WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #6!
As two of DC’s most infamous villains, Harley Quinn and the Joker have appeared in numerous Elseworlds tales, each time receiving a variety of wild and iconic redesigns. However, the Gotham by Gaslight universe may have delivered their most daring reinvention yet, while also laying the groundwork for one of the most unique iterations of the Suicide Squad to date.
Joker’s transformation into a horse introduces a surprisingly fresh take on the duo’s dynamic.
Andy Diggle, Leandro Fernández, Matt Hollingsworth, and Simon Bowland’s Batman: Gotham by Gaslight sequel—Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age—has given a plethora of DC’s most iconic characters a 19th-century-inspired twist.
While the spotlight has primarily been on the heroes—such as Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Martian Manhunter, and John Constantine—fans have also been treated to the introductions of some of the DCU’s most legendary villains. Among the most notable are Lex Luthor, Talia al Ghul, Catwoman, Joker, and Harley Quinn. However, it’s the Joker and Harley Quinn who truly stand out, thanks to their wildly inventive redesigns.
Harley Quinn Becomes the Ringleader of a Criminal-Filled Traveling Circus (& Joker Is Her Show Horse)
Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #6 Debuts One of Harley and Joker’s Best Elseworlds Redesigns Yet
Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #6 stunned fans with the debut of Harley Quinn and the Joker in the Gotham by Gaslight universe, presenting wildly unconventional takes on these iconic characters. The Joker, instead of being the infamous clown prince of crime, is reimagined as a majestic show horse. Though the horse isn’t explicitly called “Joker,” its unmistakable design—featuring a bleach-white coat, a vibrant green mane and tail, and bold red markings reminiscent of the Joker’s signature makeup—leaves no doubt about its inspiration.
Harley Quinn’s redesign, while less drastic than the Joker’s, still stands out as a perfect fit for the Gotham by Gaslight universe’s 19th-century aesthetic. She’s depicted in a vibrant red saloon dress, paired with matching high-heeled boots, gloves, and black fishnet stockings. Accessories like a black choker necklace and a tiny red top hat complete the look. Adding to the flair, Harley wears mime-like face makeup, though her larger-than-life personality in this Elseworlds tale is anything but silent or reserved.
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Gotham by Gaslight Gives Task Force X Its Most Unique Twist Yet
Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Joker, El Diablo, Deadshot, Slipknot, & Copperhead Form DC’s New Suicide Squad
Despite her mime-like makeup, Harley Quinn takes on perhaps the most talkative and commanding role within the traveling circus: the ringleader. This is evident as she captivates the audience, introducing each act with dramatic flair. Additionally, the other villains in the circus defer to her authority, solidifying her role as their leader. Among the villains featured in “Harley Quinn’s Wildest of the Wild West Extravaganzas” are Killer Croc, El Diablo, Deadshot, Slipknot, and Copperhead. With such a lineup, it’s hard not to view this as Gotham by Gaslight’s version of the Suicide Squad.
The Suicide Squad has seen countless team rosters over the years, but this may mark the first time Task Force X has been reimagined within an Elseworlds storyline, making it especially noteworthy. While this group isn’t explicitly called the Suicide Squad and there’s no sign of Amanda Waller, every villain featured in Harley’s circus has been part of some iteration of Task Force X at some point. The lack of the official Suicide Squad label in The Kryptonian Age #6 doesn’t rule out the possibility that they will adopt the title as the story continues in 2025’s Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice.
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The Gotham by Gaslight Universe Gives Harley Quinn & Joker a Refreshing Dynamic Change
The Best Part About Horse-Joker Is That He Can’t Talk
The potential introduction of an Elseworlds Suicide Squad is undeniably thrilling, but Harley Quinn and Joker undeniably steal the spotlight in this reveal. Joker’s transformation into a horse in the Gotham by Gaslight series may seem like a humorous choice by Andy Diggle and Leandro Fernández, but it also introduces a surprisingly fresh take on the duo’s dynamic. In mainstream continuity, while Harley and Joker have long been separated, their past interactions—defined by Joker’s domineering personality—remain vivid in fans’ minds. By reimagining Harley as the ringleader and Joker as her showhorse, the creative team has completely flipped the script on their usual relationship.
Harley is now the one in control, calling the shots, while Joker—silent and obedient—stands in stark contrast to his typical portrayal. It’s especially amusing that Diggle and Fernández chose to strip the Clown Prince of Crime of one of his most defining traits: his constant chatter and maniacal laughter. By making Joker a horse, they’ve not only redefined his dynamic with Harley but also completely reinvented his character in an unprecedented way. To say the least, Gotham by Gaslight’s Batman may very well be the luckiest Dark Knight in the multiverse when it comes to his Joker counterpart.
The Best Harley Quinn & Joker Elseworlds Redesigns in the DCU
Dark Knights of Steel, Gotham City Garage, DC Bombshells, and White Knight All Give Harley Quinn & Joker Major Redesigns
The Gotham by Gaslight series has given Harley Quinn and Joker one of their most unique—and, in Joker’s case, wildest—redesigns to date. However, this isn’t the first time the duo has undergone dramatic makeovers that deviate significantly from their main continuity appearances. In White Knight, for example, Joker and Harley are reimagined as extraordinarily average, everyday people. Meanwhile, DC Bombshells transports them to the 1940s, offering vintage-inspired designs, and Gotham City Garage places the pair in a gritty, biker-themed, post-apocalyptic world. Finally, in Dark Knights of Steel, both Harley Quinn and Joker embrace high-fantasy, medieval aesthetics, showcasing yet another imaginative take on their iconic personas.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #6 is available now from DC Comics!
