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Warning: Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #5!Jack Nicholson's Joker might be jealous of Harley Quinn's new digs. Harley Quinn has become one of the latest additions to the Burtonverse, as the scrapped concept of a sequel to 1989's Batman featuring Madonna in the role has been repurposed for Batman '89: Echoes, a comic series that continues the continuity of Tim Burton's movies.
In Batman '89: Echoes #5 by Sam Hamm, Joe Quinones, Stacey Lee, Paolo Rivera, Leonardo Ito, and Carlos M. Mangual, Harley Quinn enacts the latest step of her plan. As a Jeff Goldblum-esque Scarecrow plunges Gotham into chaos with his fear juice, Harley creates a hostage situation at the ACN news station.
Much of the story has seen her dressed like a court jester, but for this hostage crisis, she arrives in style with a brand-new costume reminiscent of the Joker as played by Nicholson from the first Burton Batman movie.
Madonna's Harley Quinn Re-Enters Tim Burton Canon with a New Joker-Like Suit
It Definitely Borrows Elements of Jack Nicholson's Joker
In this universe, before becoming Harley Quinn, Dr. Harleen Quinzel brings her skills as a psychiatrist to ACN as a frequent television guest for City Beat. "Dr. Q" is openly a fanatic and a sympathizer of the late Joker. Feeling slighted by her TV producer, Chuck Lantz, over failed promises of a prime-time TV hosting spot is enough to finally set her off. With a flurry of Arkham Asylum inmates assisting her after their therapy sessions, Dr. Q arrives at ACN in a suit similar to the one that the Joker wears in Batman, albeit with inverted colors, taking Lantz hostage.
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Harley Quinn sports a similar wide-brimmed hat, gloves, checkered pants, and even white face paint to match her fallen idol. The biggest difference comes in the color choice. The dominant color in Harley's ensemble is red rather than purple. Her gloves are white instead of purple. However, she does trade the Joker's green vest for a purple one, as well as his orange dress shirt with a red and black one. She adds additional flair to her tie, as the Joker has a straight green necktie, contrasting with her purple tie with white polka dots. Her pants are white with black stripes.
What This New Joker-Like "Costume" Says About Harley Quinn of the Burtonverse
This Is a Character-Driven Depiction of the Original Joker Sidekick
This costume ensemble goes a long way to showcase exactly how much Harley Quinn idolizes the late Jack Napier. By proxy, it paints this version of Harley similar to her original iteration from her canonical origins, only with a twist. Before gaining her independence, Harley was unwaveringly loyal and blindly dedicated to Mr. J. In this world, Harleen never meets the Joker before his death, but she has clearly admired him from afar and studied him enough to duplicate his wardrobe to a tee, albeit with a Harley Quinn touch.
Batman '89: Echoes #5 is available now from DC Comics.
Harley Quinn
First Appearance Batman: The Animated Series
Alias Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel
Alliance Suicide Squad, Gotham City Sirens, Quinntets, Gang of Harleys, Secret Six, Justice League of Anarchy, Batman family
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The Joker
The Joker is a psychopathic criminal mastermind with a warped sense of humor. Initially introduced as a remorseless serial killer, the character evolved over time, often oscillating between a prankster and a homicidal maniac. His relationship with Batman is one of the most complex in comic book history, defined by their mutual obsession. Over the decades, the Joker has become an enduring icon of chaos and madness, embodying the antithesis of Batman's order and justice.
Created By Bill Finger , Bob Kane , Jerry Robinson
First Appearance Batman (1940)
Alias Red Hood, Clown Prince of Crime, Ace of Knaves
RELATIONSHIPS Batman (archenemy), Harley Quinn (former psychiatrist, on-and-off girlfriend), Penguin (frequent collaborator), Two-Face (frequent collaborator)
Alliance Injustice League, Legion of Doom, Injustice Gang
POWERS Criminal Mastermind, Expert Chemist, Weaponized Props, Psychological Manipulation, Combat Skills, Unpredictability, High Pain Tolerance, Charisma, Escape Artist
HISTORY The Joker's history has been depicted with various origin stories, the most common being his transformation into the Joker after falling into a vat of chemical waste that bleaches his skin white, turns his hair green, and lips bright red. This disfigurement drives him insane, leading him to become Batman's greatest nemesis.
NAME Arthur Fleck
Age Varies by portrayal; generally depicted as being in his 30s to 40s.
Height Typically depicted around 6 feet (1.83 meters).
Comic Books Joker #1 , The Joker #5 , Joker: Killer Smile #1 , Batman: Three Jokers #1 , Batman: The Joker War Zone #1 , DC's Year of the Villain: Joker #1 , Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1 , The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1 , Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity Secret Files #1 , The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1
Summary
The Joker is one of the most iconic villains in comic book history, known for his chaotic nature and as Batman's ultimate nemesis. He has been portrayed by multiple actors in various media, each bringing their unique interpretation to the character, from Cesar Romero's campy take in the 1960s to Joaquin Phoenix's gritty portrayal in 2019. The Joker's influence extends beyond comics into films, TV shows, and video games, making him a cornerstone of DC's villainous pantheon.
English (US) ·