The Next Best Thing to Normal
by Merlin Missy is a 2004 oneshot that takes place after Batman: The Animated Series.
The story is about Harley Quinn's son Jason and his childish understanding of his life. He's a smart kid but he's too young to understand that his mother and Aunt Pam are both former supervillains wanted by the law. The story takes place over several years and shows the everyday life of Jason and his abnormal family.
The Next Best Thing to Normal provides examples of:
- Alliterative Family: It's hinted that the Joker and his son Jason both have "J" names (with the Joker's name likely being "Jack").
- Disappeared Dad: Jason's father, the Joker, died before his birth.
- Honorary Uncle: Jason considers Poison Ivy to be his "Aunt Pam". He knows that Harley and Ivy are not sisters, but he doesn't understand the romantic nature of their relationship.
- Implied Love Interest: Despite Jason saying that Aunt Pam isn't his mom, it's implied that Poison Ivy is dating Harley.
- Kid Fic: The story takes place after Batman: The Animated Series and stars Harley's son, Jason.
- One-Steve Limit: The author's note clarifies that Harley's son isn't Jason Todd. They just share the same first name and, as a Mythology Gag, Jason sometimes goes by the surname "Todd".
