4 Harley Quinn Origin Stories You’ve Gotta Read, Puddin’!
This weekend kicks off with another season of the very adult ‘Harley Quinn’ animated series. Have you read these Quinn-tessential comics?
Since she first debuted in Batman: the Animated Series, hench-woman turned anti-hero Harley Quinn has captured the hearts and funny bones of superhero fans worldwide. And since her hop over to the main DC universe, there are a few Harley Quinn comics every fan must read to know (and love) the character.
Before we get going, digital comics are so convenient! But if you see something you absolutely need to own in the meatspace, be sure to head to your local comic book shop. On a budget? Check your local library, too!
The Best Harley Quinn Origin Stories
Batman Adventures: Mad Love Deluxe Edition by Paul Dini & Bruce Timm
For starters, if you’re a fan of the original cartoon Harley, you absolutely must read Mad Love. It’s Harley’s first comic book story and her origin story within the animated series. Harley is always eager to please her Puddin’, so she concocts a plan to do away with the pesky Batman once and for all! But how will Mista J feel about her initiative?
Mad Love features the original story, plus a whole bunch of pages of special artist content courtesy of the legendary Bruce Timm. Paul Dini, Harley’s other co-creator, writes a special introduction to the story as well. If you need all the behind-the-scenes Harley fun from one of the best animated shows of all time, this is the book for you.
Batman: Harley Quinn by Paul Dini & More
Eventually, Harley was so beloved by the television audience that DC wanted to bring her into their main comic book continuity. So they asked the Harley expert himself, Paul Dini, to write her first story arc. Dini and a handful of other authors tell a series of stories about Harley in the context of DC comics. Her introduction and her origin are a little different from the show, but this is the beginning of the comic book Harley we know and love today. And of course, you’ve got an excuse to spend several tens of minutes drooling over Alex Ross’ iconic Joker and Harley portrait. It’s like his eyes are staring right at you. *shivers*
Hot in the City by Amanda Connor & Jimmy Palmiotti
Harley’s other big coming-out moment was her reveal in the new 52. After spending time on teams like the Suicide Squad, Harley is determined to strike out on her own. Hot in the City is the start of Harley Quinn as a 4th-wall-breaking team-up queen with a ripping sense of humor and a knack for mischief. While it’s not technically an origin story, it sets the tone for a new take on Harley that came to influence her various on-screen appearances. It’s a story full of hijinx and hilarity, and who doesn’t need a good laugh?
Harleen by Stjepan Sejic
DC’s Black Label comics are stories that take a darker, more adult tone – and Stjepan Sejic’s take on Harley’s origin story is definitely that. Known best for his erotic adult BDSM romance series Sunstone, Sejic’s knack for capturing the intimacy and transgressive tension is well spent in this tale. The story begins with a young, bright-eyed Harleen crossing the Joker’s path early in her career as a psychologist – and her arrival at Arkham to research her theories about patients with a lack of empathy.
Which summertime comics are your favorite? Tell us down below in the comments!
