Tomorrow Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) finally hits cinemas across the globe. For the last couple of weeks we’ve been introducing you to the major playings in the latest DC Films release.
Today we’re taking a look at the film’s namesake, Harley Quinn. Get to know the Joker’s ex-girlfriend, what makes her tick and find out some of the key story arcs and shows to watch to get to know this amazing character.
Harley Quinn
Alias: Dr. Harleen Quinzel
First appearance: Batman the Animated Series “Joker’s Favour” 11/9/1992
First comic book appearance: Batman Adventures #12 (1993)
Bio: Dr. Harleen Quinzel was an intern and promising psychiatrist working at Arkham Asylum in Gotham City. Prior to her turn working at Arkham little is known about the promising doctor’s past.
Whilst working at Arkham Harleen was given the opportunity to work with the notorious supervillain known as Joker. Her dedication to working with the Clown Prince of Crime would soon turn to obsession and put the doctor on a dark path towards becoming her alter-ego.
After a number of attempts to help Joker escape from Arkham, Harleen found herself locked up alongside him and first began to use the name Harley Quinn.
Once freed, Harley installed herself as a permanent side-kick to Joker, taking on the appearance of a court jester. Harley has no meta human powers but in many incarnations she is still able to use her training to psycho-analyse her victims.
Her weapons of choice in cartoons and comics is ofter a baseball bat or her trademark oversized mallet. In 2016’s Suicide Squad Harley was also adept at using a pistol.
Harley was created by Batman the Animated Series show runner Bruce Time and writing partner Paul Dini. The character was envisioned as a one-time partner for Joker (Mark Hamill) but became a staple of the series, making the leap in to the comics a little over a year after her first appearance.
She has since appeared in film, on TV and in multiple video games making her one of DC’s most modern entries in to the comic book hall of fame. Harley is a halloween and cosplay favourite and will forever be an icon of the Batman legend.
Key reading:
- The Batman Adventures: Mad Love
- Harley Quinn (2016-)
- Suicide Squad (2019-)
- Harleen (2019-)
Key watching:
- Batman the Animated Series
- Birds of Prey (2002 TV series)
- Suicide Squad (2016)
Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) stars Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary and Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya. The movie will be directed by Cathy Yan and arrives in cinemas on February 7, 2020.
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