Harley Quinn #70: Bingo, Bango, Bongo

HARLEEN THE QUEEN is here!!

In an explosive start to a brand new arc, Harley Quinn #70 finds Harls in the middle of the wrestling ring roughin’ it up with friends or otherwise as a way to help find herself once again. We are introduced to a range of new characters that have also found their place in the ring, but not before a rather dramatic twist puts Harley in the shoes of a detective to find out what’s gone wrong.

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by the amount of depth that this creative team managed to pull off from Harley Quinn #70. The majority of the issue is mostly just fun filler introducing this new Harleen the Queen persona and catching up with where Harley is in life at the moment. A quick cameo from Booster Gold helps to bring in some fan service moments especially as they break down the events of the most recent crisis, Heroes in Crisis. 

Do we want a Booster Gold/Harley romance? Definitely not. But their interaction was both sincere and heartfelt as they dive into just how much the event tore through their lives. Just when we think we’re all caught up with everyone and about to see Harley and her partner Alicia the Crusher throw a fight for money, a murder happens! This will undoubtedly thrust Harley into a mystery worth following as the arc continues, but the shocking cliffhanger acts as yet another gut punch for Harley at a time when she honestly didn’t need it.

Harley Quinn #70 also provides plenty of opportunities to shine for the visuals from Sami Basri and Hi-Fi. Their artwork complements one another quite well and suits Harley, helping to make the issue a joy to look at. Along with Dave Sharpe’s colorful yet foundational lettering, the issue feels very well executed even if wrestling isn’t exactly your cup of tea.

This is a creative team that I would love to see continue for a long time to come, as they obviously have a fundamental understanding of the character as well as the ability to execute truly exciting stories. I’m not personally all that hyped for an arc focused on the sport of wrestling, but the character growth and insight we see from Harley could make this an arc that is truly worthwhile.

Ultimately, this issue won’t be converting anyone to become a fan of the character, but for those following along, it finds an important moment in Harley’s life to explore with complex emotions. It’s a great start to a new arc that is already super intriguing!