Harley Quinn: (Almost) Everyone’s Favourite Villain
Harley Quinn: Who Is She?
Harley Quinn is a known DC supervillain - or, sometimes, even described as an anti-hero. She has appeared in movies, TV shows, comics, games, and even more! Even people who are not fans of the DC Universe know who she is. Though, do they really? Because who is Harley Quinn, really…
Actually, it is Harleen Quinzel
So, the Harley Quinn we know wasn’t always Harley Quinn. She was born as Harleen Quinzel (which is quite similar to what she chose herself, hmm). Under this name, she worked as a psychiatrist in Arkham Asylum. She was a strong and powerful woman who had created a path for herself - a full-on solo career. That was until she had to work with the Joker (who was a prisoner in Arkham Asylum). She fell in love, and that was kind of her turning point. Harleen took on another persona, based on the word harlequin, and became Harley Quinn. She helped the Joker escape and eventually helped him cause further mayhem. In most universes, Harley Quinn also has a best friend, Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy doesn’t think it is a good idea that Harley and the Joker are together - and thus, in half of the universes, she succeeds in them breaking up. In that half, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn fall in love. In the other half, they (being Harley and Joker) stay together. Harley Quinn was also part of several chemical experiments, leading to her gaining increased strength, agility, durability, and just a lot of superpowers in general.
Harley Quinn, Member of DCs…
Over the years, Harley Quinn has been a part of a lot of different known DC groups, including the following: Secret Society of Super-Villains, Secret Six, Gotham City Sirens, Suicide Squad (one many of the fans love), Birds of Prey (another well-known association with Harley Quinn), Sinestro Corps, Green Lantern Corps (yes, really), Female furies, Justice League (didn’t see that coming, hmm?), and the Batman Family (I told you before many Dc characters belonged to this family, didn’t I?). When or why Harley was a part of these different groups is a part of many different comics. It is then also to say that many writers have worked on her. Originally, Harley Quinn was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. Her first appearance was in
Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. Her next appearance, from where on she became a regular character, was in the graphic novel
Batman: Harley Quinn in 1999.
Harley Quinn: All Versions
As previously said, Harley Quinn is known on many different platforms; from video games to her own TV show. Next, we will discuss the ones she is most known from!
Harley Quinn’s Own Tv-Show
The first is Harley Quinn’s very own animated TV series, which aired on November 19, 2019, and has gotten four seasons ever since. On November 16, 2023, it was even announced that the show would be renewed for a fifth season. However, there is not much known about this season yet besides the fact that Kaley Cuoco will be returning as the voice of Harley Quinn herself. This show follows Harley after she breaks up with the Joker and starts her own life. She has Poison Ivy and a crew of DC castoffs behind her as she learns way more about villainry in the DC Universe. It is clear that this show is a beloved one, as it has been nominated for several awards and won four of them!
Harley Quinn in DC Movies
Over the years, there have been several movies containing Harley Quinn. From a few animated movies such as
Injuistice to all of the
Suicide Squad Movies, and
Birds of Prey to a few LEGO movies. However, the biggest amount of movies Harley Quinn is in are animated movies.
Actresses Portraying Harley Quinn
One of the few actresses, and probably the one best known, who has portrayed Harley Quinn in live-action is Margot Robbie, who has portrayed Harley Quinn in
Suicide Squad and
Birds of Prey. However, there are also many actresses who have voiced her, such as (previously mentioned) Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Rauch, and Tara Strong. But there have been many more as well!
Harley Quinn in DC Comics
Harley Quinn wouldn’t be a true DC character if she hadn’t been in several DC comics. She has been a part of the Batman series - including comics such as
Batman: Harley and Ivy, but also a big star in her solo comic book series and, of course, the Suicide Squad comics. Then there have also been a few random ones and one shots - about the Injuistice or Gotham City Sirens. But the moral of the story is that Harley Quinn is a significant part of the DC Universe these days.