Who will come to Starling City? - Arrow Season 3 Spoilers

Having the fast paced, storyline of season 2 finally come to an end we saw Oliver Queen and Starling City's other heroes (and villains) rise up to take down Deathstroke and his army of super-powered troops. After such a climatic season we can only imagine what will come next to be able to match the hype that was built around season 2 of Arrow.

Yet with only a matter of weeks before the third season of Arrow kicks off it seems that we have been given so much information on whats in store for the season, who will come into the show and which iconic DC heroes and villains we are likely to encounter fans are thrilled and overwhelmed with juicy gossip and information. Therefore this post allows us to look at all of the information we have been given from  the powers that be at The CW and allow fans to gain a further insight into some of the characters, themes and ideas that will be apparent through season 3 of Arrow.

Batman Prequel 'Gotham' gets a Trailer

Fox has finally released a trailer for their upcoming Batman prequel series 'Gotham' and we're so excited!

The series will focus on a young Commissioner Gordon and will include many heroes and villains from The Batman and DC Universe such as The Riddler, Catwoman and The Penguin, just to name a few. The show is said to lead all the up to Batman 'putting on the cape-'-so a pretty long run is presumed if everything goes to plan. We're hoping for a dark, gothic 'Smallville' like show (except way, way better). I've got high hopes with this show!

What do you guys think? Pretty awesome! This will be worth waiting for! Gotham is due to air this Autumn. 

What do you guys think? Pretty awesome! This will be worth the wait! The series is due to air this Autumn.

Harley Quinn to come to Starling City?

‘Suicide Squad’, the latest episode of Arrow encapsulated many well known DC comic book villains through A.R.G.U.S and their recruitment of the ‘Suicide Squad’ itself, ran by The Arrow’s trusted sidekick John ‘Diggle’. But more importantly for fans of DC and their comics and/or adaptations we were given one of the best easter eggs so far in the show (OR IN ANY SHOW!).

The voice of HARLEY QUINN! Coming from behind a cell door yelling in her famous Brooklyn accent, “Do you cuties need some counselling? I’m a trained therapist.” Only that one line, and seeing a woman’s BLONDE hair through the window panel has given us avid fans more than enough to go crazy over!

Harley Quinn, is (in comic book terms) royalty in the DC universe, being originally known as Dr Harleen Quinzel, working in Arkham Asylum, until she fell ‘madly’ in love her patient -Gotham City’s super villain The Joker.

Although, always having a background in psychology, the adaptations have ranged for Harley Quinn, from Doctor, to stranger, to apparently now being “Trained in counselling”, which could suggest she is a Doctor, or at least has an extensive knowledge within psychology. The CW seemed to have kept two of the most iconic traits of Harley Quinn; her background in the study of the human mind and behaviour, and of course, her Brooklyn accent. The CW however, have full reign on every other element of the loveable and relatable villainess!- Her story. How has she ended up in A.R.G.U.S,? What are her plans? And most of all has she even met The Joker yet?Just about anything could go!

One thing is for sure, that’s not the last we will see of Harley Quinn in Arrow, (or maybe even in its spinoff series ‘The Flash’). Either way Harley Quinn is there (all be it, in a cell), but there is a very strong chance we have just caught a glimpse of season 3′s villain…

But where’s her ‘puddin’?

‘Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories’ Review

“Mad Love is the best Batman story of the decade” – Frank Miller

Keeping with the theme of Batman this week with his 75th anniversary here, this week’s review is the award winning graphic novel that first introduced us to the character that is Harley Quinn. Now a symbol for a female psychopath, or dark sexual icon it should be know that this was not always the same woman: originally she was Dr Harleen Quinzel. An ambitious graduate, with an interest in the human psyche, especially that of Gotham City’s Joker. But even she couldn’t help but fall for his tricks.

It should be noted that there are a few more comic’s in the book, in order to fill it out such as short stories on Poision Ivy, Talia Al Ghul, Catwoman, Roxy and Batgirl. This book is graphic novel is said to be of the dames and demons of Gotham City. However the focus of both the graphic novel and the review are on Mad Love.

In the form of a graphic novel this medium allows us to view the story of Harley Quinn’s lure to the other side of the law,; by use of detailed images, speech and internal monologues. This helps the reader when trying to justify why such a ‘go-getter’ girl like Harleen would risk everything for The Joker. Because for her, it’s simple. It’s love. Mad love.

The origin story begins with a flash back from modern times to Harleen Quinzel’s first day at Arkham Asylum. This is how the origin story is fed to the reader from henceforth, small snippets and flashbacks of her time at Arkham City’s infamous mental asylum (along with a few statements and speech from the current timeline, referring to those days).

The story itself is simple yet so encapsulating that it is a perfect first read for many of you out there who haven’t tried a graphic novel, as of yet. As the story is basically a short tragedy in the form of a comic book, it is very accessible whilst also holds the story on a deeper level with relatable themes of love, anger, confusion and regret. Not only is this a face value comic book, but it is also the first time Harley Quinn is viewed as something other than the crazy lover of The Joker, but as one of his many tragic victims.

Although as a graphic novel, this may put many people off my advice would be to simply give it a try. I believe that the story is worth it if you have an interest in Batman, DC comics, the character of Harley Quinn or even psychology in general. Thus the reason that I have rated this graphic novel a strong 8/10. A simple medium, but highly effective.