Tag: harley quinn

Thoughts on Naked Suicide Art Competition for Harley Quinn #0

One of the big issues burning up the Internet right now is the call by Dan DiDio of DC Comics for someone to win the Naked Suicide Art Competition for the upcoming Harley Quinn #0. I have gotten many messages this weekend about the issue and about my thoughts on it.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

What is the Naked Suicide Art Competition?

Somewhere within Harley Quinn #0, we are supposed to see four panels in which the Clown Princess of Crime is either attempting suicide or contemplating suicide. One of the frames, for examples, will show her naked in the bathtub with various small appliance ready to be thrust inside.

Dan DiDio made a call last week for artists to try their hand at this page for possible publication in the issue. Outcry went out because of trying to cover suicide in a humorous format. Add on the fact that this is National Suicide Prevention Week and everything hits the fan.

My Thoughts

I think the Naked Suicide Art Competition is in very poor taste. If the original artist could not do the page, the script should have been rewritten. They could have had the scene take place in a later issue if need be. We have heard countless stories in the last few months about how DC Comics changed something with a script at the last minute, so why couldn’t that have happened here?

On one hand, I know that you cannot truly understand Harley Quinn without understanding her draw towards suicide. It is an aspect which can draw fans towards compassion for her. On the opposing hand, it is something which should be discussed without a tongue implanted in a cheek. The fact that she is able to overcome her suicidal thoughts is something which should be handled seriously so that the message can get out to avoid the draw towards suicide in the first place.

DC Comics wanted to make news during the September War, but the Naked Suicide Art Competition is just another poor reason to make news. Not having enough supply for the demand for 3D covers is also a newsworthy event, but not something DC Comics should be proud of.

As a Harley Quinn fan, I am upset that a smudge would draw down the release of Harley Quinn #0. I am hoping that the backlash over the Naked Suicide Art Competition will finally open some eyes at DC Comics and make those with the ultimate power in the company realize that the publisher is quickly becoming noted for failures instead of successes.

Thoughts on the New Harley Quinn Comic for New 52

Comic Book Resources broke the news earlier this week about a new Harley Quinn title coming to the New 52 later this year. As a Harley Quinn collector, some of you contacted me this week about the announcement. If it were not for the problems with the server migration yesterday, I would have published this much earlier.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

Harley Quinn will have her own New 52 title.

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti on Harley Quinn

I like the idea of having these two writers on Harley Quinn together. First off, they have done a good (if not great) job in the past when working as a team. At the same time, I really like the idea of having a woman working on Harley Quinn. Also, Amanda Conner is very good at bringing out a female character’s sensuality without having to try to force sexuality.

Bring in Joker?

During the interview with CBR, the creators talked about how there is still going to be a focus on the Joker in Harley Quinn’s life. This gets me going as I would love to see Mistah J. cross into the new title and add more depth to his character in the New 52.

The Suicide Squad and Harley Quinn

One issue which concerns me is that Harley Quinn fans might forget about Suicide Squad now that the character is going to have her own title. I have said for a long time that I believe the only reason why Suicide Squad is in the Top 100 on Diamond’s list is because of everyone’s favorite bad girl. I would not be surprised by a significant sales dip when Harley’s new title comes out. I doubt the team title would last very long after dropping from the Top 100.

The New Costume

Well, I have to say that I like the new costume more than I like her current one or her costume from Arkham Assylum (which is my least favorite). I am not sure if I would place it higher than the nurse costume, but it is an improvement. The only thing is that I look at it and think that she is getting ready for a roller derby. It might take a while for this one to grow on me, but at least it has potential in my eyes.

I am looking forward to the new Harley Quinn title and hope that it is the best that could be offered on the character. Will I pick it up the day it comes out? Yes. Will I pick up all of the variants as well? Probably. Will I purchase a figure with the new costume? Chances are pretty damn good. Ok, they got me.