Harley Quinn #67: Crossovers Will Be Declared Comic Store Poison!

In what could be Harley’s most meta issue yet, we find the whimsical anti-hero on a quest to finally put an end to all these pesky crossovers and unending events. There is a lesson to be learned amidst all the chaos and its one that will have Harley reevaluating everything including how own relationship with her family.

Harley Quinn #67 is yet another prime example of the type of fun that can be had with a character like Harley. She’s fed up with the crossover events that happen too often and across way too many comics to keep track of. After escaping the YOTV pleas from Apex Luthor, we follow Harley throughout DC’s past events including the one that started it all, Crisis on Infinite Earths. It’s a masterclass in fourth wall breaking that even Deadpool could learn a thing or two from over at Marvel.

The success of this issue isn’t solely found in the witty commentary on the comics industry. The story is intertwined with one detailing Harley’s family’s reactions since the passing of her Mother. Despite feeling as rambunctious as ever, the family is not too keen on her idea to keep the Thanksgiving dinner tradition alive. It’s in this grief and almost delusion that we see depth for the character and how the two ongoing plots weave together.

Sam Humphries has shown a near-brilliant understanding of Harley Quinn throughout their run on the series so far, and the incredibly talented group of artists that come on board for issue #67 only takes everything up a notch. The visuals are just spectacular, and while they are somewhat inconsistent, that is to be expected given the range of talent involved. Going through the past events of DC Comics is an intimidating task I’m sure, but this team pulled it off magnificently.

While Harley is dealing with grief in her own way, the cunning execution of this issue still lets the readers have a lot of fun with the wild story at hand. I appreciate that the series didn’t get bogged down in interpersonal relationships and over-the-top drama, instead, we find a book that is every bit as wacky as what has come before but with the addition of some uniquely clever commentary.

Events are just the nature of the beast when it comes to the comics industry, but they exist for a reason. While they can quickly become tedious, expensive and even a bit redundant, it’s important to remember the themes that can only be explored through crossovers. The comparison between annual crossover events and Thanksgiving as a holiday was remarkably interesting and helps to bring Harley back over to a more accepting mindset. I have to say, it even impacted how I view crossover events myself. That is a sure sign of powerful storytelling!

Ultimately, Harley Quinn #67 arguably features the character at her best, confronting emotional trauma in a way that only Harley can. This is the type of story that keeps me coming back to her books. Any fan of DC Comics should be delighted to add this issue to their collection!