As a longtime fan of Harley Quinn, I must say that her evolution over the years has been nothing short of captivating. From her humble beginnings as the Joker’s sidekick to her current status as a standalone character, she’s become more than just a comic book character – she’s a symbol of resilience, defiance, and the messy complexities that make us human.
This tale was initially published in 2015, on the cusp of Harley Quinn’s surge in popularity due to her roles in three films and an independent animated series. We’re re-sharing it now as Joker: Folie à Deux hits the big screen.
The comic book industry is experiencing a period of greatness when it comes to strong, inspiring female characters. Every so often, we’re introduced to new series featuring women who are truly admirable: superheroes who strive to combat workplace sexism during the day and fight evil at night, tough detectives battling to resolve both public and personal crises, teenagers working towards a world that’s more accepting and free of prejudice. However, there’s a problem lurking, and she’s dressed as a clown.
Harley Quinn stands out as the top-selling female figure in comics. She’s known for her casual violence, immoral behavior, and unstable mindset. At one point, she was a mental health professional, but she abandoned her oath to heal when she developed a romantic relationship with a murderous, psychopathic patient and embarked on a crime spree that would make Bonnie and Clyde blush. Since her debut as a temporary character in a Batman cartoon, she’s occasionally contributed positively to the world – albeit unintentionally. However, she’s never acted for the sake of truth, justice, or the well-being of society.
It wasn’t expected for Harley Quinn to endure beyond her initial debut or rise to become the lead character in a monthly best-selling series, given her peculiar and unconventional journey towards icon status within the superhero realm. Yet here we are, with Harley being Jewish, queer, morally ambiguous, deeply flawed, and adored by millions. DC Entertainment has declared February 2015 as “Harley Quinn Month,” making now an opportune moment to ponder if Wonder Woman still holds the title of comics’ most prominent female icon. Some ardent Harley fans even claim that she embodies feminist ideals more than the revered Amazon. In this piece, we delve into the enigmatic tale of Harley Quinn – the most successful woman in the superhero universe – uncovering her identity and the path that led to her creation.
As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’d like to share some insights about Harley Quinn. While Paul Dini is officially credited as her creator during his tenure on Batman: The Animated Series in the ’90s, it’s essential to delve deeper into her origins. In truth, Arleen Sorkin, who voiced the character, had been nurturing Harley’s essence long before the animated series. Her influence played a significant role in shaping the character we all know and love today.
Back in 1987, Sorkin was a recurring character on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives”, portraying the humorous, New York-accented Calliope Jones. However, unlike her airheaded role, Sorkin was a talented and seasoned comedy writer. As she shared with Vulture, she never just showed up to deliver lines; instead, she always offered suggestions, perhaps due to restlessness. When she attended a screening of the pseudo-medieval film “The Princess Bride”, an idea sparked in her mind: why not incorporate a fairy-tale sequence into “Days”? The producers agreed and broadcast an episode where Calliope served as a jester, roller-skating into a royal hall and telling stale jokes from the Borscht Belt for a noble family.
Back in our college days, Sorkin and I were friends, and one fateful day, she passed on a VHS tape filled with her cherished moments from ‘Days’, featuring her jester act. Over the years, this tape remained untouched. However, during a particularly ill spell in mid-1991, I found myself reaching for it to put in my VCR. At that time, I was an aspiring television writer, working on freelance scripts for the upcoming ‘Batman: The Animated Series’. Struggling to create a unique female character for a one-off episode focusing on Batman’s arch-nemesis, the Joker, I found inspiration in those moments captured on that VHS tape.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=n5L8A0QXtcw
He mused aloud, ‘Perhaps a female character would be fitting,’ he said. Pondering further, he questioned, ‘Should she be portrayed as a rugged street urchin or a henchwoman? But then an idea of someone amusing popped into my head.’ Upon seeing Sorkin in his clown attire, the concept became clear, and he envisioned a comical sidekick. He humorously named her Harley Quinn and jotted down a design for her appearance, ultimately presenting it to the cartoon’s primary artist, Bruce Timm.
According to Timm, he initially sketched a design for her that was quite unusual, resembling the style of the 1960s and leaving much to be desired. It was peculiar, yet endearing. Immediately, he felt we could make it better. So, he delved into traditional harlequin attire studies and created an updated, somewhat sinister interpretation of that theme – a one-time creation. However, Timm, being meticulous in his work, aimed to give this cameo character a unique aesthetic: a full-body red and black jumpsuit embellished with diamond-shaped playing cards, frilled sleeves, and a double-tipped jester’s hat.
