Review: The Batman Adventures: Mad Love

The Batman Adventures: Mad Love The Batman Adventures: Mad Love by Paul Dini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story was entertaining, but depressing.I've heard this is Harley's very first appearance, and it was the basis for the B:TAS episode that came later. It doesn't really read that way though, since half the issue is Harley reminiscing. If this is her first appearance, it's more like they want us to believe she's always been around and we only just notice her (except Batman just noticed her too). So, poorly done, on that point. They would have done better to just use that Backstory as the story. Put it all in present time (like B:TAS did) and the whole thing would make more sense.

The art was reminiscent of Batman: The Animated Series, which I liked. Except... Commissioner Gordon seemed somehow extra cartoony.

Commentary on the storyline follows, if you don't want spoilers.
(Spoiler beyong the break)

 
I wanted to be upset at Harley's sleeping her way through college for her Psych degree, but I suppose it was done to highlight her lack of qualifications to be allowed face to face with Joker. Harley seems to be the only person we see Joker be so manipulative to, though Batman alludes to times Joker's laid a sob-story on the public. I do like that she's clearly fully capable of pulling off the gag on her own, though she played an ace she'll never be able to use again.

PS: the issue is drawn by Dini, and in Harley's fantasy we get cameos of his Tiny Toons Buster and Babs, hanged over the fireplace!

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