DC has recently been reshaping iconicBatmanvillains, either by turning them into anti-heroes or making them less villainous than they once were. Characters like Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Deathstroke have all undergone this shift. Now, it seems that Two-Face might be following a similar trajectory, as DC starts to explore whether Harvey Dent should still be considered a villain at all.
…DC is serious about stripping one of Batman’s most notorious rogues of his villain title and setting him on a genuine path to redemption.
With a release date set for June 21, 2025,Christian Ward and Fábio Vera’sTwo-Face#5 will continue to follow Harvey as he battles his inner demons and gets put on trial himself.
This is especially intriguing, as the series has so far seen him return to his attorney roots, albeit with a twist—defending Gotham’s worst in the underworld court known as the White Church. However, issue #5 reveals that the trial Harvey is about to undergo is not in a courtroom, but within his own mind, as“Bad Harvey”and“Good Harvey”battle for control of his body.
Let’s Not Forget That Harvey Dent Was a Hero Before He Was a Villain
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Christian Ward forTwo-Face#3 (2025)
To fully grasp the significance of the battle between“Good Harvey”and“Bad Harvey,”it’s important to remember that Harvey Dent was once a hero, long before he became the villain known as Two-Face. Created by Bob Kane, Harvey made his first appearance inDetective Comics#66 (1942), where he was introduced as Gotham City’s district attorney, not as a notorious criminal. Harvey was once a moral and dedicated man, committed to justice, and worked alongside Batman. In this sense,Harvey was a white-collar hero—someone who fought for the greater good,but without a cape or mask.
However, everything changed when Harvey was horrifically disfigured by acid during a trial, leaving half of his face destroyed. This traumatic event caused his mental state to unravel, transforming him into the villain we know today as Two-Face. Obsessed with duality, Harvey began making decisions based on the flip of a coin, symbolizing the split between his two personalities. The conflict between“Good Harvey”and“Bad Harvey”reflects this split:Good Harvey represents the man he once was, the noble district attorney, while Bad Harvey embodies the chaotic, unhinged side of himthat’s now driven by twisted justice. It’s these two conflicting sides of his psyche that will clash for control inTwo-Face#5.
Two-Face’s New Place in DC Lore Turns Him into Batman’s New Nightmare
Dent’s dual identities collide as he embraces his lawyer roots in a way that promises to blur the line between hero and villain like never before.
Harvey Dent Is Slowly Returning to His Roots: Will He Leave Villainy Behind?
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Christian Ward forTwo-Face#1 (2024)
What has been particularly intriguing about Ward’sTwo-Faceseries is the way it portrays Harvey in a state that exists between his past as Gotham’s district attorney and his life as one of Batman’s most notorious villains. This creates a morally complex, in-between state for Harvey.The version of Harvey depicted in this series is perhaps the most morally gray we’ve seen in some time.While still deeply entrenched in Gotham’s criminal underworld, he is actively fighting the ‘Bad Harvey’ side of himself instead of fully embracing it. At the same time, he’s driven by the desire to reclaim his role as Gotham’s district attorney.
Though it remains uncertain whether this aspiration to return to his former position is realistically achievable—given his extensive criminal record—this seriespresents a Harvey who longs to become something more akin to the man he once was: a respected member of Gotham society rather than a terror. Furthermore,Harvey’s role as an attorney for Gotham’s underworldbrings him closer to his original roots, reminding readers of the man he used to be. While Harvey may never fully reclaim his status as a hero, he is beginning to feel less like a traditional villain, as he gradually shifts into more anti-villain or possibly even anti-hero territory.
Watch It, Batman. Two-Face Just Got His Own Robin
Two-Face is officially taking a page out of Batman’s book by recruiting a sidekick of his own—one whose origin parallels that of Tim Drake’s Robin.
What Will the Future of Two-Face Look Like If ‘Good Harvey’ Wins?
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Christian Ward forTwo-Face#2 (2025)
If Good Harvey triumphs in his battle against Bad Harvey, it could set the stage for Harvey to officially leave his villainous roots behind. This victory would allow him to maintain his sanity, preventing violent outbursts and criminal behavior, while also enabling him to continue pursuing his goal of reclaiming his position as Gotham’s district attorney. It may even make him more open to psychiatric help and rehabilitation. Hence, this issue could signal that DC is serious about stripping one ofBatman’smost notorious rogues of his villain title and setting him on a genuine path to redemption.
Face It: Two-Face’s Best Line Needs to Pop Up in the DCU
The first issue of Two-Face’s new solo series has dropped, and with it comes one of the Gotham Rogue’s best lines—deserving of a live-action debut.
