It’s the high seas for Harley and Zatanna, but their dream cruise turns sour when one of them is framed for murder. Your Major Spoilers review of Harley Quinn Annual 2024 Annual, awaits!

HARLEY QUINN 2024 ANNUAL

Writer: Erica Henderson
Artist: Erica Henderson
Colorist: Erica Henderson
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: June 30th, 2024

Previously in Harley Quinn Annual: Having successfully committed a crime without getting caught for once, Harley decides to try being a normal person and books herself a cruise to spend some of her ill-gotten loot.

A MARITIME MURDER, SORT OF

Harley Quinn 2024 Annual kicks off with the aftermath of a successful bank heist. Harley and her crew discuss what they’re going to do with their money. Harley is convinced to leave her comfort zone and be more normal, so she decides to take a cruise. After being sent off by Poison Ivy with inoculations for common boat diseases Harley settles in to have a restful trip. Things start out well but then get annoying, prompting her to go see a magic show being put on by Zatanna herself. Harley realizes that something is off with Zatanna, and she finds out that the magician has created a clone of herself to put on the show so she can enjoy the cruise for herself. The power then goes out and when it returns one of the audience members is dead with everyone believing that Zatanna is the murderer. The two then team up to investigate who was really behind the crime. They discover that the victim is none other than Vandal Savage and isn’t dead. He then enters into a shaky truce with Harley and Zatanna and sets out to bring the mystery to a close.

A SILLY, FUN, AND COMPLETE ADVENTURE

It probably shouldn’t be much of a surprise that a comic featuring Harley Quinn is funny, but what might be surprising is how restrained it is and how self-contained the story inside is. Rather than just being a vehicle for Harley Quinn shenanigans, the plot has some thought put into it with some actual cleverness with some twists. Also, the humor delightfully toes the line between situational comedy and slapstick, with a nice smattering of meta jokes delivered via text boxes direct from the creators. Much of this humor is due to the chemistry that comes from Harley’s, Savage’s, and Zatanna’s banter and characterizations. I will say that not every joke lands well and I thought the conclusion feels a little out of left field, in a rushed sort of way and not like part of the joke kind of way. But the run-up to this conclusion is a good time and it doesn’t diminish that enjoyment that much.

ARCHIE-ESQUE

The art in Harley Quinn 2024 Annual feels like the love child between an old Archie comic, with Harley and Zatanna sometimes looking very much like Betty and Veronica, and Darwyn Cook with a hand-drawn, sleek, mid-century look. Some of the best things about this book visually though, are the outfits that are on display. With one exception, which becomes a joke in itself, there are no costumes to be seen in this issue, rather Harley, Zatanna, and even Savage manage to wear vacation-appropriate looks that feel fashionable and in keeping with the tone of the issue.

BOTTOM LINE: GREAT ONE AND DONE

It’s not always a guarantee anymore that a reader can pick up an annual and get a self-contained, enjoyable story, but that’s exactly what you’ll get with Harley Quinn 2024 Annual. Erica Henderson really knocks it out of the park with this one in both the writing department and the visuals. The story is just the right blend of interesting mystery and silliness that allows Harley as a character to be more than just a joke, without fundamentally changing her. A couple of pacing issues do pop up and are noticeable, but they aren’t enough to keep this from being a good time. 4 out of 5 stars.

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.