Dini asked Sorkin to lend her voice for the character she had inspired. After leaving ‘Days of Our Lives’, Sorkin was open to new opportunities, especially since this task only required a few hours in a recording studio. She took the microphone seriously but didn’t spend much time preparing. “I chose a voice that felt natural,” she mentioned. Essentially, it was her own voice: high-pitched, melodious, and brimming with Brooklyn accents.
In the inaugural dialogue of the 1992 episode “Joker’s Favor,” Harley playfully queries the Joker with “So it’s a laugh, isn’t it, Mister J?” This line sets the stage for many of Harley’s defining characteristics. For instance, she frequently uses nicknames and antiquated slang (“It is to laugh” here means something like “Isn’t that a hoot”). Moreover, her immediate display of fealty to the Joker, who is often considered the most notorious villain in superhero fiction, highlights her enduring loyalty.
In the initial episode, Harley wasn’t merely a prop in the storyline; she was far more complex than that. Although she paid homage to the seductive villainesses from the ’60s Batman TV series, Harley refused to conform to being mere eye candy. When a cop asked her if she wanted to hear her rights, she retorted sharply, “You have the right to remain silent!” before giving him a firm kick. She was also conscious of the stereotypes often associated with her character, using them to her advantage in critical moments. For instance, during the climax, she exploited Batman’s paternal instincts by feigning innocence and saying something like, “I know, you’re thinking, ‘What a shame! A poor, innocent, little thing like her, led astray by bad companions!'” (At this point, she attempted to stab him with a knife.) Harley was also endearing in her own unique way, characterized by her agility, vocal outbursts, disguises, and reciting poetry before attempting to assassinate police officers.
In a unique way, cartoons don’t have one sole creator, and those involved in the production of “Joker’s Favor” were just as surprised as anyone when they witnessed their creation. Timm expressed, “When the first episode she appeared in returned from overseas and we saw her animated, combined with Arleen Sorkin’s performance, well, it was quite enchanting.” Immediately, Paul began plotting her return, proclaiming, “I think I’ll bring back that Harley Quinn character.
Dini didn’t simply introduce, but rather, over the course of seven years, Dini, Timm, and Sorkin meticulously crafted Harley into a timeless icon among Batman characters. This was an impressive feat given the rich history and established archetypes of the Batman mythos, which had been in existence for more than half a century prior. What made it even more remarkable was that Harley wasn’t yet a mainstay in the mainstream Batman comics at the time; instead, her story unfolded on a children’s TV show and its related merchandise. Despite being aimed at young audiences, Harley’s narratives carried an edginess that surpassed any other Batman stories before.
Harley Quinn’s tales often portrayed the complex issue of domestic abuse in an over-the-top, comic book style. Iconic episodes such as “The Laughing Fish,” “Harley and Ivy,” and “Harlequinade” showcased a captivating power struggle between Harley and the Joker. Similar to many superhero narratives, their relationship adhered to a familiar pattern. Initially, Harley is deeply in love with the Joker, but he mistreats her. They usually part ways due to the Joker’s abuse or Harley’s decision to leave him. Harley might find independence or live with fellow villain Poison Ivy, hinting at a romantic relationship between them (although it was never explicitly confirmed by DC). Harley vacillates between longing for the Joker and despising him. The Joker eventually recognizes the void in his life without Harley. A dramatic event often brings the lethal duo back together again. While the details varied, the fundamental narrative became akin to a classic puppet show: cyclical, violent, yet irresistibly intriguing.
In the episode “Harlequinade” of season two, there are two instances that almost perfectly convey the mix of sorrow, humor, and mystique surrounding Harley and the Joker’s relationship. After her arrest, Harley decides to assist Batman with a heist, hoping for a pardon in return. At a criminal hideout, she creates a distraction to let Robin enter the building. When asked why she remains loyal to the Joker by the gangster boss, she unexpectedly steps into the spotlight and starts singing an old novelty song from the 1940s, “Say That We’re Sweethearts Again.” The lyrics, such as “I didn’t realize our love had ended until you tried to poison me” and “Could you put down that acid?”, create a sense of ambiguity, making it unclear whether one should laugh or cry as she sings.
