DC Universe's "Harley Quinn" may have been prompted as a promotional sideline to the big-budget "Birds of Prey", but it succeeds in its own right, perpetuating Harleen Quinzel's iconic position in Batman's mythology and beyond.
The animated series jives because it's unapologetic. It's not intended for today's impoverished, Potterheaded boys or delusional, Disney-princess girls. It's aimed at adults (or anyone with a basic pair of balls), piled with cursing, crassness and no-way-did-that-happen shocks. In this respect, it's entertaining, erratic and impetuous. In other words, it's good.
The first and now-in-motion second season present quite a vocal cast: Kaley Cuoco as Quinn; Lake Bell as Poison Ivy; Tony Hale as Dr. Psycho; Ron Funches as King Shark; Jason Alexander as Sy Borgman; Matt Oberg as Kite Man; J.B. Smooth as Frank the Plant; Christopher Meloni as Jim Gordon; James Adomian as Bane; Jim Rash as the Riddler; Wayne Knight as the Penguin; Rahul Kohli as the Scarecrow; Andy Daly as Two-Face; Alfred Molina as Mr. Freeze; Wanda Sykes as Queen of Fables; Jason Tremblay as Robin (i.e. Damian Wayne); Alan Tudyk as the Joker and Clayface; Diedrich Bader as Batman; and many more to help aggrandize the catchy queue.
The chemistry between Quinn and Ivy has never been better, and let's face it, they do hold a lively legacy that goes back to the '90s. So engaging are the exchanges that at times it's easy to forget that they're bad gals.
To accentuate the show's crafty chemistry, Bane is a dry-humored hoot, while Tudyk's Clayface is as endearing as his Joker is sadistic. Dr. Psycho, however, might be my fave, if only for his tell-it-as-it-is spurts.
It should be noted that on occasion the series does emulate others. Think "Doom Patrol" meets "Ash vs Evil Dead". But even if its tonality isn't always original (and why must it be?), it compensates with exquisite animation, giving viewers the exceptional eye candy they crave.
And speaking of eye candy, Quinn is the smokin' epitome of such, opting for a "slutty clown" look that for any impassioned, middle-age guy like myself is perfectamundo. Sorry if that offends, but if this series has taught me anything, it's to tell it like it is. Thank you, Dr. Psycho.
Though "Doom Patrol", "Titans" and (the sadly cut-short) "Swamp Thing" are damn good reasons to subscribe to DC Universe, "Harley Quinn" is the source's sweetest icing on the cake.
So, what are ya waitin' for? Check out the series' samples online if you've any doubts, but be warned: Once you get a taste, you're in for some big-binge gluttony.
