DC Comics is launching a new digital-first series today with Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red. As the name implies, the book is about Harley Quinn, and it will be done by a list of all-star creators — a new team for each chapter — combining Harley with the aesthetic from Batman: Black + White, while also adding red.
The first chapter is launching today, and it will be done by writer/artist Stjepan Šejić, who is creating new work set in the world of his Black Label hit, Harleen, with lettering by Gabriela Downie. The title of today’s story is Harleen: Red.
New chapters will go live each Friday for the next 14 weeks, with a list of creators that includes Harley co-creator Paul Dini; the team of Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Chad Hardin; Saladin Ahmed and Javier Rodriguez; Tim Seeley and Juan Ferreyra; Erica Henderson, Daniel Kibblesmith, and more to come. Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red will also see the DC writing debut for artists Mirka Andolfo (DC Comics: Bombshells), Dani (The Low, Low Woods), Joe Quinones (Dial H for Hero), and Riley Rossmo (Martian Manhunter).
As DC noted in its press release (which you can find in full below), each of these stories will stand on its own, they will use red in striking ways, and they will take place outside of usual DC Comics continuity.
The creators lined up for the immediate future of this book include Andolfo on July 3, Ahmed and Rodriguez on July 10, and Seeley and Ferreyra on July 17.
Full press along with some preview artwork from the first chapter can be found below:
DC proudly announces the launch of its newest Digital First series, Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red! Publishing each Friday and spanning 14 chapters, this digital series is an anthology of standalone stories told in the vein of the classic Batman: Black & White. The first chapter is available for purchase now on participating digital platforms, including readdc.com, Comixology, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and more.
Each chapter of Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red will be told in traditional black and white with the color red utilized in unique ways throughout each of the individual stories. The debut chapter of the Digital First series is “Harleen: Red” by writer/artist Stjepan Šejić with lettering by Gabriela Downie. Set in the world of Šejić’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel Harleen, this story hints at a “red” that will have meaning only to Harley Quinn!
“Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red is a great addition to our Digital First lineup,” said Hank Kanalz, SVP of Publishing Strategy & Support Services. “Each story stands on its own, and this series gives our talent teams the freedom and flexibility to tell innovative stories that could be part of or separate from regular continuity. Everyone has a unique vision for Ms. Quinn—it’ll be fun to see what their creativity delivers.”
Future chapters will feature a fan-favorite lineup of talent, including Harley Quinn co-creator Paul Dini; the team of Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Chad Hardin; Saladin Ahmed and Javier Rodriguez; Tim Seeley and Juan Ferreyra; Erica Henderson, Daniel Kibblesmith, and more to come throughout the run. And Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red is also the DC writing debut for several acclaimed illustrators! Artists Mirka Andolfo (DC Comics: Bombshells), Dani (The Low, Low Woods), Joe Quinones (Dial H for Hero), and Riley Rossmo (Martian Manhunter) are all developing chapters written in their own voice, paired with art in their distinct styles.
“This is such a cool series with killer art,” said Mark Doyle, DC Executive Editor. “Senior Editor Chris Conroy had the idea to riff on the classic Batman: Black & White series but to do it with Harley in that irreverent, fun way that only Harley can do—and DC Digital First seemed like the perfect format to tell these stories.”
Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red promo art is by Jorge Jiménez.
Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red’s first chapter, with story and art by Stjepan Šejić and lettering by Gabriela Downie, is available now. Subsequent digital chapters of Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red will publish weekly on Fridays through its 14-chapter run. Andolfo’s story will publish July 3, Ahmed and Rodriguez’ collaboration will publish on July 10, and Seeley and Ferreyra’s chapter will publish on July 17 to round out the first month of the series.
DC’s comics are available on participating digital platforms seven days a week, including readdc.com, Comixology, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, DC UNIVERSE, and more.
“DC proudly announces the launch of its newest Digital First series, Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red!” should be corrected to “DC is ashamed to admit they don’t know how to sell a print version of one of their most popular characters by top-notch creators and refuse to even try. We just don’t know how.”
Hurrah! Yet more overexposure of DC’s most-overexposed character.
I found Harleen to be pretty boring, to be honest, like Twilight, except with clowns instead of vampires. No one but Dini and Murphy so far was able to make the character interesting to me.
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