As a captivating movie enthusiast, I command any crowd’s focus with a charming, vaudeville-inspired charisma. I exude femininity without being reduced to a mere object. My presence dominates every corner of the room, yet amidst all that power, there lingers an undeniable longing for my one true love – even if he’s less than kind to me at times.
At the conclusion of the episode, the duo find themselves back together in an unexpected twist, characteristic only of their tumultuous relationship. The Joker attempts to demolish Gotham and, astonishingly, contemplates abandoning Harley as he departs in a biplane. In response, Harley fires a jester-like toy at the flying Joker, shouting, “Laugh it off, my love!” Despite his crash landing, it’s Harley who ultimately saves the day, driven by her anger towards her heartless partner. Armed with a machine gun, she approaches him, and true to form, the Joker goads her: “You don’t have the courage… In a million years, you wouldn’t— ” Harley interrupts him by firing, her eyes brimming with tears. However, all that emerges from the gun is the sound “RAT TAT TAT.” Surprised, Harley offers a bashful smile. The Joker’s frown transforms into a grin.
“Baby, you’re the greatest!” he shouts. This act of violent defiance has rekindled his love. She squeals and runs into his arms. Even F. Scott and Zelda would blush. (It’s also worth noting that their star-crossed romance was inter-ethnic: Harley was written as Jewish, often uttering yiddishkeit words like plotz. As Sorkin put it: “At least we know the Joker isn’t an anti-Semite!”)
As a devoted fan, I instantly connected with that peculiar, impassioned character. I was around 15 years old, residing in the humble town of Victorville, California, when I encountered Harley on The Animated Series for the first time. Instantly, I felt a profound bond with her.
At that time, there were few female characters as authentic, distinctive, intriguing, and quirky as her, not merely sex-symbolized. Harley was the only one capable of standing up to the Joker’s antics. While she might exhibit a hint of masochism, the Joker requires someone who can handle the Joker, and Harley is that person.
In the ’90s, I, much like countless other movie enthusiasts worldwide, found myself captivated by Harley Quinn. I scoured the burgeoning internet for fellow fans, connecting with individuals as far-flung as Germany and Australia. The volume of fan letters to creators like Sorkin, Dini, and Timm was immense, a tidal wave that swept through the comic book world. And interestingly enough, most of my Harley Quinn-loving friends were women. We collaborated on online resources about Harley and wrote lengthy essays exploring her complexities. Establishing a female-dominated superhero fandom in the mid ’90s was an extraordinary feat, and Harley’s character served as our inspiration.
Feminism is about portraying women as complete individuals with their own agency, and that’s what Harley represents,” Strand explained. “She doesn’t always make wise or beneficial decisions for a woman, but she has the freedom to do so. Typically, men are given the liberty to be flawed in various characters, whereas women often aren’t. We’re usually expected to embody perfection. However, Harley isn’t held to those standards.
In an unusually high level of popularity, DC encountered a phenomenon it hadn’t experienced in quite some time. Harley, initially introduced as a standout character in Batman: The Animated Series, catapulted the show to massive success, leading to numerous spinoffs and tie-ins that continued until 2006. Remarkably, Harley was created for a non-comic medium with minimal initial hype and few editorial instructions. However, she sparked an enormous wave of fan enthusiasm, prompting the production of toys, additional episodes, and eventually, her promotion to mainstage roles. She experienced a rapid ascent – only to subsequently slide into obscurity.
The pivotal moment was a captivating narrative titled “Mad Love.” By 1994, the craze for Harley had spread, prompting DC Comics to commission Dini and Timm to write a one-off comic story that would reveal Harley’s backstory. While we had already received hints that Harley was once the Joker’s psychiatrist, “Mad Love” offered a comprehensive look into her early life as the reserved Harleen Quinzel, a gymnast and aspiring mental health professional. Eager to write a pop-psychology book about the Joker, she became smitten with him and voluntarily took on the role of his accomplice.
The comic book ‘Mad Love’ became incredibly popular, earning an Eisner Award for the best single issue of the year and persuading DC that Harley Quinn was a profitable character. This led to her regular appearances in ‘The Batman Adventures’, a comic series based on the animated series universe. Eventually, after years of popularity in cartoons, DC integrated Harley into the main Batman comics continuity in 1999. Being part of this continuity is significant, and it’s a notable creative accomplishment for a character to be included in it.
