Review: Harley’s Little Black Book

Quick Summary

Pros: The Wonder Woman, Bombshell, Superman, and Lobo team-ups are all fun and entertaining. The whole collection contains some solid jokes. For the most part, the artwork looks good and enhances the story.

Cons: The Zatanna and Green Lantern issues are just mediocre.

Overall: This miniseries is a collection of stories that trend positive. Most of the adventures here take unique situations and inject them with a little humor. This is then paired against artwork that is almost always wonderful. Though there are a few less appealing stories, the majority of this book is worthwhile. Readers who already enjoy Harley Quinn and who also enjoy some of the characters she teams up with will likely find a lot to enjoy in this book.

Story

Harley’s Little Black Book, by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, tells six individual stories that each feature a team-up between Harley Quinn and a hero. Most of these stories are good and one is great. Harley’s adventure with Superman, the Bombshells, and Lobo are all unique and interesting. Meanwhile, her team-up with Wonder Woman is a wholesome look at both characters. However, the Green Lantern and Zatanna issues are a bit lackluster and don’t offer much outside of a few decent jokes. Overall, this book will be worthwhile to fans who enjoy a few of the characters who star in the positive stories.

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The positive stories in Harley’s Little Black Book start with the collection’s most significant positive, the Wonder Woman story. This chapter gives Harley a chance to help out Wonder Woman, who she reveals is one of her idols. Though Harley’s attempt to help doesn’t exactly go as planned, leading to some humorous situations, it does show how much she cares about this iconic character. The interactions between the two, at the comic’s conclusions, further drive home this point and give the collection some wholesome fun.

From here, the positives are less dramatic but still present. The Bombshells team-up throws Harley in a unique universe and gives her an opportunity to harass Hitler directly, which is always a pleasant thing to see. Then, the Superman issue contrasts Harley’s over-the-top personality with Superman’s boy scout mentality, for predictably entertaining results. Finally, the Lobo chapter gives a glimpse at what happens when two already ridiculous characters meet one another and go on an equally ridiculous adventure. Each of these chapters also brings along Harley’s characteristic humor and an appreciation for the character she is teaming-up with.

However, not every story here is very worthwhile. The Green Lantern issue is moderately entertaining and has a few moments of fun. However, the rapid onset of the chapter’s conclusion and the near absence of any real conflict makes it hard to get invested in the narrative. Later on, the Zatanna issue offers little outside a few fun jokes. Neither of these issues are downright bad but neither are that good either.

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Art

The artwork in Harley’s Little Black Book is almost always positive. The collection starts out with artwork from Amanda Conner and John Timms. These opening chapters reflect the bright and dramatic work that has been present throughout the Harley Quinn series, a style that perfectly suits these over-the-top adventures. From here, more positives can be seen in the Bombshells chapter, which captures the retro look of the Bombshells series. There is also an amazing chapter from the great Neal Adams, who’s presence here helps give even more credibility to the Superman vs. Muhammad Ali homages. The only downside here is the Zatanna chapter, where the visuals are a bit lackluster.

However, some of the most unique and striking art in the collection comes from Simon Bisley’s work on the Lobo issue. This chapter looks like it was ripped straight from the 90’s, when the original Lobo series was published. It recaptures the era’s grim and gritty aesthetic and ridiculous take on body proportions. It is artwork that perfectly captures the spirit of a comic and is a unique addition to the collection.

Continuity

Harley’s Little Black Book is a mostly independent story that takes place sometime before the events of Harley Quinn Vol. 6: Black, White and Red All Over (Review).

This volume also references other comic books, detailed below:

• Harley’s Little Black Book #1 reflects Wonder Woman’s New 52 status, which starts in Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Blood (Review).
• Geoff Johns’ presence in Harley’s Little Black Book #2 is a reference to his background with Green Lantern, a series he wrote for a long time. His work on the character can be found in Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Vol. 1.
• Harley’s Little Black Book #3 reflects Zatanna’s New 52 status, which starts in Justice League Dark Vol. 1: In the Dark (Review). See our Zatanna Reading Order or our Justice League Dark Reading Order for more details.
• Harley’s Little Black Book #4 makes a number of references to the Bombshells series, which begins with DC Comics: Bombshells Vol. 1: Enlisted.
• Harley’s Little Black Book #5 is essentially an allusion to Superman vs. Muhammad Ali.
• Simon Bisley’s work on Harley’s Little Black Book #6 is somewhat of an allusion to his work on the original Lobo series, which can be seen in Lobo by Keith Giffen & Alan Grant Vol. 1.