Harley Quinn’s Animated Origins: How a One-Off Sidekick in BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES Became a DC Icon
This month is a big one for fans of Batman: The Animated Series. The groundbreaking show first aired on September 5, 1992, and redefined the Dark Knight’s world for a whole new generation.
Not only did it reshape classic characters like Batman, Joker, and Catwoman, it also gave us brand new ones that have since become staples of DC lore. The Joker himself made his animated debut on September 11, 1992, and with him came a surprise that nobody expected: Harley Quinn. What’s wild is that DC originally planned for her to appear only once.
The episode “Joker’s Favor” introduced Harley to the world, and while it looked like a typical Joker story at first, everything changed when his new sidekick stepped onto the screen. Fans loved her instantly. But the original intention was for her to be nothing more than a throwaway gag. As the story goes, “Joker’s Favor” could have been Harley’s first and last appearance.
That’s pretty wild! Harley Quinn, one of the most popular and chaotic antiheroes in comics today, was almost just a one-episode side character. Thankfully, the creators realized what they had on their hands. Harley stole the spotlight, and soon the DC Universe would never be the same.
When she debuted, Harley was nothing more than Joker’s henchwoman. Dressed in her iconic red-and-black jester costume, blonde under the mask, and voiced by Arleen Sorkin, she was more of a comedic nod to Joker’s clown aesthetic than anything else. Her name, of course, was a clever play on “Harlequin.” But the response from fans was immediate, and her role quickly began to evolve.
By the time she showed up again in “The Laughing Fish,” Harley had gone from sidekick to love interest. That leap came with baggage, since Joker and Harley’s relationship has always been toxic.
Even back then, the series didn’t shy away from showing just how unhealthy their connection was, with Batman often trying to pull Harley away from the chaos.
From there, Harley Quinn began branching out beyond Batman: The Animated Series. She appeared in The New Batman Adventures, popped up in DC’s animated films like Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, and slowly worked her way into the comics. In Return of the Joker, we even saw an older, reformed Harley, complete with grandchildren.
Her popularity skyrocketed thanks to the fans, who wanted more of her story. DC delivered by giving Harley a proper backstory, a solo comic run, and appearances across different teams like Gotham City Sirens, Birds of Prey, and Suicide Squad. Over time, she became less of a villain, more of an antihero, and a character that could easily carry her own adventures.
One of the biggest turning points in Harley’s story came after her definitive breakup with the Joker. It wasn’t pretty, but it gave her the freedom to fully become her own person. That freedom also led to her long-anticipated relationship with Poison Ivy finally becoming canon, which fans had been waiting years to see.
Today, Harley Quinn is a cultural powerhouse. She was never supposed to make it past one episode, but she’s now a beloved part of the DC Universe. From animation to comics to blockbuster films, and multiple live-action portrayals, Harley has proven she’s here to stay.
Considering how much she resonates with fans, it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing new versions of her for decades to come.
