There isn’t a lot of mystery surrounding Harley Quinn; her title as the Joker‘s girlfriend is widely known and often praised. But there are some interesting facts about the back story of Harley and how she came to be the face-painted female constantly referring to the Clown Prince as “Mista Jay.” Read on to learn some of the more interesting facts about Harley Quinn and how she fits into the DC Universe as a whole.
Harley Quinn was first created for the Batman Animated Series in 1992 by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm.
The episode became so popular that DC invested in the character and began to develop an intricate back story.
Born Harlene Quinzel, she actually met the Joker while she was an intern at Arkham Asylum.
After interviewing him once, she instantly fell in love and helped facilitate the first of many escapes.
Later on Joker is brought back to Arkham beaten and dying, and Harley Quinn is born as she felt she could help the Joker with his many crime sprees.
Joker and Harley’s relationship is rocky at best as she is constantly leaving and returning to him.
In one story line the Joker kicks her out of his gang and Harley befriends Poison Ivy.
For a short stint Harley and Poison Ivy were the Gotham Queens of Crime.
Poison Ivy gives Harley a serum that makes her immune to many toxins and gives her strength – other than this instance, Harley has never had powers.
Harley eventually returns to the Joker to find his feelings for her have become genuine.
Scared at the thought of real human emotion, the Joker’s only logical response is to kill Harley.
Harley survives the Joker’s attempted murder and returns with Batman.
After shooting Joker in the shoulder, Harley leaves the relationship.
She has been in and out of Arkham countless times as both a patient and a doctor throughout her life.
Harley then joins the team Birds of Prey led by Oracle (a paralyzed Batgirl) only to leave shortly after.
Currently Harley is featured in the comic Gotham City Sirens along with Poison Ivy and Catwoman.
In a brief TV experiment, Harley Quinn was portrayed in live action by Mia Sara for the short lived series Bird of Prey.
It was rumored that Harley Quinn was going to be one of two villains featured in a Batman film never made.
Harley Quinn is a name you should probably remember. I would assume that depending on how successful the Batman movie franchise is, you could hear the name quite a bit in the future. There is already tons of Internet gab about who would play her and a ridiculous amount of fan-generated X-rated portrayals. I guess some people really like the thought of kick’n it with the Joker’s gal.
When was Harlene Quinzel born?