Contains minor spoilers forHarley Quinn #40!
Summary
Joel Schumacher’sBatman & Robinhas long been the subject of criticism, even by DC itself recently inHarley Quinn #40.The newly released issue sees the titular antiheroine engaged in a new professional with Mr. Freeze as an educator for his latest recruits. The iconic Gotham villain is ready for a change in the way he works with his henchmen, especially considering the type of help he hired in DC’s cinematic universes.
Harley Quinn #40has the creative team of Tini Howard, Natacha Bustos, Nick Filardi, and Steve Wands for the story, “Big Freezy.” Within this foray,Harley is tasked with trainingHarmada and Vampire Squid, the latest additions to Mr. Freeze’s icy group. While this is a big turn for the issue’s protagonist, it also marks a key moment for Victor Freeze.
Mr. Freeze has been one of the most lackluster villains when it came to cinematic debuts inBatman & Robin (1997). His ice puns and design have been highly ridiculed, diverging greatly from his comic and animated iterations where he is very serious about his goals.
Harley Quinn Can Officially Control The Fifth-Dimension, Making Her 1 of DC’s Most Powerful Beings
Sorry, Mister Mxyzptlk, but DCU’s previous power hierarchy has just crumbled in light of Harley Quinn OFFICIALLY controlling the fifth-dimension.
Mr. Freeze Shines Brighter Outside ofBatman & Robin
Harley Quinn’s Assistance Could Improve His Villainous Operation
Batman & Robinalso notably featured several goons for Mr. Freeze to aid him with his villainous plots and takedown of Batman. These henchmen were dressed in hockey masks, skated around on ice, and carried hockey sticks. Overall, they weren’t the most fearsome crew - andMr. Freeze knows and acknowledgesthis inHarley Quinn #40. When having a discussion with Harley about her new role, he reflects on his high standards saying, “I have a reputation of excellence to protect. I won’t fund idiots in hockey masks acting foolish.” The notorious Gotham villain acknowledges how absurd that idea was and refuses to repeat the mistake.
Mr. Freeze has long been definedby the heart underneath his cold exterior. While he is a villain capable of evil schemes, it all stems from his desire and often inability to rescue his wife from an illness. This has been a structural backbone for many of his stories and is rooted in very serious themes. As a result, hisBatman & Robinappearance and approach are very out of character for him - as are the henchmen he hired. Now, he has acknowledged that a man of his reputation needs more effective help to maintain his serious persona and villainous goals - especially with the new direction he’s headed in.
One of Gotham’s Best Villains Deserved Better
“I have a reputation of excellence to protect. I won’t fund idiots in hockey masks acting foolish.”
Of all the thingsBatman & Robinhas been criticized for, its handling of Mr. Freeze is one of its most egregious mistakes. The serious nature of the villain is almost completely lost. It was a caricature of the comic villain and though it had some elements of the heart behind him, it largely failed to deliver the true threat he is. Hockey gear-clad henchmen aren’t the kind of help that he needs to achieve his biggest goals. AsHarley Quinn enters her new era, it is clear that Mr. Freeze is leaving hisBatman & Robinera in the past with his current approach and newly gained goal.
Batman & Robin
Cast
Serving as the fourth and final installment in Warner Bros.’s original Batman movie series, Batman & Robin sees the caped crusader and his faithful sidekick come up against Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane. The movie also marks the on-screen debut of Batgirl, who is played by American actress Alicia Silverstone.
