Cover Lady Gaga plays Harley Quinn in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (2024) (Photo: Instagram / @jokermovie)
Lady Gaga plays Harley Quinn in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (2024) (Photo: Instagram / @jokermovie)
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Get to know how Harley Quinn evolves from Joker’s sidekick to a leading character with her own identity and narrative over the decades
Since her debut in Batman: The Animated Series (1992), Harley Quinn has undoubtedly become one of the most successful supervillains in the DC Universe. Known for her versatility and cheerful yet unhinged outlook on life, her character has been explored in various media across comics, television, video games and films, most recently with Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Lee Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).
Quinn had long been depicted as the loyal sidekick of Joker, with whom she shared a toxic and abusive romantic relationship. Over the decades, however, her rising popularity contributed to her development into a multifaceted character who began asserting her independence. Tatler explores the five key moments in the evolution of Harley Quinn.
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1. Harley Quinn debuted in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ in 1992
Above Top 10 Harley Quinn moments in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’
Harley Quinn made her debut as Joker’s accomplice in Joker’s Favor, the seventh episode of Batman: The Animated Series (1992). Created by writers Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, she was initially intended to be a one-off character but soon became a fan favourite because of her wisecracking, bubbly personality that contrasted sharply with Joker’s menacing demeanour.
Her signature red and black diamond-patterned jester outfit also set her apart from the often nameless henchmen. Throughout the episode, she demonstrates her unwavering support for Joker – whether by wheeling a giant cake for him to jump out of or giving him a haircut in their hideout.
2. First depiction in comics: Harley Queen as “the Joker’s girlfriend”
Above Harley Quinn falls in love with Joker when she works as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum
Quinn’s comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures: Mad Love (1994) confirmed her role as the Joker’s girlfriend. The award-winning comic unveiled that Quinn was originally a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum named Harleen Quinzel, who became enamoured with Joker during his therapy sessions.
Completely indoctrinated and besotted, she helps her patient escape the asylum and return to the chaotic streets of Gotham. However, their relationship is fraught with unresolved desires and needs, creating a sense of toxicity. Batman later reveals to Quinn that Joker often fabricates tales to manipulate others, forcing her to confront the darker reality of her infatuation. This book lays the groundwork for a complicated relationship that ultimately shapes Quinn’s character in the future.
3. The beginning of the sexualisation of Harley Quinn
Above Harley Quinn in video game ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’ (2009) (Photo: Imdb)
Harley Quinn in video game ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’ (2009) (Photo: Imdb)
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Quinn’s appearance changed significantly in the popular video game Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009). In the game, she discards her iconic red and black jester in favour of a more revealing outfit that includes a blood-splattered miniskirt, thigh-high boots and a corset that accentuates her cleavage. The portrayal of her relationship with Joker also reaches darker depths, with her sanity appearing to slip away as she becomes increasingly trapped in their abusive dynamic.
4. Harley Quinn becomes more powerful and independent
Above Harley Quinn in her own television series, ‘Being Harley Quinn’ (2019)
A key reason for Quinn’s rise to popularity is her breakup with Joker, which has become central to the character’s growth. In the Suicide Squad (2011) comic series, the Clown Prince of Crime tosses her into a vat of acid, which not only bleaches her skin but also drives her mad. Believing her villainous partner is dead, she joins the Suicide Squad and develops a romantic relationship with Deadshot.
Her role has proved to be more powerful and independent in her own Harley Quinn (2013) comic series, in which she returns to her hometown in Brooklyn to escape Joker’s controlling ways. Through this change, her relationship with Poison Ivy blossoms, giving Quinn greater freedom and adventure. In the later stories, Quinn embarks on a journey of redemption, returning to Gotham to make amends for the harm she caused while aligned with the Joker.
Above ‘Birds of Prey’ (2020) trailer
While the movie versions of Joker and Quinn differed from the comics, they still showcase her growing independence. In Suicide Squad (2016), their relationship remains complex, with moments like Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) voluntarily jumping into the acid to prove her love and being used by Joker as a pawn in his plans. But Birds of Prey (2020) starts with Quinn breaking up with him, marking her emancipation by blowing up his headquarters in Gotham.
5. ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’: redefining Harley Quinn’s relationship with Joker
Above Harley Quinn and Arthur Fleck in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (Photo: Instagram / @jokermovie)
Harley Quinn and Arthur Fleck in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (Photo: Instagram / @jokermovie)
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This sequel to Joker (2019) tells the chaotic yet deeply romantic tale between Arthur Fleck and Lee Quinn. Gaga’s Quinn differs significantly from the traditional character depiction in DC media. She comes from a wealthy family on the Upper West Side of New York City, but she lies to Fleck by claiming to have had a modest upbringing. The film notably reverses the typical Joker-Quinn dynamic, as it is Quinn who takes control of the relationship and manipulates Joker. She pushes Fleck to relapse into his Joker persona and encourages him to embrace his identity.
