Absolute Batman #22 reveals that the new Harley Quinn is the daughter of Jack Grimm, the Absolute Joker.
Absolute Batman #22 hit comic book stores today, revealing a shocking new origin for Harley Quinn. The issue confirms that this version of Harley, an ally to Batman in the Absolute reality, is the biological daughter of Jack Grimm, known as the Absolute Joker. This significant plot twist was revealed.
The narrative details Harley's mother as a neurologist whose professional interest in Jack Grimm's activities at Ark M evolved into a dangerous obsession. Grimm was known for creating monstrous entities within the facility, drawing her deeper into his dark world.
Harley, named after her mother, spent much of her childhood neglected, often playing alone with a toy mallet. At the age of 12, desperate to help her increasingly consumed mother, she embarked on a search to find her father, hoping he could intervene.
Her quest led her to a hidden entrance within their own home, which opened into Ark M. There, she discovered her mother, now corrupted by Grimm and covered in blood, eerily resembling the classic Harley Quinn from Batman: The Animated Series.
The dramatic reveal culminated when Jack Grimm himself appeared, declaring to the young Harley that he was her true father. This revelation fundamentally redefines the character's relationship with the villain and the broader Absolute Universe.
This new Absolute Harley Quinn draws a loose parallel to Duela Dent, a Teen Titans member who also believed herself to be the Joker's daughter. Grimm even uses the familiar term "Pudding" when addressing the older Harley, a direct nod to the mainstream DC Universe.
The revelation provides a clear motive for Harley Quinn's intense animosity towards Grimm, setting a new trajectory for her role in Batman's ongoing conflict with the demon-like villain. The issue also hints at future appearances of other classic rogues, including a grotesque Calendar Man.
