Absolute Batman Delivers on a Reimagined Origin for Harley Quinn

Written by: Tanner Stein

Absolute Batman delivers on some much-needed backstory for some of its most interesting characters. Scott Snyder returns with Absolute Batman #22 with artist Werther Dell’edera.

After being introduced in Absolute Batman #13, Harley Quinn, along with the Red Hood Gang, has been a key player in helping Bruce protect Gotham, prompting many to ask how she got to this point in her life. Absolute Batman #22 looks to answer those questions by diving into Quinn’s backstory.

Growing up without her father in the outskirts of Gotham, Harley had to step up in her household. This meant looking out for herself and her mom, who was going after Jack Grimm for medical malpractice. After accidentally stumbling across a hidden lab, Harley Quinn learned the true nature of her mom’s work. This issue introduces more of Batman’s rogues’ gallery into the Absolute Universe, including The Calendar Man, as well as a disgustingly merged version of Tweedledee and Tweedledum. The backstory ends with the reveal that Jack Grimm is Harley’s father, prompting her to run away from her home.

Absolute Batman #22 follows Bruce Wayne and Harley Quinn on the run from the Robins, a task force led by Slade Wilson. Jumping back and forth between the present and the upbringing of Harley Quinn, Snyder reveals key information about these characters and Gotham as a whole.

The Robins have been after Batman for the past three issues, and in Absolute Batman #22, we delve deeper into what makes each of them unique. The issue specifically targets Jason Todd, showing his commitment to catching Batman. There have been examples of the Robins clashing as a team, but Jason’s obsession with getting the job done has led to some tense moments between the Robins. Dick Grayson wants to make sure that Gotham is safe, even if that means abandoning Batman altogether. Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Duke Thomas side with Grayson, proving that although they may be antagonists to Batman, that doesn’t mean they are evil characters. Between Jason’s devotion to bringing Batman to light and the rest of the team’s insistence on keeping the city safe, the Robins are crawling towards a point where the team will have to decide what’s more important, being Gotham’s heroes or Jack Grimm’s personal hitmen. 

The art in this issue is fantastic, giving a unique look at the Absolute Universe. Art by Werther Dell’edera stands out with his take on how Batman looks when compared to the rest of Gotham. They are gigantic, and the art shows that perfectly. Bruce takes up half of every panel he’s on, adding to his grand stature. Dell’edera’s art in the flashbacks gives the effect of a memory drawn onto the page. Colors are vibrant with less detail, allowing for each panel to focus on the most important aspects of the story.

Absolute Batman continues to show why it is dominating the comic book scene, turning a simple backstory issue into a deeply compelling and revealing story, while delivering on amazing art throughout.