In this review of Harley Quinn #51, Harley and her rebellious brain finally have it out (giving new meaning to the term “inner conflict”), while back in the real world, the Gun Buddies plan their next move against Harley (maybe).
Harley Quinn #51 main cover by Elizabeth Torque (DC Comics)
HARLEY QUINN #51
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO
Cover by ELIZABETH TORQUE
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, NOOBOVICH, GUILLEM MARCH, CHRISTIAN WARD
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 5/28/25
This review contains spoilers
Harley Quinn #51 picks up with Harley knocked unconscious by the (possibly) lethal female duo called the Gun Buddies, (Gunbunny and Mayfly). Trapped in her own troubled mindscape, Harley takes the opportunity for a final reckoning with her rogue brain, which has been dogging her with adversarial thoughts for a while now.
Enraged, Harley attacks her brain (?) as it counter punches with a flood of repressed memories from Harley’s traumatic past. The absurdities continue to mount until Harley finally achieves a breakthrough, and a semblance of mutual respect is formed (by realizing that the pair work better together in their role as anti-hero protector for the Throatcutter Hill neighborhood).
And then, it gets even stranger, (wait for it) as Harley and her brain consummate their détente by ‘hooking up’ (self-love is great sure, but really…)
Meanwhile, back in the real world, Harley’s neighbors confront the Gun Buddies, (who somehow believe that Harley’s being unconscious is part of some master plan, and thus have not made a move against her since knocking her out). The Gun Buddies finally decide on a plan of action just as Harley wakes up and disarms them, (plus a little light maiming).
Harley Quinn #51 ends as the Gun Buddies are returned to sender, otherwise known as their boss Althea Klang, (who has her own brain problems it seems), so Klang decides to kick her revenge plan against HQ up a notch by hiring Ravager (Deathstroke’s daughter) to target Harley’s friend and grumpy landlady, Mrs. G.
Analysis
Harley Quinn #51 is another solid installment of this enjoyable run by writer Elliot Kalan, plumbing the depths of Harley’s decades of repressed trauma, and enabling her to sort through some of her issues in a metaphysical sense that produces a possibly healthy outcome.
Like many people, Harley is her own worst enemy, so having that foe manifest as an anthropomorphic, talking brain and literally (virtually) grappling with it, within Harley’s mindscape is just the sort of out-of-the-box thinking that produces better results than anything in traditional therapy, plus her health plan probably only covers Arkham (results may vary, do not attempt this procedure without a doctor’s approval.
Harley’s inner conflict in Harley Quinn #51 is rife with witty one-liners and clever sight gags (including the Will Eisner-inspired cover). The fact that Harley is a former therapist and that we learn she pursued mental health studies to quiet her own inner voices is informative for the reader, helpful for Harley’s recovery.
Elliot Kalan continues his solid mix of slapstick, oddball humor with a more grounded, vulnerable Harley who despite all of her trauma still wants to help people.
Also, with Harley as series lead she cannot be a straight up villain, and instead must confront the many injustices of this world head on, as an empowered woman, although like with Poison Ivy, that past trauma informs not only how they see themselves and the world but also how they attempt to seek justice.
Guest artist Mirka Andolfo fills in more than ably for series artist Mindy Lee with her own distinct, manga-influenced art style. Andolfo’s stylized and exaggerated artwork suits the current Harley Quinn series, as well as this particular mind trip where the panels showcasing Harley and her Brain are divided by dark strands that could be part of a neural network, they stand out at any rate.
Also props to colorist Triona Farrell for the varying palettes of Harley Quinn #51, contrasting Harley’s mindscape full of bright reds, pinks, violets and heavy blacks, with the more muted hues of the “real world”.
Final Thoughts
Harley Quinn #51 succeeds as an adventure story and a slapstick comedy, while embracing the title character’s vulnerabilities, unusual world view and methods for doing good. Also the artwork is stunning and fun look at.
