Harley Quinn In Mad Love

In 1994, the definitive Harley Quinn episode in the Batman: The Animated Series was aired, “Mad Love.” This episode is based on the comic of the same title, created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, which shows Harleen Quinzel’s metamorphosis into supervillain Harley Quinn. Dini has stated the title “Mad Love,” “Mad love is when you fall so passionately for a person (particularly the wrong person) that nothing else in the world matters” (Roddy 2). A relatable concept to many people, not just females. This concept is weaved into the Harley Quinn character. The “Mad Love” episode opens up to the Joker and Harley Quinn in the process of capturing the Police Commissioner, but as common occurrence Harley screws up the Joker’s punch line and plan. After Batman swoops in to save the day, Joker grabs Harley …show more content…
She then begins to recite how she came to be in love with said man who just tossed her outside like trash. As Harley reminisces, she begins with how she met the Joker. Harleen Quinzel was a resident studying mental health at Arkham Asylum. Soon after arriving and meeting the Joker, he leaves her a rose and a note asking to meet with him. As like many abusive relationships, the abusive spouse is affectionate like a normal relationship would be overall. Harley finally set up a session with the Joker to study him; he bared his soul and told his “life story” to her. At least, that is what she believed. Over months of studying the Joker, Harley admitted to him she had fallen in love with him. After one of many Joker breaks out of Arkham, Batman brought the Joker back to the asylum beaten to a pulp. This was the breaking point, the big bang to the creation of Harley Quinn. She dressed up in a jester costume and “saved” her love, Mistah J. It is almost like the damsel-in-distress formula commonly seen in superhero media (television, movies, comic,