DC Reveals Harley Quinn's New Origin Story For Next Batman Story

Harley Quinn — good girl gone bad ... gone good? By now, you should know DC Comics' origin story of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who ended up falling in love with The Joker and, as a result, defected to the dark side for her Pudding, but that was then and this is now ... says Absolute Batman.

The Absolute Universe has turned everything on its head, especially Batman and other fan-favorite Gothamites, and that includes Harley Quinn who, and try to hold onto your hats here, is receiving an entirely new origin story that shatters her canon into a million pieces.

In the upcoming Absolute Batman #22, Quinn's story no longer begins with the Clown Prince of Crime, and she doesn't venture off into villainy. Instead, Quinn is fueled by something other than love, and it pushes her to become a full-blown hero trying to aid Batman in his vigilantism.

• Writer: Scott Snyder
• Art: Werther Dell'Edera
• Variant covers: Dan Quintana, Nick Dragotta, Brett Bean, Derrick Chew, David Mack, Ryan Sook, Kendrick Lim
• Colorist: Frank Martin, Frank Martin
• Letterer: Tom Napolitano
• Price: $4.99 US
• On sale: July 2026
• UPC: 76194138584602241

Harley Quinn's Origin Is No Longer Tied to The Joker

Absolute Harley Quinn has been an ally of Bruce Wayne and the kick-ass version of Alfred Pennyworth for some time now, but it's only in Absolute Batman #22 that we begin to get an idea of why she is the way she is, and there's a chance it has a lot to do with Absolute Scarecrow — implied by Quinn's fear of a ghostly figure that haunts her as a child.

It stands to be a gripping read, especially for longtime fans of Harley Quinn who, although accustomed to seeing her break free of Mr. J, are not used to seeing her origin story never being tied to him in the first place.

Per the official synopsis: "THE ORIGIN OF HARLEY QUINN! As the Robins nest in Gotham's backyard, and Batman faces ultimate defeat, Harley Quinn's origin is revealed. How does Harley connect with Ark M, and how did the Robins fledge from hatchlings to birds of prey? The call of more than one predator will be answered in this issue."

Absolute Batman Is Literally Changing Everything for DC Comics

An excellent reason exists as to why Scott Snyder has been able to celebrate Absolute Batman earning a green light for an anime streaming series, seeing as readers can't get enough of the bestseller, and having the bal-... er, um ... guts to think outside the usually restrictive box involving DC Comics' most iconic characters.

Quinn is simply another example of this.

"Story-wise, what makes [Absolute Batman #22] work is how Harley constantly keeps Bruce grounded," wrote ComicsBeat.com. "She holds him accountable and reminds him that this world has never been 'real', that everything has been carefully orchestrated by the powers controlling it. That’s the crux of Bruce’s inner struggle throughout the issue."

They continued: "I love how it’s handled because, in an issue whose main purpose is watching Bruce run away, Harley instead forces him to slow down and build a rapport with someone else."

Bruce Wayne being humbled and coached by a heroic Harley Quinn — did you have that on your 2026 bingo card?

Absolute Batman #22 is scheduled to arrive on July 8, 2026.