In this review of Harley Quinn #62, settle in for an all-new episode of Throatcutter Hill’s favorite local talk show where the surprise appearance of a brand-new gun-toting villain is the least shocking event of the evening. Meanwhile, Convoy has a secret he’s just begging to share with the audience, if someone will just take the time to listen.
Harley Quinn #62 main cover by Brandt&Stein (DC Comics)
HARLEY QUINN #62
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by CARLOS OLIVARES
Main Cover: BRANDT&STEIN
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, GUILLEM MARCH, DERRICK CHEW
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 5/27/26
This review contains spoilers
Harley Quinn #62 opens as a popular local Throatcutter Hill talk show is interrupted by the arrival of a mystery villain named Backhand (for perhaps obvious reasons) and his henchmen who quickly turn the studio into a hostage situation. Meanwhile, “monochromatic” detective Philo Charles swings by the apartment of Harley’s landlady Mrs. Grimaldi, to arrest Quinntellect for “secretly” being Batquinn (part of GCPD commissioner Vandal Savage’s anti-Bat crusade).
Mrs. Grimaldi, her nephew and the Gunbuddies do not seem to notice Q’s disappearance, as they watch with rapt attention the mayhem unfolding live on television. Soon, Q is interrogated by detective Charles, and despite her best-effort, things are not going well. Elsewhere, Batquinn pulls herself out of her funk and breaks into the TV station on a rescue mission (allegedly), violently dispatching Backhand’s goons one-by-one.
The confrontation between Batquinn and Backhand is short and brutal, as Batquinn gets the upper hand, and it appears that she is willing to ends his crime spree permanently except for the timely intervention of the superpowered Chicken Fingers. CF tries to talk sense into BQ, but she has a one-track mind and continues to brutalize Backhand until CF literally pulls her off of him. Displeased, BQ escapes, but is now targeted by the GCPD.
Harley Quinn #62 ends as the talk show host interviews Chicken Fingers about his connection to Harley, while a very patient Convoy repeatedly attempts to get his origin story out to the public. Elsewhere Colonel Blimp and Backhand are recuperating from their recent scuffles with Batquinn when they are offered the chance to join the brand-new Harley Quinn Revenge Squad.
Analysis
Harley Quinn #62 crams a large amount of story into a regular sized issue by utilizing the talking head/TV talk show and police procedural formats. Despite following the series’ typically entertaining mix of absurd antics, strange characters and a lot of heart, there is such a thing as too much (reiteration). Writer Elliot Kalan goes all in with this format shift, but it feels like the Batquinn storyline is already repeating itself, while the Quinntellect character gets little screen time.
Kalan typically excels at creating odd and eccentric characters that seamlessly fit into Harley’s world, but detective Philo Charles needs fleshing out, while Backhand adds to Harley’s growing rogue’s gallery of gimmick villains who now have a support group (and funding). Backhand’s odd literary references provide a nice twist on the classic old-fashioned gangster, evoking classic Nightwing villain Torque (look it up).
The dialogue is fast-paced, slapstick and clever as always. Convoy is a likable sad sack character who can’t get any respect while the newly super powered Chicken Fingers provides a strong moral core which is important given how dark and dangerous Batquinn has become (again this was already explored, why repeat it?)
Carlos Olivares delivers more delightfully energetic artwork, crafting panels brimming with action, drama and slapstick humor to match Kalan’s wild script. Olivares’ knack for facial expressions runs the gamut, from rage to shock to delight, and their exaggerated designs suit Harley’s world.
Kalan has scripted a plethora of new characters during this run, and Olivares brings their distinct strangeness to life, with Backhand just the latest in a batch of flawed, obsessive but engaging foils for Harley.
Final Thoughts
Harley Quinn #62 moves the plot forward with a clever shift in storytelling. While the talk show format suits Harley’s world, the unnecessary retread on Batquinn’s dangerous tactics is starting to wear thin. Overall, the story is solid and the art is stylish and gorgeous as usual.
