Comic Book Review: Harley Quinn #56

In this review of Harley Quinn #56, get ready for an epic pair of showdowns as Harley and Mayfly square off with the so-called Super-Hunter, while back in Throatcutter Hill, Harley’s landlady Mrs. Grimaldi goes toe-to-toe with the despicable Deconspirator. Place your bets now.

HARLEY QUINN #56
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by CARLOS OLIVARES
Main Cover: YANICK PAQUETTE
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, RAHZZAH, and JESSICA LUNA
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 11/26/25

This review contains spoilers 

Harley Quinn #56 begins with Brock Blomquist AKA the “Super-Hunter” trains the sights of his modified hunting rifle on Harley Quinn and her would-be kidnapper Mayfly. Fortune smiles upon the pair because Gunbunny, (Blomquist’s daughter, and Mayfly’s Gunbuddies partner) convinces daddy dearest to make the chase more sporting. Blomquist agrees, leaping from the moving vehicle with only a hunting knife.

Nearby, Harley and Mayfly argue over Gunbunny’s loyalties as well as the benefits of partnership. Harley claims she doesn’t need anybody (which is a reversal on both recent events, and her on-again, off-again relationship with Poison Ivy). As if in answer, Harley stumbles into a gigantic bear trap, but Mayfly uses superspeed to rescue her before the trap snaps shut. Harley returns the favor by saving Mayfly after the pair nearly tumble into a pit filled with sharpened sticks.

As the pair take a moment to recover, they are confronted by the mysterious Convoy (who apparently had tangled with Harley in a recent issue) Meanwhile, back in Throatcutter Hill, the Deconspirator attempts to devastate the lives of Harley’s landlady Mrs. Grimaldi, and her grandson Richie. Deconspirator’s double talk works on Richie, but Mrs. G shakes off the villain’s influence and orders the bad guy to leave. Deconspirator refuses, and Richie is torn about what to do next.

Back in the Super-Hunter’s hunting grounds, Convoy’s mysterious origin is reveal…never mind, not important, as the Super-Hunter attacks and drugs Harley. Fortunately, her “Quinntellect” takes the brunt of the effects, allowing Harley to escape (with help from Mayfly, Convoy and a herd of Gnus (don’t ask). Armed to the teeth, Blomquist tracks the group to his trophy room, but Gunbunny breaks up the fight by literally sending her dad’s jeep crashing through the wall.

Harley Quinn #56 ends with Harley finding solace in a team up with some of her adversaries against a common foe (all three women clobber Blomquist). Meanwhile back east, Throatcutter Hill is in total chaos.

Analysis 

Harley Quinn #56 wraps up its bizarre road trip arc with a engaging mix of action, humor and solid character exploration as Harley is reminded of the benefits from someone having your back. Harley finds a brief moment of happiness out west, but our beloved anti-heroine has no idea what is happening in the city she swore to protect. The promise of the dreaded Deconspirator matching wits with Harley (who will likely feel a mix of dismay and rage at the havoc he has caused) should make for a thrilling showdown next issue.

Writer Elliot Kalan crafts another wild story mixing humor, pathos, controlled calamity and a heightened sense of reality (along with another escape with the help of an exotic animal). Harley and Mayfly’s rapport shifted to frenemy status as both women make salient points about the other’s motivations while attempting to survive Brock Blomquist’s gauntlet.

The so-called Super-Hunter casts a shadow over the issue, but the bulk of their story involves the duo working through their issues while tolerating Convoy’s continual use of vehicle-based puns (and the occasional bear trap).

Back in Throatcutter Hill, Deconspirator setting his sights on Mrs. Grimaldi and Richie adds tension and dark humor. While all three of these characters are primarily one-note, their particular character traits work well in this conflict. It is rewarding to watch Mrs. Grimaldi shake off Deconspirator’s influence and stand up to him. We don’t know what happened after that final scene, but the last page of Harley Quinn #56 doesn’t look good for anyone in that neighborhood.

Artist Carlos Olivares continues to put his stamp on this series, adding his own flourishes to the stylized designs of Harley’s world established by series artist Mindy Lee. The action is over the top, the facial expressions are both comical and wildly exaggerated while the panel composition and page layouts maintain the frenetic pace of the storytelling.

Final Thoughts

Harley Quinn #56 hits it out of the park with another satisfying issue with gorgeous art and plenty of laughs, providing important character development mixed in with absurd foils, costars and obstacles.

Adam Koppel

Who strikes fear into the darkest of hearts in Gotham City? Not me, I'm too busy reading comics and writing reviews.