Batman: Prelude to the Wedding: Harley Quinn vs. Joker #1

Writer: Tim Seeley Artist: Sami Basri Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: June 27, 2018 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 18 User Reviews: 18
8.1Critic Rating
6.5User Rating

Harley Quinn knows a thing or two about dysfunctional relationships. When she hears that her old flame is trying to get in the way of a happy new life for one of her best friends, the Maid of Mischief tracks The Joker down to give him a piece of her mind - and maybe a few blows from her hammer, too.

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Steve Ray Jun 29, 2018

    I have really enjoyed these preludes, but the end of the road is in sight. If you've been reading the parallel arcs in the main Batman book, then these stories provide fantastic companion pieces. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Pick up Batman 48 and 49 right now! Once you've read 'em make sure you pick up issue #50 and the all-new Catwoman #1 both available on July 4th. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Jun 27, 2018

    In keeping with the rest of the prelude books, Tim Seely does an impressive job at revealing intimate sides of those in Batman's world and the way he deftly handles Harley and Joker will make you wish he wrote them all of the time. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBuzz - Patricia Loupee Jul 3, 2018

    In the end, the Jokers biggest complain, of not having been invited to the big wedding takes the spotlight, and the epilogue paves the way for the events on the serial The Best Man, seen in Batman #48 and #49, the two issues preceding the big day. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    Black Nerd Problems - Mikkel Snyder Jun 26, 2018

    It's about Harley and Joker addressing their explosive personalities, and the pain they inflict on each. It's about the patterns of abuse. It's about obsession. It's such a twisted, terrifying thought; and a bittersweet, poignant reflection to end on before the big day. Hats off to Seeley for sticking the landing. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    On Comics Ground - Travis Tucker Jun 30, 2018

    I greatly enjoyed this issue, the connection between Harley and Joker has always been tumultuous at best. This issue seems to make great effort to put everything out on the table for the clowns. Now with only the wedding to wait for, this can only get more exciting. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Sequential Planet - Quinn Morris Jun 28, 2018

    Tim Seeley's understanding of the characters make Batman: Prelude to the Wedding: Harley Quinn Vs. Joker a joy to read Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Londyn Jackson Jun 27, 2018

    My biggest takeaway from this arc is that Batman and Catwoman's wedding has effected practically everyone in the DC Universe and it's fun to see how each person (hero or villain) is getting ready for the event of the season. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicsverse - Victoria Prisco Jun 27, 2018

    BATMAN: PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING - HARLEY QUINN VS. THE JOKER #1 is an exciting ending to the PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING series. Tim Seeley delivers a real wedding present of a grand finale. The Joker lives up to the hype. The complicated relationship between him and Harley Quinn is center stage in this issue. Sami Basri's artwork is bright and playful and perfectly captures the craziness of these characters. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicsverse - Victoria Prisco Jun 27, 2018

    BATMAN: PRELUDE TO THE WEDDING - HARLEY VS THE JOKER #1 is an exciting ending to the Prelude to the Wedding series. Tim Seeley delivers a real wedding present of a grand finale. The Joker lives up to the hype. The complicated relationship between him and Harley Quinn is center stage in this issue. Sami Basri's artwork is bright and playful and perfectly captures the craziness of these characters. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jun 27, 2018

    Prelude to the Wedding wasn't a must-read arc, but it was entertaining and rewarding for Bat-family fans who wanted a glimpse of the lead in to the big event. Harley vs. The Joker was one of the better installments and easily one worth searching out even if you've missed the other chapters. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Damien Becton Jun 27, 2018

    In short, this book is extremely well done. It ties directly into the previous two issues of Tom King's Batman, and sort of enhances the story. Seeley does an excellent job finding the characters voices and their interactions are great. The predictability is an issue, but I can imagine that Seeley's hands were tied and definitely makes the most out of the cards that he was dealt. This book is definitely worthwhile if you have an extra $4 to spend! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    AIPT - David Brooke Jun 27, 2018

    A good issue that'll satisfy Joker and Harley fans. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    GWW - Lee Gough Jun 26, 2018

    The outfits Harley wears in this issue are some of the coolest I've seen her in for a while. I'm a fan of the art by Sami Basri, the art feels alive and the design of both characters are superb. There's also a brilliant closing epilogue by Otto Smidt. Overall this is a fun ride of a prelude before the wedding we've all been waiting for. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    The Batman Universe - Paul Shanly Jun 27, 2018

    These wedding prelude issues have been very hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed this issue and thought it was an interesting progression for Harley Quinns character. Now on to the wedding. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jun 27, 2018

