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saif42's review
3.0
A nice collection of one-shots with writing and art from the Batman animated series.
It's nice seeing Harley in her old costume but jeez I didn't need to be reminded how abusive her relationship with the Joker was. It sucks I guess it's a pretty critical part of her story. The animated series had some nice episodes where she ditches him though, I feel like the redemption element is critical to me enjoying Harley as character.
The other short stories were okay. A lot of them I feel like I've already read before, perhaps they were used in the actual show later on or maybe I read them online. They were the definition of 'okay' though.
The art is bliss. These are the characters I grew up with and I appreciate that a lot.
Recommended if you like Harley, domestic abuse, and Batman the animated series.
It's nice seeing Harley in her old costume but jeez I didn't need to be reminded how abusive her relationship with the Joker was. It sucks I guess it's a pretty critical part of her story. The animated series had some nice episodes where she ditches him though, I feel like the redemption element is critical to me enjoying Harley as character.
The other short stories were okay. A lot of them I feel like I've already read before, perhaps they were used in the actual show later on or maybe I read them online. They were the definition of 'okay' though.
The art is bliss. These are the characters I grew up with and I appreciate that a lot.
Recommended if you like Harley, domestic abuse, and Batman the animated series.
fell4's review
5.0
I usually don't rate comic books anything over four stars, so you know how much I enjoyed this one. All of the stories are wonderful (and horrible)!
thetarantulalounge's review
5.0
Growing up, Batman was my guy thanks to Batman: The Animated Series. I loved the look and the mood of the show. Two guys largely responsible for that landmark show are writer Paul Dini and illustrator Bruce Timm. The third member of that B:TAS trinity is voice director Andrea Romano, who gave us our definitive Batman – Kevin Conroy. The success of the animated show translated well back into comics, many of which have been collected and reviewed by me in The Batman Adventures.
Dini and Timm also teamed up to create the 1994 Eisner-winning story “Mad Love”, which gave readers Harley Quinn’s backstory (the popular character was an original creation of the tv show). As the title and introduction explain, it’s a depressing story that most readers can related to, at least to a certain degree – sometimes we love someone despite our best judgment, consequences be damned. Mad love. That mad love defines Harley Quinn and Joker, Joker and anarchy, Bruce Wayne and his cowl.
This collection includes “Mad Love”, as well as several other Dini/Timm collaborations. There is a fun one-off Christmas story featuring Batgirl, Bullock and Montoya; Poison Ivy on a cruise ship; and a one-off sepia-toned story featuring a doomed Harvey Dent that is a personal favorite of mine. I might end up tracking down that particular single issue for my own collection.
In addition to the stories themselves, Dini and Timm both provide intermittent commentary on nearly all of the stories. These behind-the-panels pages add meaningful content for fans like me who can’t get enough this particular Batverse.
Dini and Timm also teamed up to create the 1994 Eisner-winning story “Mad Love”, which gave readers Harley Quinn’s backstory (the popular character was an original creation of the tv show). As the title and introduction explain, it’s a depressing story that most readers can related to, at least to a certain degree – sometimes we love someone despite our best judgment, consequences be damned. Mad love. That mad love defines Harley Quinn and Joker, Joker and anarchy, Bruce Wayne and his cowl.
This collection includes “Mad Love”, as well as several other Dini/Timm collaborations. There is a fun one-off Christmas story featuring Batgirl, Bullock and Montoya; Poison Ivy on a cruise ship; and a one-off sepia-toned story featuring a doomed Harvey Dent that is a personal favorite of mine. I might end up tracking down that particular single issue for my own collection.
In addition to the stories themselves, Dini and Timm both provide intermittent commentary on nearly all of the stories. These behind-the-panels pages add meaningful content for fans like me who can’t get enough this particular Batverse.
dvann93's review
4.0
I've kind of had a thing for Harley Quinn for some time. Just from what I'd heard about her and her role in the Batman universe...it was just fascinating to me. How did this woman become the right-hand woman to perhaps the most iconic super-villain ever? MAD LOVE has all the answers and more, though "more" wasn't quite what I'd hoped.
As most reviews will say about this collection, "Mad Love" is the best story in it. It introduces Harley Quinn into the Batman universe, the reading getting to know her when she was just Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Arkam Asylum who falls prey to master manipulator the Joker. I really enjoyed that Harley was given her own story that added more depth to her character; she's so much more than a "henchwoman." I also really enjoyed the back-and-forth between Harley and Joker, even if Joker is all-out terrible to her. But Harley stands her ground and accepts the challenge of gaining Joker's favor, most often with hilarious results. This story was a great introduction of Harley in the DC canon.
My only complaint about this collection is that the rest of it seriously lacks in Harley. I was hoping to have more stories following Ms. Quinn, but her only other appearances come in the dialogue-less "24 Hours" and a very brief cameo in the Joker-centric "Laughter After Midnight." As great as it was to see an array of Batman villains, from Poison Ivy to Ra's Al Ghul to Two-Face, I wanted more Harley. However, this is still a great collection with amazing artwork--the final story, "Two of a Kind," is gorgeously illustrated in black and white, a standout right after "Mad Love." I would definitely recommend collection to anyone, even reluctant graphic novel readers!
As most reviews will say about this collection, "Mad Love" is the best story in it. It introduces Harley Quinn into the Batman universe, the reading getting to know her when she was just Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Arkam Asylum who falls prey to master manipulator the Joker. I really enjoyed that Harley was given her own story that added more depth to her character; she's so much more than a "henchwoman." I also really enjoyed the back-and-forth between Harley and Joker, even if Joker is all-out terrible to her. But Harley stands her ground and accepts the challenge of gaining Joker's favor, most often with hilarious results. This story was a great introduction of Harley in the DC canon.
My only complaint about this collection is that the rest of it seriously lacks in Harley. I was hoping to have more stories following Ms. Quinn, but her only other appearances come in the dialogue-less "24 Hours" and a very brief cameo in the Joker-centric "Laughter After Midnight." As great as it was to see an array of Batman villains, from Poison Ivy to Ra's Al Ghul to Two-Face, I wanted more Harley. However, this is still a great collection with amazing artwork--the final story, "Two of a Kind," is gorgeously illustrated in black and white, a standout right after "Mad Love." I would definitely recommend collection to anyone, even reluctant graphic novel readers!
andrew_ceniza's review
4.0
Bought this as a gateway into the comics world and I think comics could be a fun reading adventure for me! The stories are all awesome and Mad Love is TRAGIC but light-hearted and fun at the same time.
neven's review
2.0
I'm sure this is fun for a lot of people, but it's pretty much the opposite of what I want in a comic. Flat story, overdone action, cheesy oneliners.
nicnacnoo's review
5.0
I have only read two comic books in my life . I hope to read more but this one i knew i had to own. Harley Quinn has been favourite character since i was a kid so to get to learn her origin story is a real must for me. The writing and the artwork in this is phemonenal, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm really are legends. It will make you laugh , make you smile, make you sad and (made me cry, i'm a girl i get emotional this can't be helped). Honestly an amazing read and a must have for a Harley Quinn or a Joker fan
shahadalmamari's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Fun read.
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