Ty Templeton

Ty Templeton’s Batman and Harley Quinn collects the 5-issue prequel series and 7-issue sequel series to Sam Liu’s 2017 Batman and Harley Quinn animated film as part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Like the film, written by Harley Quinn co-creator Bruce Timm, the comic uses the visual style of Batman: The Animated Series and The Adventures of Batman & Robin. In the prequel comics, Harley Quinn works to become a supervillain in her own right separate from her association with the Joker. The comics all tell a single narrative, though each act of the story originally appeared as its own short comic. Elements of this narrative resemble the Gotham Girls webseries, which led to its own comic book spin-off, Batman: Harley and Ivy. The sequel works as an anthology taking place after the events of the film, with standalone stories. In “Poison Ivy: ‘A New Leaf,’” Batman shows more empathy, offering Ivy the chance to reform and do some good while explaining how she’s different from criminals like Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, and Clayface. Another story follows up on Jason Woodrue and his attempt to become the avatar of the Green, one checks in on Batman and Nightwing, and Harley Quinn works to turn over her own new leaf. The volume concludes with a story incorporating elements of Suicide Squad, including a redesign of Harley’s costume based on the 2016 film/New 52 comics. Overall, it’s a fun collection that blends the visual style Bruce Timm developed with the more adult tone of Sam Liu’s 2017 film.… (mais)

Harley Quinn is disappointed that after helping the Joker escape from Arkham Asylum, he is all about romance and has no interest in picking up his life of crime. She is determined to awaken his violent impulses once more.

As part of the Batman Adventures series, this book picks up in media res. For someone like me, who just picked it up because it clearly featured Harley Quinn heavily, it is obvious that some parts of the story are missing. Nevertheless, it stands up on its own well enough.

Many of the Gotham regulars, including Montoya, Gordon, and Poison Ivy, pop up in this book, which is fun. The small snippet of interaction between Harley and Ivy make it clear how great a relationship it is to watch.

The book ends with a glossary and some background information, which is perfect for young readers just getting into comics and/or the Batman universe.… (mais)