The animated series featuring Harley Quinn has rapidly transformed into one of DC’s most daring and imaginative productions. Launched in 2019, this show has breathed life into a diverse roster of Arkham-related characters, making them some of the wittiest, quirkiest, and surprisingly endearing figures in contemporary superhero shows on television.
Guided by Harley, the program skillfully blends humorous anarchy with intelligent narrative, showcasing lesser-known characters in a brilliant light and even reshaping established icons. It has delved deeper into character development, advanced representation, and provided viewers with an engaging new perspective to engage with. In light of this, we’ve assembled seven DC characters that we believe have benefited significantly from the Harley Quinn animated series.
7) Bane
Bane didn’t quite make it to the top level on our list, but he’s worth a special shout-out because Harley Quinn offered fans an incredibly entertaining version of the character. Unlike the ominous figure portrayed in comics, this Bane is more of a comedic take inspired by Tom Hardy’s intellectual and thought-provoking villain from The Dark Knight Rises. However, unlike in the movie, he doesn’t present much of a threat in the animated series. Instead, he tends to be mistreated and overlooked among his fellow villains.
Although intended for humor, the show subtly portrays Bane’s feelings of frustration and loneliness, making him surprisingly endearing. The reinterpretation maintained his formidable presence through his Venom-enhanced abilities and impressive fighting skills. However, by giving him some social awkwardness and comedic moments, he became a beloved character among fans.
6) Kite Man
Initially, Kite Man was primarily known for being a humorous character in the DC universe, often serving as a joke, much like The Clock King or The Eraser. Originating in the 1960s, his over-the-top persona centered around a seemingly impractical gimmick, which many believed wouldn’t translate well to contemporary storylines. However, the series decided to embrace the absurdity wholeheartedly.
The character Kite Man, voiced by Matt Oberg, emerged as a standout in the series due to his embracing of his geeky side. His signature exclamation, “Kite Man, here I am!“, was widely adored by fans, and his sincere and endearing demeanor transformed him into one of Gotham’s most cherished underdogs. However, it’s challenging to pinpoint the aspects that categorize Kite Man as a Supervillain.
In the show “Harley Quinn,” Kite Man’s cheerful and genuine personality won over many viewers, transforming him into a beloved character. He embodies the notion that every seemingly insignificant villain deserves attention, and his narrative retained his comedic essence while also bestowing him with respect. The series further developed his character through his romantic entanglement with Poison Ivy. This relationship brought out Kite Man’s vulnerabilities, fears, and genuine affection, moving beyond his comical stereotype. Although their romance didn’t endure, it enabled Kite Man to transcend his role as a mere joke character. He still maintains a goofy demeanor but is also well-rounded, which is why he remains popular among fans. In fact, he now has an animated spinoff titled “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
5) Joker
In any genuine sense, it’s extremely challenging to make the Joker feel like a novelty – after all, he’s often portrayed in various ways through films, TV shows, and comics, dating back to Cesar Romero’s lighthearted depiction in the 1960s up to Joaquin Phoenix’s award-winning performance. However, Harley Quinn provides a unique perspective by exploring what transpires when the Joker attempts to lead an ordinary life.
In the series, Alan Tudyk voices the character of Joker, who initially appears as Harley’s abusive former partner, exhibiting all the harmful traits fans are familiar with. However, following their separation and a string of defeats, the Joker undergoes an unexpected transformation – he takes on the role of a suburban stepfather, finds love, and even dabbles in local politics. Despite retaining his inherent instability, this new storyline for Joker provides ample humor while adding depth to his character, making him seem more human without compromising his unpredictable nature.
In some stories, the Joker’s violent relationship with Harley Quinn has become a defining aspect of his character, making him seem one-dimensional. However, by moving him beyond this dynamic, the show gave him room to develop in ways that comic books rarely allow. He remains dangerous, but now he has undergone a transformation that makes him less of a comical symbol of mayhem and more of a multi-layered, complex character.
This change was effective because it presented such a stark contrast to his traditional persona. It was an unexpected, amusing, and surprisingly touching reinvention that demonstrated that even after nearly a century in Gotham, the Joker can still astonish his fans with new depths.
4) Doctor Psycho
Doctor Psycho, one of Wonder Woman’s most peculiar and challenging adversaries, has undergone a transformation in recent times. Originally conceived in the 1940s, this character was frequently depicted as a misogynistic telepath with an insatiable thirst for power. However, the modern portrayal of him by Harley Quinn serves to both satirize and present a more intricate depiction of the character.
