Part of an ongoing series revisiting graphic novels and collected editions from days gone by....

After reviewing Hot in the City, book one of an ongoing Harley Quinn series, I ordered book two to continue the storyline. Then I found out that Hot in the City is part of The New 52 series, while the second book I ordered was part of Rebirth. Not the same continuity at all. It's a lot to figure out, so while I sort out the details, I thought I might cleanse the pallet with some earlier Harley. Preludes & Knock-Knock Jokes is a book collected in 2007, much earlier than the more recent confusing timeline shenanigans.

The first chapter begins with Harley, disguised as Poison Ivy, breaking her puddin', the Joker, out of jail. Once out, they decide to deal in their own particular way with an amusement park developer who is using Joker's likeness on a roller coaster. As is usual in their capers, Joker quickly tires of Harley's hijinks and begins working at cross purposes.

Oh no! Are those crazy kids going to make it as a couple?!

Well, no. It's a toxic relationship, as even casual readers have known for years now. Harley don't need that kind of abuse no more.

From there, Harley goes into a temporary partnership with Two-Face. Then, she has an all-girls party for the likes of Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Hope and Mercy from Lex Luthor's inner circle, and a few lesser-known femme fatales. Of course, some of them fight. And then she decides it's time to form her own team, with her very own color-coordinated henchmen ... even the guy who thinks he looks just like the Joker (he doesn't) and believes Harley is falling in love with him (she's not). He also tells her he's destined for a life of crime (he isn't).

Harley leads her new team on a "prison break" to free her pet hyenas from the zoo. She plans a heist at stately Wayne Manor where, although Bruce Wayne himself is absent at the time, Harley has to deal with a disembodied Barbara Gordon, who is monitoring from afar, and the only Justice Leaguer she's able to send to intervene. Oh, and the Riddler makes a play for the mansion's hidden treasures on the same evening. Meanwhile, a team of bounty hunters is hired to track Harley down.

It's pretty standard stuff for Harley Quinn, but Preludes & Knock-Knock Jokes, written by Karl Kesel and illustrated primarily by Terry Dodson, is an enjoyable collection that gives readers several good snapshots of the character at her best.