"The Joker" (PART 2)-"4-Ever Crazy 4 U;" Love, Harley!!!

Well, I guess it happens to everybody (even a total 'nut-job' like the Joker)! After being a part of comic book history since 1940, the Joker finally gained a 'love interest' / side-kick in the extremely quirky, hopelessly devoted (and totally 'insane'); "Harley Quinn"! She started out as a walk-on character (on Sept. 11,1992), who was the Joker's side-kick in an episode of the excellent, 'Emmy Award'-winning "Batman: The Animated Series"; called "The Joker's Favor". Harley was created by the wonderfully creative team of Paul Dini & Bruce Timm! She became so popular that she appeared frequently in many episodes of the series (as well as later 'Batman' animated series') and soon burst her way into comic books! Harley Quinn was voiced to perfection by TV 'soap opera' actress, Arlene Sorkin (with a hilarious, high-pitched, totally wacky, somewhat sexy 'Brooklyn-accented tone). Paul Dini was inspired to create the character, when he saw an episode of the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" in which Arlene (a friend of Paul's & a former college-mate) was featured in a 'dream sequence', dressed in a jester's outfit. He gave Harley some of Arlene's characteristics as well as her voice.

The Joker was never a devoted or reliable lover for Harley, even though she was obsessively & hopelessly devoted to him (it reminds me of the 70's song "Hopelessly Devoted To You" by Olivia Newton-John, from the movie "Grease"). He would continually throw her (and her pet hyenas) out, leave her behind for Batman or the police to capture, seriously injure her, or even try to kill her; yet she always came running back to him like a lost puppy (with that nutty lovelorn smile). She always called him 'Mr. J.' or Puddin'. She wanted to impress 'Mr. J. with her elaborate schemes to kill Batman, but this usually infuriated the Joker, because he wanted to kill Batman himself. Harley did gain a close friend and frequent ally in Poison Ivy, who gave her an anti-toxin, which gave her increased strength & agility and an immunity to most poisons & toxins.

Harley has appeared in countless comic book stories since she began, but the most acclaimed was a 1994 "Batman" graphic novel, called "Mad Love" (it was written by Dini & drawn by Timm. It won the 'Eisner' & 'Harvey' Awards for excellence); which featured her 'origin' story. Harleen Quinzel (a budding psychiatrist) took on the case of the Joker, who was locked away in the Arkham Asylum for the Insane. During their sessions, she soon fell in love(?!!) with him and would help him escape. She went completely 'bonkers' after the Joker was injured and returned to Arkham by Batman. Harleen donned a red & black harlequin jester's costume and become the Joker's lover, side-kick, and frequent door-mat. She became a sworn enemy of Batman, Robin & Batgirl. She had advanced gymnastic & martial arts skills. "Mad Love" was adapted into an animated episode of "The New Batman Adventures" (1999). Special Note: Due to her increased popularity, "Harley Quinn" was given her own self-titled comic book series (2001-2003), which lasted for 38 issues.

Other TV animated series that she has appeared in included---"Gotham Girls" (web-casts); "Justice League" ("Wild Cards"); "The Batman"; and "Static Shock" (Hard As Nails"),which were voiced by Sorkin and other fine actresses.

Animated Movies---"World's Finest-The Batman / Superman Movie" & "Batman Beyond-Return of the Joker".

Live-Action TV Show---"Birds of Prey" (Harleen / Harley was played by Mia Sara, although Sherilyn Fenn was the original choice.

Harley Quinn was chosen 45th in IGN'S 2009 List of "Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time". She was chosen 16th of "Comic Book Buyer's Guide's 100 Sexiest Women in Comics.

Harley is and has always been an extremely interesting, wildly unpredictable, and sometimes very hilarious addition to the list of Batman's enemies!!!