window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GEQWY429QJ');

 

ENTITY explains Harley QuinnPhoto via Instagram / @iamharleyquinn1

When you think of female superheroes or villains, there is one who probably immediately comes to mind: Harley Quinn.

From her quirky and sassy attitude to her lack of morals, you can’t help but love this psychiatrist turned psychotic clown. Not to mention, her relationship with the Joker is nothing less than iconic.

But where, exactly, was this badass babe before popularity from “Suicide Squad?” ENTITY breaks it down for you.

1 Harley Quinn’s story was inspired by a comedy scene on “Days of Our Lives.”

In the early ’90s, Paul Dini realized he needed a female counterpart for the Joker when he sat down to write “Batman: The Animated Series.” But his final product, Harley Quinn, wasn’t an original idea.

The idea was sparked by a comedic dream sequence on “Days of Our Lives.” Arleen Sorkin, a regular on “Days of Our Lives” in the ’80s, came up with the idea to add comic relief to the serious soap opera. The scene featured a female character dressed as a clown.

Sorkin and Dini met in college and maintained a friendship after. So after her funny skit, she sent him the scene. And one night, after being struggling from writer’s block, he watched the tape and the idea for Harley Quinn was hatched.

2 Harley Quinn started as a comic character in an animated series, not in a book.

In 1992, Sorkin voiced the first adaptation of Harley Quinn in “Batman: The Animated Series” and Dini created a compelling backstory for the super villain.

Harleen Quinzel graduated college with a major in psychology. She started her career as a psychologist at Arkham Asylum. Her intention? She wanted to write a tell-all book about the criminally-insane incarcerated there. It was there she met the Joker.

The super villain pursues Harley and the two finally sit down for therapy sessions. The Joker fabricates a story about an abusive past with his father, which painted Batman as the bad guy. The lovebirds get closer and she eventually falls in love with the maniacal psychopath, too.

When the Joker escapes and Batman returns him to Arkham in shambles, Harley totally loses it. She robs a party store, stealing gag items and a costume of her own. It was then she became the Joker’s official lover and sidekick.

3 But “Batman: The Animated Series” was only the beginning of Harley Quinn movies and TV shows.

ENTITY explains Harley Quinn

Before her character blew up in 2016, Harley Quinn had already been featured in nearly 150 movies and TV shows.

Some of her more famous appearances, aside from “Batman: The Animated Series, include “Justice League,” “Arrow” and “Suicide Squad.” Each adaption, however, takes a different twist on Harley’s character. In one, she goes completely evil and her appearance changes to include darker hair and features. And in another, Harley has a daughter of her own.

4 “Suicide Squad” (2016) is what made Harley Quinn regain popularity.

The most recent and famous version of Harley Quinn comes from her latest appearance in “Suicide Squad,” which grossed over $700 million at the box office worldwide in summer 2016.

Margot Robbie, famous for her roles in “Wolf of Wall Street” and “Focus,” plays Harley in the movie.

“Suicide Squad” paints Harley as more than a psychotic woman dressed like a clown. In the movie, she is not only a former psychiatrist, she’s also a talented gymnast. Which, by the way, makes her all the more badass in those fight scenes.

Another twist? The movie has a symbolic scene of the female character becoming Harley Quinn when she jumps into a vat of acid with the Joker. The acid bleaches her face and hair, thus proving her loyalty to the Joker.

5 Harley Quinn and the Joker quotes show they are a match made in hell.

ENTITY explains Harley Quinn

If you love Harley Quinn, there is a good chance it’s because you ship her twisted but relatable relationship with the Joker. And for that, we can’t help but commend her undying devotion to the Joker.

One of our favorite quotes from Harley reads, “I found the Joker’s psyche disturbing, his dementia alarming – and his charm irresistible! What can I tell ya? The guy just did it for me.”

Plus, this exchange is pretty romantic, too – you know, in a crazy, evil and psychopathic villain way.

The Joker: Question… Would you die for me?
Harley: Yes.
The Joker: That’s too easy. Would you… Would you live for me? Hmm?
Harley: Yes.
The Joker: Careful. Do not say this oath thoughtlessly. Desire becomes surrender. Surrender becomes power. Do you want this?
Harley: I do.
The Joker: Say it… Say it. Say it. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty…
Harley: Please?
The Joker: Aw! God, you’re so… good.

Whether or not you get their dynamic, you have to admit they’re pretty interesting.

And now that you have all the Harley Quinn facts, get ready for some binge-watching because she’s about to appear in another show. This time, it’ll be in an all-female spinoff of “Suicide Squad,” which is set to include characters like Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Catwoman.

Send this to a friend