During the early 2000s, Harley Quinn gained immense popularity. In 2001, she launched her own monthly comic book series titled “Harley Quinn“. The following year, she became a regular character on the TV show “Birds of Prey“, which was based on a comics series with the same name. She also appeared in an animated web series called “Gotham Girls“, which were short cartoons made using Macromedia Flash. Harley’s humor and energy spread across various DC platforms.
Despite the initial success, Harley’s good times took a turn for the worse in the mid-2000s. Her solo comic series didn’t fare well, with an inconsistent mix of forgettable filler, peculiar neo-noir stories, and over-the-top absurdity. The series was ultimately terminated in 2003. In the broader comic book world, she saw infrequent use, failing to create the same impact on the pages as she had on screen.
In 1999, Harley Quinn was integrated into mainstream continuity, which caused a shift in the narrative because she is romantically attached to the comics version of the Joker, not the one portrayed in cartoons. This Joker has killed countless people, making him a ruthless, sadistic murderer, and it’s difficult to empathize with Harley due to this association. Conversely, separating her from the Joker eliminates her defining relationship, which would make stories about the Joker seem hollow and confusing without Batman being involved.
Suddenly, Harley’s rescue didn’t originate from within her regular comic book series. Instead, it came from a source far beyond these pages. This unexpected intervention, however, was a double-edged sword, as it not only saved Harley but also established a highly debatable new mold for Harley Quinn. As a result, this change sparked disagreements between fans and publishers, propelling the character to unprecedented levels of fame that she had never reached before.
It’s intriguingly appropriate that Harley Quinn, who wasn’t initially part of comics, found her reincarnation in another realm as well – video games. In 2009, Rocksteady Studios unveiled Batman: Arkham Asylum, an action-adventure beat-’em-up, which was extremely dark and brutal. Interestingly, the creators primarily drew inspiration from Batman: The Animated Series. Paul Dini penned it, while Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprised their roles as Batman and the Joker respectively. Crucially, Harley Quinn was a significant character in the game, voiced by Sorkin. In fact, she is one of the most prominent female characters seen throughout the game.
The shift in appearance is what sparked the recent debates surrounding Harley Quinn. Instead of her signature red-and-black jumpsuit, she now dons thigh-high boots, a revealing red-and-purple corset, and fragments of white doctor’s robes, tainted with blood, all within an asylum setting. To top it off, her face remains painted, but her jester’s cap is swapped for towering, blonde pigtails. In essence, this portrayal of the character was significantly altered.
According to well-known comic book journalist “Sue” from the site DC Women Kicking Ass, there was a significant uproar among many fans who are fond of Harley Quinn. It seemed as though the move was somewhat pandering. Whether it suits Harley Quinn is uncertain. The Harley Quinn character has always displayed an attitude of not caring anymore, so would she mind wearing that? That’s unclear too.
Dini and Timm have contrasting opinions about Harley Quinn’s portrayal in Arkham. While Dini, the game’s writer, was enthusiastic about the new direction, expressing his desire to make the characters darker and emphasize that Harley was mentally unstable, Timm appears more ambivalent. He acknowledges that this interpretation is currently popular but seems less invested in it, stating he has no ownership over the character, so he’s fine with whatever DC decides.
During the course of the game, Harley often aids the Joker in his scheme to ruin Batman inside Arkham. She frequently speaks lines reminiscent of Dini’s style towards Batman on behalf of her partner. The most noticeable change is the increased harshness in the Joker’s verbal mistreatment of her. One particularly unsettling moment occurs when the Joker says this to Batman: “You had to ruin everything: beating up Bane, tormenting Scarecrow, hitting around Harley – my pastime, by the way.
Arkham Asylum proved to be an extraordinary success in the gaming industry. Nowadays, video games have a greater impact than comic books (for instance, Arkham Asylum sold 2.5 million copies shortly after its release; the top-selling Batman comic from that same month only managed 106,835 sales). Given that Harley Quinn hadn’t appeared in any Batman movies at that time, Arkham Asylum represented the most significant portrayal of her character since her prime on the animated series.
2011 saw the release of Arkham City’s sequel, where Harley Quinn returned with her original red-and-black color scheme, but her costume remained more reminiscent of a dominatrix than a clown. For the first time, Tara Strong, a seasoned DC voice actor, replaced Sorkin in giving voice to Harley. Sorkin and Rocksteady, the developers, were vague about the reasons behind this change, only mentioning they wanted to bring some freshness and minor deviations to the character’s portrayal.
