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Off My Mind: Does Harley Quinn Need Joker?

What happens when Joker comes knocking on her door once again?

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Harley Quinn and the Joker are a deadly duo. Not only do they pose a danger to society but also to each other. Recently the two have been on a "break." Joker has been busy toying around with Black Glove and Harley had been hanging out with Catwoman and Poison Ivy in Gotham City Sirens. With Joker's recent return to Gotham City after posing as Oberon Sexton and the Domino Killer, what will happen with their on-again-off-again relationship? 
 
When it comes to Joker's affections, Harley has always been a glutton for punishment. Her time with Catwoman and Poison Ivy has shown that she doesn't have to settle for being simply known as "the Joker's girl." Whether it was having solo adventures in her own series or fighting alongside Holly Robinson on Apokolips during Countdown, Harley has shown she is more than capable of keeping away from the Joker. In the coming months she will be faced with the choice of returning to the Joker or staying with Catwoman and Poison Ivy. 
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It may have been love at first sight for Harley but her time with the Joker never amounts to anything. Time and time again, she has tried to win his affections by catering to his ego and trying to make him laugh. Joker always shoots her down with no remorse. Saying this is an abusive relationship would be putting it lightly.  
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Being part of the Gotham City Sirens has given Harley a new direction. She may not be completely on the straight and narrow but she has been doing more good than bad. While still not completely on her own, she's proven these last couple years that she doesn't need "Mr. J." to define who she is. From the beginning of the series, she's tried convincing the others that she and Joker are "splitsky." Having Harley run off into Joker's arms would be a step back for the character. Harley needs the time to further develop who she is. She doesn't have to be just a sidekick to the Joker's wacky and sometimes deadly schemes. 
 
Batman might need a Robin (as a young Tim Drake told Batman after Jason Todd's death) but Joker doesn't need a Harley (and vice versa). Thinking back to Joker's appearances in Batman R.I.P. and the recent issues of Batman and Robin, he is a much more interesting (and deadly) character on his own. Joker works better without Harely. Even though she is often given smaller roles in Gotham City Sirens, Harley has been shown to have more substance than when she is with Joker.
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We could probably assume that Harley will stick with the Sirens (and that series) instead of running off with Joker but there's always the chance that she'll go back to her old ways. Harley needs and deserves the time to be on her own. With her current living arrangements (with Catwoman and Poison Ivy), maybe we would get to see Harley and Joker double date with Catwoman and Batman. If that isn't enough of a reason for us to want Harley and Joker to stay separated, I don't know what is.