Harley Quinn’s New Costume: A Stunning Tribute to Jack Nicholson’s Joker from Batman ’89

Warning: Spoilers for Batman ’89: Echoes #5! In the latest developments of the Burtonverse, Harley Quinn has made an impressive entry, potentially eliciting envy from Joker, as portrayed by Jack Nicholson. This comes following the repurposing of a concept meant for a sequel to the 1989 film Batman, which originally featured Madonna. Harley Quinn’s character continues to evolve within the pages of Batman ’89: Echoes, a comic series that seamlessly integrates with Tim Burton’s cinematic legacy.

In issue #5 of Batman ’89: Echoes, crafted by the talented team of Sam Hamm, Joe Quinones, Stacey Lee, Paolo Rivera, Leonardo Ito, and Carlos M. Mangual, Harley intensifies her nefarious plans amidst Gotham’s turmoil. With a Scarecrow reminiscent of Jeff Goldblum unleashing chaos through fear, Harley takes matters into her own hands, orchestrating a dangerous hostage situation at the ACN news station.

Comic book panel: Madonna as Harley Quinn kidnaps someone in Batman 89 Echoes 89 #5

While her previous appearances have seen Harley adorned in a jester-like costume, this pivotal moment showcases her in a striking new outfit that pays homage to the original Joker’s style from Burton’s classic film.

Madonna’s Harley Quinn Re-Enters the Tim Burton Canon with a New Joker-Inspired Suit

Echoes of Jack Nicholson’s Joker

Jack Nicholson's Joker with messy makeup next to two goons in Batman 1989

In this reimagined universe, Dr. Harleen Quinzel, before her transformation into Harley Quinn, serves as a psychiatrist and regular contributor to ACN’s City Beat. Her admiration for the deceased Joker is evident as she grapples with her dissatisfaction over unfulfilled promises from her producer, Chuck Lantz. Frustrated and supported by a squad of Arkham Asylum inmates, Dr. Q storms the ACN with a striking resemblance to the Joker’s iconic outfit, albeit with her own unique alterations.

Harley’s ensemble includes a wide-brimmed hat, gloves, and checkered pants, all designed to mirror her idol. However, significant differences highlight her individuality; her costume features a predominant red hue contrasted by white gloves, as opposed to the Joker’s purple palette. She creatively swaps the Joker’s green vest for a purple one and replaces his orange dress shirt with a striking red and black one. Further, her tie— adorned with white polka dots— stands in stark contrast to the Joker’s straightforward green necktie. Completing the look, her pants sport a playful white with black stripes.

Insights into Harley Quinn’s Character Through Her Joker-Like “Costume”

A Character-Driven Evolution of the Original Joker’s Sidekick

Comic book panels: Madonna as Harley Quinn meets Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne as Firefly Robert Lowery undercover at Arkham Asylum in Batman 89 Echoes #4

This costume not only underscores Harley Quinn’s deep-seated idolization of Jack Napier but also provides a nuanced portrayal of her character that resonates with her original comic book roots. It signifies a pivotal transition—a shift from unwavering loyalty to a complex understanding of identity and independence. Although this version of Harley never crosses paths with the Joker prior to his demise, her admiration clearly shapes her actions and choices, as she embraces elements of his persona while stamping her own identity onto them.

Batman ’89: Echoes #5 is currently available from DC Comics.

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