Harley Quinn: Make 'em Laugh #1 is a chapter in the digital-first series Harley Quinn: Make 'em Laugh (Volume 1 (Digital)) with a cover date of June, 2020.
Synopsis for "Head Shrink"
While not carrying out villainous schemes, Harley Quinn does freelance jobs including working as a psychiatrist. One of her patients, Head Shrink, states that he feels that he feels people are always laughing at him deep inside even though he tries telling himself that he's their centre of attention. Harley diagnoses him as suffering from narcissistic personality disorder and inferiority complex.
After the therapy session, Harley takes up another job at the Gotham Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she is tasked with finding the culprit stealing their paintings by Janet. Harley finds that the museum's security is very stringent, which makes the thefts all the more puzzling. She however figures out that "The Thinker" is not a statue, but Clayface, due to him often changing the position of his hands.
Clayface mocks Harley during their fight for thinking she could take him out with a bat, leading to her kicking him into an oven which turns him into a pot. A hour later, he divulges his methods after being threatened by Harley of being painted, revealing he came into the museum after another one made a fake offer to loan the Thinker statue. He would steal the paintings and give it to the janitor to take them outside.
Head Shrink later invites figures of the Gotham underworld to take a look at his art collection, filling him with joy over them being jealous. Harley however interrupts the social gathering, having learned that from Clayface that he was the one who had him steal paintings. As Harley battles with his goons, Head Shrink admits he was behind the thefts but states its nothing wrong as art museums promote vanity.
Harley criticizes Head Shrink for the thefts, stating museums are one of the few places accessible to people who can view the important artifacts of humankind and can also inspire at times. Riddler agrees with her, stating he himself was inspired in an art museum when he had nothing as a kid, and tells Head Shrink that respect must be earned while leaving.
As everyone else leaves, an emotionally defeated Head Shrink allows Harley to take back all the stolen art, telling her he is an art lover but felt a need to impress others. She then advises him to switch over to becoming an artist instead since people respect them, not art collectors. Later, she helps organizing an exhibition for his acrylic work on Clayface, earning him approval of the audience.
Appearing in "Head Shrink"
Featured Characters:
- Harley Quinn (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Janet
- The Penguin
- The Riddler (Flashback and main story)
Antagonists:
- Clayface (Flashback and main story)
- Head Shrink
Other Characters:
- The Joker (In picture only)
- Batman (Mentioned only)
- Crazy Quilt (Mentioned only)
- Mad Hatter (Mentioned only)
- Two-Face (Mentioned only)
- Wayne Foundation (Mentioned only)
Items:
Locations:
See Also
- Write your own review of this comic!
- Discuss Harley Quinn: Make 'em Laugh Vol 1 1 (Digital) on the forums
- Cover gallery for the Harley Quinn: Make 'em Laugh series