Harley Quinn made her first appearance in Batman: The Animated Series and has established an iconic presence in DC comics, animation, and live-action since that debut, proving that DC should pivot to more original Batman movie villains. Created by Paul Dini, Harley Quinn's first iteration was voiced by Arleen Sorkin in 1992, with Sorkin reprising the role in several TV shows and video games. One-shot comic The Batman Adventures: Mad Love set the foundations for Harley's comics future the following year and laid the groundwork for character evolution beyond that of Quinn's romance with the Joker.In addition to multiple DC Comics runs and an extensive presence in animation, Margot Robbie's frenetic, lively performance as Harley in Suicide Squad then functioned as the character's live-action feature film debut. Harley was an important part of Batman: The Animated Series' legacy as well as an entirely original conception. This was a rarity in Batman media, with the tradition for on-screen Batman villains to be derived from DC comics.
Harley Proves Batman Villains Don't Always Need To Be From Comics
Harley Quinn may not have originated in DC Comics like other famous Batman villains, but the character has enjoyed lasting success since her introduction in Batman: The Animated Series. The character's current prevalence across DC media is a testament to the fact that iconic characters do not necessarily need to originate from DC comics. The wildly popular Harley Quinn HBO series provided significant depth, with Margot Robbie's charmingly manic live-action interpretation garnering acclaim across multiple films.
However, Margot Robbie has also been vocal about further expanding the character beyond that of Batman movie villainy or Harley Quinn's Joker romance, potentially a Poison Ivy project that would pair Harley Quinn with Pamela Isley in a budding romance. Given the next rendition of Harley Quinn will be played by Lady Gaga in Todd Phillips's Joker: Folie a Deux, that the character will now be portrayed by yet another prominent actor in an entirely separate story highlights the need for someone to follow in Harley's footsteps and become another original Batman villain.
The Batman 2 May Introduce Original Villains
As compelling and numerous as the Caped Crusader's adversaries are, there has been a tendency to focus on recycled Batman villains from the comics. This is a precedent that should be abandoned for The Batman 2. Matt Reeves' The Batman sequel should mirror the approach of Batman: The Animated Series by introducing a fresh villain not found in the comics. This tactic has proven prosperous for Harley Quinn, as the character has been confirmed to return in James Gunn's new DCU plans, and it will allow Reeves and his team creative flexibility to imagine a new and intimidating villain suitable for The Batman's darker tone and storytelling.
However, there are no plans to incorporate The Batman 2 into Gunn and Safran's rebooted DCU, as confirmed by Gunn on Twitter. Given this independence from Gunn's wider DCU, there has never been a better opportunity for an inventive Batman movie villain. Gunn can create an ideal future for DC Studios by weaving in a healthy mix of familiar Batman villains while allowing Matt Reeves to experiment in The Batman 2 with an entirely new villain, just as Paul Dini did with Harley Quinn's introduction in Batman: The Animated Series.
