In this review of Harley Quinn #60, there’s a new protector of Throatcutter Hill, a masked vigilante cloaked in darkness, cynicism, angst (and a homemade batsuit). Are you ready for the dynamic debut of Batquinn?
Harley Quinn #60 main cover by Ted Brandt and Ro Stein (DC Comics)
HARLEY QUINN #60
Written by ELLIOTT KALAN
Art by CARLOS OLIVERAS
Main Cover by BRANDT & STEIN
Variant Covers: DAVID NAKAYAMA, GUILLEM MARCH, ASET KAIRAMBAYEV, JORGE JIMENEZ, LEIRIX
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 3/25/26
This review contains spoilers
Harley Quinn #60 begins not with the wild and absurd antics of the anti-hero of Throatcutter Hill, but with a dark and gritty inner monologue of Batquinn who patrols the neighborhood looking for criminals to violently pummel. Batquinn tries to keep it grim and gritty as she patrols for crime. She encounters Harley Quinn’s friends as she prowls the rooftops, but insists that she is Batquinn, a serious crimefighter.
Batquinn responds to a nearby bank alarm and (literally) crashes and stumbles her way inside, where she is confronted by social activist/criminal Penny Plunderer (not to be confused with the supervillain Penny Plunderer, that’s her dad). The teenage nepo baby has taken it upon herself to confront the system by making a sizable and illegal withdrawal from the local bank.
Both women throw down, exhibiting a dazzling array of acrobatics and fighting skills, but the brawl is interrupted by the unexpected (and unexpectedly superpowered) Chicken Fingers. Despite his grievous injury last issue, Chicken Fingers was apparently healed after absorbing Harley Quinn’s excess Alpha Energy she gained during the King Omega event, and he now patrols the neighborhood as a superpowered paragon of justice and fair play.
She is vengeance… right? (DC Comics)
Chicken Fingers unleashes his chicken-based superpowers against Penny and her gang of “One-Centers”, but Batquinn tells him to back off. Batquinn finally gets the upper hand and is prepared to deliver brutal justice against the teen felon, Chicken Fingers intervenes once again, appealing to her humanity. Frustrated and confused, Batquinn takes off, as her sense of purpose and identity crisis is in full meltdown mode.
Harley Quinn #60 ends as Batquinn arrives at Harley’s apartment building seeking refuge. She knocks on landlady Mrs. Grimaldi’s door, and to her surprise, Harleen Quinzel answers.
Analysis
Harley Quinn #60 was a masterclass in misdirection and satire. Writer Elliot Kalan nails Frank Miller’s classic “grim and gritty” vigilante tropes, seeding it with clever one-liners, while unfolding an inner monologue that explores Batquinn’s insecurity and lack of confidence. “Batquinn” struggles to stay on message, and for a while it appears that it’s just Harley trying out a new gimmick or life hack, but in Harley Quinn #60, Harley Quinn is nowhere to be found.
The unexpected Batquinn/Harleen Quinzel revelation raises some intriguing questions, not the least of which is how did this happen? And where is Harley? Her new friends have settled into Throatcutter Hill in the aftermath of the recent Deconspirator chaos (and the cross-country road trip/kidnapping). But they are under the mistaken belief that Batquinn is just Harley trying out a new gimmick.
The Chicken Fingers reveal is another wild twist that offers relief for fans concerned over his recent attack while also summarizing Harley’s time away during the King Omega event (she came back with Alpha energy powers). Penny Plunderer adds a welcome bit of absurdity with her radical social activism, and her mix of light and color plays in stark contrast to Batquinn’s dark and brooding hero vibe.
Carlos Olivares appears to revel in the opportunity to recreate the edgy “street level” vigilante tropes that embody Batquinn’s dedication to “serious” crime fighting, whether through dramatic camera angles, contorted figure posing, heavy use of shadow and scowls. Olivares still brings the brighter, chaotic energy typical of the series in Batquinn’s battle with Penny, displaying a dazzling array of dynamic action in the fight scenes.
Final Thoughts
Harley Quinn #60 delivers more fun, action, humor and gorgeous artwork. The mystery of Batquinn raises questions while effectively satirizing the popular dark hero tropes with a distinct Harley Quinn vibe.
