversation or in a brawl with a dozen Clayfaces.
Final thoughts
Harley Quinn #47 is packed to the ceiling with clever writing and gorgeous art that makes this regular sized issue feel like an anniversary event. Harley might still be questioning her own path in this story, but her new role as an anti-hero protector suits her well. The story embodies both the controlled mayhem of Harley’s world mixed with some character growth.