However, the games served as mere introductions to a much larger uproar from both fans and critics. The primary source of contention stemmed from the comics themselves. In 2011, DC initiated a company-wide overhaul of their comic books, redefining their entire universe and giving numerous characters a fresh look. Harley Quinn was one such character who underwent a transformation. She gained prominence in the Suicide Squad, a series centered around super-criminals hired by the government for dangerous black-op missions. Even before the first issue was released, it sparked controversy among longtime fans due to its cover image, which depicted Harley with her hips thrust forward, dyed hair, and a more revealing corset than she had worn in Arkham Asylum.
Laura Hornack, an avid Harley Quinn fan from Germany, expressed her concern over a traditional notion: “Reveal as much skin as possible to attract teenage boys.” She initiated an online movement criticizing this visual transformation and even organized a protest at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con. Despite the low attendance, she wasn’t the only one expressing doubts about the character’s new direction.
In the movie “Suicide Squad”, Harley Quinn deviated slightly from her traditional portrayal. Despite still being in love with the Joker (who she believed had been killed), she spent most of her time bonding with her fellow team members, including having a romantic encounter with Deadshot, the stern assassin. She exhibited a more extreme psychopathic behavior than usual, chuckling during violent acts and laughing even when her tough-skinned comrades were petrified. The comic book received generally negative reviews and was discontinued after 30 issues. However, Harley Quinn remained incredibly popular in the subsequent editions of the Arkham video game series, earning her own spinoff game, “Harley Quinn’s Revenge”, in 2012. Yet, her character in the comics was facing a crisis.
In 2013, DC made a smart decision to reinvent Harley Quinn by introducing a standalone series for her character. Notable writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti were brought on board to pen the story. Unfortunately, an ill-phrased competition and negative press surrounding the first issue initially set the series back. However, subsequent issues have avoided any further controversy. Instead, the series has taken a whimsical and innovative turn for Harley, unlike anything she’s experienced before. Conner and Palmiotti have depicted Harley as independent from the Joker and relocated her to Coney Island, a place known for its quirky inhabitants – yes, New York City does exist within the DC universe, although it’s not as significant as Metropolis or Gotham.
In that setting, she redirects her anger towards roller-derby matches, takes up a normal day job as a therapist, and gathers an eccentric group of misfits and social outcasts around herself. Although she remains somewhat unconventional, she no longer appears or behaves like a stereotypical fantasy figure. She’s finding her true identity, and the creators attempt to translate what made her unique into slightly more balanced expressions of self-expression.
The formula is proving effective, particularly financially: Harley Quinn consistently ranks among the top-selling DC comics. Her popularity is escalating across various platforms, with her highly anticipated big-screen debut in 2016’s Suicide Squad movie, where she will be portrayed by Margot Robbie. She remains a significant character in Batman’s most profitable merchandise, including the Arkham video games and DC Entertainment’s popular Injustice game series. Despite her significant transformation since her debut in “Joker’s Favor,” Harley has never been more successful, and there’s no indication that her stardom is waning.
Despite some longtime fans like Strand and Hornack having stepped away from DC’s recent versions of Harley Quinn, they ought to recognize they share ideological kinship with her current comic creators, Palmiotti and Conner. This writing duo views Harley as a feminist character, often drawing parallels – and differences – between her and the longest-standing female icon in comics, Wonder Woman. As Conner put it, “Wonder Woman symbolizes perfection, while Harley represents everyone else.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of meeting numerous fans, but none quite like Elise Archer from Australia. A dedicated Harley Quinn aficionado since the very beginning, she’s shared with me how her deep-rooted love for this character has been a beacon during her personal struggles with PTSD and clinical depression.
She expressed that she finds it off-putting when women characters are portrayed as flawless, always rational, and making only good decisions in relationships. Instead, she prefers the portrayal of Harley, who is allowed to be imperfect and make mistakes, as she considers this approach less misogynistic than the repetitive stereotypes often associated with female characters.
In a heartfelt tone, Archer suggested framing the case for teaching people to be virtuous and wholesome by using role models or “heroes.” She proposed that the negative behaviors should be associated with the antagonists or “villains.
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2024-10-04 19:55