The following article contains spoilers from Harley Quinn #24, on sale now from DC.
The latest issue of Harley Quinn reveals that the mysterious cloaked figure who shot and killed Harley in Issue #22 is none other than her evil doppelganger, the Harley Who Laughs.
Harley goes on the offensive throughout the issue, investigating who could've possibly crept onto her yacht and put a bullet through her. She enlists the aid of Zsasz, Gotham's most disturbing serial killer, claiming that he can feel the pulse of the city and always knows what's happening in its darkest corners. Their search leads them to the warehouse district, where the cloaked gun-toting killer reveals herself as a grinning version of Harley with claws, chains and a spiked band around her face -- the unmistakable signs of the Dark Multiverse.
A Truly Evil Harley Quinn
The Harley Who Laughs was teased in DC's September solicitations, and Issue #24 marks her first official reveal, though cover art by Greg Horn for 2018's Dark Knights: Metal #6 showed a slightly different, non-canon version of the character that later received a DC Collectibles sculpt in 2019.
Harley's nightmarish double is inspired by the Batman Who Laughs, a fan-favorite villain who was created by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo and first appeared in 2017's Dark Days: The Casting #1. A sadistic version of Batman from the Dark Multiverse who killed the Joker but was infected by a toxin that emerged from the fallen villain's heart, the Batman Who Laughs became renowned during Metal and Death Metal as one of the greatest threats to every superhero in the galaxy. The popularity of the character has led to similar villains, including Justice League Incarnate's Batwoman Who Laughs.
It is currently unknown why the Harley Who Laughs is in Gotham. The regular Harley, after dying from her gunshot wounds, was resurrected in a Lazarus Pit in Issue #22, warranting an investigation by Damian Wayne, who believed the pit would have irrevocably changed Harley back into her old murderous self.
Harley Quinn #24 is written by Stephanie Phillips, illustrated by Matteo Lolli, colored by Rain Beredo, lettered by Andworld Design and features covers by Lolli and Beredo, Lee Bermejo, Leirix and Ludo Lullabi. The issue is on sale now from DC.
Source: DC