Batman Adventures #28: Twelve Days of Madness Main stars: Harley Quinn The Joker Batman Writer: Kelley Puckett Penciller: Mike Parobeck Inker: Rick Burchett Colourist: Rick Yalor Synopsis: Joker is beyond bored locked up in Arkham Asylum and enlists Harley’s help in dosing a few city councilmen with a temporary insanity dose so they’ll be incarcerated in the asylum, helpless to resist Joker’s devious, murderous plans for them. But Batman is on the case, as always… The Good: This is a seriously cute, demented and fun story; enormously enjoyable and told with a fast-paced, active energy. It is pure crack of course – Harley is dressed up as a male German psychiatrist for a start-off – and completely over the top, but this just makes it all the more enjoyable. Who can resist our two favourite clowns getting up to so much outrageous mischief? It also takes a glimpse into their relationship and explores Harley’s delusions. As always with these two when in the right hands, their exchanges, interactions and independent behaviours are simply hilarious. Just about the first comic I ever bought and still one of my very faves! The Bad: The ‘bad’ for me is totally subjective. I’m not a huge fan of Parobeck’s art. I used to really hate it, but over time I have grown to appreciate it quite a lot more. I don’t think it’s a style for everyone, but it is highly skilled and expressive. It’s a little too ‘cartoony’ still for my tastes, though. I’m not overly fond of the early ‘flat’ colouring of TBA either. Nonetheless, this book still looks pretty gorgeous Overall: 4/5 Recommended? Maybe it’s just the nostalgic element for me, but I can’t go past this one and neither should you! BACK