WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman #19, by Brian Michael Bendis, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Danny Miki, Julio Ferreira, Oclair Albert, Alex Sinclair and AndWorld Design, on sale now.
Clark Kent shocked the entire DC Universe when he revealed his identity as the Man of Steel in Superman #18. The announcement, which he made willingly, sent shockwaves throughout the world, and it's a status quo change that affects not only his supporting cast but his biggest villains and even the heroes he calls friends. Now, in Superman #19, we begin to see the fallout of such a world-shattering revelation and while there are some setbacks at first, the public seems largely thankful to finally know the truth.
After this big day, Superman then visits the Hall of Justice, where all of his superhero friends are waiting for him. They have gathered, of course, in support of his life-changing announcement. But the real surprise of this issue is that Harley Quinn is seated at the Justice League table. It seems that, somehow, Harley was made an official member of the League -- we just missed it.
When Superman walks into the Hall of Justice, every big DC superhero is in attendance in support of the Man of Steel: Flash, Cyborg, Wonder Woman and her Justice League Dark team, the Teen Titans, the Green Lanterns, the Atom, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle and many, many more. And right next to Superman, seated at the team table, is Harley Quinn, who is smiling along with the rest of the superheroes.
Now, this is a big surprise, because it would appear to confirm the former Clown Princess of Crime is now an accepted member of the team. In recent years, Harley Quinn has been depicted as more of an anti-hero than a villain. Since then, she has fought alongside certain superheroes, including Wonder Woman and Batman. What's more, she even helped the Justice League during the No Justice and Dark Nights: Metal events, alongside multiple other supervillains. But none of those villains are currently in the Hall of Justice, taking a seat next to Superman.
While she has been on a redemption arc for a long time now, Harley is still a former supervillain and, as far as we know, a member of the Task Force X hit team, as seen in the recent Suicide Squad #1. But apparently the other heroes don't mind that at all, as she appears to be welcomed at the Hall of Justice.
As the popularity of the character has risen, Harley Quinn has been likened to the fourth pillar of the DC Universe, next to Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Her becoming a part of the Justice League is something that was bound to happen, it's just a surprise to see it happen off-panel. Forget about Superman's big identity reveal -- Harley being an official member of the Justice League is the bigger headline.