Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman Returns to Keatonverse Continuity with New Connection to ‘Madonna’ Harley Quinn

Warning: Contains spoilers for Batman ‘89: Echoes #4!DC’s “Keatonverse” continues to be fleshed out and deviate from classic DC Comics lore, with an evolving re-imagined origin for Harley Quinn. Revealed in a new preview, Michelle Pfeiffer’s version of Catwoman officially has ties to the Madonna-inspired Dr. Harleen Quinzel, as two of Gotham’s fiercest villains establish their relationship in the Batman ‘89 universe, meaning the Tim Burton-inspired world could introduce its own Gotham City Sirens.

The preview for Batman ‘89: Echoes #4 – written by Sam Hamm with art by Joe Quinones – follows up on Bruce Wayne’s adventures while infiltrating Arkham undercover. Concurrently, it’s revealed that Dr. Quinzel has been providing therapy for Selina Kyle, and suddenly wants to halt their sessions to focus on her new TV show.

With this new take on Harley Quinn lore, Catwoman becomes even more integral to the fabric of this DC Universe, as she returns to the Batman ‘89-verse. Since Selina inspired Harleen’s persona therapy here, she takes the Joker’s place as her first major villain patient.

Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman Joins Madonna’s Harley Quinn In DC’s “Keatonverse”

Batman ‘89: Echoes #4 – Written By Sam Hamm; Art By Joe Quinones, Leonardo Ito, & Carlos M. Mangual

Since Jack Nicholson’s version of the Joker dies in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), the Keatonverse’s Harley Quinn was bound to undergo some changes from her most common origin as initially a love interest for the Clown Prince of Crime. The sequel comic finally cast Madonna as the iconic character and gives her an all-new story, now linked with a Catwoman based on Michelle Pfeiffer’s legendary portrayal of Selina Kyle.As a therapist turned TV host that specializes in persona therapy relating to the superheroes and villains of the world, this version of Harley had seemingly never met this universe’s Joker.

The Keatonverse’s Selina Kyle being established as an important part of Harley’s origin is a well-deserved upgrade for the character, who has been absent for most of the Echoes series thus far. Though Harley still takes inspiration from the Jack Napier incarnation of Joker, Selina makes it crystal clear in the Batman ‘89: Echoes #4 preview that the idea of this persona-based therapy was inspired by her; since Harleen also has ties to the Scarecrow, it seems her corruption into the villainous Harley Quinn will make her a major player with strong connections in this Batman’s growing rogues gallery.

The Keatonverse Version Of DC’s Iconic Gotham City Sirens Could Be Slowly Assembling

Batman ‘89: Echoes #4 – Available September 11, 2024

With Catwoman and Harley linking up in this Keatonverse story, the only thing missing to create a new version of the Gotham City Sirens is their very own Poison Ivy. Pamela Isley is one of Batman’s quintessential villains, and would fit perfectly in the world created by Tim Burton and later fleshed out in the Batman ’89 comics. As a trio that fans love to see unite, it would be fascinating for this universe to have its own incarnation of the Gotham City Sirens, with another acclaimed performer rounding out the group and taking on Keaton’s version of Batman together.

Though Poison Ivy was played by Uma Thurman in Batman & Robin (1997), the only films canon to Batman ‘89 are Tim Burton’s films and not the two follow-ups directed by Joel Schumacher. This is proven by their version of Two-Face resembling actor Billy Dee Williams, the original film’s Harvey Dent. Since the Echoes follow-up has seen many of Batman’s villains resembling comedians of the time, perhaps a comedy legend and Burton film alumnus like Catherine O’Hara could appear as the incredible plant-powered supervillain. A depiction of O’Hara would fit beautifully alongside Pfeiffer and Madonna as this universe’s Gotham City Sirens.

DC Comics Knows Michelle Pfeiffer’s “Catwoman ‘92” Is Worthy Of Further Expansion

DC Should Continue Expanding The Keatonverse

Without question, Pfeiffer’s Selina Kyle is more than deserving of more comic appearances, or even her own spin-off series. She almost got her own movie follow-up after being the true standout in Batman Returns (1992), but that version of the character never actually returned until the Batman ’89 comic. Aside from the new development with Harley Quinn raising her status, Catwoman isn’t as heavily featured in the series as she could be, so it would be wonderful for DC Comics to flesh out the Catwoman ‘92 story and develop the Pfeiffer version of the character further.

Though Selina and Harleen seem to be sparring and butting heads in the preview for Batman ‘89: Echoes #4, the members of Batman’s rogues gallery of villains are known to bicker when working together for any reason. The two supervillains could either come together as a dastardly dynamic duo for a common enemy or utterly shake up the Keatonverse as they go to battle with each other. This version of the Batman universe and its lore will never be the same as Harley Quinn and Catwoman collide as enemies or work together as viciously fierce allies.