A note from the editor:
With the upcoming film release of DC’s Suicide Squad, there is a lot of hype surrounding the character of Harley Quinn, who will be portrayed by rising star Morgot Robbie. Despite Harley being a fan-favorite among the geek culture, for the most part Harley is not a household name among the mainstream. With that being said, I asked our DC on CW host Angelica Dawn to jot down a basic history on the character.
A Little History on Harley Quinn
by Angelica Dawn
Harley Quinn is one of the most famous female characters in comics. Harley is a little crazy and always seems to have an internal struggle making her very complex and entertaining. Her intelligence and acrobatics make her a formidable opponent against those in her way. Unlike most comic book characters Harley didn’t start in comics, she had her start in the ‘90s cartoon Batman: The Animated Series. She first appeared in the 1992 episode of Joker’s Favor. The episode originally involved a scene where the Joker would burst out of a giant cake at a celebration for Commissioner Gordon in order to attack the event. The showrunners for the series, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, thought that might look odd so they decided to invent a female henchman for the Joker who could do the cake gag instead.
Before she was Harley Quinn she was Dr. Harleen Quinzel a psychiatric intern at Arkham Asylum. She was a model student and was also a dedicated gymnast. While researching at Arkham Asylum she became fascinated with one inmate in particular, the Joker. Harleen ambitiously volunteered to analyze him. While doing so the Joker and Harley spoke about how he liked her name and the fact it sounded like Harley Quinn. Over time he gains Harleen’s sympathy and heart (awwww). Joker eventually escapes and is returned by Batman to Arkham badly beaten. It’s then that Harleen snaps and becomes Harley Quinn to break out The Joker and save him. Thus beginning one of the most complex and twisted relationships.
The Joker isn’t the only person she’s teamed up with. We’ve seen her hook up (in more ways than one) with Poison Ivy. In Birds of Prey she joins the Secret six. We see her with Catwoman and Ivy in Gotham City Sirens. Needless to say she’s made her mark in the DC Universe.
Which brings us to Suicide Squad. After a falling out with the Joker, she goes into a murderous frenzy, directed towards people responsible for the Joker’s imprisonment. Captured by Black Canary, she is forcibly inducted into the Suicide Squad by Amanda Waller. This connection is why Harley is so important to the DC Movie Universe.
Harley’s role in Suicide Squad not only allows a perfect excuse to bring both Joker and Batman into the film, it also gives Warner Bros. a way to introduce characters like Amanda Waller, and concepts like magic with Enchantress to the broader DC movie Universe. Those elements would have seemed out of place in a Zack Snyder Superman movie. But thanks to Harley Quinn, they now fit in perfectly with DC’s cinematic vision
Drink up! Get your Harley Cup.
