A Perfect Wrap-Up Issue
There are only two issues left in this awesome, awesome series so Calloway's on a mission to make sure he ties up loose ends. Catwoman finally gets her revenge for the mistrust the other girls had for her in issue 2. Harley finally has to decide whether to go with Joker or Ivy. In fact, Calloway did such a good job, I'm not sure what'll happen in the next two issues. Perhaps he'll help setup the upcoming Suicide Squad and Catwoman books?
What I loved the most about this issue was Joker's attempt to foil Batman. They've known each other forever. Even if we only start from the 1985 reboot, they've still faced off numerous times. So, of course, Joker would know full well how Batman operates. In fact, my absolute favorite moment in the issue is when he predicts that Batman will do something and it doesn't happen. And for a second he wonders if he's wrong or if Batman's just getting slow in his old age. And then Batman does just what he thought he would. Of course, it would be a poorly written Gotham book if Batman didn't have an Ace up his sleeve, but it was still awesome to see Joker's plan work for so long.
Early-on when Harley trying to get the upper hand on Ivy, she accesses her psychology knowledge to play mind-games with Ivy. First of all, it was great to see Harley capable of such thought. Especially in the Dini origins, she comes off as so bubbly she couldn't possibly have been a psychologist at Arkham. I prefer to see her like this - like Joker - able to be acting insane one moment and perfectly sinister the next. (As in issue #23 when Joker laughs maniacally before delivering a flat "No" - complete with serious face) As part of the head games Harley suggests that perhaps their relationship is a little Les Yay. And while the linked TV Tropes page claims that Dini says it's true, it seems, at least within the context of GCS, the relationship is one-sided. Which makes it all the more tragic that Harley uses that moment for nefarious means.
I found this issue had everything I wanted in a GCS book. I'm sad to see it go and I hope the girls can make up again at some point in the future. (It's not as though they haven't fought before) It's tough because I love seeing them all working together, but it could also get annoying and tired to see the same patterns playing out over and over. I know I am torn about whether Harley should be with Joker given his abusive nature. I love it, but I know it's so bad for her. I guess we'll see what happens with Suicide Squad.
