WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Batman/Catwoman #5 by Tom King, Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey, on sale now.
Harley Quinn has been a fan favorite villain-turned-antihero ever since she first appeared on Batman: The Animated Series. In the years since, she has proven herself to be one of the most capable and resilient characters in Gotham City. From the comic book page to the DC Extended Universe, nothing has ever been able to keep her down for long. But as Selina Kyle just proved in the pages of Batman/Catwoman, a little bit of time goes a long way. That doesn’t mean that Harley isn’t still a threat in the future, and she has seen plenty of them in recent years.
Now, we’re taking a closer look at what happened to Harley in the various futures of the DC Multiverse.
HARLEY QUINN IN BATMAN/CATWOMAN’S FUTURE
Most recently, an elder Harley was seen crashing Selina Kyle’s home and looking for a fight in Batman/Catwoman. This is hardly the first time that she and Catwoman have come to blows, but for Harley, it is likely the most personal of their encounters. After discovering that Selina had been the one to finally take the life of the Joker, Harley made up her mind that it was time for her old friend to die as well. Harley found herself grieving over the Joker’s death because the opportunity to murder her former abuser had been stolen from her. Of course, this Harley isn’t as spry as her catlike counterpart, and her assault only gets herself put in handcuffs. It may not have been the ending that Harley was looking for, but there is no doubt that Selina can still empathize with her well enough to help her, now that the dust has settled.
OLD LADY HARLEY QUINN
Appearing in the pages of 2018’s Harley Quinn #42 by Frank Tieri and Alain Mauricet, Old Lady Harley is the version of the character that has survived into the apocalyptic wasteland of Earth in the not far off future. After Brainiac 5 attacked the planet and left it in ruins, Harley’s old gang became part of the resistance force that drove them away. This only led to things becoming even worse due to the power vacuum left in the absence of Brainiac — one which was quickly filled with various gangs and militias. In contrast, the New Coney Island became the neon-lit backdrop for a hilariously violent ride that could only be created by Harley Quinn herself.
FUTURES END HARLEY QUINN
2014’s Futures End was one of DC’s most massive undertakings to date, detailing every possible future for the DC Universe at the time, including Harley Quinn’s. The one shot tie-in issue Harley Quinn: Futures End by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, and Chad Hardin saw the titular villain’s attempt to mail herself to the Bahamas end in disaster when multiple hurricanes leave her stranded on a desolate, seemingly empty island. It soon enough becomes apparent that she is not alone after stumbling upon the natives and their very familiar, clown faced “god.” Reuniting with the Joker is as bittersweet as ever, and his attempt to throw her into an active volcano only solidifies that her future was better off without him.
HARLEY QUINN IN MOTHER PANIC
First appearing in 2018’s Mother Panic: Gotham A.D. #2 by Jody Houser and Ibrahim Moustafa, the Harley Quinn that exists a decade after Gotham City fell to the Collective is far from what many fans would recognize. Following her usual villainous past, Harley joined forces with Catwoman and Poison Ivy to defend the city from the Collective and their soldiers within the Gotham City Police Department. Eventually, Harley left the Robinson Park stronghold and joined the Collective on her own, acting primarily as a psychologist for the organization. This was, of course, all a ploy to gather information and supply it to her allies. When her deception was finally revealed, she became a prime target for painful interrogations.
HARLEY QUINN IN BATMAN BEYOND
The world of Batman Beyond might not be so far removed from the present DC Universe, but the years will wear anyone down, including Harley Quinn. While Terry McGinnis may not have to take on the exact same brightly colored foes that his mentor did, he still isn’t safe from clowns, especially not the boisterous and athletic types. Harley had long since given up her devotion to the Joker when she took on sole custody of her granddaughters Delia and Deidre, but she couldn’t keep them from falling in love with the maniac for themselves. Together as Dee Dee, the two joined the Jokerz Gang in an attempt to resurrect their namesake to make Batman’s life a living nightmare.
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