REVIEW: ‘DC K.O.: Zatanna vs Harley Quinn’ Issue 1

DC K.O.: Zatanna vs Harley Quinn Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Leah Williams, art by Mirka Andolfo, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr, and letters by Steve Wands.

This is part of DC K.O. and Round Five of All Fight Month. Harley Quinn may be facing impossible odds against a master magician, but she still has some tricks up her sleeve.

Unlike other rounds, DC K.O.: Zatanna vs Harley Quinn Issue 1 has an enormous breadth in the power levels. Harley is wicked with a mallet and is a strong fighter, but Zatanna can do almost anything just by uttering a few words. So Williams and Harley get creative. These are among the most exciting rounds of the month so far. There’s a real difference in each encounter, where magic is actually rarely utilized in the first two. It’s a physical bout, one more in an escalating cycle of anger and hostility.

The customary three rounds have been adapted and shaken up. There is a thrilling energy to the comic, making the matchup far more heart-pounding than expected. The final blow is devastating. William draws the last moments out for multiple pages, really letting the glum conclusion sink in. It makes a predictable ending suddenly surprising.

Leah Williams writes a version of Harley Quinn that has rarely, if ever, been seen before. She’s been funny, chaotic, and sad. But this is a Harley that’s scary. And nasty as she taunts Zatanna. She is still hilarious, with some ingenious comments to the reader. Her fourth-wall-breaking means she’s aware of how to break the rules of the game, too. Harley and Zatanna both talk about how unfair the fight is, and Harley’s first move to get around it is shocking and staggering. Harley only gets meaner and meaner as the showdown progresses. 

At the start of DC K.O.: Zatanna vs Harley Quinn Issue 1, the sorceress is friendly and happy to see her friend. She is then completely blindsided by what Harley does next. The rage starts to bubble up, growing increasingly  intense from Zatanna, leading to her wanting to beat Quinn with more than magic. And remember that Harley Quinn was something else before she ever became a clown. 

The art is glorious as it brings Harley and Zatanna’s worlds together. There’s a mystical atmosphere in locations that look like antique store rooms or stages. But the magic isn’t visible for most of the time. Instead, there’s the immensely physical fight, illustrated superbly by Andolfo. The sense of motion is phenomenal, from the swinging of Harley’s mallet to the fists and flips.

The costume changes are also fascinating because Harley is a performer, someone who lives to dress up. The montage of possibilities is delightful, showing just how many times a diamond design can be reproduced. It’s a shame Zatanna doesn’t share the same concept, but it fits her personality and her skeptical view of the Heart of Apokolips, the entity controlling the whole tournament.

The colors are beautiful. The black of Zatanna is sleek and shiny, whilst the red and black of Harley also has a purple and pink undershirt. These colors are important for identifying the characters, especially when Harley is toying with costumes. The lettering is fantastic, featuring some incredibly energetic SFX.

DC K.O.: Zatanna vs Harley Quinn Issue 1 defies expectation. One of the most one-sided bouts in the contest, Leah Williams actually uses that disparity to her benefit. It’s a fight that has magnificent action, thrilling dialogue, and stunning artwork. Harley is much more of a threat than at first glance, mainly due to how brilliant her mind is. Seeing the magic aside for the first two rounds gives the issue a ferocity that could never have been seen coming.

DC K.O.: Zatanna vs Harley Quinn Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.