Absolute Batman #22 Review: A Horror-Tinged Harley Quinn Origin Story

Absolute Batman #22 is another absolute banger. This one leans hard into horror territory with a Harley Quinn origin story while Batman and Harley Quinn are on the run following the events of #21.

Dragotta takes a break this issue, and we get a guest artist Werther Dell’Edera (the same one behind Something is Killing the Children). While I definitely miss Dragotta’s style, the new artist brings a refreshing and fitting take, especially on the flashback panels. The whole issue has a creepy, horror-comic feel that works surprisingly well with the Absolute Batman tone.

The Setup

Batman and Harley Quinn are being pursued by the police and the Absolute Robins. Jason in particular is relentless, even when some of the other Robins suggest pulling back. Batman is being reluctantly helped by Harley while she is slowly revealing pieces of her backstory through interlaced flashbacks.

We learn that her mother was working to unravel Jack Grimm (the Joker) and moved them into a strange, crooked little house. Young Harley was terrified of whatever was (or wasn’t) in the closet. As she gets older, she starts writing letters to her dad (found via a DNA test) after discovering more about her mom’s dangerous work. One day her dad says he’s coming to help, and Harley finally works up the courage to investigate the closet… only to find an elevator that leads down into something far more (Ark M level) disturbing.

Highlights

• The horror elements land really well. The flashbacks have that unsettling Something is Killing the Children vibe (both in tone and the guest artist’s style), with creepy houses, hidden horrors, and questions about what’s real versus what’s in your head (or like in SIKTC, belief can make it real).
• Harley’s family twist is both (I think) predictable and perfect. It gives real weight to her character without feeling forced.
• The interlaced storytelling (past and present) is classic Absolute Batman Snyder and keeps the issue moving even during the slower, more atmospheric moments.
• Batman and Harley’s dynamic is great here. Their reluctant partnership and eventual blow-up feel very true to both characters (with maybe the exception of Harley over sharing, even reluctantly).
• Bruce’s side story with the Scarecrow/Straw Man (part four of that arc) adds some nice connective tissue and keeps the larger mystery moving. The “what’s real and what isn’t” theme ties everything together nicely.
• Harley’s final line on the outro pages (“even if it’s true, it’s not true”) is an excellent closer and leaves things in a very intriguing place – both Bruce and Harley’s stories have a shocking ending in this issue.

Reflections

This issue feels like a natural extension of the horror-tinged atmosphere that’s been building in Absolute Batman. The creepy house, the mystery, and the way monsters (literal and metaphorical) are brought to life through belief and trauma all mesh really well with the Something is Killing the Children influence. It’s a reminder of how flexible this version of Gotham can be.

Harley gets some genuinely strong character work here. Her origin is tragic and twisted in a way that feels fresh while still feeling like Harley Quinn. The fact that Bruce doesn’t get to hear the full ending of her story is a nice touch.

The Straw Man arc continues to deliver that unsettling, reality-bending feeling that fits the Absolute line so well. Even though the last couple of issues had less of him, bringing him back here feels earned.

Final Verdict

Absolute Batman #22 is another excellent issue. The guest art works surprisingly well for this particular story, the Harley Quinn origin is compelling and creepy in all the right ways, and the larger arc threads (especially around Straw Man) continue to intrigue. It’s another strong reminder of why this series has been so consistently good.

Snyder and the team never seem to miss. Even when the artist changes, the quality and atmosphere stay high.

What did you think of the Harley Quinn origin twist? And how are you feeling about the Straw Man arc overall? Tag me on X @NostalgicNestEg!

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