Summary
Warning! Contains spoilers for Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #1!The Joker isn’t the threat to Harley Quinn that people think. While trapped in a nightmare, Harley shows just how far she’s come since she left the Clown Prince of Crime’s side.
In Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #1 by Tini Howard and Hayden Sherman, Harley wakes up in a dream after the world has been hit by Insomnia’s Nightmare Wave. Harley’s dream has taken her back to Arkham Asylum, where she resumes her duties as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, albeit with a few inconsistencies. Harley walks through a maze-like version of the infamous institution. Unfortunately, a familiar voice begins echoing out through Arkham’s corridors.
Suddenly, Harley Quinn is attacked by a swarm of Jokers in a hallway. Numerous versions of the Harlequin of Hate are there, such as the Joker from The Long Halloween, a M.O.D.O.K-like Joker and even the Batman Who Laughs. However, rather than cower in fear at the horde of clowns, Harley is annoyed. She pulls out her trusty mallet and strikes at each version of the villain, critiquing the stunt as “uncreative”. After Harley splatters the last Joker, she walks away, saying the Joker isn’t her nightmare, but “just some loser”
Harley Quinn Doesn’t Even Think About Joker Anymore
Harley Quinn’s past with Joker is something that’s defined her for years. Once upon a time, Dr. Harleen Quinzel was a psychologist at Arkham Asylum who fell hard and fast for the cackling criminal. Quinzel threw away her professional career for a stint as the Joker’s moll, only to be repaid with insensitivity at best and abuse at worst. Harley eventually left Joker’s side to carve out her own path in the world, both as an independent villain and a hero. However, she has a tough time escaping her past as the Joker’s partner-in-crime.
Knight Terrors has been a story that explores the innermost worries and fears of DC’s greatest heroes and villains. The powerful metahuman villain Insomnia has dug deep into the psyches of everyone to conjure up fears that would leave them shaken. Many would assume that the Joker would be a prominent, if not the biggest demon lurking in Harley’s head. However, it’s the first thing she encounters and she dispatches the Joker army with ease. While there are still some perturbing thoughts in her head, the Joker is no longer a physical or mental threat to Harley.
Harley Quinn Has Overcome Everything the Joker Did to Her
It’s been years since Harley Quinn and the Joker were a thing, she can’t ever forget what the villain did to her. But Harley’s had a full life filled with new love, new friends, and missions that have seen her working side-by-side with the Justice League. Despite their shared past, the Joker has no more influence in Harley’s life. Sure, a part of her is always going to regret ever giving the time of day to Mr. J. But rather than waste any more energy thinking about Joker, Harley has decided it’s best to just move on. Fans can see the little power Joker has over his former partner in Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #1, on sale now.
