There are many reasons why a person might turn to crime. Harley Quinn understands this better than most, as a psychologist who became a criminal for what she thought was love. However, there is no common X-factor for what separates the common clay of criminal from the supervillains. who make a production out of their evil.
The preview of Harley Quinn 2024 Annual #1 by Erica Henderson offers some insight into this question. The preview shows Harl and her gang doing the unthinkable, executing a bank heist with total secrecy and no advertisement as to who was responsible. This leads her to the biggest payday of her criminal career and a decision to try being a normal person, for a change of pace. It also leads her to take a cruise, and an high-seas adventure with the magician Zatanna.
The main cover and first seven pages can be viewed below.
Harley Quinn Thinks Being a Supervillain is Fun
Despite her heist, Harley Quinn finds little happiness in the wealth that comes with success. She also quickly grows bored living a basic life, even a basic life of luxury. This leads her to the realization that, for her at least, there is no point to being a criminal without an element of fun. While she might be more successful operating with a low-profile, Harl would rather act out and make her getaway on a parade float than hack a server and steal billions.
While few comics have explored this idea, it is fair to say that most supervillains feel the same way as Harley Quinn. Even the more serious criminals, like Captain Cold, freely admit they could make more money selling their advanced technology than they ever could robbing banks. For supervillains, however, the call to crime is always about more than mere money. It may be respect they are after. Or they may seek love. They may even, in the case of Harley Quinn, just want to have fun.
Harley Quinn 2024 Annual #1 arrives on-line and in comic shops everywhere on April 30, 2024.
