Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass imagines a world in which Harleen Quinzell went to Gotham High school and became activist friends with Poison Ivy, both before the change over to villain. Harley’s mom joins a cruise line and sends Harley packing in order to go live with her grandma in Gotham. The only problem is Harley’s Grandma is dead. The manager of the building is a gay man named Mama, who collects strays and hosts a popular drag night downstairs. As Harleen’s grandma had paid up her apartment in advance, Mama lets Harley stay, provided she keep going to school and keep her head down. Harleen quickly befriends Ivy, a plant obsessed person of color who loves to stand up for the oppressed. The Kane Family is gentrifying the neighborhood, and soon it looks like Harleen and her Drag Queen friends may lose their housing. On a nightly revenge raid, Harleen comes across a teen who calls himself “the Joker,” but he is most definitely keeping secrets.
If you love Drag Queens, fighting the patriarchy, ending gentrification, and standing up for your rights, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is killer. If you’re looking for Joker’s lapdog, this comic isn’t for you. Mariko Tamaki creates a kick-ass Harley Quinn who is somewhere between the side of the angels and the side of the devils. Steve Pugh’s artwork is absolutely gorgeous. It takes serious skill to draw a Drag Queen.
Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass is available today from DC Comics.
