Harley Quinn has one of the most compelling character evolutions in the DC universe. She didn’t originate in comic books. Her first appearance ever was in a minor role in the episode “Joker’s Favor” on the show “Batman: the Animated Series,” which premiered in 1992. She was initially portrayed as the Joker’s sidekick and love interest and was intended to be a one episode character. However, the combination of a bubbly and charming performance by voice actor Arleen Sorkin, mixed with good writing and excellent comedic timing, resulted in Harley stealing the show. She would prove so popular that the showrunners kept bringing her back, giving her her own episodes and even an origin story.
Over time her character would evolve from a sidekick to a protagonist, in her own right. Harley became a character who can serve both as a villain, a hero and something in-between. She becomes more than a joke—she becomes a compelling and nuanced character that can still get a laugh by smashing something with her giant mallet.
Harley’s origin story marked her first step to being more than just a sidekick or love interest for the Joker. In the episode “Mad Love” of “Batman: the New Adventures,” the sequel series to “Batman: the Animated Series,” Harley’s origin is first revealed. She was a psychologist working at Arkham Asylum who fell in love with her patient, the Joker. Harley’s origin story is told mostly in flashbacks, but her romantic telling of the tale is juxtaposed with the clearly abusive nature of their relationship. The episode ends with Joker pushing Harley out of a window, while she mutters to herself that it was all her fault. While in past episodes there were hints at the abusive nature of Harley and Joker’s relationship, this episode really gave it a much darker tone, transforming Harley from a fun goofy sidekick, into a tragic character. This made the character infinitely more popular, even more so than she already was. Her backstory added much needed depth to her character.
The episode “Mad Love” also set up the beginnings of Harley’s character arc. Initially, her character arc was less of an arc and more of a cycle of abuse. Harley would realize the Joker is bad for her, leave him then return to him just in time for the next episode. In the DC animated Universe, Harley only escapes this life after the death of the Joker, showcased in the movie “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.” While this tragic tale was compelling and interesting, Harley’s evolution wouldn’t stop in the DC animated universe. Her arc evolved from a cycle of abuse to her true emancipation from the Joker in the comic book
There have been several comics series over the years that showcase Harley’s emancipation from the Joker. In 2001, Quinn would get her first monthly comic series. During which, she left the Joker and established her own gang. If this plot sounds familiar it is almost the exact same premise as season one of the 2019 Harley Quinn animated show. But her first comic series ended with her returning to Arkham, accepting that she needed help. This ending is drastically different from her original portrayal in the DC Animated Universe. Actually accepting the fact that she needed help is much more empowering than being freed from an abusive relationship by her abusers death.
Harley’s evolution continued in DC’s relaunch of its comics known as the New 52. In 2013, DC comics started a new Harley Quinn series about her adventures as an anti-hero rather than a villain. As an anti-hero, Harley is able to maintain her violent nature, while using her talents for something other than crime, most of the time. Interestingly, the comic was also set in Coney Island rather than Gotham. While Batman and the Joker did make cameos, the separation from Gotham gave Harley a lot more freedom to affect the world around her. This separation not only allows Harley to separate herself from being just a Batman villain—it allows her to explore new aspects of herself.
Harley’s origin has also changed between “Mad Love” and her portrayal in the New 52. Major elements have remained the same, like her job at Arkham, but her transformation has altered slightly over the years. Initially, Harely wore white makeup all over her face in order to emulate the Joker. In the New 52, however, her skin was bleached. In fact, Joker throws her into a vat of acid, mirroring his own origin. This further connects Harley to Joker, implying that he created her. At first, I viewed this change as a step back in her struggle to emancipate herself because it bound her even more to her abuser. Her recent animated show, however, actually spent an entire episode addressing this point. The key difference was that in the show, she chooses to throw herself into the vat of acid, rather than being pushed by the Joker. This slight change adds more depth to her origin implying that she wasn’t forced into becoming Harley Quinn, but chose to, showcasing her free will and self determination in a twisted, abuse-driven way.
The 2019 Harley Quinn animated show did more to justify Harley’s new origin, it also is the culmination of Harley’s evolution since her debut. The show takes elements from her comic book series, like how she establishes her own gang. It also takes inspiration from her modern portrayal, like focusing on her romantic relationship with Poison Ivy, which took years before it was made canon since their first team up in Batman episode “Harley and Ivy.”
The show also takes a nuanced approach to her relationship with the Joker. Although she does break up with him in the first episode, she continues to doubt her choice and whether she had a choice at all. Her own self doubt strains her relationship with her gang and eventually Ivy. Her mistakes have long lasting effects on the series, making her personal growth all the more entrancing to watch as she tries to make up for her past mistakes, overcome her self-doubt and establish herself as her own supervillain. The show can be emotionally heavy at times, but the exceptional comedic writing keeps the show a laugh riot, while remaining true to the fun and crazy nature of Harley Quinn.
In an industry like comic book superheros where the same characters are used over and over again, it is amazing to see a character evolve into something entirely different than its original incarnation while maintaining the core of her character. Harley Quinn stands out from other villains and anti-heroes because of her ability to adapt and grow. She began as a funny sidekick and became a tragic figure. She transformed herself into an empowering story of overcoming physical and psychological abuse. While also being a character that can fit fulfill many roles both hero and villain. But perhaps her greatest achievement is that despite her many alterations, she is still the same loveable psychopath we know and adore.
