The origins of Harley Quinn in the Absolute Batman #22 reveal one of the smartest twists in the Absolute Universe so far. This is unsurprising, given writer Scott Snyder built his reputation on deep cuts into Batman mythology. The Absolute Universe is built upon novel changes in the classic DC characters, and this revelation still proves impressive, even by Snyder’s standards.
Illustrated by Werther Dell’Edera, with a script by Snyder, Absolute Batman #22 is largely devoted to the origin of the Absolute Universe Harley Quinn. This Harley made her first full appearance in Absolute Batman #13 after a quick cameo in the previous issue. She is the leader of the Red Hood Gang, who had been disrupting the order of Gotham City. Specifically, anything tied to Jack Grimm V, aka Absolute Joker.
While Batman had been loosely allied with Red Hood Gang, they become formal partners after his imprisonment in Ark M. Harley has said nothing about her background, but it is clear she holds a grudge against Joker. This seems perfectly natural, given the modern portrayal of Dr. Harleen Quinzel in the comics and most adaptations. However, the Absolute Harley Quinn is ultimately revealed as something unexpected.
Absolute Batman reveals the truth behind the new Harley Quinn
Absolute Batman #22 reveals that Harley’s mother was a neurologist who learned something of the evils Jack Grimm V was financing. Her efforts to bring Joker down left Harley to her own devices most of the time. This led Harley to track down her biological father and start writing with him in secret, fearful of what might happen if her mom got too close to Joker.
Shortly before she turned 13, Harley’s father agreed to visit her in person. This coincided with her discovery of a secret elevator in her mother’s closet. The elevator was a backdoor into Ark M. It was then Harley discovered that Joker had corrupted her mother, making her into his accomplice.
Harley’s horror increases when she gets home, hoping to find her father. Instead, she finds Jack Grimm V, who claims to be her biological father. Her mother confirms this, although it would be within Joker’s capabilities to push Harley to think she was responsible for exposing her mother to him by accident. In any case, Harley runs away and falls in with the Red Hood Gang.
While this story is riveting on its own, it hides a twist. Namely, that rather than being an adaptation of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the Absolute Universe Harley Quinn is a new take on the Joker’s Daughter, a heroic character who joined the Teen Titans using the codename Harlequin.
The presumption of the audience that Absolute Batman Harley Quinn would be Harleen Quinzel is natural. Harleen is easily the most popular of the many DC Comics characters inspired by the harlequin. However, Snyder’s reveal that she is a revamp of a relatively obscure hero is a brilliant and engaging conceit.
Originally reported by Matt Morrison for SuperHeroHype.
