In this review of Harley Quinn #53, tensions boil over in Throatcutter Hill as Harley finds herself behind the eight-ball from some vengeful individuals (who she in no way crossed). Also a promising, and unsettling new tech start-up for angry young people goes expectedly awry.
Harley Quinn #53 main cover by Yanick Paquette (DC Comics)
HARLEY QUINN #53
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by MINDY LEE
Main Cover: YANICK PAQUETTE
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, MAHMUD ASRAR, DIBERKATO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 8/27/25
This review contains spoilers
Harley Quinn #53 finds Harley at home baking pies and gabbing with Chicken Fingers and Mrs. Grimaldi (who in no way want to be taste testers for HQ’s latest hobby). Harley is conflicted about her growing attraction to (frenemy at best) Althea Klang who recently asked Harley out on a date. When Harley’s doorbell rings, Chicken Fingers and Mrs. G happily vacate the kitchen to answer the door.
Harley joins them and finds a mysterious visitor decked out in power armor who challenges her to a street fight. Harley stalls, but ultimately accepts her role as neighborhood protector, despite her brain’s best attempts to change her mind. The armored antagonist buffets Harley with sonic blasts, and finally reveals their codename as “Clang” (why not just lead with that?)
Clang’s subsequent villain monologue is a bit on point, but it is mercifully interrupted by Harley’s hyenas Bud and Lou, who Clang believes are laughing at him. When Clang zaps her babies, Harley has finally had it with this clown, and clobbers him, but to no avail, (because, armored). Mrs. G shows up, shooting Clang in the chest with a round from her revolver, and warns him to leave Harley alone.
A flustered Clang protests the interruption, inadvertently revealing his true identity as Richie Grimaldi, Mrs. G’s grandson, and Harley’s would-be suitor. A disappointed Mrs. G goes back inside, while Harley sits Richie down for a heart-to-heart (totally platonic). Richie explains his motivation for revenge (Harley rejecting him), and where he got his armor. Harley then tells Richie to get ready to make amends, starting now.
Meanwhile, Althea Klang impatiently awaits Harley’s reply, which makes her hireling Ravager extremely uncomfortable. Ravager then calls out the Gunbuddies for screwing up their hit on Harley last issue which has forced Ravager to deal with Klang’s excessive angst. In the midst of these recriminations, a sinister new plot is hatched.
Cut to Throatcutter Hill’s business district where the new start-up “SUPR” is doing brisk business by renting out power suits to angry, unattached young men (you get where this is going right?) Harley makes an explosive entrance (why knock when you can blast), but the two tech bros summon more armored clients to protect them by using a controller unit to override their suits, (it’s in the user agreement).
Harley dodges attacks from the so-called “USER BASE” and snatches the controller away from the tech bros, shutting down the armor, and stopping the fight. Harley warns the bros to get new jobs away from her neighborhood. Harley and Richie (still in his armor) have a nice chat on the walk home, and Richie goes inside to apologize to Mrs. G.
Harley Quinn #53 ends with a shocking twist as Harley is shot and left lying in the street, while a sinister-looking stranger wanders around the neighborhood (not the shooter), promising to create freedom through chaos.
Analysis
Harley Quinn #53 continues to thread the needle between slapstick humor and character-based storytelling for an entertaining and engaging read that adds new depth to Harley, while skewering some unfortunate toxic trends in popular culture.
Series writer Elliot Kalan continues his killer run (pun intended?) with another enjoyable installment, this time mixing (angry) romantic tensions with gratuitous violence, while introducing a clever take on the tech-fueled modern world, by showcasing the latest in revenge tech for (alleged) lonely guys. It’s too bad that this story was a one and done since pitting Harley against toxic bro culture could prove to be a more satisfying, long-term story arc.
Kalan’s dialogue and scripting are sharp as ever, cleverly parodying modern city life, Harley’s well-intentioned but disastrous romantic, and anti-heroic efforts, and finally giving Harley’s alter ego a proper name, “Quinntelligence”. Harley has now fully embraced the constructive criticism of her inner self, even if she doesn’t always take its advice.
Mindy Lee’s energetic art continues to explore and define Harley’s manic existence on every page, with comically exaggerated facial expressions, and bone-crunching action that suit the Harley Quinn comic’s heightened sense of reality. Even the quiet scenes, where characters just talk, command attention with subtle, well-placed gestures.
Final Thoughts
Harley Quinn #53 is another winning issue, featuring plenty of over-the-top antics, satisfying emotional beats, character growth and plenty of action. The final page sets the series up for more surprises.
