Harley Quinn
Nice to meetcha! I'm Harley Quinn — pleased ta beat ya!
Abilities
- •Olympic-level gymnast and acrobat
- •Trained psychiatrist — Ph.D. in psychology from Gotham University
- •Expert hand-to-hand combatant
- •Enhanced strength and immunity to toxins (from Poison Ivy's serum)
- •Signature weapon — oversized wooden mallet
- •Expert marksman with various firearms
- •Highly intelligent and manipulative when focused
- •Immunity to Joker Venom and most poisons
- •Chaotic and unpredictable fighting style
- •Fourth-wall awareness in some continuities
Powers & Abilities
Biography
Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel was a brilliant young psychiatrist who graduated at the top of her class from Gotham University. Ambitious and eager to make her name, she sought an internship at Arkham Asylum specifically to study its most infamous patient — the Joker. But instead of analyzing the Clown Prince of Crime, Harleen fell victim to his manipulation. Through months of twisted therapy sessions, the Joker seduced her mind, convincing her that he was a misunderstood soul who truly loved her.
Abandoning her career, her ethics, and her sanity, Harleen reinvented herself as Harley Quinn — the Joker's devoted partner in crime. She became his accomplice, his punching bag, and his most loyal follower. Their relationship was toxic and abusive — the Joker routinely manipulated, belittled, and physically harmed Harley, yet she kept coming back. It was Poison Ivy who first showed Harley that she deserved better, beginning a friendship (and eventually romance) that would become one of the most beloved relationships in comics.
Over time, Harley broke free from the Joker's influence and evolved from a villain into an anti-hero and eventually a hero in her own right. She joined the Suicide Squad, formed the Gotham City Sirens with Poison Ivy and Catwoman, and eventually starred in her own wildly popular solo series. Her Conner/Palmiotti run, set in Coney Island, reimagined her as a chaotic force for good — equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and unhinged.
Harley Quinn is one of the most remarkable success stories in comics history. Created for a single episode of Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, she became so popular that she was integrated into the DC Comics universe, starred in blockbuster films, headlined multiple ongoing series, and became one of DC's top-selling characters — rivaling Batman himself in merchandise and cultural impact. From animated sidekick to pop culture icon, Harley Quinn is proof that the best characters can come from anywhere.
First Appearances
Batman Adventures #12
1993First comic book appearance of Harley Quinn — after debuting on Batman: The Animated Series, Harley makes the jump to comics. One of the most valuable modern comics, routinely selling for thousands in high grade.
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Batman: Harley Quinn #1
1999First appearance of Harley Quinn in the main DC Universe continuity — Paul Dini brings Harley into mainstream DC canon. Painted art by Yvel Guichet.
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Batman Adventures: Mad Love
1994Harley Quinn's definitive origin story — Dr. Harleen Quinzel falls in love with the Joker during therapy sessions at Arkham Asylum. Eisner Award winner. Paul Dini and Bruce Timm's masterpiece.
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Batman Adventures #13
1993Second comic appearance of Harley Quinn — continues establishing her character in the animated universe comics
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The Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1
1995Early Harley Quinn appearance — the animated universe holiday special featuring Harley prominently
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Harley & The Joker
Batman Adventures: Mad Love
1994The complete origin — how Dr. Harleen Quinzel became obsessed with the Joker, broke him out of Arkham, and transformed herself into Harley Quinn. Shows the Joker's abuse and manipulation.
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Batman: Harley Quinn #1
1999Harley's mainstream DCU origin — retells the Mad Love story for the main continuity. Harley begins her journey away from the Joker.
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Detective Comics #831
2007Paul Dini writes Harley in mainstream DC — she tries to reform but the Joker pulls her back. A powerful exploration of their toxic relationship.
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Joker's Asylum: Harley Quinn
2008A one-shot exploring Harley's psychology — told from the Joker's perspective, showing how he views their relationship
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Batman #663
2007The Joker reinvents himself — Harley is caught between his old persona and his new, darker evolution. Grant Morrison.
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Harley & Poison Ivy
Batman: The Animated Series - Harley and Ivy
1993Harley and Ivy first team up in the animated series — their friendship/romance begins. This episode defined one of DC's most beloved relationships.
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Batman Adventures #15
1993Harley and Poison Ivy team up in comics — adapting their animated series friendship. Ivy gives Harley a serum that enhances her abilities.
