This review was made possible by a screener provided by HBO Max for review purposes. Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special releases on HBO Max on February 9th.
In the past few years, we’ve seen plenty of live-action adaptations of many DC Comics properties. One thing that has continuously set these films and series apart from the competition is just how outlandish they can get. Shows like Doom Patrol, Legends of Tomorrow, and even Teen Titans Go! were never afraid to shy away from the craziest aspects of DC. However, Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special could possibly take the cake for the absolute craziest thing we’ve seen from a DC series yet. Especially after Doom Patrol gave us Zombie Butts and a love story between a giant rat and a cockroach… That’s saying something!
Mad Love
Harley Quinn has always had the time to poke fun at the DC Universe, exploiting the long history of the company to the fullest extent possible, while also being incredibly meta. This Valentine’s Day special takes things to a whole new level. I didn’t think I would ever say this, but this special could very well be the horniest thing DC has ever done and certainly breaks the threshold when it comes to comic book media.
At the core of this special is a flourishing love story between our protagonists. Harley just wants to make this first Valentine’s Day between her and Ivy the best she has ever had. While this results in some insane repercussions, it feels all too accurate to who Harley is and how far she’s come. Quinn spent the better part of her relationship with the Joker just trying to hold his attention and feel loved for once in her life, but to no avail. No matter what she could do, she’d always end up the butt of the joke and never truly feel appreciated.
This special, and more importantly, Harley’s motivations are truly dedicated to putting this relationship on a pedestal. Something that has surely been missing from other adaptations of the character. People are tired of seeing Quinn needlessly abused over and over again in other forms of media by the Joker. Here, we get to see her happy, but still dealing with the damage done to her in her relationship with the Joker in the form of her overeagerness to appease Ivy.
The Good, The Bad, and the Horny
This is where things get super out of hand, my god, this special is incredibly horny. After forcefully learning that this Valentine’s Day was only in Ivy’s Top 3 via the Lasso of Truth, Harley looks to seal the deal by giving Ivy the best orgasm she’s ever had. This leads to Harley and Ivy’s intercourse infecting the city of Gotham. This story is so outrageously entertaining, with multiple subplots that perfectly interweave into one explosive climax that will leave you sore from laughing.
Interwoven into the story are multiple shorts involving characters from within the DC Universe attending what looks to be marriage counseling of sorts, detailing their love stories. Some are nice little moments (Listen closely, Abbott Elementary fans) and others are just downright maniacal, featuring the love story between Darkseid, Ruler of Apokolips and Melania Trump, who asked to see his last three bank statements before agreeing to marry him.
The standout here, however, is Bane; we just cannot get enough of this Bane. Having already been a fan favorite due to his boisterous nature and being an obvious rip on Tom Hardy’s iteration of the character from The Dark Knight Rises, man, does he really shine here. James Adomian once again provides the Pringles can-esque voice to the character, but just finds a way to nail the delivery on all of his lines. Probably some of the best we’ve seen yet from the character in the series. If you think things can’t get even wilder for this character, just strap in (or on) and enjoy the show.
Emmy Award Winning Actor And Writer Brett Goldstein!?
Ted Lasso‘s Brett Goldstein gets his own category because, without him, there’s actually still a lot of great stuff included in this special. He’s really the cherry on top of the orgy. Albeit brief, the writers certainly had a lot of fun with Goldstein’s inclusion, in a way saving the day in the end from a massive Bane with a seismic libido. While his inclusion was shocking, and overall doesn’t have all that much to do with the main plot, it was a fun inclusion that just feels all too perfect for Harley Quinn.
‘Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special’ – Final Thoughts
Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special is a rip-roaring great time that feels refreshing in an age where everyone is trying to outdo each other, proving that in the end, just be yourself and do what you know. The voice performances are great, and the story here is hilarious, with a fantastic relationship at the center of it all. This special further proves that the series is something unique, just a legitimate love letter to the DC Universe. Even if it spends most of its episodes making a mockery of it.
Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special releases on HBO Max on February 9th. Check out the trailer below!
The Review
Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special
Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special is a rip-roaring great time that feels refreshing in an age where everyone is trying to outdo each other, proving that in the end, just be yourself and do what you know. The voice performances are great and the story here is hilarious with a fantastic relationship at the center of it all. This special further proves that the series is something unique, just a legitimate love letter to the DC Universe. Even if it spends most of its episodes making a mockery of it.