Another year has come to a close and a yearly tradition has started anew. I love physical media and at the end of every year, I like to share with my listeners and readers my personal favorite physical movie releases of 2021. And as in previous years I am too lazy to settle on a number so, I am going to go with my 21 favorite releases!

21. Harley Quinn: The Complete First and Second Seasons

Taking a cue from the not suitable for children comic book crowd, Harley Quinn is an animated series that is out of control, poignant and incredibly violent with a healthy dash of adult language and humor. Harley Quinn arrived on blu-ray in a first and second season set containing all 26 episodes from those seasons.

Harley (Kaley Cuoco) starts the series as The Joker’s (Alan Tudyk) number one gal. But she soon learns she is expendable and left to die, captured by Batman (Diedrich Baker) and spends a year in Arkham Asylum, for a year. With the help of Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) Harley busts out and moves in with Ivy and her talking plant Frank (J.B. Smoove).

At first Ivy is annoyed with Harley, fearing that she will eventually get back with The Joker and ruin their friendship. Harley has big ideas though, as she also wants to build her own team, consisting of King Shark (Ron Funches), disgraced ACTOR! Clayface (Alan Tudyk) Dr. Psycho (Tony Hale). The cartoon does an amazing job not only building Harley’s world but making it easy to access even when D-List DC Comic characters like Kite Man (Matt Oberg), becomes a fan favorite as Poison Ivy’s paramour.

While the show doesn’t skimp on violence and language, most people might be shocked to learn that it also deals with toxic relationships, (not only Harley but Commissioner Gordon and Batman as well) love where you least expect it, rejection and becoming part of not only a team but a family as well.

If you’re a fan of DC Comics, Harley Quinn also plays with what you expect from stories you know so well. One of my favorites is from season two, Thawing Hearts. That episode is a fun take on the Emmy winning episode of Batman: The Animated Series’ Heart of Ice.

The animation is vibrant and exciting with cool takes on characters from DC Comics. The highlight of the series is the incredible voice work by all the actors involved. Cuoco and Bell as the leads own the show, but there isn’t a weak link in the bunch. Everyone brings their A-Game, with most actors taking on multiple roles.

Movie: A

Harley Quinn: First and Second Seasons Video Quality

Harley Quinn bashes her way onto blu-ray with an incredibly vibrant and colorful video presentation. Warner Archive Collection has done a fantastic job bringing this show to disc. The world of Harley Quinn is bright and neon-ish that pops of the screen. But it also can be moody and dark, especially when it’s night time and Batman is on rooftops with Commissioner Gordon and one of Clayfaces hands.  The discs look incredible from start to finish.

Video: A

Harley Quinn: First and Second Seasons Audio Quality

Harley Quinn crushes and bashes with an impressive DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio. Everything from dialogue, to punches, to kicks sounds first class. The sound design like the character design is awesome.

Audio: A

Harley Quinn: First and Second Seasons Bonus Features

Sadly, there are no bonus features on the two discs as I would’ve loved a commentary or a making of the show, but you do get 26 episodes for an insanely low price.

Extras: N/A

Harley Quinn is one of the best shows currently going. I adore Kaley Cuoco as Quinn and maybe Lake Bell as Poison Ivy more. Everything in this show is first rate and Warner Archive has but together a first class blu-ray that would have only been better if it had special features.

Overall: A-