Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I am reviewing the graphic novel Harleen by šejić Stjepan.
Harleen by Šejić’s Stjepan was first published in 2019 by DC Comics and is 208 pages long.
The Plot
Harleen tells the story of Dr Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist who becomes infatuated with the Joker, beginning her ultimate transformation into the infamous Harley Quinn.
Characters
Dr Harleen Quinzel
Harleen Quinzel is a brilliant and ambitious psychiatric intern who becomes obsessed with understanding the minds of Gotham’s criminals. She hopes to find a way to help even the worst of them. As she delves deeper into the psyche of arguably Gotham’s most notorious criminal, the Joker, we see Harleen’s slow transformation into Harley Quinn as she becomes ever more entangled in his world and ultimately becomes one of his closest allies.
The Joker,
The Joker is, of course, one of the most iconic villains in the DC universe. In Harleen, he is portrayed as a charismatic and manipulative figure who can draw people into his orbit. He is initially one of the subjects of Harleen’s research, but she soon becomes obsessed with him and falls under his spell. As is often the case, the Joker is portrayed as charming and deeply disturbed in equal measure, though here, the interactions between him and Harleen are some of the most compelling parts of the novel.
Harvey Dent
Harvey Dent is Gotham City’s district attorney, and this is a little bit of an origin story for him, too. At one point in the story, he attempts to dissuade Dr Quinzel from pursuing her research, believing that if she proves some of Gotham’s most notorious criminals have lost their ability to feel empathy, it will open a can of worms where it will be used as a defence in trials – a tactic he thinks that will be abused. He doesn’t believe the criminals can be helped.
Later, when Harvy is injured and loses his job, he joins forces with The Executioners, an extremist group of Gotham City police officers intent on taking out the criminals once and for all. Together, they concoct a plan to release Arkham’s patients into the city, wherein Harvey Dent and the Executioners will pounce and save the day, proving the need for more forceful action in policing Gotham’s streets.
Once they’ve broken into Arkham and released the inmates, Dent corners Harleen and threatens her, causing the Joker to deal with him in the only way he knows how.
Batman
Batman appears intermittently and very briefly in this story. He’s more of a background character here, though, in the end, he blames himself for Harllen Quinzel’s fate.
Writing Style
Although not the most gripping graphic novel in the world, Šejić is a good storyteller who can craft a rich, immersive world packed with beautifully realised characters.
The book’s narrative is well-crafted, delving meaningfully into Harley’s psyche. Šejić explores her motivations and desires with sympathy and nuance, humanising her in a way that is missing in other portrayals of the character I’ve read. Through her interactions with other characters like the Joker and Poison Ivy, we gain insight into her vulnerabilities and the factors that led her down a dangerous path.
One of the standout features of Harleen is how it explores the complex psychology of its characters. For example, Dr Quinzel is a deeply flawed but ultimately sympathetic protagonist, struggling with her own demons – even as she tries to help her patients.
Artwork
The artwork is what stands out the most about Harleen. Šejić’s detailed and vivid illustrations bring the story to life, showcasing the bleak and gritty streets of Gotham City and the colourful characters that inhabit it. The attention to detail in the character designs is impressive, as each individual is rendered with unique features that make them distinct.
The artwork is nothing short of beautiful, and every panel is imbued with a sense of urgency and emotional depth that draws the reader in and keeps them captivated until the very end.
Final Thoughts
While Harleen wasn’t exceptional, I did enjoy it. Harley is one of my favourite DC characters; I generally love anything she’s in, so Harleen was a no-brainer. If I had to nitpick about the book, however, it would simply be that I didn’t feel anything new was added to Harley’s origin story, though this version of her story was well told.
If you are a Harley Quinn fan as I am, this is a book for you. It’s heavy on Harley/Joker lore and light on Batman, though he is sprinkled in here and there, and the artwork is lovely. So, while I do think it retreads all the old Harley Quinn tropes, it is entertaining, so I’d still recommend giving it a read.
I am giving Harleen a respectable 6/10.
Have you read Harleen? Did you enjoy it? Let me know.
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review. It means the world.
Until next time,
George
© 2024 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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