Origins Of Harley Quinn

In recent years Harley Quinn has proven herself to be a formidable character. Having originally debuted in a television cartoon show, she has gone on to appear in comic books, graphic novels, animated shows, video games and has also been portrayed in several live action feature films. In fact she is considered to be the fourth pillar of DC Comics publishing line, just behind the all time heavy hitters of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Given her quirky, funny, bold and unpredictable personality it’s no surprise that she’s become one of DC’s most beloved characters and a favourite among cosplayers. In this article we briefly explore the origins of the “Clown Princess of Crime” and the fascinating character that is Harley Quinn.

Originally created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn was initially only supposed to appear for just one episode, however after producers viewed the rough cut, they liked what they saw so much that they wanted to bring her back. It wasn’t long before Harley Quinn’s popularity would skyrocket and a year after her debut she would appear in the twelfth issue of The Batman Adventures, a comic book series which was set in the style and continuity of the animated series.

Harley Quinn was modeled after actress Arleen Sorkin, a former ‘Days of Our Lives’ soap opera star and friend of co-creator Paul Dini. In a dream sequence, Sorkins’ character roller-skated out in a jester outfit inspiring Harley Quinn’s initial look. Sorkin was not only the inspiration for Harley’s appearance, she also provided the voice and established Harley’s quirky personality in Batman: The Animated Series. She’s also the inspiration for Harley Quinn’s actual name as revealed in the graphic novel Mad Love that being, Harleen Frances Quinzel. “Harleen Frances” being derived from Sorkins first and real life middle name “Arleen Frances”.

In Batman: Harley Quinn, a squarebound comic book published in 1999, Harley Quinn was officially introduced into the mainstream comic book continuity. In it her relationship with the Joker was made to be much darker and she was also given unique powers through an injection she received from Poison Ivy.

In Gotham City Sirens Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy join forces. Quinn’s early life and background are expanded on and her hometown is established as being none other than Brooklyn, New York. We are also introduced to her dysfunctional family and how her father was the main reason why she pursued psychiatry.

In the New 52 reboot, Harley Quinn was reintroduced as a prominent member of the supervillain team Task Force X in the relaunched Suicide Squad series. To better fit with the more mature tone, Harley was given a new look. Her new colour motif was red and blue and her jester costume was replaced with a revealing outfit consisting of a corset and hot pants. Her hair was altered to being half-red and half-blue and her skin was now bleached white. Her personality was changed to be more violent and psychopathic than her previous iterations.

Harley Quinn has no superpowers although she does have a genius-level intellect and is adept at deception and psychological manipulation. Her unpredictable nature, incredible gymnastics skills, and hand-to-hand combat are what she employs when it comes to self defense. She also often uses weaponized clown themed gag items, such as a gun that shoots a boxing glove, rubber chickens and pop guns. Her signature weapon is an oversized mallet and more recently a baseball bat. She has a pair of pet hyenas named Bud and Lou which she can use to attack her opponents. After transitioning into the main DC canon in 1999, Harley Quinn was established as having immunity to toxins, enhanced strength, agility, durability, and reflexes thanks to a serum she was injected with concocted by Poison Ivy.

Harley Quinn’s first appearance was back in 1992 on Batman: The Animated Series in an episode titled Joker’s Favor. Thirty years later and her popularity shows no signs of slowing down as her self-titled animated series is being renewed for a fourth season. Here’s to thirty more years of Harley Quinn’s continued success and to more badass Harley Quinn Cosplays.


Bonus Clip: check out IMDb’s Harley Quinn’s Origin Story.

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