PULL OF THE WEEK: SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Each week brings a round of new comic book releases. We discuss the our suggestion which one deserves a spot in your collection.

This week marks a very special occasion in comics that we would be remiss to acknowledge. Everyone’s favorite crimson and black clad psychopath burst into our lives 25 years ago. Simply intended to be a throwaway character in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn was introduced to the masses and became an instant sensation. It’s almost unheard of that a character introduced outside of comics would go on to become one of the most iconic figures in all of DC Comics, but here we are.

To commemorate the event DC has released the Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special. Priced at $4.99 it features stories and art from some of the best talent in comics including Amanda Conner, Paul Dini, Chip Zdarsky, and many more.

For the collectors out there, the special features an absolute glut of variant covers by Greg Horn, Terry Dodson, Fired Pie Lucio Parillo, Jim Lee, and Amanda Conner. Conspicuously absent from all the festivities is Bruce Timm, the very man responsible for creating Harley Quinn. However, given reception Batman and Harley Quinn that might be by design.  Anyhow, fans of the character will surely find plenty to like here as the isolated stories make for a breezy read with all the pluck that has endeared Harley Quinn to a generation.

With the character’s star only rising this book is certain to fly off the shelves and the variants will be tough to find. Don’t be surprised if you have to resort to the secondary market (i.e; wrestling a copy from the grip of a preteen girl) in order to get your desired issue. Such is the popularity of Harley and for good reason. Harley Quinn has transformed from a simple henchwoman, to Joker’s better half, to an icon of female empowerment. She deserves our every bit of our adulation (and 5 bucks). Happy birthday, you wacky dame.