    Just a lackluster mini-event that didn't really add much to the coming wedding story. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Batman-News - Elena Carrillo Jun 27, 2018

    If you absolutely love the Harley Quinn and Joker dynamic, you can while away some time reading this Batman wedding tie-in, but so far it feels like the absolutely most superfluous book of the bunch. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Dark Knight News - Eric Lee Jun 27, 2018

    Overall, the Bat-Wedding preludes ranged in quality. Some are surprisingly good and some are mediocre. Unfortunately, the 'Harley vs. Joker' one-shot ultimately feels the most pointless. The character ideas are seeds to great plots, but it ended up being a shallow examination. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Weird Science - Jim Werner Jun 27, 2018

    While these Preludes haven't been vital, this one is flat out unnecessary.  While the art was good, the story has been done before and just felt wedged in to make more money before the wedding happens (or doesn't?!?) next week.  This one is best left on the shelf. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Batman Jones Jun 27, 2018

    Each of the Seeley tie-ins has had something to offer but some have inevitably been better than others. Until this point Damian vs. Ra's has been my choice pick of the lot but this one outdoes it on several fronts.

    The artwork is often reminiscent of Janin which is a nice touch. He is our modern Joker artist and he's a wonderful one. I even felt the lettering mimicked Joker in the main Batman series. Those two visual approaches made me feel like this book was a cousin to King's main series.

    Seeley's Joker is consistent with King's but has a lot to say on his own and Harley (though I confess I don't follow any of her series') seems stronger than I'm used to her being portrayed. Maybe that's the norm now. If so, good. It more

  • 8.0
    Gizmo Jul 14, 2018

    I don't quite get the setup at the beginning, does it pick up from something else, how did Joker get in the silo and where did all of those teeth come from? I can't say I like King's Joker much, but takes what King established and made lemonade out of lemons. I also like this take on Harley (both her personality and her outfits), it is head and shoulders above the Harley of the ongoing series that has been trying to be Deadpool.

  • 7.5
    bucswin611 Jun 28, 2018

    Sami Basri's art is worth the price alone. Its similarity to Otto Schmidt's work transitions into the epilogue nicely, which I didn't see coming, re: the ending tie-in. The story is straightforward enough and representative of what a 21st century Harley-Joker dynamic should be.

  • 6.5
    Dani Jun 29, 2018

    This was my least favorite issue in the Prelude To The Wedding series. If this was part of Harley Quinn's comic it would have been fine, but it felt out of place as a lead in to the Batman/Catwoman wedding. This issue should have went to Tim Drake or even Alfred. While the Joker's appearances in the previous Prelude issues have been fine due to limited exposure, this was the turning point where it was too much. This series has shifted from Batman and Catwoman to The Joker and it's putting a damper on the series. Batman and Catwoman have a long history and the lead up to their wedding deserves more than just being a plot device for the Joker. This was a sour note on an otherwise good series.

  • 6.5
    Nihilist Jun 27, 2018

    This issue wouldn't be bad if it belonged to Harley's solo series (but on the other hand what would be, compared to it?), and it surely has redeeming qualities and interesting moments, but it's still not something I'd call good enough as a teaser of the upcoming wedding, which let me remind you, is one of the biggest events in DC comics in recent years. So yeah, I'd expect a little bit more from comics setting it up, and that applies to not only this particular issue, but every prelude preciding it. Maybe Nightwing vs. Hush, which was actually pretty good.

    It's readable, and the art is really good (Sami Basri would be a good fit for Harley Quinn comics), but when it comes to the story, it's a mixed bag. For starters, naturally Ha more

  • 3.0
    SomeDummy Jun 28, 2018

    Please, for the love of god DC, STOP. HIRING. OLD. FRIENDS.

    Its the same subpar circle of people for every damn B-list bat book.

  • 2.0
    Spacey Medicine Feb 5, 2019

    No.

  • 9.0
    Bigbooty Aug 31, 2018

  • 9.0

  • 8.5
    pizzamain Jul 20, 2018

  • 8.0
    ZachPort123 Jul 6, 2023

  • 7.5
    iPodwithnomusic Jul 27, 2019

  • 7.0
    egonnn244 Jun 28, 2018

  • 6.0

  • 6.0
    Psycamorean Oct 10, 2018

  • 6.0
    nickogle Jul 1, 2018

  • 5.0
    EdNothIng May 26, 2019

  • 3.0
    Bat-ears99 Aug 17, 2020

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