Harley Quinn: Is DC Ruining Her?

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For some time now, Harley Quinn has occupied an unusual place within the DC Universe. She’s moved beyond being a villain, but she hasn’t fully transitioned into a traditional superhero either. In fact, DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee once referred to her as one of the “four cornerstones” of the DC Universe, highlighting her significant impact on the company. Over the past few decades, Harley has experienced remarkable growth, yet DC found it challenging to determine how best to utilize this popular character. Eventually, she became too relatable and likable for DC to continue portraying her as a supervillain or the Joker’s victim. Now, she finds herself in an ambiguous anti-hero role, but despite some humorous comic books featuring her, many feel that her potential is not fully realized in this position.

It’s possible that fond memories are coloring my perspective, but Harley felt more captivating when she was a troublemaker and wreaking havoc. Over time, it was necessary for her character to evolve, given her new status as a role model. However, what initially made Harley so intriguing was her villainous nature, and stripping that away significantly diminishes the essence of the character. This doesn’t mean that Harley can’t be engaging as a hero, but after spending years in comic books as a quasi-superhero, we long for the return of the mischievous Harley Quinn once more.

Did DC Need To Move Harley Away from Villainy?

Harley Quinn initially found a large fanbase in Batman: The Animated Series, but it wasn’t until the Batman Arkham games that her popularity skyrocketed, transforming her from a supporting character to a prominent member of Batman’s rogues gallery. This newfound prominence eventually led to Harley becoming one of the recognizable faces of the Suicide Squad, a group she had no prior connection with until 2011. The surge in popularity brought about an influx of merchandise. However, some early portrayals of Harley in the Suicide Squad and Arkham games leaned heavily towards her villainous nature, such as the controversial comic where Harley detonated an explosive, a move that seemed out of character for her.

Harley Quinn is renowned for being a female counterpart to the Joker, initially portrayed as his subordinate and possessing a playful, immature demeanor that belies her true skill. Despite her villainous exploits, her character is entertaining due to the contrast between her actions and her innocent-seeming personality. Her tragic backstory involves being trapped in an abusive relationship with the Joker, which was subtly hinted at in earlier animated series through humor and Harley’s mannerisms. However, prolonged depictions of this abuse can become unsettling for readers. To address this, DC aimed to distance Harley from the Joker while still retaining her villainous essence.

Harley Quinn is a character who is like the female version of the Joker, but she’s also his subordinate and acts childishly, which hides how smart she really is. She does bad things, but it’s fun to watch because her actions don’t match her innocent-looking personality. There was a sad story about her being abused by the Joker in old cartoons, but they made jokes about it instead of showing it directly. It can be uncomfortable to see the Joker hurt Harley, so DC wanted to separate them, but not completely because she’s still a bad guy.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve noticed that DC chose to make Harley Quinn more heroic, possibly to distance her from the problematic image of being the Joker’s victim. From a marketing perspective, it wouldn’t be wise for one of DC’s “fourth pillars” to remain both a villain and a victim. This is particularly relevant given that Harley’s abusive past resonates deeply with certain readers. However, it could be argued that she was never intended to be a wholly sympathetic character. The “Mad Love” comic underscores this by showing how Harley used her charm and allure to get what she wanted, suggesting her moral ambiguity predated the Joker. Transforming Harley from a villain doesn’t mean she should suddenly become a hero. In doing so, DC lost the fun and lightheartedness of her immature personality, replacing it with silliness that feels out of place, especially since her villainous actions no longer serve as a stark contrast. It’s acceptable for Superman or the Flash to deliver a quirky one-liner during heroics, but when Harley behaves like an overgrown child constantly, it’s problematic, especially given her past deeds.

Other Media Makes Villain Harley Work Better than Hero Harley

In both “Batman: The Animated Series” from the past and the contemporary “Batman: The Caped Crusader,” Harley Quinn is portrayed as a formidable villain without relying on the Joker. While the original series occasionally showed her returning to the Joker, it also depicted instances where she acted criminally alongside Poison Ivy, maintaining a criminal identity while keeping distance from the Joker. The “Caped Crusader” series presents Harley as an autonomous villain, distinct from the Joker, who has yet to make an appearance in the show. She is driven by her own ambitions and not confined within her abusive girlfriend role. Interestingly, the series also emphasizes Harley’s background as a psychiatrist, a dimension of her character that is rarely explored.

In the Arkham game series, Harley’s role as the Joker’s sidekick stays true to the character’s original malevolent nature, even after the loss of her partner. She continues to be wicked, ascending to the Joker’s position in the villain hierarchy. In Gotham Knights, Harley is depicted as independent once more, with a more cunning and calculating persona. This portrayal of Harley in Gotham Knights showcases her at her most malicious, which might clash with some viewers’ sympathetic perception of the character. However, Harley thrives as a character when she isn’t wholly empathetic, especially when she harbors evil intentions. While exploring Harley’s history as an abuse victim is delicate, it shouldn’t prevent authors from making her a villain. Villains are most intriguing when they have a tragic past, and Harley Quinn’s compassionate background adds depth and appeal to her character, particularly when she is portrayed as a villain rather than a hero.

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2025-06-28 16:40