If you were a child in the 1990s, chances are you probably watched Batman: The Animated Series at least once. The show introduced fans to Harley Quinn, formerly known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel. In then new book from Titan Books is Harley Quinn: Mad Love. Written by Paul Dini- one of the former writers for Batman: The Animated Series– and Hugo award-winner Pat Cadigan, readers are taken on a journey from Harley’s childhood to her brainwashing by the joker.
If you’ve ever secretly wondered what the Joker said to Harley to make her turn villain, this is the book for you. One of the things I love about this book, however, is that the writers do not allow this transformation to be romantic. Readers will find themselves with that “uh oh” feeling in their gut more than once when dealing with the joker. Dini and Cadigan make sure that readers find him out he really is; manipulative and abusive. It helps that Dini has had great experience writing the character and knows her backstory.
I deeply enjoyed seeing minor villains in therapy in Arkham and learning more about the staff. Poison Ivy is particularly fun to read about. Readers who loved Batman: The Animated Series will love Harley Quinn: Mad Love.
Harley Quinn: Mad Love is now available from Titan Books.
