The following contains spoilers for Harley Quinn #27, now on sale from DC Comics.
The DC Multiverse has never felt bigger than in the aftermath of Dark Crisis, which fully restored the infinite scope of the setting in a clever way. The event also ended with a pretty big tease of things to come, providing insight into Amanda Waller's plans for the DC Universe as a whole. But now, there's an unlikely figure who could throw some serious complications her way.
By the end of Harley Quinn #27 (by Stephanie Phillips, Matteo Lolli, David Baldeon, Rain Beredo, and Andworld Design), the titular antihero gained her own reality-hopping device. On one level, this opens up the future for Harley's adventures in general. But with a multiversal conflict brewing, Harley becoming an unexpected wildcard could make her a much more important character in the grand scheme of things.
Harley Quinn Steals From Her Darkest Variant
Harley's most recent adventure has pitted her against some of the most dangerous versions of herself in the multiverse - specifically the Harley Who Laughs, a twisted and murderous variant of the character who seemed intent on slaughtering her way through her counterparts across time and space. Even with the help of her Old Lady Harley counterpart, the core-DC Universe version was barely able to survive the encounter with her darkest variant (and even needed a dip in the Lazarus Pit to come back).
But rather than simply defeat her counterpart and be done with it, she goes in a different direction and instead (alongside Old Lady Harley) helps rescue the Ivy Who Laughs. Despite the initial misgivings of the older Harley, the mission is a success and helps ensure all the multiversal Harleys dragged into the storyline get a happy ending. It's a sweet moment that closes out this run of the character -- but it also teases the potential future of the character in a pretty big way, as the issue ends with a reminder that the core-DC Harley Quinn still has the dimension-hopping device she'd stolen from her darker counterpart.
Harley Quinn Could Spell Trouble For the DC Multiverse
Harley being able to travel the multiverse is a fun development for the character, setting up all sorts of potential avenues for her. Harley's general attitude and vibe lends itself well to an adventure that can hop through realities -- but the current state of the DC Multiverse adds some additional layers of intrigue and danger to that prospect. With the events of Dark Crisis unleashing the grander multiverse, most characters are worried about whatever threat is quietly brewing against the universe. However, figures like Amanda Waller are on the move to ensure it remains under control -- potentially setting her on a collision course with the Justice League.
Given Harley's history with the Suicide Squad and the recent suggestion that Waller might be the most likely person to finally bring her down, it wouldn't be surprising to see her getting wrapped up in the conflict. Her unique approach to problem-solving could make her a wild card in the coming multiversal conflict, especially since she can teleport into another reality. All of this may even paint a target on her back, giving Waller plenty of reasons to take her out. While forces across the multiverse are slowly amassing their power, it's worth remembering which former villain may have stepped into the cosmic game, and the kind of chaos she could easily bring into play.