Onscreen History of Harley Quinn

Unlike so many of the most popular comic book heroes and villains, Dr. Harleen Quinzel AKA Harley Quinn was actually introduced first onscreen before finding her way onto the printed page.

Harley first appeared in the Batman: The Animated Series episode Joker's Favor in 1992 as a female sidekick for the Joker. The diabolical harlequin proved a very popular addition making numerous appearances and establishing her own identity separate from her "Puddin'" Mr. J.

After a hard day's work, or whenever she needed a break from the Joker, Harley could often be caught hanging with gal-pal Poison Ivy as the two began a friendship that would last for years to come.

Harley's origin was originally told in the story Mad Love in a 1994 comic based on the animated Batman series. The story received high praise and was itself adapted in 1999 for The New Batman Adventures. In the tale, it was revealed that Harley was initially a psychiatrist in Arkham who fell in love with her patient, the Joker.

 

Although the two mixed like oil and water, there was no replacing Harley Quinn. 

In 2000, Harley appeared along side Catwoman and Poison Ivy during the Gotham Girls web series which built upon the sprouting Harley & Ivy friendship established during the previous Batman series.

Later in 2000, not only did Harley appear during flashback sequences in the animated movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, but an aged Harley made a cameo as the evil duo Dee-Dee's grandmother.

Although planned to be a primary villain in the undeveloped sequel to Batman and Robin, Batman Triumphant, Harley made her actual first live action appearance in the short lived Birds of Prey series in 2002. In the series, Harley served as the psychiatrist / manipulator of the Huntress seeking revenge for the Joker on the protectors of New Gotham. Although she appeared relatively normal, the insane Quinn wore her trademark red and black colors.

Continuing to make the rounds through the DC animated universe, in 2003 Harley Quinn appeared on the Static Shock episode, Tough as Nails.

Also in 2003, Harley appeared with her Mr. J in the Justice League episode Wild Cards.

In 2007, Harley Quinn was adapted for The Batman, this time her origin involved her starting off as a TV pop psychologist before being won over by the Joker in the fourth season Two of a Kind.

Once making the full transition, Harley took on an appearance pretty faithful to her original look, with perhaps a little larger hat. 

Even though Harley Quinn did not appear in the 2010 Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths direct to video outing, the alternate Earth's Jester, that world's Joker (but a good guy) had a pet monkey named Harley.

Also in 2010, the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode Emperor Joker! introduced a completely different take of Harley Quinn. Rather than the colorful harlequin suit (worn instead by Bat-Mite) Harley was relegated to a black and white flapper look.

In the comics and video games as of late, Harley's look has also taken a departure from the traditional. 

 

While it can only be a matter of time until the Clowned Princess of Crime returns, it remains to be seen if in her next showing she maintains a traditional look or instead adopts a look based on that introduced in the Batman: Arkham Asylum or Arkham City games.