Batman: Caped Crusader offers a unique origin story for Harley Quinn, and it’s a welcome change for the famous DC villain. Caped Crusader alters many of Batman’s most iconic foes. The Penguin is a mother who isn’t afraid to kill her children to protect her criminal empire, and Clayface is still a shapeshifter, but keeps his human form, rather than resembling a hulking blob. Another villain who is given a significant change is Harley Quinn. Quinn is traditionally portrayed as a psychiatrist who turns evil after falling in love with the Joker.
Harley Quinn was first introduced in Batman: The Animated Series, but became a fan-favorite and continues to appear in DC Comics and DC entertainment. Quinn’s storyline has evolved in recent years, making her consistently more independent and less reliant on the Joker. Caped Crusader is the latest Batman project to continue this trend, giving her a new origin story that completely removes the Clown Prince of Crime.
Harley Quinn’s Origins In Batman: Caped Crusader Has No Attachment To The Joker
Caped Crusader’s Harley Quinn Is Different In Many Ways
Harleen Quinzel is first introduced in Caped Crusader as a psychiatrist who treats Bruce Wayne after he punches a journalist when he hears him make a wisecrack about his mother. Quinzel initially seems like an eager person, who genuinely wants to help Wayne overcome the trauma he has over the death of his parents. However, it’s revealed later that the psychiatrist works as a vigilante herself who brainwashes Gotham’s elite into donating their wealth before leaving them in a psychotic trance. She wears a jester outfit, but it’s green, yellow, and white, rather than the traditional red and black.
What’s unique about this Harley Quinn is that her story has nothing to do with the Joker. Her willingness to commit crimes is based on a twisted version of justice, where she forces the wealthy to help the public against their will. Her intentions are somewhat noble, but she still has the murderous and sadistic drive that Harley is known for. Still, it shows how intelligent and powerful Harley can be without the Joker’s influence, and it’s interesting to see a Harley who always had her villainous side without the Joker unlocking it.
Harley Continues To Move Further Away From The Joker In Recent DC Projects
Harley Quinn Has Become More Of An Antihero Whose Story Seperates From The Joker
Caped Crusader continues a trend in which Harley Quinn moves further away from the Joker. It is the first to show Harley completely detached from the Joker, but recent DC projects have emphasized Harley being an independent character. Suicide Squad made Harley and Joker’s relationship important, but they broke up in Birds of Prey, and the story focused on Harley making a name for herself as an intimidating villain. This story continues in The Suicide Squad, where she separates herself from men who remind her of the Joker.
The Harley Quinn animated series also portrays Harley’s separation from the Joker and shows her competing for power with other DC villains, as well as exploring a different romantic relationship for Harley with Poison Ivy. Joker: Folie à Deux reestablishes Harley and Joker’s relationship, with its own twist, as Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn is seemingly already a distorted character before she meets Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. As such, it appears they are set to meet under equal circumstances, rather than the Joker manipulating her in a disturbing power dynamic.
Why Harley Quinn Is More Interesting Without The Joker
Letting Harley Have Her Own Story Opens Up Many Opportunities
Harley was involved in a toxic relationship with the Joker for a long time. While their dynamic can be entertaining, it also can be frustrating to see this relationship continue onward, and complaints of some depictions romanticizing unhealthy relationships are not uncommon.
Harley’s split from this relationship is not only rewarding for her own growth, but it allows her to highlight her abilities and enables stories to give her more solo stories. Harley is more intelligent than she’s often given credit for, and there is more to the character than just a villainous sidekick. She can be perceived as a complex anti-hero, as she sometimes does the right thing, while still committing crimes for her benefit.
Margot Robbie’s Harley is significantly more interesting in Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad, partly because she is more independent. This allows the character to scheme and craft her own narrative while reflecting on who she was when she was with the Joker. The same can be said for Kaley Cuoco’s Harley Quinn, whose breakup with the Joker made her more distinctive, and enabled the series to focus on who she is.
Caped Crusader does tease the Joker in its season finale, so there is a chance Harleen and the Joker connect. However, even if Batman: Caped Crusader has the villains meet, it will be on very different terms – and the show may well choose to never have the two characters interact since Harley’s backstory is so altered.
