Harley Quinn Season 5 Review: DC's Most Interesting Series Cleverly Reinvents Itself & Makes A Case For Its Continued Existence

Harley Quinn is one of the most interesting offerings DC has ever had. Clearly taking inspiration from both Margot Robbie's version of the character and DC Comics, the TV-MA animated series has no fears, exploring several different corners of the DC Universe. Following Creature Commandos season 1, those wanting another dose of bloody, hilarious adult animation with DC characters should check out Harley Quinn season 5. The new year of the TV show makes a good case for why James Gunn should keep it around for years to come as an Elseworlds project.

Harley Quinn

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Harley Quinn is a 2019 animated series focusing on the titular character's evolution after severing ties with the Joker. As she seeks to establish herself as an independent force in Gotham City's criminal underworld, the film explores her journey toward becoming Gotham's criminal Queenpin.

Release Date: November 29, 2019
Showrunner: Dean Lorey, Chrissy Pietrosh, Jessica Goldstein
Franchise(s): DC Universe
Seasons: 5

While I enjoyed all seasons of the animated series, Harley Quinn season 4 was the weaker of the bunch. It did have multiple exciting episodes, and I loved certain decisions, like the introduction of Nightwing, but overall, I felt like it did not quite reach the level of the other three seasons. In my Kite Man: Hell Yeah! review, I explored how the Harley Quinn spinoff felt like a breath of fresh air and expanded the universe in a great way. Now it was time for Harley Quinn season 5 to do the same.

We Are Definitely Not In Gotham Anymore

Harley Quinn Season 5 Moves The Action To Metropolis

Much like Harley and Ivy find in the series, a change of scenery was needed to shake things up. While Harley, Poison Ivy, Bruce Wayne, and most of the other characters in the DC series hail from Gotham City, that location was played out. Harley started the show as a villain under the Joker's thumb, slowly growing into a hero, albeit a violent one. She even joined the Bat-Family last season. As such, everything that could be done with Gotham had already been done.

Moving the action to Superman's pristine city allowed the show to make things fresh and exciting again.

Still, before it was announced, I had never thought about moving the show to Metropolis, but I absolutely loved the story that followed that decision. Moving the action to Superman's pristine city allowed the show to make things fresh and exciting again. This allows the series to tap into the Superman well of characters while also having key supporting players from Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy's Gotham days return. The Man of Steel even gets funny and heartwarming scenes opposite Harley, a character who is so different from him.

I had hoped to see Brainiac in James Gunn's Superman movie in July (though I'm now convinced it won't happen), but at least I got to see the Superman villain in Harley Quinn season 5. Brainiac brings a legitimate threat to the show, being the powerful genius he is. What I did not expect was for the show to bring such a nuanced take on the character as it did, and Brainiac ended the season as one of my favorite characters of the series. Despite how different he is from the classic Batman, Bruce Wayne continues to be a highlight.

Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy's Relationship Remains At The Forefront

The DC Couple Faces Challenges & Rises Above Them

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have quickly become one of my favorite couples in all of DC, be it in the comics, games, TV shows, and everything else. While I was also a fan of Ivy with Kite Man back when they were an item, I'm happy to see how Harley and Ivy have matured over the course of the series. In season 5, we begin with the duo attempting to have a fresh start, much like the show.

Lena Luthor, voiced by Archer's Aisha Tyler, is one of the biggest players in season 5, with the character being directly involved with Ivy and Harley's new endeavors.

In Superman's city, Harley and Ivy get to explore what they want for their lives at the moment and how one is so important to the other. Lena Luthor, voiced by Archer's Aisha Tyler, is one of the biggest players in season 5, with the character being directly involved with Ivy and Harley's new endeavors. After previous seasons focused on Lex Luthor and his traditional schemes against Superman and the Justice League, both alone and leading the Legion of Doom, it is fun to see another Luthor come into this world.

Fans of Harley Quinn mainstays will be happy to know that Clayface, Bane, King Shark, Frank, and more return to shine throughout the season. After being created for the original Teen Titans animated series, Red X debuts in Harley Quinn season 5 and his appearance leads to a mystery-filled adventure. With old and new characters working perfectly and the switch to Metropolis offering surprising possibilities for the show's lead duo, season 5 brings the series back to top form, and I hope we'll continue to get many more seasons to come.

Harley Quinn season 5 will debut on Thursday, January 16 on Max, with episodes being released weekly.

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