Total Film

yas Quinn

Gotham’s infamous Rogues Gallery – that is, the roster of supervillains that Batman has repeatedly fought throughout his career – consists of many wrongdoers with a long, comic-book-storied history, often dating back to the ’40s.

However, Harley Quinn is a much more recent creation, with an origin story that doesn’t begin in the usual medium. In fact, for one of the most popular comic-book characters currently in existence, her very first appearance didn’t happen in a comic book at all, but in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series.

In ‘Joker’s Favor’, the 22nd episode of the show, which aired on 11 September 1992, Harley Quinn was devised to be just an interesting female addition to the Joker’s crew of many male henchmen. Little did anyone know then that this simple throwaway idea would become something so much bigger. “Her incredible popularity really snuck up on me,” explains cocreator Bruce Timm. “I wasn’t even aware of it and then over the years I began to gradually realise I

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Total Film

Total Film4 min read
What's Up, Doc?
In 2023, Doctor Who capped its 60th-anniversary celebrations by kicking 10th/14th Doctor David Tennant out of the TARDIS. Now, after battling goblins in Christmas special The Church on Ruby Road, it's time for Doc 15 Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) and M
Total Film2 min read
Face The Music
Following the events of 2019's Joker, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is incarcerated in the famed Arkham Asylum. It might look drab in Arthur's cell, but the guard's wake-up call of ‘It's showtime!’ hints at the musical aspects of Todd Phillips’ sequ
Total Film1 min read
See This If You Liked
Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner and Henri Serre make the ultimate ménage in Truffaut's classic. Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst find love in SW19 in Richard Loncraine's grass-court Britcom. Celine Song (aka Mrs. Kuritzkes) gives Greta Lee a dose of In-Yun

Related