In this series, Tony Hale voices Doctor Psycho, a once-powerful villain who is expelled from the Legion of Doom following an embarrassing outburst about gender that becomes widely known online. His gruff attitude and outdated perspectives frequently clash with Harley’s more enlightened group, but his telepathic abilities often make him a formidable threat within her team.
The blend of comedic blunders and genuine threat transformed Doctor Psycho into a standout character. Despite being utterly detestable, it’s the repercussions of his detestability that make him amusing. By emphasizing his worst characteristics while still providing him with moments of proficiency, the show breathed new life into an outdated villain, making him one of the most hilarious and unforgettable figures.
Originally seen as unchangeably wicked, with limited appeal beyond being an exaggerated portrayal of misogyny, Doctor Psycho gained significance through Harley Quinn’s satirical treatment of his traits and depiction of him as a real danger. The series effectively demonstrated that he could be made entertaining without making him likeable by portraying him as both a ridiculed symbol of bigotry who must confront his detractors, and a formidable telepath.
3) Poison Ivy
In my perspective, Poison Ivy has consistently been one of DC’s most memorable and enigmatic female characters, often depicted as a captivating eco-terrorist with a hint of seduction. However, it was Harley Quinn (voiced by Lake Bell) who brought out the emotional sincerity in Ivy.
In this new portrayal, Ivy Pepper is depicted as an individual character distinct from her powers or Harley Quinn’s connection. Here, her character development includes a gradual romantic relationship with Harley, which has become the main focus of the series. In contrast to earlier versions, Ivy displays human qualities such as worries, insecurities, and everyday issues, making her seem more realistic and relatable to the audience.
In Season 5, the storyline reshaped Ivy’s background significantly, highlighting that her powers stemmed from her past traumas and solitude. This reinterpretation brought out deeper layers in her motivations, transforming her from a straightforward eco-terrorist into a character with rich emotional complexity.
Ivy, traditionally known for her role as the “seductive villainess,” finds a refreshing transformation in the characterization of Harley Quinn. By adding elements of vulnerability, humor, and autonomy, Ivy’s portrayal in this series allows audiences to perceive her as more than just a secondary character.
Her affectionate relationship with Harley is skillfully written with a blend of tender moments, humor, and emotional depth, without being the sole defining aspect of her personality. This new interpretation has elevated Ivy from a niche favorite to one of DC Comics’ most captivating contemporary characters.
2) Clayface
Clayface, one of Batman’s saddest adversaries, is a former actor whose physical form was altered into living clay, granting him the power to change shapes but unfortunately preventing any chance of a return to normal. Typically portrayed as either a terrifying specter or a pitiful warning, he veered towards comedy in the series _Harley Quinn_, where Clayface (yet another character voiced by Alan Tudyk) transforms into a Broadway enthusiast instead.
In my humble opinion, the portrayal of Clayface in this show is utterly captivating and comically excessive. He transforms himself into everything from a lifeless prop to a melodramatic thespian, and his unwavering devotion to acting leaves me in stitches. Truly, he’s one of the most laugh-out-loud characters this series has to offer.
The animated show shifted its focus from Clayface’s sad beginnings to his vibrant stage persona, providing him with a unique identity beyond his abilities. This shift towards comedy made him more than just a secondary antagonist; he became a character that viewers eagerly anticipated. Although he remains sympathetic, he has now turned into a hilarious, scene-stealing gem. By combining sadness and satire, the series elevated him to become a truly memorable character.
1) Harley Quinn
In the show Harley Quinn, it’s quite appropriate that Harley herself is the one who made the greatest transformation. Since her initial appearance in Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn evolved from being the Joker’s humorous accomplice into one of DC Comics’ most prominent antiheroes across various adaptations. However, it was her own animated series that truly established her as a main character deserving center stage.
In the series, Harley (portrayed by Kaley Cuoco) manages to escape from the harmful influence of the Joker and establishes her unique persona. She faces internal conflicts, learns to lead, and finds true affection with Poison Ivy. This show not only captures Harley’s unpredictable nature but also provides meaningful development for her character, a depth that earlier versions merely suggested.
The series doesn’t hesitate to portray Harley’s imperfections as integral elements in her storyline. She’s chaotic, impulsive, and at times self-destructive, but she’s also faithful, courageous, and striving for self-improvement. This intricate blend of traits elevates her complexity, transitioning her from a romantic supporting character to one of DC Comics’ most significant contemporary anti-heroes.
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2025-09-02 03:42