Harley Quinn Works Best as a Villain (Here’s Why DC Is Getting It Wrong)

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Over the last three decades, Harley Quinn has unexpectedly risen to fame among DC Comics fans. Initially introduced in “Batman: The Animated Series” as the Joker’s girlfriend and sidekick, few anticipated her popularity would rival that of DC’s Trinity. Her comic debut was in issue #12 of The Batman Adventures, an adaptation of the animated series, which later featured a standalone special, “The Batman Adventures: Mad Love“. This highlighted Harley’s potential for leading her own titles. She didn’t join the DC Universe until the late ’90s and has since evolved into an anti-hero. However, I believe this transformation may not align with the character’s true essence.

Initially, Harley Quinn emerged as a malevolent character, though many argue that she held a hint of sympathy. Regardless, she remained a villain and caused chaos with her unpredictable behavior. Interestingly, she’s now a part of the Bat-Family and mixes with the DC Multiverse heroes, despite her history of extreme violence and multiple murders. It seems that DC has underutilized Harley Quinn, and there’s been talk about returning her to her sympathetic villain roots, as this could make her character even more compelling. A return to her original persona might breathe new life into her storyline.

Harley Quinn Is Still Basically a Villain and Most of the Changes to Her Make Little Sense

In simpler terms, Harley Quinn’s popularity skyrocketed even during her animated appearances, leading to her own standalone series in comics. Initially, she was a villain but eventually evolved into a more heroic character, albeit one with a distinctly unconventional approach to crime and violence. However, over time, her heroism has taken a backseat, making her resemble DC’s version of Deadpool – a humorous yet violent character who has become somewhat stereotyped.

The original text suggests that both Marvel and DC often force villains to have some heroic qualities in order to lead solo series, but Harley Quinn was initially part of teams like Suicide Squad and Secret Six, where she continued to be a nominally villainous character even when doing “good” deeds for personal gain. The transformation into a more heroic character took some time, but this change has arguably diluted the unique aspects that made Harley Quinn interesting in the first place.

One aspect of Harley Quinn that consistently intrigues me is delving into the “whys” behind her actions. Originally a gifted psychiatrist named Harleen Quinzel, she was ensnared by the Joker and endured an abusive relationship due to her yearning for love. However, Harley’s unique character makes her someone who could comprehend herself and the circumstances that led to this transformation. The Harley Quinn comics occasionally delve into this complex backstory, but what intrigues me most is exploring Harley as a villain rather than a hero. While we are accustomed to understanding superheroes, the allure of a story where Harley plots against the criminals of Gotham City to seize power and establish herself as its most formidable villain feels far more captivating.

One potential issue with a villain-centric book is that the character may become less villainous over time, eventually transforming into a hero. Nevertheless, I believe a story focused on Harley as a villain would be more compelling than the current depiction, as this aspect of her character is the most fascinating. Harley’s intelligence and skills make her an ideal candidate for becoming an “evil Batman” type character, operating against both Gotham’s other villains and heroes alike, regardless of the city in which she resides.

In essence, I believe that a story centered on Harley Quinn as a powerful, intelligent, and cunning villain is more enticing than the current portrayal because it allows for an exploration of her complex motivations and backstory.

Harley Quinn Returning to Her Villainous Roots Could Make the Character Even More Popular

Harley Quinn’s popularity has significantly decreased, similar to her Marvel equivalent Deadpool. It seems that she has exhausted her potential as a heroic character. The fact that she joined the Bat-Family was almost the final nail in the coffin. Let me be clear: Harley Quinn is not a hero; she’s a monster. She knowingly made choices that led to the deaths of numerous individuals. Redemption narratives can be intriguing, but they’ve become repetitive at this point. This is where we find ourselves with Harley Quinn. The only way to breathe new life into her as a character would be to return her to her villainous roots.

Harley Quinn continues to engage in battles against both villains and heroes, making for an exciting viewing experience. It’s intriguing to consider a standalone fight between Harley and Batman, as it would undoubtedly be thrilling. Given the scarcity of one-on-one encounters between these characters, such a confrontation would certainly be captivating.

With her desire to outshine the Joker, Harley challenging Batman presents an intriguing narrative opportunity. This dynamic would not only test her abilities but also delve into her complex character development.

While there’s plenty of potential for compelling stories with Harley as a villain, she can still be part of teams like the Suicide Squad and the Gotham City Sirens, both consisting primarily of antagonists. However, her presence in the Justice League Watchtower feels out of place and could benefit from reevaluation.

To revitalize Harley’s character, a return to her villainous roots may be necessary. This transformation could breathe new life into her storylines and provide fresh opportunities for exploration.

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2025-09-10 19:17