Review: Harley Quinn Premiere at NYCC 2019

Kayley Cuoco has our hearts — the DC animated premiere of Harley Quinn has dropped at Madison Square Garden!

The pilot episode of the much anticipated Harley Quinn animated series drove fans wild with vocabulary as colorful as the characters themselves. Gory animation, fun-filled fight choreography, and playful dialogue helped set the scene of the show. The story begins with Harley’s escape from prison, after being confined to Arkham for a year. The series sets a clear tone that Harley isn’t going to be sitting around waiting for the Joker to save her anymore, as she bands together with Poison Ivy and other escaped inmates. The episode isn’t simply about Harley escaping from prison physically, but emotionally, as she attempts to cut ties with the Joker indefinitely.

The world of story presented in the episode is chuck-full of laughs, and definitely asserts itself as an adult animated series. This all sets Harley Quinn up as a diverse, complex character, and despite her Suicide Squad look, fans will be happy to know that there’s a ton of versatile story content, simply based on episode one. A fantastic depiction of Harley Quinn coming into her own, the first episode of Harley Quinn is about embracing individuality, female bonds (possibly romances), and recognizing the toxicity of a relationship.

The mix between the light-heartedness of the show and the gruesome, more visceral imagery and emotional moments set the scene for a story about finding happiness. It’s full of laughs, and a lot of love — the real kind.