Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass

Mariko Tamaki and Steve Pugh’s “Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass” reinterprets Harley Quinn as a high school girl living in Gotham in the modern day. The concept resembles Jeffrey Thomas’s cancelled animated series, “Gotham High,” though Tamaki avoids the urge to force cameos of familiar characters, instead telling her own story. Using the income inequality of a major city like Gotham and the power structures that reinforce it as a backdrop, Tamaki focuses on Harley Quinn finding a group of misfits to call family and the struggles they go though just to find some joy in a world that seeks to grind them down. Along the way she meets Ivy, who introduces Harley to ways she can challenge the status quo, though Quinn naturally makes those ideas her own. The spoiled sons of the wealthy demonstrate all the sociopathic tendencies one would expect from children who have never had to face the consequences of their actions, with John Kane, heir to the Kane fortune and Millennium Enterprises, leading the bunch. Tamaki plays with the concept of performative identity in the story. Harley discovers her own as the story progresses, learning from drag queens how to express her bubbly personality through flamboyance. If she and her friends are expressing their inner joy to the world, people like the Kanes use a mask of joy to hide their soullessness. As Tamaki writes, “Harleen’s mother said to watch out for anyone who can’t smile with their eyes” (pg. 64). In nearly every scene, artist Steve Pugh perfectly depicts the Kanes’ smiles more like rictus grins than anything friendly. Through Ivy, Tamaki sums up the timeliness of the book’s message. Facing the eviction of her entire neighborhood to pave the way for luxury condos, Ivy says, “This is not just about Mama. Or you. Or me. It’s not just about Gotham. It’s everywhere. It’s corporations before communities. It’s a system that protects the rich, ----- the poor. That keeps the powerful, powerful and the oppressed, oppressed. It always has. It always will” (pg. 92). This comes through in Pugh’s art, which brilliantly uses color to set the mood. His depiction of characters is dynamic and lifelike while his color washes evoke emotion in a way more traditional coloring might not. DC markets their DC Ink line of graphic novels to young adults and “Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass” shows that, like other current YA fiction, they’re not shying away from addressing serious topics. Tamaki and Pugh write honestly about issues that teens will understand and they don’t try to sugarcoat the hard facts. Their book uses Quinn to tell a story that’s both faithful to her character and relevant to readers, further demonstrating the power of graphic novels.

I'm the first to say I'm a huge fan of Harley Quinn, and this book did NOT disappoint. I love a new spin on a familiar story, and this one felt fresh and real. It felt honest and believable from start to finish, and it really made you care for the characters. A great read altogether.

"Breaking Glass" is a fantastic update/re-imagining of some classic DC characters.Harley and Ivy are vastly different from their various origins... Ivy comes from a supportive, loving, politically active, community oriented family while Harley... doesn't. At least not originally. When her mom packs her on a bus to go stay with the grandmother in Gotham City that she doesn't know, however, she falls into a new family that offers her what she needs.The area that Harley and Ivy live in is facing the threat of further gentrification. The people that have lived there for generations, who have homes and businesses there, whose kids go to school there, communities, are being pushed out so wealthy white people can move in. Ivy and her family are trying to fight this politically, while Harley thinks she's found a different way to fight it. And while all this is going on they're both high school students tackling the se xism, classism, and racism at their school.The writing is top notch, which is frankly what I expect from Mariko Tamaki. She has a chance to really shine here. The art is incredible as well. I fell in love with Steve Pugh's work on "Hel lblazer" waaay back when and he's only gotten better.

I see a lot of folks complaining that it is not like the canon comic universe but I don't think it was ever meant to be just like with DC's other YA novels. They take some liberties. I took everything with a grain of salt. I knew going in, it wasn't going to be like canon and I was okay with it. I think the author did a great job establishing a new background for Harley that was relatable in a lot of ways to queer teens. There were many things I loved. I enjoyed that Harley got a new background that wasn't her being created by the Joker. It made Harley have a lot more power to have already been that quirky, weird, fun person that we already know and love. Honestly this story made me love Harley again because the character has a tendency to be a little too much at times. The author was able to let Harley be quirky but also be reflective and show that there's accountability for her actions. Ivy is great in this graphic novel and I would love to see a YA novel with her one day because the author really made her come to life. I also loved that even though the characters were a bit different than their comic counterparts, Harley and Ivy's connection and the way they balance each other remained true. The story talks about gentrification which a real problem that has been happening frequently in many major cities and how it damages communities and culture. I loved everything about this book and would highly recommend it to my friends.

This book is so full of imagination, and is such a perfect match of author and artist.From the author: the characters are awesome, the dialog is great, the story is original and absorbing from start to finish. I especially love Mama. She's the kind of character that it's hard to accept that she's fictional. She is SO real and likeable in the book, I really want to meet her.From the artist: the depiction of the characters, and their expressions, is so real, and so unique, that every one of these characters springs to life. And the shading and coloring! I've never seen coloring like this, where the artist purposely uses a limited palette. Steve Pugh pulls it off like a master. Almost every page brought a new gasp of enjoyment.I really don't the last time I've enjoyed a book this much.

I had been looking forward to this for a long time after reading the supergirl: Being Super series by the author, and i was not disappointed, this is another reimagining of Harley Quinn aimed at the younger teen market, therefore al the characters are aged down a bit. But for me the themes and story here get exactly to the point about Harley Quinn and what has made her such a fascinating character.I would recommend this to all fans of Harley Quinn, but particularly to younger people looking for an accessible way into the mythology of the character.

My daughter is starting Year 8 (12) and was looking for something different to read instead of a novel. As she likes Harley Quinn, and I saw someone recommended these books for engaging reading, I thought I would order one.She has really enjoyed them, but it comes with a note of caution that there is swearing in the books. So just have a look through before hand to see if you are comfortable with your child accessing a book with some swear words in.

I was so excited at the beginning of this book, I am a huge Harley fan and I’m trying to read all her graphic novels.I couldn’t even finish this.It started strong, I don’t even mind that it was a new sort of look at Harley’s life. I know a lot of comics have a different kind of origins like DC bombshells (which I think is great). Every time Ivy speaks I want to throw the book across the room.I agree with everything she’s saying, as I’m sure most people with a brain and a heart would. Though it was nothing to do with the story and it is so forced and makes me cringe so bad.If you can read this panel and not feel super uncomfortable and cringe then, go figure, you’ll probably love this. I however would like to refund/resell this at the earliest available date.Art is nice though!

No issues with the seller. The item was in good condition and arrived quickly. My issue is with the book which I found depressing, strange and pandering. This wasn't a fun read for me personally and didn't feel anything like escapism. But maybe it's just me?

Harley's sincere, but not smart. This is her childhood, self narrated, and it's a wonderful read. The artwork's absolutely wonderful too.