Although Warner Bros. Animation has already kept its sterling reputation intact thus far in 2017 with solid offerings such as Justice League Dark and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, it’s only understandable that all eyes be on the next DC film to step up to the plate, Batman and Harley Quinn. After all, not only does it feature two of the hottest characters in comics right now, but the studio has such confidence in it that it’ll be released in theaters for a limited time.
All hype aside, fans should go in with confidence, especially when you consider that Bruce Timm, Harley’s co-creator and one of the guys responsible for the finest moments of superhero animation the past quarter century has had to offer, worked on this movie.
Now, bringing together the two co-headliners isn’t entirely logical, even if you were to go with the reformed Harley seen in comics today. Thus, she’ll have to join forces with the Dark Knight in what Timm referred to as “48 Hrs. with superheroes” in order to thwart the threat presented by Poison Ivy and the Floronic Man. Basically, we should expect a dynamic similar to that of a “stern dad and his really bratty teenage daughter,” as he told DC All Access co-host Jason Inman.
Not surprisingly, there’s a sense of visual continuity with that of The New Batman Adventures, which makes sense given Timm’s involvement. To be quite honest, I want to see a Harley similar to what’s been seen in the New 52 and Rebirth posthaste, but even I must admit that it’d feel a bit odd to employ the animation legend and not include the jester costume he’s known for developing.
Batman and Harley Quinn is set to arrive on Blu-ray and DVD on August 15.
