Writer Sam Humphries has visited characters populating DC Comics’ Gotham City and outer space before, penning tales for Nightwing and Green Lanterns. This July, Humphries looks to do a bit of both, taking over the writing chores of Harley Quinn with issue #45.

As revealed via a DC press release, Humphries is taking Harley to the Fourth World, given superpowers by Apokolips’ Granny Goodness in exchange for hunting down one of Granny’s rogue Female Furies. Whether that’s a misstep on Harley’s or Granny’s part remains to be seen, as neither character is one to be trifled with.

Regardless, Humphries promises, Apokolips is only the beginning for the ever-unpredictable Ms. Quinn. And it’s a good way for Humphries to differentiate from Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s epic run, while forging his own path. Either way, we’re in.

Harley Quinn #45 hits comic shops this July.

From the official press release:

This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the Clown Princess of Crime, Harley Quinn, with the creative team of writer Sam Humphries (GREEN LANTERNS, NIGHTWING) and fan-favorite Harley Quinn artist John Timms taking DC’s Maid of Mischief to Jack Kirby’s Fourth World and back.

“The biggest question, and the biggest challenge for Harley, is defining if she’s a hero or a villain,” says Humphries on his new assignment. “But why can’t she be both? Or is there a third choice to explore? My vision for the book is ‘What if Bugs Bunny were a chainsaw, hosting Anthony Bourdain’s show, but in the DC Universe?’ In our first three-issue story arc, John Timms and I are going to bring the crazy Kirby Krackle to HARLEY QUINN—focusing on the manic energy that made us cheer for her and the tragic emotions that made us fall in love with her.”

Beginning July 4 with HARLEY QUINN #45, Humphries and Timms have Harley kidnapped by two Female Furies from Apokolips, who deliver her to one of Darkseid’s Elite, Granny Goodness, with an offer she can’t refuse: join the Furies, get superpowers and do anything she wants! It’s a sweet deal, and all Harley needs to do in return is hunt down a rogue Fury!

“Harley Quinn does and says the things we all wish we could get away with,” continues Humphries. “She’s the embodiment of wish fulfillment. Harley is a wild card, and she’s a survivor; two things we all want to be at different times of the day. And Apokolips is just the beginning of our plans for Harley. No one in the DCU will be safe from Harley Quinn.”

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Managing Editor

Jed W. Keith is managing editor for FreakSugar and has been a writer with the site since its start in 2014. He’s a pop culture writer, social media coordinator, PR writer, and technical and educational writer for a variety of companies and organizations. Currently, Jed writes for FreakSugar, coordinates social media for Rocketship Entertainment and GT Races, and writes press copy and pop culture articles for a variety of companies and outlets. His work can also be seen in press releases for the Master Musicians Festival, a Kentucky event that drawn acts such as Willie Nelson, the Counting Crows, Steve Earle, and Wynona Judd. His work was featured in the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con convention book for his interview with comic creator Mike Mignola about the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of Hellboy. Jed also does his best to educate the next generation of pop culture enthusiasts, teaching social studies classes--including History Through Film--to high school students.