The character Harley Quinn, created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, made her mark on the Batman franchise since her debut twenty-two years ago; the first in the comic industry to originate in television and not in the comics. In the nineties, specifically 1992, the starting point of Harley Quinn’s rise to fame begins; in the Batman: The Animated Series episode “Joker’s Favor.” Where did the idea of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, commonly known as Harley Quinn, begin? Paul Dini and Bruce Timm needed to create a sidekick for the infamous Joker character. They tossed around the idea of adding more female characters to the show. After watching a clip from Arleen Sorkin’s take on a harlequin on Days of Our Lives, Paul Dini was inspired by his friend’s character.
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The lead artist for the show, Bruce Timm, soon came up with a sketch for this new female henchman, “a silly little sidekick” (3), for the Joker. Sorkin was soon asked to come in, and voice the character she inspired. Harley’s premier episode “Joker’s Favor,” was meant to center around just the Joker and Batman, of course. Dini and Timm had a welcome surprise at how this female villain stole the show; causing her character to be brought back throughout the series. Along with the multiple appearances in Batman animated shows, Harley Quinn received her own comics, video games, and soon to reach the movie theaters as a major role in DC’s Suicide Squad movie. Yes, there have always been Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Batgirl…the list goes on and on, point being Harley Quinn is one of the first major female character that has not been portrayed in a perfect light. She is a relatable character to many women, minus the psychopathic tendencies. She falls in and out of bad situations, including the abusive relationship with the Joker and even helping out Batman for the greater
The lead artist for the show, Bruce Timm, soon came up with a sketch for this new female henchman, “a silly little sidekick” (3), for the Joker. Sorkin was soon asked to come in, and voice the character she inspired. Harley’s premier episode “Joker’s Favor,” was meant to center around just the Joker and Batman, of course. Dini and Timm had a welcome surprise at how this female villain stole the show; causing her character to be brought back throughout the series. Along with the multiple appearances in Batman animated shows, Harley Quinn received her own comics, video games, and soon to reach the movie theaters as a major role in DC’s Suicide Squad movie. Yes, there have always been Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Batgirl…the list goes on and on, point being Harley Quinn is one of the first major female character that has not been portrayed in a perfect light. She is a relatable character to many women, minus the psychopathic tendencies. She falls in and out of bad situations, including the abusive relationship with the Joker and even helping out Batman for the greater