Crass, violent, and deeply unserious, this adult animated series gets around its rough edges by acknowledging its title character’s reputation. Often seen only in the context of her twisted romance with a much more recognizable villain, Harley Quinn tends to be viewed as merely victim or vixen. But this show has her break free and claim her own story, taking shots not just at her emotionally abusive ex, the Joker, but at the entire DC Comics brand and at any other moving target it can find. The result is a series that has the tendency to feel scattershot, but whose anarchic energy still leads to the catharsis of untethering oneself from an unhealthy addiction and learning to be rebuild.
And though the show’s writing and animation can get too stiff or stilted (especially in later seasons), much of it still works thanks to its bonkers sense of humor, as well as an excellent voice cast. Kaley Cuoco is exactly as brash and expressive as Harley needs to be, and supporting turns from an extensive range of actors (including Lake Bell, whose Poison Ivy eventually becomes Harley’s most important relationship) ensure that every corner of this world has something hilarious to offer.
"Sharp voice performances across the board from actors clearly relishing the chance to play in this world also prove too fun to resist."
— Caroline Framke
Harley Quinn has finally broken things off once and for all with the Joker. Now, she's trying to make it on her own as the criminal Queenpin of Gotham City, with help from Poison Ivy and a ragtag crew of DC castoffs.
Teaming up with other supervillains, Harley Quinn goes on a quest for revenge and self-empowerment after her toxic relationship with the Joker comes to an end.
One could throw a dart anywhere at the show’s cast list and still land on a performance that threatens to steal the show. Ron Funches’ surprisingly wholesome King Shark, Tony Hale’s chauvinistic Doctor Psycho, James Adomian’s oafish Bane, Christopher Meloni’s eternally burnt-out Commissioner Gordon, and Matt Oberg’s obliviously dudebro Kite Man are all excellent additions to the series’ comedy. But arguably nobody outshines Alan Tudyk—already impressive as the cruel Joker, but unbelievably funny as the flamboyant Clayface, who just wants to live his dream as an actor, Tudyk enunciating every syllable with faux gravitas and pure joy.
Someone please give DC Studios an intervention. Help them realize that they’re already so much better at making animated stuff than live-action things. Please.
