Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘Harley Quinn,’ Issue #20

REVIEW: ‘Harley Quinn,’ Issue #20

William TuckerBy William Tucker08/16/20224 Mins Read
Harley Quinn #20 - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Harley Quinn #20 - But Why Tho

Harley Quinn #20 is published by DC Comics, written by Stephanie Phillips, art by Georges Duarte and Simone Buofantino, colours by Romulo Fajardo Jr, and letters by Andworld Design. Part 3 of the Task Force XX, the team finds itself running from an alien creature that has possessed Lashina. However, they might be more dangerous to each other than the monster.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

This chapter has the pace ramped up from the first page as the team reacts to the reveal from the last issue. This launches the plot into a different part of the space station before slowing down. That doesn’t prevent being intense, however. Whilst they are barricaded inside a singular room, the pressure begins to boil with numerous characters who aren’t known for being calm. Phillips uses backstories from multiple books, including this Harley Quinn run and multiple Suicide Squad series, to litter the team with history and grudges.

The pace of the comic fluctuates throughout, keeping us guessing. Parallel to the space station story is what is happening with Luke Fox on Earth, with some dark truths being laid bare. It could be argued that the comic leans too heavily on homaging characters and movies, with Venom and Alien being the most prominent influences. Every story of this type draws a comparison to the latter, and this exact concept is not new. But what Phillips does bring is variations and ties it to both Dark Crisis and the Harley Quinn to tell a tale of their own.

The characters in this book are all superb, with Harley being the energetic heart as always. Phillips will let the protagonist of the comic take a step back sometimes, allowing the other voices a chance to stand on their own. Characters like Bronze Tiger and Lashina have history of their own that really affects the potential direction of the story. But when Harley does start speaking her exuberance is breathtaking and it is impossible to look away. One scene in particular is one of the best of this run so far as it encapsulates so many different facets of Harley’s personality in a short amount of time. Her rage, her willingness to make friends, her incredible intellect, and her emotional capacity are just a few examples of what this incredibly three-dimensional character displays in just a few pages.

The art is amazing. The method in which the artists depict the initial possession of a character is understated yet haunting. It is like the person is melting as their faces turn gaunt, with swirling tendrils a peripheral threat around them. The mass is ever-changing and expanding which separates it from other villains of its type. The variation in line weights is fantastic and provides objects with either strength or specificity. The facial expressions are also terrific, but sometimes they can look strange due to the perspective and depth perception. This is a rare occurrence, with most of the characters being impeccably designed. The fight scenes are great as many events can be happening within the same panel, taking multiple scans of the page to acknowledge everything happening.

The colours are fascinating as the contrast between light and dark is maintained throughout Harley Quinn #20. The white of the uniforms the characters wear remain stark and bright, always drawing the eye, as do the bright hair colours of Verdict, Killer Frost and Harley. For a lot of the issue, the shades around the heroes are sickly or could be considered dirty, making the entire place look aged and unfriendly. The lettering is brilliant at balancing dynamism and legibility.

Harley Quinn #20 gives a space horror story the clown treatment. Phillips combines a genuinely disturbing and scary plot with one of the most powerful characters in terms of personality, and it is a superb mix. It’s a new setting for Harley but she would be a livewire anywhere in the universe. The art gives the comic an unsettling edge whilst also keeping that cartoonish element. That signature, impeccable dialogue and narration will always give this comic an emotional heart unlike any other.

Harley Quinn #20 is available where comics are sold.

Harley Quinn #20
4.5

TL;DR

Harley Quinn #20 gives a space horror story the clown treatment. Phillips combines a genuinely disturbing and scary plot with one of the most powerful characters in terms of personality, and it is a superb mix. It’s a new setting for Harley but she would be a livewire anywhere in the universe. The art gives the comic an unsettling edge whilst also keeping that cartoonish element. That signature, impeccable dialogue and narration will always give this comic an emotional heart unlike any other.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Barbaric: Axe to Grind,’ Issue #1
Next Article Crunchyroll Brings Anime Awards to Japan in 2023
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Cover of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 6

09/03/2025
Cover of Absolute Superman Issue 11 that features an image of Brainiac

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 11

09/03/2025
Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 11

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 11

08/27/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 10

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 10

08/27/2025
Superman Issue 29

REVIEW: ‘Superman’ Issue 29

08/27/2025
Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ Issue 6

08/27/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5
PS5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

By Kyle Foley09/03/2025

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh in the latest yearly release.

Cronos: The New Dawn Nest
8.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Cronos: The New Dawn’ Does Post-Apocalyptic Psychological Horror Right

By Mick Abrahamson09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

While not particularly sacry, Cronos: The New Dawn is a lot of fun as a survival horror that puts you in the futuristic armor of the Traveler.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here