A guest artist usually signals a different vibe and focus, which is absolutely the case in Absolute Batman #22, centered on Harley Quinn’s backstory. Similar to the main universe version, this version is less clownish and more like a kid from the streets à la The Warriors. Believe me when I say, Absolute Batman #22 changes Harley’s entire dynamic.
Guest artist Werther Dell’Edera adds a lot of childlike charm to this issue, which suits the flashbacks set when Harley was still in grade school. On the very first page, and a credits page at that, we see a drawing by Harley with a shadowy figure looming over her house. Certainly, a child psychologist would see this and be worried. It’s a foreshadowing of what looms in her closet.
Harley Quinn’s closet and the shadows in the corner of her room are a major focus at the start. The issue opens in a flashback where we see her mother attempt to calm Harley and stop worrying so much about monsters. They aren’t real, but as we’ve seen with Joker, monsters truly are real in this universe.
Intercut with these flashbacks is Harley and Bamtan avoiding the cops and also pummeling them. The flashback starts with Harley at a young age and moves along into her teen years over the course of the issue. They naturally fit with scenes set in the present, since Harley is literally telling Batman her story as they fight. As it turns out, it’s a kind of lesson, but throughout, Bruce barely listens, more annoyed with Harley than paying attention.
Creative credits page.
Credit: DC Comics
Between Dell’Edera’s character work and writer Scott Snyder’s storytelling, Harley comes off as a strong, confident woman. She’s clearly seeking some kind of connection with Batman, especially by opening herself up to him. There’s a bit of sadness in all of this, as Harley sees a connection between them while Batman is too stubborn to see it.
Mixed into the issue are the Robins attempting to find Batman. Snyder gives them bits of dialogue to further show they aren’t all on the same page. Dick, for instance, sees Jason’s ferocity in finding Batman out of line and maybe even a sign he’s unwell. It’s only a taste of these characters, but Dell’Edera does a good job of conveying the size of their mechs and their attitude through an angle from inside one of their helmets.
One weakness of this issue is its slow crawl to the big reveals. Harley’s story takes a while to get to the juicy bits, and you may even guess one of the twists before it happens. That said, there are multiple big reveals in this issue that not only flesh out Harley but also set up a major turn in Scarecrow’s plan. There’s also a minor typo that took me out of the book, “What happened was I wrong…”
Dell’Edera does a good job with action, in one sequence pulling off a Dragotta-style layout with smaller panels featuring Harley’s quick moves. Other action scenes have less to do with the choreography, making more of a statement as Harley flies through the air with her hammer, or in one panel, Batman practically pulls police towards him like a magnet.
Absolute Batman #22 delivers a thoughtful and rewarding reimagining of Harley Quinn, using her backstory to deepen both her character and the larger mythology of the Absolute Universe. Scott Snyder and Werther Dell’Edera craft a version of Harley who feels confident, wounded, and searching for connection, while the issue’s revelations reshape readers’ understanding of her place in the story. The pacing occasionally slows the momentum, but the emotional payoff and larger implications more than justify the journey. By the final page, Harley Quinn emerges as one of the most compelling figures in Absolute Batman‘s ever-expanding world.
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