Nominated in the Outstanding Comic Book category at this year’s GLAAD Awards, Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour is a spin-off comic series penned by debut DC writer Tee Franklin (Bingo Love), who worked alongside artist Max Sarin, colourist Marissa Louise (Hex Wives, Fairlady) and letterer Taylor Esposito (Constantine, Red Hood & the Outlaws).
The comic series begins straight after that cliffhanger ending in season two of Harley Quinn: The Animated Series. While season two isn’t available in Australia (yet), we get the cliff notes straight from Harley Quinn in Journey to Love, the first issue of the series. Mild spoilers ahead, Supa-Fans!
Franklin’s writing matches the show’s tone, as the comics continue to be unapologetically raunchy, violent, chaotic, humorous, sexy and a thrilling rollercoaster of a ride following Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s road trip after the disastrous ending of Ivy’s wedding.
The road trip also includes the now desperate Commissioner Gordon, who is tracking them down in their misadventures, willing to do anything to bring them back to Gotham. Familiar faces also appear during this series – Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman, Hush, King Shark, Clayman, Livewire, Vixen, Cyborg, and Zatanna.
Where Franklin’s writing complements the show, Sarin succeeds in drawing the characters to match the adult animated series look while making it feel suited to the vibe of the comics. The unique drawing of facial expressions and action scenes makes it an adventure with each page turn. This experience can only occur thanks to Louise providing vibrant colours that make everything in the pages pop, drawing us further into the story. Esposito’s work is always one to be admired. His work doesn’t distract from what else is happening in each panel and the speech bubbles let us know the exact tone that’s spoken. Another cool thing that Esposito does is show a clear distinction between external dialogue and internal monologue, with changes in speech box colouration clearly indicating which characters are communicating at a given time.
Despite being a short spin-off series (only six issues), it does a fantastic job showcasing Harley’s growth as a villain with morals and trying to be a better friend [now girlfriend] to Ivy. Franklin does not gloss over Ivy needing to deal with past trauma – and the same for Harley, despite audiences seeing her deal with her trauma in the show; it establishes in the comics that the healing process is ongoing. The navigation and growth of Harley and Ivy are enticing, and Franklin showed no fear in pushing the boundaries of living up to the action of the series title, The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour.
Franklin is a Black, queer, disabled Autistic woman, and the experiences and the diversity representations she puts into these comics is welcomed and appreciated (despite the backlash she has received). It shouldn’t be a surprise because this is the world we live in – people of different cultures and religions; disabled, straight and queer.
From my perspective (as a Black, disabled reader), it was exciting to see the different representations in this world. There was a moment when Harley and Ivy make a pit stop at a Bludhaven rest stop, and there is a panel showing inside the store, and Sarin has drawn all these diverse customers. It’s a rare sight in comics mixed with a sense of [myself] being able to relate to this world. Further on in later issues, a panel of Vixen’s girlfriend, Elle, states, “Of course, accessibility matters,” after Ivy acts surprised that there’s an elevator in their house. Made me say, “Hell yeah, it does”, to Elle’s response.
The only con for this comic was that it was too short, but that may be because season two isn’t here in Australia, which means it will be a long wait until we get season three.
Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour is an entertaining read that you will get through so quickly. All six issues are available now!
