Harley Quinn was created as a colorful villain for Batman's animated television series. However, quickly proving too popular to remain confined to only one medium, she escaped the digital airwaves and became a regular character in Batman's comic line, too -- even getting her own monthly title.

Harley Quinn, written by Paul Dini (and boasting a killer cover by Alex Ross), is the story that introduced her to comics readers (like me) who seldom can be bothered to switch on the TV and are woefully unaware of what goes on there.

It's a great introduction, capturing perfectly the manic new villain's sense of fun and tragic romance. Starting as a psychiatrist on the staff at Arkham Asylum, Dr. Harleen Quinzel falls madly in love with her favorite client, the Joker, and vows to emulate his criminal ways -- as well as his prankster schtick.

But the Joker isn't keen on too much romance; girlfriends, to the Clown Prince of Crime, are as disposable as henchmen, and we all know how long they last in his gang -- and all too soon the lovesick Quinn is mixing it up with the Batman, Poison Ivy and others in an attempt to woo back (or, on the other hand, kill) her former beau.

Set against the post-earthquake backdrop of Gotham City during the No Man's Land storyline, Harley Quinn is the best way to meet Gotham's newest femme fatale.

However, at just 48 pages, some readers may come away from the book wishing it had a little more girth to the story.