Warning: SPOILERS for Batman: Curse of the White Knight

They say opposites attract, and what comic book pair could be more opposite than Batman and Harley Quinn? Though the two share a long history of walloping each other on rooftops, in Sean Gordon Murphy’s book Batman: Curse of the White Knight, the Caped Crusader, and the Clown Queen find themselves falling in love with each other.

Wrapping up his second installment in the White Knight universe, Murphy finally delivered what he had been teasing for months on Twitter, a romance between Bruce Wayne and Harley Quinn. Forced into recruiting Harley to help him uncover a cataclysmic plot hatched by her old boyfriend, the Joker, Batman gains her trust by unmasking (figuratively and literally) in front of her. And after several issues of Harley flirting and dropping not-so-subtle hints, the two finally admit to seeing each other as more than just crime-fighting partners.

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Taking place outside regular DC canon, Murphy’s White Knight universe doesn’t hesitate from taking bold liberties with the Batman mythology. For starters, he kills off members of the Bat-family – George R.R. Martin style. And it’s not just Batman’s allies who get axed. In a shocking upset, Harley finally kills the Joker after the Clown Prince kidnaps their twins (whom Batman previously delivered in the bowels of Arkham Asylum). But through all the tragedy and pain, Bruce and Harley manage to keep each other sane in touching scenes that showcase Harley’s intellect and Batman’s compassion.

And although the series isn’t afraid to take liberties with the source material, it also takes a lot of inspiration from Batman: The Animated Series. While investigating clues in Arkham, Harley brings up a dress Batman once bought for her, referencing the episode “Harley’s Holiday,” where the Dark Knight bought her a dress she mistakenly believed she was being accused of stealing. From that moment on, Harley and Bruce’s relationship evolves from being reluctant allies to full-on romantic partners.

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In a rather heartbreaking scene in the finale issue of Curse of the White Knight, Harley attempts to free Bruce after he turns himself in to the police. Bruce refuses her help, but thanks her for stopping him from completely breaking and falling into darkness. Before departing, Bruce presses his hand against the windshield of the police cruiser escorting him to county lockup, and Harley draws a heart on the glass with the falling rainwater.

On paper, a relationship between Harley Quinn and Batman sounds unlikely. But Murphy does a great job at developing their dynamic over the course of Curse of the White Knight. Harley is famously attracted to intense personalities, and it’s not unthinkable to assume some of her old boyfriend’s infatuation with Batman subconsciously rubbed off on her. And in a universe that has yet to introduce Catwoman, Bruce needs a shoulder to lean on in moments of weakness – and Murphy is great at bringing Bats down a peg. With DC already planning to expand the “Murphyverse” even further, it will be interesting to see where he takes the Bat-Quinn relationship.

Batman: Curse of the White Knight is available now.

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About The Author


Dorian Reyes Black
(92 Articles Published)

Dorian Reyes Black is a writer for the comic book news section for Screen Rant. Having attended San Diego Comic-Con every year since 2004, he stays current on all the latest news relating to the world of superheroes, science fiction, and high fantasy. Aside from comics, Dorian also has a passion for filmmaking, having graduated with a degree in Film and Electronic Arts from CSULB with an emphasis in production. He wrote, directed, and produced his first feature while still in college, has worked on several television pilots, and even appears in Jon Schnepp’s endearing documentary The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened? Dorian is currently a pop-culture news host for Nerdbot Media and a contributor for Nightmarish Conjurings.

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An avid cosplayer, Dorian Black can be found throughout social media hosting and managing events while masquerading as Batman, Superman, Pin-Head, Casey Jones, and SHAZAM (yes, the character’s real name is Captain Marvel). He has experienced some of the wildest nerd nightlife that America has to offer, meeting some truly talented fandom-inspired innovators in the entertainment industry along the way. When Dorian is not on the clock, he is also a big fan of photography—behind the camera, in front of the camera, and photo editing on his tablet.

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