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Gotham City Sirens #1
2009Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman form a team — Paul Dini writes DC's most popular female villain trio. Guillem March art.
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Harley Quinn #1 (2013)
2013Harley and Ivy's relationship deepens in the New 52 — Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti establish them as a couple
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Harley Quinn #25 (2016)
2016Harley and Ivy's relationship becomes officially canon — a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream comics
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Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #1
2019Harley and Ivy get their own series together — exploring their relationship as a couple outside of Gotham
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Solo Series
Harley Quinn #1 (2000)
2000Harley Quinn's first ongoing solo series — Karl Kesel and Terry Dodson. Harley strikes out on her own, away from the Joker. A major milestone.
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Harley Quinn #1 (New 52, 2013)
2013Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti redefine Harley — moves to Coney Island, becomes an anti-hero. The run that made Harley a megastar. Hugely popular.
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Harley Quinn #0 (2013)
2013The meta issue — Harley breaks the fourth wall and auditions artists to draw her book. Sets the tone for the entire Conner/Palmiotti run.
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Harley Quinn #1 (Rebirth, 2016)
2016Harley Quinn Rebirth series — Conner and Palmiotti continue their hit run. Harley as Coney Island's protector.
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Harley Quinn #1 (2021)
2021Stephanie Phillips' run — Harley returns to Gotham to make amends for her villainous past. A more mature, character-driven series.
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Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad #1 (New 52)
2011Harley Quinn joins the Suicide Squad — Amanda Waller recruits Harley for Task Force X. Introduces her iconic New 52 costume redesign with red and blue pigtails.
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Suicide Squad #6-7 (New 52)
2012Harley vs Deadshot — the tension between two of the Squad's most dangerous members comes to a head
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Suicide Squad #1 (Rebirth, 2016)
2016Harley Quinn leads the Rebirth Suicide Squad — Jim Lee provides art for the relaunch. Harley is now the Squad's breakout star.
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Suicide Squad #1 (2019)
2019Tom Taylor's Suicide Squad — a darker, deadlier take with Harley front and center
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Iconic Storylines
Batman: No Man's Land
1999Harley plays a significant role in No Man's Land — Gotham is cut off from the world after an earthquake. Harley navigates the chaos.
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Joker (Brian Azzarello)
2008Harley appears in Azzarello's dark Joker graphic novel — a gritty, realistic take on the Joker's world with Harley as his companion. Lee Bermejo art.
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Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass
2019YA graphic novel — a reimagined Harley Quinn origin for young readers. Explores themes of identity and activism.
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Batman: White Knight #1
2017Sean Murphy's alternate universe — the Joker is cured and becomes a hero while Harley splits into two personas. Neo-Harley and classic Harley.
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Harleen #1
2019Stjepan Sejic's prestige retelling of Harley's origin — a beautiful, psychologically complex reimagining of how Dr. Quinzel fell for the Joker. Painted art throughout.
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Heroes in Crisis #1
2018Harley Quinn is a key suspect in a murder mystery at Sanctuary — a controversial but important Harley storyline by Tom King
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Key Variant Covers & Collectibles
Batman Adventures #12 (2nd Print)
1993Second printing of Harley's first comic appearance — even the reprint commands significant value due to demand
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Harley Quinn #1 (Artgerm Variant)
2016Stanley "Artgerm" Lau variant cover — one of the most sought-after modern Harley covers
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Batman Adventures: Mad Love (Prestige)
1994The prestige format one-shot — the original printing of Harley's origin story. Highly collectible.
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Harley Quinn 30th Anniversary Special
2022Celebrating 30 years of Harley Quinn — multiple stories and variant covers by top artists commemorating her journey from animated sidekick to pop culture icon
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Modern Era & Current
Infinite Frontier #0
2021Harley Quinn enters a new era post-Death Metal — positioned as a hero in DC's new status quo
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Harley Quinn #1 (2021)
2021Stephanie Phillips reinvents Harley for a new generation — Harley returns to Gotham seeking redemption
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Batman #93-100
2020"Joker War" — Harley plays a crucial role in stopping the Joker's most devastating attack on Gotham. Fights alongside Batman.
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Harley Quinn: The Animated Series - The Eat, Bang, Kill Tour #1
2021Based on the hit HBO Max animated series — Harley and Ivy's road trip continues in comics
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Harley Quinn: Black + White + Redder #1
2023Anthology series featuring Harley in stunning black, white, and red art — top creators tell standalone Harley stories
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