Harley Quinn Had Her Own ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Christmas Experience

The holidays are the most magical time of the year, but they can also be a period of depression for those missing loved ones or going through difficult times. And comic book characters are no exception. In DC Comics’ recent holiday one-shot DC’s Very Merry Multiverse, the lovable anti-hero Harley Quinn finds herself enduring just such a Christmas funk. Right before she can commit Yuletide suicide, the Multiverse borrows a page from classic Christmas cinema and sends an angel-in-training to teach Harley Quinn that it’s a wonderful life after all.

For fans who may be unfamiliar, It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 film produced and directed by Frank Capra and starring legendary screen actor Jimmy Stewart. The film tells the story of George Bailey, an adventurous young man who sacrifices his dream of seeing the world to run the family business. The business in question is a loan institution that provides financial assistance to those who wish to own a home but can’t afford one. When an innocent accounting error lands this philanthropic venture in dire straits, George decides that the world would be better off without him. Just as George is about to jump off the nearest bridge, Clarence the Angel arrives to show him the error of his ways. So what does any of this have to do with Harley?

Harley’s halls are also decked with depression. None of her villainous besties are able to visit this year and the usual holiday hijinks aren’t putting her in the Christmas spirit anymore. Like George Bailey, Harleen Quinzel has decided to shuffle off this mortal coil. Harley climbs to the roof of one of Gotham’s taller buildings and is just about to jump when Layma shows up. Layma is the long-forgotten third Wonder Twin (triplet?) who now serves as an angel-in-training just like Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life. But whereas Clarence shows George how terrible the world would be without him, Layma reveals the unfortunate alternate Earths that must exist sans Harley.

DC’s Very Merry Multiverse is a compilation of holiday stories assembled by a Who’s Who of superstar creators. Harley Quinn’s “It’s a Horrible Life!” is written by Paul Scheer and Nick Giovanetti with art by Steve Lieber and Marissa Louise. Harley was created for Batman: the Animated Series in 1992 but quickly became a comic book favorite. Historically, Batman: TAS has been set in Earth 12 of the Multiverse, but Layma’s travel itinerary doesn’t include this planet, likely because a version of Harley exists there.

The two of them instead visit such Harley-less universes as Earth 42, 50, 45, and 33. In one universe in which Harley had never been born, the Joker turned to a life of family-friendly clowning. In another, Harleen had ditched the criminal business altogether and become a successful realtor. These visions prove to the Maiden of Mischief that the Multiverse can’t make it without her unique brand of mayhem. Harley abandons her attempts at suicide and embraces her chaotic Christmas spirit.

All levity aside, what George Bailey and Harley Quinn are going through isn’t unusual. The Holidays are a difficult time of year for many. Clarence and Layma teach their charges that while life is often hard, it is always worth living. Thankfully, if the pressure of the Christmas season becomes too much to handle, there are organizations like the Suicide Prevention Lifeline that are happy to help. As Clarence reminds George in It’s a Wonderful Life: “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole.”

About The Author