10 Best Harley Quinn Storylines in DC Comics, Ranked by Impact

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Harley Quinn is unusual because she first appeared in a cartoon—Batman: The Animated Series—before being introduced in comic books. Despite this unconventional start, she’s become one of DC Comics’ most beloved characters. Originally the Joker’s partner in crime on the animated series, Harley Quinn has since become a comic book staple, starred in her own series, played a vital role in the Suicide Squad, and even headlined her own live-action movie and an animated show on HBO Max.

You know, it’s amazing to me how far Harley Quinn has come. She started as just a sidekick in the Joker’s world, but she’s really broken out on her own. Now, she’s actually been central to some of the best DC storylines, and honestly, a lot of them don’t even involve the Joker anymore. It’s incredible to see her development as a character.

10) Harley Quinn Vol. 4

Released in 2021, Harley Quinn Vol. 4, written by Stephanie Phillips and illustrated by Riley Rossmo, picks up after the events of “The Joker War.” Harley returns to Gotham City, trying to make amends for her past as a criminal by working with the Bat-Family as a probationary member. Alongside her now-reformed sidekick, Kevin, she aims to protect the city. This series became the longest-running Harley Quinn comic ever, but the first six issues, titled “No Good Deed,” are considered the strongest. They follow Harley as she clashes with Dr. Hugo Strange’s S.A.F.E. program and faces a new group of villains traumatized by the Joker.

9) Old Lady Harley (2018-2019)

From 2018 to 2019, writer Frank Tieri and artist Inaki Miranda created a five-part comic series called Old Lady Harley. The story takes place in a dark future where a retired Harley Quinn is pulled back into action. She investigates the Laughing Boys gang, hoping to uncover clues about a potential return of the Joker. The series is packed with unexpected characters and situations – including versions of President Power Girl, Mayor Lobo, and a much older Aquaman – and features a hilariously twisted take on Arkham Asylum, now a retirement home managed by Eggy. Old Lady Harley is a darkly satirical and exciting adventure for the character.

8) Harley Quinn (New 52)

Harley Quinn launched her first solo comic series in 2013, created by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Chad Hardin. The series ran for 30 issues until 2016 and continued the story after the events of “Batman: Death of the Family” and the New 52 Suicide Squad. The story saw Harley move to Coney Island, where she took over an apartment building above a freak show and joined a roller derby team. A particularly memorable plot point involved Harley unintentionally putting a bounty on her own head with a tired, online post, leading to a wave of assassins trying to find her. The comic was a consistent bestseller on the New York Times list and helped make Harley one of DC’s most popular characters.

7) “Hush”

“Hush,” a famous Batman story created by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee and published from 2002 to 2003 (issues #608-619), introduced a new villain who manipulated many of Batman’s classic enemies. The story incorporated elements from a previous arc where Harley Quinn was living in Metropolis with Poison Ivy. Importantly, “Hush” marked a turning point for Harley’s visual design; Jim Lee’s artwork helped transition her look from the animated series to a more standard comic book appearance that remains influential today.

6) Gotham City Sirens

From 2009 to 2011, Paul Dini and Guillem March created Gotham City Sirens, a 26-issue comic book series later co-written by Tony Bedard and Peter Calloway. The story began after the ‘Batman: Reborn’ event, with Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman sharing a secret base. Their first adventure pitted them against the villain Hush and a strange Joker copycat named Gaggy. This series is known for establishing the strong friendship and alliance between Harley, Ivy, and Catwoman—a dynamic that was later explored in the Harley Quinn animated series on HBO Max. The comic concluded with the events of Flashpoint.

5) Suicide Squad (New 52)

Before Harley Quinn starred in her own comic book series in 2013, she first appeared in the New 52 universe as part of the Suicide Squad team, written by Adam Glass and illustrated by Federico Dallocchio. As a new member of Task Force X alongside characters like Deadshot and King Shark, Harley was introduced in the world after the Flashpoint event. This debut also marked the first appearance of her iconic look – the corset and pigtails – inspired by the Batman: Arkham video games. The initial story, “Kicked in the Teeth,” took place in a ruined football stadium, and was followed by “The Hunt for Harley Quinn,” where she left the team to track down the Joker’s stolen face. This version of Harley Quinn established her as a major antihero within the DC Comics universe.

4) “Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes” (Harley Quinn Vol. 1)

“Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes” gathers together the first seven issues of the Harley Quinn comic series by Karl Kesel, Terry Dodson, and Rachel Dodson. The story begins with Harley freeing the Joker from prison, followed by their tumultuous split when he tries to harm her. She then tries teaming up with Two-Face and later has a fun sleepover with Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Big Barda. This collection marked the first time Harley Quinn was presented as a strong, independent character outside of her relationship with the Joker. The series proved popular, running for 38 issues and being re-released in hardcover format in the 2010s.

3) Batman: Harley Quinn (1999)

Published in 1999 by Paul Dini and Yvel Guichet, Batman: Harley Quinn introduced the character to the main DC comic book universe after first appearing on Batman: The Animated Series. The one-shot story takes place during the ‘No Man’s Land’ Batman event and details Harleen Quinzel’s transformation into Harley Quinn through her relationship with the Joker. Left broken after being with the Joker, she seeks help from Poison Ivy. This story is significant because it connects Harley Quinn’s origins in the animated series with her subsequent adventures in the comics.

2) Harleen (2019-2020)

Published by DC’s Black Label in 2019-2020, Harleen is a three-part comic series by Stjepan Sejic that reimagines Harley Quinn’s origin story as a Greek tragedy. The series, told in three acts, focuses on the young psychiatrist’s descent into a tragic romance with the Joker while working at Arkham Asylum. With striking painted artwork and a narrative told from Harley’s perspective, Harleen powerfully depicts her heartbreaking transformation. The collected hardcover edition received widespread praise and is considered one of the best Harley Quinn stories of the last ten years, ranking alongside Mad Love as a definitive take on the character.

1) Mad Love

Many fans consider Paul Dini and Bruce Timm’s The Batman Adventures: Mad Love (1994) to be the definitive Harley Quinn story. Though she first appeared in mainstream comics with Batman: Harley Quinn, Mad Love provided her complete origin story, initially within the world of Batman: The Animated Series. It details how Harley, a psychiatrist, was seduced and manipulated by the Joker, leading her to help him escape and become his partner-in-crime. Mad Love received critical acclaim, winning both the Eisner and Harvey Awards for Best Single Issue. Its influence extends beyond the comics, having been adapted into an episode of The New Batman Adventures (1999), the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game, the 2016 Suicide Squad movie, and a novel in 2018. It remains the most important and impactful story in Harley Quinn’s history.

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2026-05-29 01:41