One of DC’s Best Harley Quinn Series is Getting a Sequel (But There’s a Twist)

First introduced in “Batman: The Animated Series,” Harley Quinn has grown beyond her role as the Joker’s eccentric sidekick in the DC Comics universe. She is now a multidimensional character, equally complex, cunning, and captivating as the Clown Prince of Crime and Batman themselves. One of the most profound depictions of her serious and psychologically nuanced aspects can be found in Kami Garcia, Mico Suayan, and Jason Badower’s 2019 acclaimed series, “Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity.” This series not only sheds light on how the Joker exerted such a profound influence over Harley, but also delves into the sinister and convoluted journey that eventually led to their romantic involvement.

Approximately five years since the initial tale in “Criminal Sanity”, DC is set to revisit the narrative’s origin with the brand-new limited series titled “Joker/Harley: Malicious Intent“. The original creative team will be back for another Black Label production. While readers might benefit from reading “Criminal Sanity” beforehand, “Joker/Harley: Malicious Intent” is self-contained and offers a fulfilling and complete storyline that doesn’t necessitate prior knowledge.

Criminal Sanity Was a Harley Quinn Story Like No Other

From a passionate film fan’s perspective, I’d say that Harley Quinn’s origin story is quite captivatingly detailed. Prior to her descent into darkness, Dr. Harleen Quinzel served as a psychiatrist at the notorious Arkham Asylum in Gotham City. Her unique assignment was to monitor the Joker’s therapy sessions. With each encounter, my fascination grew – until I found myself utterly captivated, eventually succumbing to his charm and shifting roles from caregiver to lover, then ultimately partner-in-crime.

In “Criminal Sanity,” author Kami Garcia makes changes to the original story, like altering Harley Quinn’s professional journey. Instead of pursuing a career as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, Quinn chooses psychology early in her career and collaborates with the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD). This shift in her profession dramatically influences her viewpoint on the Joker. In “Criminal Sanity,” she’s no longer focused on assisting the Joker in resolving his mental health problems. Instead, she’s dedicated to comprehending his thought processes and actions. Her new focus is geared towards providing the police with insights about how he might commit further crimes and helping the GCPD capture him before more innocent lives are lost due to his devious plans.

The story unfolds as a captivating crime drama, taking place in Gotham City without Batman. Although the narrative doesn’t extend to when Harley and the Joker become notorious, Garcia skillfully implies that these two characters harbor deeply obsessive natures, hinting at an impending “mental convergence.” In light of how Harley is portrayed in this series, given her background, this mental convergence would expose the Joker’s manipulative prowess and reveal just how much Harley might have descended. It’s clear that the series left many viewers yearning for more of the intriguing Harley/Joker psychological dance it began to explore.

Malicious Intent is a Sequel That Stands up on its Own

It’s not surprising that a sequel to “Criminal Sanity” is in the works, given the enthusiasm of fans who eagerly anticipate the continuation of Harley and Joker’s tale following their last encounter. The buzz around this new series is particularly high due to the involvement of many key creative team members from the original series. However, based on what has been disclosed so far, it seems that before Harley and Joker reconnect, a more ominous threat seems to be emerging – one that she must deal with first.

Following DC Comics’ narrative, Malicious Intent unfolds a year after the culmination of Criminal Sanity. In this story, Harley Quinn assisted the GCPD in capturing a brilliantly insane serial killer whom she suspected was connected to her roommate’s death from years past. Now, Harley is committed to locating and preventing heinous crimes within the city, but instead of collaborating with the GCPD, she functions as an independent consultant. However, when grisly crimes in Gotham suggest the Joker might have escaped, despite Dr. Jonathan Crane’s assertions that it isn’t him, Harley decides to partner up with her less orthodox allies. This move is intended to enhance her autonomy and privacy.

The upcoming DC Comics release, titled “Joker/Harley: Malicious Intent“, promises to be one of the most captivating stories of 2025. This sequel not only keeps us hooked but also hints at another daring exploration of the darkest corners of comic book romance between Harley and the Joker. While “Criminal Sanity” showcased Harley’s intelligence in outsmarting the Joker, “Malicious Intent” could reveal how her determination to solve crimes might inadvertently lead her back into his madness. Fortunately, the series stands strong on its own, allowing both new and old fans to jump right into “Malicious Intent“. The psychological depth of the story is already proving to be a significant appeal for comic enthusiasts.

Joker/Harley: Malicious Intent will be available from DC Comics on October 8, 2025.

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2025-07-30 17:40

Criminal Sanity Was a Harley Quinn Story Like No Other

Malicious Intent is a Sequel That Stands up on its Own

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