Exclusive: SECRET ORIGINS #4 Solicitation Reveal

Could we get some characters who's origins we haven't already had?

@outside_85: this.

Maybe they'll clean up the Damian thing.

I'm really happy to see Ian Bertram getting more work.

Hohoho, so Green Arrow plays second string to Harley Quinn? Life is excellent.

Maybe they will finally explain how Damian Wayne coulr be a 10 year old robin if Bruce only started being batman 5 years ago

NOT THE JOKER

PLEASE!!!!

This series exists to fix continuity mistakes.

I was thinking that. This or they're already revamping character origins.

It's already been explained in a neat little chart DC released some time ago (solely for Batman's timeline). Talia received Bruce's DNA either in Year 1 or Year 2 of his career and then created Damien in the tubes but supercharged the growing process so that he was 10 years old instead of like 2 or 3.....at least I think that's what happened...*shrugs*

So since everyone hated Harleys villains month origin and the origin in the pages of Suicide Squad they decide third times a charm? At least Amanda and Jimmy are doing it this time.

This is the first issue that looks like it MIGHT be worth buying. MIGHT.

Looks like I'll buy this since I'm a huge fan of Green Arrow and Harley Quinn

oooh, Damian and Harley?! Argh, This is tempting.

I don't find that very comforting. But, hey, they'll at least probably do a better job than Glass and Kindt did with the origin.

DC should really just put Tom Taylor on Harley Quinn. He is the only writer who has nailed Harley's character perfectly since the start of the New 52. And it wasn't even in the main continuity. If any current writer at DC can clean up the mess that is Harley, it will be Taylor.

I'll check this out for Damian and Green Arrow. I definitely need more Damian.

Looks good.

@jasoninthewoods: From the Superman origin preview, I think that's a stretch. This book is for people jumping in to DC. Not really for long time readers.

Everyone keeps complaining about Harley's new look, but I actually like the design, especially the art in that cover.

I love these covers, might buy the series just for the amazing covers.

@master_thief:

"The latest explosive origins from DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 include Harley Quinn by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Stephane Roux; Green Arrow by Jeff Lemire, Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, and Damian, Son of Batman, by Peter J. Tomasi and Ian Bertram!"

I don't expect to see a Joker origin in here.

Could work both ways then.

I do not know so far I have liked the Harley Quinn solo book. They write her more like Dini did lots of lighthearted stuff mixed in with the chaotic. Compared to the crap we were given with Glass and Kindt where both writers had no idea how to write Harley or who she is as a character. Jimmy and Amanda have a grasp of that better then anyone so far in the new 52.

I have never read Injustice but I have read some of his Earth 2 which left a lot to be desired. What has Taylor done with Harley that you have liked so much?

Ugh that Harley costume has to die a horrible death she looks a hooker cosplaying as a heroine. I mean all they need is a speech bubble saying Looking for a good time sailor.

@arturocalakayvee: I don't think that's actually ever been officially the case. It's just been inferred and what us fans have come up with to try and justify this 5 year BS.

OP: Harley, Ollie, and Damian!? With each of the character's current writers behind it!? Count me in! There's too much pessimistic cynicism in this thread.

Palimotti and Conner have definitely done a better job with Harley than did anyone else in the New 52. And her solo series, from the first three issues that I read, was plenty fun. But I still don't feel like I'm reading a Harley Quinn series when I read it. It's not necessarily the writers' fault; they've been forced to use this flawed, Jokerized version of Harley Quinn that Glass created. But even so, I can't help but shake my head in disappointment whenever I read Harley's current series.

I recommend checking out Taylor's take on Harley if you get the chance and were a fan of Harley Pre-Flashpoint. He's got a nice mix of fun and capable, providing what is, in my opinion, the best depiction of Harley since Dini.

If you're interested, there are a few scans from some of Taylor's work here, along with a bit of my personal commentary on Harley:
http://www.comicvine.com/harley-quinn/4005-1696/forums/harley-quinn-a-comparative-study-of-modern-comics-1522333/#21

could we please try to sexualise harley even more, i mean the ridiculous unpractical outfit isn't enough, I think this cover needs even more fetish material!

.............just ignore me...........

@billy_cobb said:

I know i just hope theyre not gonna have joker in one of these secret origin stories

Will get this just because Damian's in it.

I think they have done the best they can do with what they were given. I see much more of the old Harley's personality in there work then I have in the past 3 years and seeing that people are reading this version might mean we get to see DC pull away from the terrible version that graced the pages of Suicide Squad. So I am happy with the new series because for the first time I am seeing a fun Harley that says little jokes and even when she kills people it is in a comedic loon tunes way kind of what Kessel did with Harley vision.

