The original version of Harley Quinn and the Joker’s love story may not have aged well with every comic reader, but that’s the exact origin writer and artist Stjepan Šejić has re-imagined in the (mature) pages of Harleen from DC Black Label.

Diving directly into the themes and layers of attraction, isolation, loneliness, and madness that define DC’s craziest power couple, Harleen has given a new origin story to its titular heroine, without pulling any punches. Giving Harley Quinn her own life and history that make her a perfect target for Joker – and exactly the kind of woman he may also have been looking for – the story now approaches its conclusion with this week’s Harleen #3. And in our exclusive preview, Dr. Harleen Quinzel is putting herself on the couch to get to the bottom of her growing desires…

The book isn’t giving Harleen much hope to avoid her fate, having ignored the advice of every possible authority (including district attorney Harvey Dent). But Dr. Harleen Quinzel came to Arkham Asylum in search of a revolutionary and highly controversial cure to Gotham’s own affliction of ‘insanity.’ What she found was a new kind of Joker for DC fans to process, but one which blurred the lines between pleasure and pain, fear and ecstasy, and predator and prey. Now as she finds herself dreaming of Alice in Wonderland, and her irresistible “Mr. Jay,” Harley’s fate may be sealed. But that doesn’t mean fans aren’t eagerly anticipating seeing how Šejić’s story will come to its conclusion all the same. Assuming this really is just one story, and not the opening chapters of a much larger one. But that question can wait. For now, read on below for the official preview pages of Harleen #3:

The full issue will bring the Harleen series to a close when it arrives this Wednesday, December 18th. But until then readers can find the official plot synopsis and solicitation details below:

  • HARLEEN #3 (OF 3) Release Date: December 18th, 2019 Written by: Stjepan Šejić Art by: Stjepan Šejić Cover Art by: Stjepan Šejić In which our doomed doctor makes a choice she can never take back-one that seals her dark fate and gives rise to one of the most legendary villains of all time!

Harleen #3 will be available at your local comic book shop on December 18th, 2019.

MORE: Darth Vader’s Stalker is The Harley Quinn of Star Wars