Harley Quinn co-writer Jimmy Palmiotti has posted a clarification on his Facebook page regarding the controversial talent search contest that asked aspiring comic book artists to depict the Harley Quinn character naked in her tub about to commit suicide. According to his post, he apologized for not providing better context around the script and clarified it was supposed to be a “dream sequence” and they were looking for a “Mad magazine /Looney Tunes approach”.
That the tryout Harley Quinn page went out without an overall description of tone and dialogue is all my fault. I should have put it clearly in the description that it was supposed to be a dream sequence with Amanda and I talking to Harley and giving her a hard time. I should have also mentioned we were thinking a Mad magazine /Looney Tunes approach was what we were looking for. We thought it was obvious with the whale and chicken suit, and so on, but learned it was not. I am sorry for those who took offense, our intentions were always to make this a fun and silly book that broke the 4th wall, and head into issue 1 with a ongoing story/adventure that is a lot like the past Powergirl series we did. I hope all the people thinking the worst of us can now understand that insulting or making fun of any kind was never our intention. I also hope that they can all stop blaming DC Comics for this since It was my screw up. The idea for the page to find new talent is an amazing one and we hope that can be the positive that comes forward from today on…that we get some new talent working in our field because of this unique opportunity.
Too late, Jimmy. You’re officially a creep.
I remember defending comic books in the 80s to people who didn’t read them. I’d point out serious works that spoke to a mature audience and most of the adults just shook their heads. It was crappy kid stuff.
Now I’m in the position of really having to be sold on a comic before I put any effort into reading it. Great idea, Jimmy! I’m sure today’s readers will remember the whole little Harley Quinn naked suicide fantasy with the same fondness that I remember Frank Miller’s Daredevil.
Probably more about you than the comic books Stephen.
I thought it was more about sarcasm.
It’s all ‘crappy kid stuff’, that’s the winning formula. Have you read that Frank Miller Daredevil stuff lately?
Thats why I read your comment as personal growth rather than sarcasm. *DOH*
Eh, I’m reading Elmore Leonard stuff right now (guy dies, I remember to read more of his books….so predictable). Comics, no matter how good or awful, did spur me on to read more, so I should probably remember that.
I can’t think of Frank Miller’s run on Daredevil without remembering Peter David’s observation when the character Elektra died and was later resurrected. An autopsy was performed on Elektra and, as David pointed out, after they remove the organs during an autopsy they aren’t very precise about how they put them back in before sewing you back up.
So in answer to “What do you think Elektra’s doing?” he would answer “Oh, sloshing around”.
Now I want to read Peter David books.