Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy Meet Betty and Veronica in Unexpected Crossover Comic

07/06/2017 04:11 pm EDT

It turns out Gotham City and Riverdale are within driving distance of one another -- a fact that will apparently make for an unlikely crossover when Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy meet Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge this fall.

Earlier today, DC Entertainment and Archie Comics announced Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veroncia from writers Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko, and featuring art by Laura Braga.

"It's the sort of offer you scream out 'YES!' to before your eyes reach the middle of the email," said Dini, who created Harley and is currently at work on Batman & Harley Quinn, the next DC Universe animated feature film. "I've always wanted the chance to play in Riverdale, and to help Harley and Ivy invade it is a dream come true. Marc's a great talent and a good friend. Writing this series with him has been like sitting on the lawn during summer vacation and reading a big pile of DC and Archie comics. Except we have to stay indoors and type a lot."

"When I got the call for this, I was in disbelief!" said Andreyko. "Getting to co-write with Paul on a series bringing four of the most iconic ladies in comics together under one roof for the first time? This must be what winning the lottery feels like! I cannot wait for readers to see what mischief Paul, Laura and I have dreamed up!"

Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1 is on sale October 4, 2017. Cover is by Amanda Conner (shown) and variant cover will be by Adam Hughes, who just recently wrapped his run on Betty & Veronica.

"It's going to be a blast to bring these amazing ladies together in this once-in-a-lifetime crossover," said Braga. "Each character is different and special. While Harley is one of my favorite characters ever, Betty and Veronica are giving her a run for her money! I love all these ladies, and this book is going to be non-stop fun. "

It's an interesting time for these characters: while Harley Quinn is one of DC's most lucrative brands, with a best-selling comic, an appearance in the hit Suicide Squad movie and a key role in the Suicide Squad comic as well, Betty & Veronica recently concluded. One might have thought that was just because Hughes, a perennial best-selling artist, left the title...but over in Archie, Betty flatlined at the end of the most recent issue following a life-threatening car accident.

...Maybe we'll find out that the encounter with the antiheroines of the DC Universe is all some kind of strange, elaborate coma dream?

"Betty and Veronica are the most iconic friends in comic book history, and now, thanks in no small part to the success of the Riverdale TV show, in pop culture," said Archie Comics Publisher/CEO Jon Goldwater. "It made tons of sense to have them crossover with DC's own female powerhouses, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. What you'll get is a fun story that honors the history of both pairs and adds to it - which is what all great crossovers do. We're excited by this partnership and we can't wait for the fans to see what Paul, Marc and Laura cook up."

"Two of comics' coolest villains paired with two of comics' hottest icons are what cross-publisher team-ups were made for," said DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras.

You can check out the official teaser text for the project below.

It all starts this October as these teams of best gal pals cross paths between Gotham and Riverdale!

HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA starts with a plan for free college tuition for all Riverdale residents. The town just needs to build a new campus by draining the wetlands that lie between Riverdale and Gotham City.

The only snag? A certain botany-obsessed super-villain.

When Poison Ivy enlists her bestie Harley to kidnap both Veronica Lodge, daughter of Riverdale's most important citizen, and her friend Betty, she's counting on some assistance—and mayhem. Are these two teams of BFF's headed for disaster?

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