Graphic Novel Review: Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki

About:

Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki (illustrated by Steve Pugh) is a graphic novel following Harley’s teenage years.  Ms. Tamaki is a playwright, and performer.

• 208 pages
• Publisher ‏ : ‎DC Ink
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1401283292

My rating for Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass – 4
Buy Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass from Amazon.com*
More Books by Mariko Tamaki*

Thoughts:

This title presents Harley and The Joker in their teenage incarnation. A strange choice for two criminal characters in an abusive relationship, which are by no means kid friendly.

Obviously, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki (illustrated by Steve Pugh) is not meant for old farts like myself. My teenage daughter, however, loved it. The dialogue is snappy, and a good social justice cause is something most teens are interested in.

Word of warning: this graphic novel is not in the DC Comics canon, meaning it’s not part of the official story-line. The author takes many liberties, and the reader has to simply enjoy the ride. The characters are established quickly, in a quirky and fun way, however still different from the ones fans know.

This book could be part of the DC Elseworlds publications, and would have most likely caused less confusion if it would have been published that way.  The narrative and art are imaginative, distinctive, and correspondingly absorbing.

By all means, the creative team certainly understand the dramatis personae they are writing about. For example, the relationship between Harley and Ivy, while not canon, nevertheless keeps the same balance. I enjoyed the slightly different takes on the characters. Especially Harley, who is not the insane, lovestruck, and unhinged maniac she is in the official canon.
But she’s not a doctor either – so there’s that as well.

The art was very good, I enjoyed the muted color tones, but the lettering was a bit difficult to read. That being said, once again, it’s not meant for these old eyes.

 

Synopsis:

Harleen Quinzel is sent to live with her grandmother in Gotham, only to find out she died and instead she finds MAMA, a drag queen. MAMA becomes Harleen’s family, and the neighborhood her home.

A developer is trying to change the character of the neighborhood, which includes kicking out the drag queen cabaret.  Together with Ivy, a high-school friend, Harleen becomes a motivated to take action.

Buy Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass from Amazon.com*
More Books by Mariko Tamaki*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I borrowed this graphic novel.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account