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.
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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
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.
