This is a question I get asked a lot. I am vocal about my dislike of Adam Glass’ take on the Suicide Squad and on Harley Quinn in particular. My reason is, largely, one of continuity. You see, the Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad is unrecognisable as the Harley Quinn of DC’s history. There’s been a relaunch with the new 52, yes and that’s a valid argument. My counter-argument is that Harley’s changes seem far more substantive to the nature of the character than most other characters’ have been. Whilst there have been fundamental changes to the character we can sum it all up with costume changes.
Superman’s red trunks are gone, there’s more definition to his suit but over all, he’s Superman. No question about it.
Batman is Batman.
Wonder Woman’s a tricky one, having gone through a last-minute costume revision just before the relaunch but she’s still Wonder Woman. A little silver in place of bronze, back to trunks instead of pants… she’s Wonder Woman. If anything, more iconic after the relaunch as her ‘new 52’ look is closer to the classic than her Odyssey style.
Though not pictured, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Black Canary and many others are still recognisably true to themselves with tweaks rather than changes made to their looks.
Harley is… gone. The argument used by DC is she’s been brought more in line with the book’s tone and Rocksteady’s look for Harley in the Arkham Noun games. I have the Arkham City figure stood infront of me as I write this and I see a blonde haired, flesh-tone skinned girl in a black and red diamond-patterned outfit. It’s not her classic look but it’s closer than the abomination we see monthly in Suicide Squad. That said, if it’s to bring it in line with the book’s tone… I’ll buy it. You see, the tone of Suicide Squad is ‘confused mess without any sense of continuity’.
Can I back that up? Read on…
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