How Harleen Quinzel becomes Harley Quinn in DC Comics

Harley Quinn just celebrated her 32nd birthday back in September. There are a lot of impressive things beyond being around and popular for over three decades. Among them is her first appearance starting as a a one-time moment. Thankfully, Batman: The Animated Series creator Paul Dini and Bruce Timm changed their minds and made her a recurring character.  This became one of the best things that happened to Batman and Joker in decades as she eventually made her way to DC Comics.

Harley’s origin story is well-known to most comic book fans, however, some don’t know the full story. So, in this article, I’ll explain Harley Quinn’s beginning and what led to her leaving Joker for good. Let’s start from the beginning.

The origin of Harley Quinn is from Batman: Harley Quinn by writer Paul Dini with art by Yvel Guichet. It's also her first canon appearance in DC Comics.

The first time we see Harley Quinn's origin story is after she's rescued and brought back to health by Poison Ivy. When Harley wakes up, she's given up hope. Joker's abusive relationship is taken up a notch by trying to kill her This leads to her telling Ivy how she lost her doctor’s license and ended up in Arkham as a patient.

Like Batman: The Animated Series, Harleen Quinzel is a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum and falls in love with Joker thanks to his charming ways. In the comics, it’s a bit deeper. She doesn’t try and help him escape wearing her Harlequin costume for the first time. She lets Joker out of his cell after he says he needs to put his new therapy to the test on the outside. When she’s discovered, Harleen’s doctor’s license is revoked and she’s committed to Arkham Asylum.

Harleen waited months for Joker to bust her out of Arkham. That day never came. She only escapes after an Earthquake in Gotham knocks the power out of Arkham. While walking through Gotham, Harleen comes across some of Joker’s victims. This gave Harleen the idea to find her love. She robs a store, grabs a Harlequin costume, and finds Joker. This officially starts the relationship between Harleen and the Clown Prince of Crime. 

The end of their relationship

Throughout their relationship, Joker was verbally and physically abusive. Due to her Stockholm syndrome, she took the abuse and murder attempts and kept returning to her Puddin’. During Suicide Squad No. 15 (a Batman: Death of the Family tie-inwritten by Adam Glass), Harley had enough. She finally puts her foot down, beats Joker, and tells him they’re done for good. Maybe it was the torture or chaining her in a dungeon, but this time, their breakup stuck.

There have been other fights between Joker and Harley Quinn. The most famous could be from Harley Quinn No. 25 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner. Joker threatens her new boyfriend and she shows him that they’re done for good with one heck of a beat down.

"I finally get why Batman never killed you all these years. It would give you exactly watcha want." Harley Quinn to Joker.

As time continues, Harley shows her ex nothing but disdain. For example, in the final issue of Batman: Joker War (written by James Tynion IV) she gave the Dark Knight a choice. He could could save her or him. Bruce shocks Joker by leaving him strapped to a pole with a bomb on his chest.

Separating her from Joker is the best thing that happened to Harley as a character because DC Comics started to see her potential. She ended up in multiple ongoing comic book series, three live-action movies (one of which she starred in), various animated features, and starring in a self-titled program on HBO Max.

Hopefully, we’ll never see her and Joker dating again. They aren’t relationship goals and Harley can be great without being an abusive clown's sidekick. Plus, she and Poison Ivy are adorable and the couple we want to see stay together.

Are you happy that Joker and Harley Quinn aren't together anymore? What did you think of her origin story? We want to hear from you. You can email us at entertainment@fansided.com.