Written by Brian Buccellato & Christopher Sebela.
Art by Pop Mhan; Tom Derenick; Daniel Sampere; Juan Albarran; Marco Santucci; Jheremy Raapack; Rex Lokus; J. Nanjan; Mark Roberts; & Wes Abbott.
Collection Cover Art by Ben Oliver.
SUMMARY:
Released in 2017 by DC Comics, this 144-page trade paperback compiles Injustice: Ground Zero # 1-6 from 2016-2017. Set in Injustice’s alternate-reality world, Harley Quinn explains her involvement in the Joker’s lethal scheme to corrupt Superman. Later seeking personal vengeance for both the Joker and lost friends (i.e. Green Arrow & Black Canary), she defines her allegiance to Batman’s underground Insurgency. Hence, Harley’s narrative sets this storyline prior to the events of Injustice 2.
With a handpicked crew (aka Harley’s Horde), Harley Quinn leads an overnight assault to destroy an illicit factory – at the behest of her reality’s Batman. Initially unbeknownst to her, at least six parallel-reality counterparts become marooned in her world. Among them are Wonder Woman; Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern; Aquaman; Oliver Queen’s Green Arrow; Batman; and the Joker. In the confusion, the corrupted Superman’s forces abduct this alternate world’s Batman and subsequently resort to torturing him for possible answers.
Joining forces with Batman’s Insurgency, the counterparts convince them of the dire necessity of rescuing this other Dark Knight. Shockingly, one unexpected ally may be the Joker. While teasing a possible romance with Billy Batson’s Shazam, Harley Quinn senses a the opportunity of a ‘second’ chance with her true love. Among the unresolved arcs in Volume 1: what is Harley’s real endgame?
Notes: This title is also available in hardcover and digital formats. The remaining six issues are compiled in Injustice: Ground Zero, Volume 2, which is available in multiple formats.
REVIEW:
Unsurprisingly, the project’s reliable art squad ensures that Volume 1’s visuals are terrific. Given the premise, what’s also unsurprising is how this storyline seems wholly unnecessary. The plotting is essentially a flimsy excuse for more Injustice mayhem and destruction adding little, if any, depth to the saga itself. Volume 1, therefore, is strictly for those in need of an Injustice Harley Quinn fix.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In a full-page format, each Ben Oliver cover precedes its story. Issue # 1’s Matthew Clark variant cover is the last page. Also included is Pop Mhan’s seven-page, black-and-white sketchbook of scenes.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars
