REVIEW: ‘Harley Quinn’ Issue 67

Harley Quinn Issue 67 is published by DC Comics. Written by Elliott Kalan, with art by Carlos Olivares and letters by Lucas Gattoni.

This is Part One of Week 10 of the Batman: Bad Seeds event. Harley is desperate to reach Poison Ivy, but the chance is slim.

The unexpected intensity within this issue is phenomenal. A comic featuring the clown princess usually features a heap of comedy and silliness. However, Harley Quinn Issue 67 has a powerful sense of danger and menace within it. Harley is deeply intoxicated by the spores in her system and is constantly hallucinating different versions of Poison Ivy, all whilst a giant villain is actively trying to murder her. The fight is brutal, and the blood loss erodes Harley’s coherence.

The scenes between Harley and Ivy are gorgeously loving and filled with affection, but the question of whether or not they’re real gives it a heartbreaking twinge. Kalan laces a version of A Christmas Carol into this ruthless action scene, and the adaptation is incredible. The sweetness clashes beautifully with the action’s horror and hysteria.

The pacing also fluctuates. The hallucinations are slow, with any concept of time wasting away, while the action sequences are breathless. Harley takes real damage, and everyone is left exhausted by the end. The writing for Harley Quinn Issue 67 is simply magical and magnificent. Harl for Ivy couldn’t be more explicit, and Kalan explores it with depth and profundity. 

There is obviously lust and passion between the two, but there are even more endearing features that show how they sit in each other’s souls. The endless pet names suggest warmth, and the time they spend together brims with constant affection, before it slips away.

Then reality kicks in, and we are reminded of the horror Harley finds herself in. The villain, NKVDemon is delivers constant and cruel insults towards Harley, deriding and humiliating her while he stabs and beats her. Harley is desperate to get away and reach her love. The way he talks about what he’s going to do to her is loud, harsh and visceral, far from the tenderness she is yearning for.

There is a stark contrast within the art, and the range of Olivares is stunning. The hallucinations completely alter Harley’s perception in both the real fight and her moments with Ivy. A serenity settles between the lovers, and the intimacy is a delight. The hugs, the holding, the kisses, they are precisely what Harley is longing for.

Each iteration of Ivy is slightly different, with Olivares redesigning her to show her at different points in time. There are Ivys in the past, present, and future, and Harley herself evolves with the times. It also references her original costume, and it looks amazing.

The action is jaw-dropping when it displays how rough and brutal it is. The villain is gigantic, making Harley look so much smaller compared to him, and he is excessively ruthless and vicious. There are multiple times when Harley breaks out of the illusion, with blades sticking in her or her getting hit.

That’s not to say she’s harmless, because Quinn delivers some fantastic moves of her own. The injuries for both are nasty and gritty, all whilst the world warps and twists around them.

The colors are fascinating, because they include extremes at both ends. Some of the hallucinations can be immensely vibrant. It adds to the dream-like aspects of the book, where the primary and secondary shades are so bright. These tones then drop away to reveal the bloody, dangerous world Harley truly inhabits.

But there are also several occasions where there are no colors at all. Characters within the panels can go completely black and white, whilst the rest of the page around them contains the colors. It’s such a creative concept that highlights just how quickly Harley’s world is shifting. The lettering remains clear throughout all the chaos, making it very easy to read.

Harley Quinn Issue 67 is a remarkable mixture of romance and brutality. It features some of the best visuals in the crossover, adding extra psychedelia to Harley’s already unique psyche. The connection with Ivy is stunningly written, lacing almost every word with love, and gentleness. But there’s also a comic filled with malice, blood, and venom, with an incredibly physical fight scene. It’s a breathtaking book from start to finish.

Harley Quinn Issue 67 is available wherever comics are sold.