Harden the artist has done his best to soften that terrible redesign just the use of eye makeup instead of that silly black ink blot design they had on her face. Covering her up with short shorts instead of those booty shorts and losing that dumb ass collar and cape.

Yeah I am a huge Harley fan and have been in great pain for most of the new 52 so i will take a look at Taylor's work.

Very well written piece you have and I agree with many of the points. I guess I just see the new Harley Quinn series as a step in the right direction after so many stumbles with the new 52. New comic book readers have short memories if we can replace Glass's work and definitely Kindt's abomination with a more fun and humor centered Harley there may be some hope for her in the new 52. I just pray to God that in the new relaunching Suicide Squad they write her as her own character not as the female Joker.

@br_havoc: Fair enough. I do give Connor and Palimotti credit for making due with what they were given. But they still don't really give me what I want to see from Harls. And I fear that the relative popularity of their series might mean that these changes that have been made to the character since the New 52 will become permanent.

Harden is a great artist. I don't really care much about how Harley looks - I don't like her New 52 redesign, but I can deal with it if she is written properly - but Harden does do a great job of softening the blow of the design.

Hope you enjoy Taylor's take on the character if you get the chance to read ^^

Thank you. And I agree. That is the best and worst thing about comic books: things are subject to change (be it for better or for worse) via retcons and reboots more easily with this medium than with any other.

Morrison explained it years before that.

@supbatz: Well if it makes you feel any better I was talking to a writer of Batman Eternal ( PM Me if you want to know which one) at a Con and he was saying many of the same thing we are about the new 52 Harley Quinn and when I voiced my displeasure he said no change that is made in modern comics lasts. So when I take personal feelings out of it I know the new 52 is not built to last it is a quick fix that will be rebooted or crisised in 2 to 3 more years. Dini and Timm's Harley is infamous and will not be forgotten anytime soon as for the new 52 Harley if it was not for her Solo book she would be placed as a background character due to the poorness of her characterization much like the Titans.

No one likes the new 52 design but I feel Harden does Harley justice she is a little more classy lets say for lack of a better word.

Will do I might wait for a sale but I will read it.

Comics never stay the same but some things a woven into pop culture and will always return no matter how much this DC regime wants something "Bold" and different.

@br_havoc: That is actually a very comforting sentiment. Thanks for sharing what this writer said. Time may change characters in one way or another, but it's best to trust that the best aspects of each character will be brought back/maintained in the long run.

Cool.

Cool Harley, Green Arrow, and Robin. Glad to see these characters get a spotlight, but why not use this book to introduce new characters. Ray Palmer is becoming the Atom again in June. They could use this book to better introduce us to the Atom. I wouldn't mind seeing some origins of classic Doom Patrol characters so we could get a Doom Patrol soon. Have one big issue showcasing the origins of Elastigirl, Negative Man, and Mento (I know Beast Boy has already been introduced and I believe so has the Chief and Robotman).

So so far in secret origin we have had Dick, Tim, and now Damian getting in. Where is Jason? Jason is the best!

It's been confirmed by DC ala this photo:

Well....we weren't going for a realistic answer..we were looking for the comic book answer.

@arturocalakayvee: DC's actually taking steps to officiate an actual timeline in the New 52? Well butter my ass and serve me up with a plate of linguine! Has the world's axis turned upside down? I knew they were trying to do that with Secret Origins, didn't know they had gone that far. Where is that chart from? So Bruce only knew Damian for a year? That....kind of undermines their relationship.

This photo has been passed around The Vine for nearly a year, I believe. As for where it's from - DC's official Facebook page has uploaded it. Also, your post made me lol.

@arturocalakayvee: Interesting! I'm upset I never saw it earlier. It's pretty cool actually, and their description of Tim Drake is actual respectful of his character and makes me pretty happy. They're also implying that his name was already Tim Drake when he decided to track Batman down, instead of it being his witness protection name and all that BS like that POS "writer" Lobdell implied in Teen Titans #0.

What gets me is the "Batman disappears, presumed dead." Like lets expand on that DC.......

@arturocalakayvee: For sure. I'm glad they actually told us that though. Before we were just led to believe something like that had happened because we knew for a fact that Dick had been Batman, but we also knew Final Crisis didn't happen.

@arturocalakayvee said:

@jaken7 said:

@arturocalakayvee: I don't think that's actually ever been officially the case. It's just been inferred and what us fans have come up with to try and justify this 5 year BS.

OP: Harley, Ollie, and Damian!? With each of the character's current writers behind it!? Count me in! There's too much pessimistic cynicism in this thread.

It's been confirmed by DC ala this photo:

We need more of these.

Is it just me or does anyone else wish DC would have just been vague about their timeline?

Loving that art work, The Joker is in Harley's shadow...been saying that for years.

That is the comic book answer. Just accept flow with and enjoy. You don't need to know all.