A Harley Quinn without the Joker, leader of a criminal gang and ally of Batman himself

From DC Comics announced his Absolute universefans knew there would be surprises. But no one imagined that one of the most powerful would be the new one Harley Quinnwhich debuts on the cover of Absolute Batman #14 and he already won over readers before arriving at the cartoons.

Harley Quinn in the Absolute Universe

This Harley Quinn of the Absolute Universe He has nothing to do with the chaotic Joker-loving psychiatrist we met in the 1990s. As the story reveals DC Movie News on X (formerly Twitter), the artist Derrick Chew was responsible for illustrating the variant cover in which this new version of the character is presented. Its design maintains the usual irreverence and visual magnetism, but with a much more lethal and strategic attitude.

In this alternate universe, Harley is not the Joker’s partner, but his enemy. Appears for the first time in Absolute Batman #13where it is revealed that he is the one driving the The Little Red Riding Hood ganga criminal organization with its own army willing to challenge it Clown Prince of Crime.

The Rise of Harleen Quinzel

Created by Paul Dini Bruce Timm TO Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, Harley Quinn He was born as a secondary character. However, her mix of madness, dark humor and vulnerability has made her one of the most beloved villains in the DC Universe. Over the years, she has evolved from the Joker’s shadow into an independent anti-heroine.

In the Absolute Universe, that independence reaches a new level. Harley not only freed herself from the Joker, but now seeks to destroy him. Your goal: set fire to the structures of the Ark Mthe Joker’s refuge, and to achieve this goal he does not hesitate to do so team up with Batman. This impossible alliance has sparked all sorts of theories among fans as to whether we’ll see a more moral Harley or simply a strategist who knows when to switch sides.

The cover of Absolute Batman #14work of Derrick Chewshows a Harley more elegant, dangerous and determined than ever. Its design mixes classic elements – such as the red and black color combination – with a more street aesthetic, typical of the new tone of Absolute universe. On social media, fans reacted enthusiastically, underlining this “It’s the best Harley in years” AND? “she finally seems like a real leader”.

Harley Quinn in the DC Absolute universe

The next number, Absolute Batman #14will be published on November 26after a short delay. The reason, according to its screenwriter Scott Snyderit is more than justified:

“Nick Dragotta and I added five extra pages to the final battle against Bane. We tried to condense it into twenty, but it felt forced, and DC was great at giving us more space and time. I hope you enjoy it.”

This adjustment has only increased expectations, as the delivery promises to close the middle arc in an epic way Batman and Banewhile Harley’s role is outlined in the next chapters of Absolute universe.

A new era for the queen of chaos

The arrival of this Harley marks a turning point within DC. The Absolute Universewhich reinvents classic characters with darker tones and moral dilemmas, seems to have found one of its pillars in it. She is no longer anyone’s companion: she is a leader, a rival, and an unpredictable piece on the Gotham board.

This change could have repercussions beyond the comics. The rumors suggest so DC Studios could be looking at this character’s reception as inspiration for future film or series adaptations, which wouldn’t be unreasonable given Harley’s popularity in recent years.

In the meantime, readers are counting the days to find out how far this new version of Harleen Quinzel is willing to go. Because if anything has become clear, it’s that He no longer needs the Joker to shine.