Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn by Katana Collins is an offshoot graphic novel in the same universe as Batman: White Knight and Batman: Curse of the White Knight by Sean Gordon Murphy. The Murphyverse started when The Joker started to go sane and chastise Bruce Wayne/Batman for never stopping him and not giving the police any of his resources to better protect Gotham City. Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn is listed as book 2.5 in the Murphyverse series since the creator did not write it. When I was reading this book I did not know Sean Gordon Murphy did not write it, so at first, I thought it was a step down not a big step but a slight loss in epicness. I felt the other books were like movies and this story felt like a limited TV series. The book keeps the focus on the psychological aspects of its character just like the previous books in the series. Bruce Wayne/Batman is a side character as Harley Quinn takes the lead. Harley Quinn had been a supporting character in the last two books. The story starts a year after the events in Batman: The Curse of the White Knight, where Batman has been outed as Bruce Wayne and just defeated Azrael, upon his victory Batman turns himself in to the police and sits behind bars. He has specifically asked for Harley who is somewhat reformed to be his doctor. The novel features a guy that I’ve never heard of the Starlet who kills legends of the silver screen. The book features Poison Ivy, Neo Joker, and The Grey Ghost (who I haven’t seen since Batman: The Animated Series and famously voiced by Adam West the first Batman). The psychology in the story works well and makes the narrative interesting. The story is mostly told linearly but we do get flashbacks of how Harley first met the Joker and became Harley Quinn, as well as her first run-in with Batman. The pacing of the story moves pretty well as the story is a whodunnit mystery. Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn includes Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn #1-6 and Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #4. Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn was published on June 29, 2021, by DC.

Plot Summary: Harley Guinn has just had two kids with the Joker when he was sane. The Joker is no more and she’s trying to do better for her kids but some of Harley’s DNA is found at a murder scene of a new serial killer who kills Silver Screen legends. The Batman who is now in prison and is being treated by Harley as his doctor knows she has nothing to do with this and is not breaking bad but thanks it could be someone from her past. Harley investigates Neo Joker who was the previous Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, but doesn’t think it is any of them. The Grey Ghost Actor Simon Trent survives and offers further clues and a note to Harley Quinn from the killer who has a plan for her.

What I Liked: The psychology of this whole series is so good and interesting. The Joker Flashbacks were great and had a different origin for Harley than I’ve seen before. I loved The Batman and Harley scenes, the scene where he said you saved so many people by not ever letting him go full Joker and pulling him back was the best. I loved how the two hyenas are like nursemaids to the twins. I liked the look of the villain Starlet how she’s painted in Black and White. The relationship between Bullock and Batman is great they have some good back and forth.

What I Disliked: The story while it was decent wasn’t as epic as the last two were. They set the bar so high with this series that this installment was good but not great. I liked Starlet but wasn’t impressed by the bad guy the producer.

Recommendations: Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn is a good installment that for the most part belongs in the Murphyverse and nailed the psychological tone of the series. I would recommend reading the first two graphic novels Batman: White Knight and Batman: Curse of the White Knight by Sean Gordon Murphy before reading Katana Collins Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn(who I just found out is Sean Gordon Murphy’s Wife).

Rating : I rated Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn by Katana Collins 4 out of 5 stars. Her new graphic novel is Batman: White Knight Presents: Generation Joker which is published on April 16 2024 I will check out. It is all about the Joker twins growing up.