Review by Karl Verhoven

Task Force XX opens not with the title story, nor with a continuation from Verdict, but with a prelude to the title story, which isn’t apparent until the final page. Stephanie Phillips and Ann Maulina have Harley going about her normal business dealing with ninjas in an arcade, while an ominous voiceover discusses her capabilities and attitude.

Then it’s into Harley reuniting with the Suicide Squad, who were also known as Task Force X. She thought her time with them was done, but this is a new organisation with a new boss, Luke Fox, last seen as Batwing. Rather than coercing villains via the threat of blowing their heads off, this Task Force X pays them instead.

Harley is among a collection of motley villains sent to the moon to investigate technology dumped there because it’s considered too dangerous to be kept on Earth. However, with the Justice League missing from their lunar base, there are concerns that something threatening may now be loose. Spoiler: it is. Another new addition to the team is Verdict, who Harley thought she’d seen the last of (see Verdict). “This is awkward because Lashina is clearly possessed by some kinda alien monster goop, right?” about sums up the situation.

The joy of Harley Quinn under Stephanie Phillips isn’t the plots, which here are largely predictable, but the way Harley copes. There’s no way on Earth she ought to be able to deal with the threat as presented, but guess what…

However, at four normal chapters and one extra-large dose, it’s a plot carried too far. Former series artist Riley Rossmo is now history, and the appealing horror element he brought to the art departs with him. Georges Duarte’s cartooning is good, but the type of art that’s seen Harley through since her first comics. As Rossmo’s art was so divisive, this may be welcome.

Having opened Task Force XX with ten pages of Harley in a form of wonderland, the collection closes with a mirror image. This time Harley is in Las Vegas, supporting character Kevin makes his only appearance and there’s some nice art from David Baldeón, but just as the opener was a prelude, so is this the set-up to Who Killed Harley Quinn?

There’s a fair amount to enjoy about this collection, but it’s moments rather than entire stories, and while Harley’s offbeat character is always a joy, some more substance next time would be appreciated.