Review by Frank Plowright
Harleen Quinzel had a disasterous relationship with a boyfriend who proved a killer. Although guilty of no more than going out with him, she was caught up in the subsequent circus and placed on conditioned parole. It’s led to family tensions and made Harleen’s college gymnastic ambitions more difficult. She’s since reunited with her girlfriend Pamela, who suggests taking part in medical experiments as a way of raising money. It proves a transformative experience.
As developed in DC’s mainstream comics the relationship between Harley and Poison Ivy rarely comes across as anything more than pandering to the fantasies of emotionally stunted men. Despite swearing, this is intended for a young adult audience, yet Melissa Marr and Jenn St-Onge’s sensitive and natural exploration is far more nuanced and realistic, addressing concerns and fears while establishing a supportive environment. The same applies to Harleeen’s family, with an excellent few opening pages revealing them.
While Marr drives the narrative St-Onge seals the strong perception of who people are via naturally vivacious cartooning, and while the art’s appealing throughout, there’s extra effort made for some ornately designed pages, the peak of which is Mucha-influenced. Jeremy Lawson’s restrained colours bring out the best in the art.
The title suggests a connection to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but Marr only takes the idea of chemicals effecting a character transformation. After treatment Harleen switches between a bold and adventurous personality and her normal anxious, restrained self. That’s cleverly incorporated into a plot about Harleen’s family’s criminal contacts and the experimental medical process being far from benignly intended. At all times personalities lead events and realistic feelings inform them.
When introduced it seems family Jewish observance is overloading, and it’s a minor weakness for not being used past one scene. It’s about the only weakness to be found, though, in an exhilarating ride exploring love, friendship and putting things right.
