Summary

Harley Quinnis an iconic character who ’s had a roller coaster of a ride ever since she made her DC Universe launching in 1992 , and has gone on to turn up herself as animportant part of DC ’s sprawling multiversein the decades since . Yet for as pop as the theatrical role became , Harley ’s first comic appearance is far different from most , especially turn over she did n’t originate on the page , making her a unequalled addition to DC lore that other characters ca n’t equate to .

sport in an increasing telephone number of comic books , video games , movies , and more , Harley has carve herself a spot in DC fandom that wo n’t soon go by , with her carry on adventures in the amusing space shew that point handily . Successfully bucking the Joker ’s pernicious influence , turn over a new foliage as a former - deplorable - turned - impostor - crime - paladin , andsettling down with Poison Ivyin an apartment of their own , Harley has come a long way from her original comic appearance , but what on the nose happened the first time she embellish the panel of a comedian , and how has she develop since ?

Harley Quinn ’s hero status has been questionable within the DC Universe , but by cementing her position in the Bat - Family , her hero status is undeniable .

Comic book art: Harley Quinn in front of Robin Tim Drake and his boyfriend Bernard Dowd.

Harley Quinn’s First Comic Appearance: ‘The Batman Adventures #12’ (1993)

Harley’s First Canon Comic Appearance:Batman: Harley Quinn #1(1999)

create in 1992 by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for theBatman : The Animated Seriesepisode titled “ Joker ’s favour , ” Harley Quinn was supposed to be a one - and - done “ walk - on use ” but chop-chop became a sports fan - favorite , finally making hernon - canon laughable debut in 1993’sThe Batman Adventures # 12 , by Kelley Puckett and Mike Parobeck . An egress that also acted as the entry forBatman : The Animated Series ’ version of Batgirl before her right introduction in the show , the unexpected popularity of Harley reach the room access for this first unbelievably brief comic appearing , with the character not becoming an prescribed member of DC ’s comic universe until seven years later .

Given a somewhat tweaked canyon origin localise against the backdrop of an earthquake - ravaged Gotham City circa 1999’sNo Man ’s Landby Harley ’s original creator , Paul Dini , as well as artist Yvel Guichet , Batman : Harley Quinn # 1kept the shrink - turned - henchwoman slant Harley had receive in 1994 ’s award - winning non - canonHarley Quinn : Mad Loveone - shot , and added a layer of risk and darkness to the transactions that gibe within the confines of Batman ’s then - current line of reasoning of rule book .

Effectively bring Harley into DC ’s main continuity right , much of her wise - crack yet red tendencies fromBatman : The Animated Seriescarried over into this story and successfully reintroduced Harley and Joker ’s perverted romance , one that defined the case for old age later on .

Harley Quinn imagery

Harley’s First Comic Was Set in Batman’s Animated Series Continuity

Harley’s First Canon Story Was Set DuringBatman: No Man’s Land

ABatman : The Animated serial publication - set tale titled “ Batgirl : Day One,”Harley ’s first non - canon comic appearance saw her team up with Poison Ivy to kidnap a in particular rich woman serve a gamey - end costume party , a berth where Barbara Gordon , aka Batgirl , also happen to be . Although the actual story depicted object and prison term devote to Harley on - panel inThe Batman Animated Adventures # 12was understandably light , fans did get to shortly see Harley ( equipped with a baseball game chiropteran , no less ) take on Batgirl , and then , in a twist , get capture by Catwoman , making her unveiling comical issue a fun if not worldly concern - shattering show .

Conversely , in hercanoncomic debut , Harley received an outsize one - shotthat fleshed out her lineage story , and show where she got her iconic jester unvarying from , how she reintroduced herself to Joker as his henchwoman , and even discovered and renovated a replacement skin - out for her " puddin ’ . " Joker would then betray Harley , who would betray Batman , perfectly instance the nonadaptive moral force of the trio . What ’s more , Harley meets her eventual independent squeeze , Poison Ivy , in the opening Sir Frederick Handley Page of this way out , officially complain - starting a human relationship that ’s still going unassailable to this day .

Harley’s Biggest Difference? She’s Finally Become Her Own Woman

Harley No Longer Associates With the Joker or His Twisted Mission Against Batman

Now a canonic part of DC ’s comic offering , Harley ’s first risible appearance visualise her just beginning her journeying as a fictional character , withHarley ’s obsession with the Jokerresulting in a years - long toxic human relationship and a villainous bar that Harley was thankfully able to come up above . A unfit situation made infinitely well once she kicked Joker to the bridle , this was a big change for the role , specially since Harley had premier as Joker ’s lackey , leading her to trench her jester costume , explore who she is as a somebody with her married person , Poison Ivy , angle into her more desperate nature , and most significantly , develop faith and confidence in herself , all things that were n’t originally possible .

As for Harley ’s first canon coming into court , Dini usingNo Man ’s Land ’s destroy Gotham as the setting for Harleen Quinzel ’s transition into villainy is something that may have worked at the time , but in hindsight , dates Harley ’s origin by bind it to a specific event , especially one that slips in an out of DC ’s principal continuity depending on what the company ’s current stance on which stories “ matter ” is . However , Harley ’s similar backstory and portrayal , as developed in both of her “ first ” mirthful appearance , are more predominant now than ever , with fan presently following a Harley Quinn who’sbucked the insidious influence of the Jokerto become her own hero — and accordingly , a paladin to many others .

Harley Has Become a Cross-Medium Star in the Years Since Her Debut

Margo Robbie Famously Plays the Live-Action Version of Harley

Coming a prospicient way from her base TV showtime , Harley has go on to not only becomea staple DC Comics character on the pagebut a wizard in every other mass medium she crosses intoas well . Currently closing in on number # 50 of her ongoing solo series , Harley always seems to have some comedian on store shelves , with a ceaseless drip of twirl - off miniseries likeHarley Quinn Black + White + Red , picture games likeSuicide Squad : Kill the Justice League , live - action movies likeBirds of Prey , and even an HBO animated series that brings Harley ’s journey full - circle to the mass medium that started it all , never leaving fans wanting for more Harley content for foresighted .

With her popularity increasing the more fans around the world discover her daft yet heartfelt adventures in the amusing space and beyond , it ’s safe to say Harleen Quinzel is n’t perish anywhere anytime shortly , gain Harley one of DC Comics ’ most change but also most developed and layered characters of all sentence . Harley Quinn ’s first mirthful appearances were memorable ones , and luckily for sports fan , most of her report in the sentence since have follow suit , in effect grow a one - off TV goon into a living , respire anti - zep who might even hold to being a full - blow hero one day .

Peanuts and golden sky

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn over a still of Harley Quinn from Batman: The Animated Series.

Harley Quinn as she appeared in Batman TAS

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy from Batman The Animated Series to the left and jester Harley Quinn looking behind her shoulder to the right

Custom Image by Brian Colucci

Comic book art: Angry Harley Quinn and Joker Grinning

Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad (2016) and Suicide Squad: Isekai