Copyright Screen Rant
Harley Quinn has undergone some wild redesigns over the years, but she recently received one of her biggest overhauls yet in Absolute Batman. While fans only caught a glimpse of the look in a single panel, DC has now released a variant cover spotlighting it, and it’s clear this is one of Harley’s most badass upgrades to date. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman #14 is just around the corner, set to release on November 26, 2025. The early solicitation teases, “Batman and Catwoman face down Bane in a final battle! But once the dust settles, what will it all mean for the future of Batman?” While the synopsis alone is exciting, it’s the Harley Quinn variant cover by Derrick Chew that’s generating major buzz, offering an exceptional look at Harley’s Absolute Universe character design. Harley Quinn Goes Punkrock in Absolute Batman (& It’s Totally Badass) Comic Page Comes From Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman #13 (2025) - Art by Nick Dragotta This version of Harley Quinn first debuted in Absolute Batman #13 as the leader of the Red Hood, “an outlaw collective” in this universe. As fans familiar with main universe DC lore know, the Joker was originally the leader of the Red Hood Gang, and when Jason Todd came back from the dead, he later assumed the mantle himself. The fact that Harley Quinn now leads the Red Hood Gang, with no apparent connection to either Joker or Jason Todd, marks a major shift in established lore. However, as fans can see, this isn’t the only major change to Harley’s story, as she’s also undergone one of the most drastic character redesigns in her entire history. Gone is her classic jester aesthetic and other Joker-inspired looks, replaced with a gritty, punk-playing-card style. Harley still sports her signature diamond motif, but now they appear as tattoos and face paint instead of costume details. Wearing an oversized red hoodie, baggy pants, and skater shoes, this design is a major departure from her usual. Absolute Harley Quinn Gives Fans a Completely Unexplored Side of the Character Harley Quinn First Appeared in Batman: The Animated Series on September 11, 1992 What further sets this version of Harley Quinn apart is her shaved head. While still notably blonde, her signature pigtails are gone, enhancing her rebellious, punk aesthetic and making this one of her best non-jester designs to date. Additionally, this Harley appears to be far younger than her main universe counterpart. Harley is typically depicted as being in her late 20s or early 30s, which fits with her years of higher education and time as Joker’s sidekick before striking out on her own. This younger version of Harley Quinn, who seems to be in her late teens, will undoubtedly bring something fresh and unpredictable to the character’s evolving identity.
