Information on Harley

Well, ever wonder about our wonderful little Harley. How she orginated? Her creators? Well here's all the information on Harley Quinn you could ever want!

Just Some Basic Info

Harley Quinn is a supervillain in Batman: The Animated Series and its spin-offs, and subsequently in various Batman-related comic books. As suggested by the name, she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester.

The character was created by Paul Dini, and is voiced in the animated cartoons by Arleen Sorkin.

While researching the lunatics at Arkham Asylum, a young psychiatric intern named Harleen Quinzel met The Joker. She fell instantly in love with him. After helping him escape from the asylum more than once, Harleen was suspected by the authorities who revoked her license and placed her in her own cell. During an earthquake in Gotham City, she fled and became Harley Quinn, the sidekick to the Clown Prince of Crime himself, The Joker.

She frequently refers to The Joker as "puddin" and "Mr. J."

One time, The Joker grew tired of Harley, and he sent her off on a rocket. She crash landed in a park in Gotham and was found by Poison Ivy. Ivy took Harley back to her toxic waste dump lair and nursed her back to health. This included injecting Harley with a serum that Ivy had developed which has given Harley an immunity to all toxins and poisons as well as boosting her immune system and giving her almost super human agility and strength. Harley and Ivy teamed up and conducted a number of successful capers. When Harley and The Joker made up soon afterwards Ivy dissolved the partnership in disgust. Ivy remains, however, Harley's usual first point of call when she and The Joker are going through a rough patch. Ivy adopted the role of older sister and teller of harsh truths to Harley about Harley's helpless infatuation with The Joker. When Ivy demanded during one episode that Harley stand up for herself, Harley said "I'm nobody's doormat," and then asked "Am I?" Ivy replied, "If you had a middle name, it would be 'Welcome'."

Harley Quinn first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series, where the character was so popular that a version of her was added to the Batman comic books as well. The comic-book version of Harley Quinn, like the comic-book version of The Joker, is more dangerously psychotic and less humourously kooky than the animated-series version.

Because Harley's friendship with Ivy was one of the few villianous team-ups in the animated series seemingly rooted in genuine friendship, half-serious speculation and jokes exist among some fans as to potential lesbian undertones of their relationship.

She also had her own monthly DC Comics comic book series entitled Harley Quinn. A modified version of the character, played by Mia Sara, also appeared in the television series Birds of Prey. The TV character retained some of the insanity of the original version, along with her devotion to The Joker, but spent most of her screen time pretending to be a psychiatrist. She was only seen wearing a variation of her costume in the final minutes of the last episode of the series.

Her eventual fate (in the television series continuity) is shown in the movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. She disappeared, and was presumed dead, after falling into a deep crevasse during Batman's final showdown with the Joker; however, a scene toward the end of the film reveals that she survived, settled down somewhere and started a family.

Comic book fanatic and film-maker Kevin Smith named his daughter Harley Quinn

Stats and Such

Alias : Harley Quinn
Nick Name(s) : Cupid of Crime and Maid of Mischief
Civilian ID : Dr. Harleen Francis Quinzel
Occupation(s) : College Gymnast, Criminal and a Criminal Psychologist
Legal Status : Citizen of the United States with a criminal record.
Nation or Planet of Origin : Gotham City
Group Affiliation : Joker's Gang and the Quinntettes
Base of Operations : Gotham City
Height : 5' 7"
Eye Color : Blue
Hair Color : Blonde
Skin Tone : Caucasian
Known Powers : Chemically enhanced strength, speed, stamina, agility and immunity from most poisons. Excellent hand-to-hand combatant and gymnast. Above average intelligence with an aptitude for psychology.
Accessories : Two spotted hyenas named Bud & Lou. Wide variety of military, civilian and custom firearms.
Common Enemies : Batgirl III, Batgirl IV, Batman I, Huntress III, Nightwing III, Riddler, Two-Face, Robin I, Robin II, Robin III
Regularly Appearing : Harley Quinn, Batman, Detective Comics
First Appearance : Batman: Harley Quinn #1 (Aug. 1999)
Note: Harley Quinn first appeared in the Batman animated television series in 1992. Due to her popularity the character was introduced into DC comics continuity with her origin intact.
Creator : Paul Dini & Bruce Timm
Origin : Dr. Harleen Quinzel worked as a criminal psychologist at Arkham Asylum in Gotham City. Quinzel became first fascinated and then infatuated with the Joker.
Eventually Quinzel began to loose her grasp on reality and her obsession led to her facilitating the Joker's escapes and joining him in a life of crime as the madcap Harley Quinn.

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