Harley Quinn #18

Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, and Paul Dini

Artists: John Timms, Joseph Michael Linsner, and Bret Blevins

Colourists: Alex Sinclair and Jeremiah Skipper

Publisher: DC Comics

This is such a step up. The past few issues have been a bit of a downer but this issue was fun all-around, even with the Paul Dini-written back-up.

The cannibal storyline really picks up, as Harley is kidnapped by them. The whole aspect of Red Tool chasing her down was really funny, and we get some decent political commentary in the form of the mayor character.

John Timms' art somewhat fits the story but is also slightly unremarkable. It's clear that the story and the dialogue are the main focuses of the book, and any kind of art style would fit the story as long as it looks slightly cartoony.

The back-up by Paul Dini and Jimmy Palmiotti was a lot of fun. I don't know why Palmiotti is involved in the writing, but it may have to do with Harley having to be sexualised in both stories in the book. You can see through her nightgown, and it is quite explicit when it comes to comic books, which is made doubly weird with the art style of the original animated series. This is something that just needs to stop.

Aside from the way over-the-top sexualisation of the Batman: The Animated Series version of Harley, this issue provided a lot of fun on both fronts with some nice art and wacky characters.