It took decades, but Batman fans will finally get to see Madonna in the role of Harley Quinn in Batman '89: Echoes, a sequel to Batman '89, the six-issue miniseries showcasing a canon taking place after the events of Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns. Written by Sam Hamm – who wrote the stories for both Burton Batman films – with art by Jo Quinones, Batman '89: Echoes #1 is currently set for a November 28 release date.
With Echoes, Hamm and Quinones are set to return to their alternate take on the 80s-90s Batman movie universe. Below, readers can find cover art and variants from Quinones, Riley Rossmo, and Doug Braithwaite. What may be most notable to readers is Quinones' cover art highlighting what appears to be a Harley Quinn figure designed with the likeness of Madonna.
Madonna' s Harley Quinn Teased in Batman '89 Cover Art
Madonna has gravitated around the Tim Burton-Joel Schumacher Batman universe more than most readers might be aware of. Following Batman & Robin, Batman: Triumphant was in development, with Madonna considered for the role of Harley Quinn before the project was scrapped entirely. Early drafts of the script would have seen a completely different origin story for Quinn: most controversially, making her the secret daughter of Jack Nicholson's Joker rather than his lover and sidekick. Upon learning who her father was, Madonna's Harley Quinn would plot a revenge scheme against Batman alongside Scarecrow, who had his own vendetta against Bruce Wayne.
What Will Harley Quinn's Batman '89 Origins Be?
Batman '89 illustrates plans for a proposed third Tim Burton Batman movie which never saw the light of day, such bring back Alicia Hunt, The Joker's girlfriend from the 1989 Batman movie, as Harley Quinn, in an idea pitched by Joe Quinones and Kate Leth.
In Tim Burton's Batman, after The Joker disfigured Alica's face, it is said that she flings herself out of a window offscreen. However, it is implied that Joker killed her. Whatever the circumstances of her "death," Ms. Hunt could very well still appear in Echoes. At the same time, Batman '89 #2 features a brief cameo from a "Dr. Q," likely alluding to Dr. Harleen Quinzel – especially as she's sporting Harley's classic red, white, and black color scheme. Not only that, Dr. Q's design is, in retrospect, suspiciously like Madonna. There are many ways that Harley Quinn could manifest in the new Batman '89 sequel comic, but either way, the prospect of Madonna finally entering the Batman universe is an exciting one.
Batman 89' Echoes #1 is due on shelves and digital stores starting November 28.
