Summary
A new cover is reinventingHarley Quinnas a terrifying horror movie icon. From jester costumes to roller derby outfits The Cupid of Crime has had a lot of outlandish looks over the years. But one creepy variant cover gives Harley a scary look that would be perfect for her own horror film.
Summer is approaching fast and DC Comics has given fans a peak at what lies ahead with its June solicitations. There’s a lot happening this month betweenthe “House of Brainiac” crossoverreaching its end as well asDC’s new Pride special. But in Harley Quinn’s corner, she’s trying on a terrifying new look for the summer.
June 25th, 2024
Natacha Bustos and DANI
Variant Covers:
Leirix, Francesco Francavilla, Chuma Hill, and W. Scott Forbes
There ain’t nothin’ like villainy! The sweet sound’a bank alarms, the wind blow’n through yer hair in a stolen car, not ta mention the discounts ya get buying “bang” flags in bulk—but every now’n’again, the sweet candy of crime has one heck of a sugar crash! I’ve gone and got myself noticed by some cold-hearted types—here’s ta hopin’ I don’t get ICED! But don’t ya dare think that’s all! We also got a tale of a nightmare that RUINED my sleep the day before I took my driver’s license photo, as told by two real cool folks who did NOT like talkin’ ta me at the DMV—Gretchen Felker-Martin and Dani!
Francesco Francavilla’s cover forHarley Quinn #41shows the miscreant in a dreadful horror setting.Harley Quinn is wearing a two-toned mask and jester capwhile gripping a bloodied axe. An unfortunate soul is bound before her as Harley contemplates what to do.
Harley Quinn Gets a Creepy Horror Movie Makeover
Since she was introduced into the DC Universe, Harley Quinn has been all over the map. She started out as a villainous sidekick to the Joker only to try out life as a solo villain once she finally left him. She’s dabbled in anti-heroism as a member of Task Force X and even tried to go on the straight and narrow as a hero. Most recently, Harley has decided that outright heroism wasn’t for her, but helping villains is. NowHarley Quinn is out to study and help villains psychologicallywhile taking only a small cut of their criminal earnings.
Harley Quinn has been to some dark places, but she’s never been interpreted as an outright horror villain akin to Leatherface or Jason Voorhees. But Francavilla’s variant makes the concept work. Harley is a pretty unpredictable character and she’s definitely the type to use a weapon like an axe just as much as she is her preferred mallet. Not to mention, Harley’s killer makeover is a solid look for her and something that would play well in a story with a lot of shadows. Though this is just a variant,Harley Quinn deserves a story where this costume can shine.
Harley Quinn’s Current Series Needs to Give Her a Dark Makeover
Thankfully, the currentHarley Quinnseries has backup stories that have reinterpreted Harley as the star of a Gothic romance and even aLooney Tunes-type character. That’s the perfect place for Francesco Francavilla’s design to really come to life in a short story. Is turning Harley Quinn into a Michael Myers-type villain an out-of-left-field choice? Absolutely. But givenHarley Quinn’smalleable nature and the numerous non-canon takes her current series has had with her backup stories, there’s no reason why she can’t get a horror-based story that gives this creepy reinvention its moment in the sun.
