by Aaron Lightfoot, Comic Columnist
Creative Team: Paul Dini and Bruce Timm
Portrayed by: Margot Robbie
There have been very few comic book characters that didn’t actually start in a comic. Many of them sprout up and fade away, never to be seen or heard from again. Harley Quinn is an exceptionally rare case of not only having staying power, but has become a DC Comics fan favorite. When people think of Batman villains, they will most likely think of the Joker, and then right afterwards think of his seductive partner, Harley. Through thick and thin, Harley has been at the Joker’s side since her debut in “Batman: The Animated Series,” and today CMN will get a closer look at the final member of the upcoming “Suicide Squad” film.
Dr. Harleen Quinzel was a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. Throughout her time working there she became enamored with the Joker and volunteered to analyze him. Throughout the many sessions, Harleen began to fall in love with the Joker and eventually helped him escape. Shortly after escaping, Joker was caught by Batman and thrown back into Arkham, where Harleen saw her injured patient. The sight was enough to drive Harleen crazy and quit her job as a psychiatrist. She would soon return to Arkham to let her loved one out, but this time wearing a jester’s costume and under the name Harley Quinn, both for her resemblance to a mannequin and a play on her own name.
Joker and Harley began to team up with one another to cause mayhem, but slowly Harley began to realize their relationship was not what it seemed. Shown, at times, to be an abusive relationship, it becomes clear Joker was using Harley to get whatever he wanted. Fleeing from her lover, Harley sought out Poison Ivy, who became almost instant friends with Quinn. After spending time together, Ivy began to inject Harley with antitoxins that gave her increased agility, strength and immunity to toxins.
Happy with her newfound friendship, Harley meets up with Catwoman, who offers for all three of the girls to team up, forming the Gotham City Sirens. Throughout their time together, it becomes known that Harley’s own family was the reason she became a psychiatrist. Her father was a con artist who was still serving time in jail, her brother is a slob and her mother wants Harley to quit all of the “villain and hero stuff.” Eventually the group disbanded after having several feuds amongst one another, however each member is still willing to help out another due to their long-lasting friendship.
Harley has always come back to the Joker, but that doesn’t mean she won’t steal the show. She has proven time and time again she is able to handle herself and has quickly risen to one of the most recognizable DC Comics characters. In a Comic Buyer’s Guide 2011 list of the 100 Sexiest Women in Comics, Harley was ranked No. 16. Don’t let that fool you, because Harley is equally as deadly.
Are you a fan of Mr. J’s right-hand woman? Let us know what you think in the comment section below. Suicide Squad hits theaters Aug. 5.