Harley Quinn: A Comparative Study of Modern Comics

(Note: Only important Harley Quinn comics since the start of the New 52 [2011] will be discussed.)

What follows is a comprehensive analysis of recent comic book interpretations of Batman villainess: Harley Quinn. As a big fan of the character since her first appearance in Batman: the animated series, I will seek to establish certain key aspects of the character, as well as to point out flaws in some of Harley’s most recent appearances. I will also seek to address the views Harley Quinn fans – individuals who are often decried as misguided, insatiable, and overly-nostalgic – in an attempt to shed light on why this character means so much to us.

Literature that will be compared: (WARNING: There will be some spoilers for these issues)

1. Suicide Squad, issues #6-7 (“The Hunt for Harley Quinn”) and #14-15 (“Death of the Family” tie-in)

2. Harley Quinn, issues #0-1

3. Injustice: Gods Among Us, issue #5 and Annual issue #1 (“Contract on Harley Quinn”)

* Origins

You would probably be hard pressed to find somebody who has not heard of Harley Quinn. In her short twenty year history, Quinn has become a relatively popular name amongst both comic book fans and the general population – even compared to some characters who predate her by decades. Most people have heard of her on at least a superficial level.

Her quirky charm as well as her unique personality and iconic appearance tend to resonate with fans. And she has managed to garner an avid following since her conception.

She is also a character who has undergone a great many changes in her brief history. Most of these changes have been routine costume and appearance changes as the character is depicted in different media (such Arkham Asylum and Arkham City). Generally, fans’ reactions to these mere changes in costumes have been small. However, the bulk of fans’ outcries (myself included) have been directed towards the travesty of changes that came about as a result of the New 52. It is a common misconception that fans’ of Harley Quinn are offput merely because of changes to the character’s design. This is a misunderstanding that I intend to debunk. Because, while many Harley fans and I would agree that the design change is in poor tastes, the fact of the matter is that most fans take issue with the changes to the character’s personality rather than changes to her appearance.

* The New 52 – Jokerization

Harley Quinn was revamped in 2011 as a member of Amanda Waller’s Suicide Squad. Her pre-Flashpoint relationships with everybody other than the Joker all seem to have been retconned (at least for the most part) and her appearance, history, and personality have all been greatly distorted.

A term that I often hear used in reference to post-Flashpoint Harley is “Joker Clone”. I find this to be a frighteningly accurate description of everything that is wrong with the rebooted Ms. Quinn. The altered origin is among the more obvious symptoms of this grievous problem. Like the Joker, Harley now has bleached white skin as a result of being thrown into a vat of mysterious acid. Generally, fans seem to be adamantly opposed to this change. And with good reason. Harley Quinn, despite being easily associated with the Joker, Is. Not. Him. They are two very different characters. This altered origin is just the first of many attempts to make Harley into a female version of the Clown Prince of Crime.

* Increased Violence: Bloodthirst?

Let’s make no mistake: Harley Quinn is a villain and a psychopath. She is not a saint. She is not a hero. And she most certainly does not shy away from violence. Nobody would argue against that.

However, let us compare these two images from recent comics:

The first image is brought to us for Harley Quinn, issue #1. The second from Injustice: Gods Among Us (an alternate universe comic that consistently portrays Harley more fittingly than her canon portrayals) Annual issue #1. Both pages involve Harley decapitating a would-be attacker). But do we notice a tonal difference? The first readers like something we might see from the Joker. Completely sadistic and chaotic. While the second reads quite different from something the Joker might do. It has a more light undertone, I’d say. Comical and almost childish.

The New 52 consistently portrays Harley as a bloodthirsty monster, seeking out acts of violence and taking a sadistic pleasure in the pain of others. Is Harley like this? Maybe sometimes. But something about the way Harley’s antics have been written lately just doesn’t sit right with me. They might be fitting for the Joker. But this is just not Harley Quinn.

* Sexualized

As I mentioned earlier, Harley’s outfit choices (while unbefitting, in my opinion) do not bother me nearly as much as her portrayal. Sooner or later, female comic book characters tend to be reduced to personifications of the sexual fantasies of teenage boys. It’s a sad truth about the medium. If this means Harley has to get a skimpier costume, fine. I can deal with that. I actually kind of like her Arkham designs and her Injustice design (the Insurgency one). There’s a limit, obviously, but I don’t want to waste my time writing about what is wrong with Harley’s outfit. That is not what really bothers me.

I am bothered by Harley’s more…provocative mannerisms. Obviously, this is a matter of taste. But I find Harley’s current portrayal to be nothing short of sleazy. In a strange way, the Joker is a classy guy. He puts a great amount of detail into perfecting his antics. He is not sleazy. That is beneath him. And Harley typically reflects that. They view themselves as an elevated level of criminality. I find it jarring that the Joker would concern himself with such a sensual character. Especially considering that he is generally written as asexual.

Again, Harley has never been a saint. But lately, I just find her overt sexuality kind of disgusting.

* Where is the fun?

This is probably the greatest travesty of New 52 Harley, in my eyes. She is no longer a fun character. One of the greatest things about Harley is that she is cute. She’s the kind of character that we can laugh with. And while she might really cross a line into villainous territory sometimes, most of the time she is a character we can laugh along with.

This is something that has absolutely been lost-in-translation since the start of the New 52. She is not a monster. She is a villain. But she is one we can laugh along with.

* Counter-Argument: "New 52 Harley is a Stronger Character"

This is an argument in favor of New 52 Harley that I’ve heard countless times. That she is no longer a “doormat.” She no longer puts up with abuse. And she is a stronger character as a result. I can relate to that desire. I, like any fan, want to see Harley as a strong character. But I also don’t want to lose her in the process.

Tell me, does this read like Harley to you? Because it does not to me. Does she sound tougher? Sure. But she doesn’t sound like Harley. I would love to see my favorite character step out from the Joker’s shadow and prove herself as a strong and independent character. But this is not the way.

Luckily, Injustice really hits it out of the park again. It shows us a stronger Harley that we can respect. One who actually reads like the character we love. Who, rather than brushing off her past, embraces it and seems to have legitimated developed as a result.

We see a Harley who hasn’t been reduced to an inept novice (as she was often portrayed before the New 52) but who is also not portrayed as a female Joker.

This is the Harley that I want to see. Cute, fun, sincere, resourceful, intelligent, and capable.

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* Conclusions

Maybe my words have given some of you a bit more perspective on the kind of Harley I’m looking for. Maybe not. But I do hope that I managed to accomplish my main goal. I hope that taking a look at these images does show the major disparity in Harley’s portrayals. And I truly hope that people understand that outcry over Harley’s changes are NOT just because of her appearance. We have lost the character that we love. And just reading and comparing these images really does show you how different things have become.

Lastly, if you’re a Harley fan and you haven’t picked up Injustice, I’d highly recommend it. It is really refreshing and it shows that writing Harley correctly is not a pipe dream. It is possible and it is happening. Hopefully we’ll get to see the Harley we know and love again someday. But until that day, all we Harley fans can do is make a lot of noise and not give up on the character that we love so much.

Thanks for reading!