One might not recognize her face immediately, it is likely one will recognize her many voices. For over twenty years, Tara Strong has provided the voice of many characters in animation and video games. Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls, the original Ben 10, Batgirl on The New Batman Adventures, and so much more.
One of her biggest recurring roles is that of Harley Quinn. Picking up where Arleen Sorkin left off, Tara Strong has become a go-to actress for the character. Tara Strong has portrayed Harley Quinn in a multitude of ways depending on the story but which ones are the best?
DC Super Hero Girls
Rather than the typical anti-hero, Tara portrays Harley as an excitable best friend. From the show, games, to animated movies, Tara Strong has been the voice of Harley in every DC Super Hero Girls title. The show aims for a younger demographic so it's a very different take on the character.
That being said, Tara still gives the character a lot of personality and charm. Even as a silly teenage girl, Harley is still a joy to watch and it's clear that Tara has a lot of fun with the character.
Justice League Action
Still, more for kids, Justice League Action is exactly what the title suggests: a fun action show for kids. Harley Quinn doesn't appear often but when she does, it's still very much a classic Harley Quinn. Over the top and acting as both villain and anti-hero.
One of her best appearances is in the episode Harley Goes Ape. It goes into her time as Harleen Quinzel and shows how well she can work with Justice League members like Stargirl and Superman.
Batman: Arkham City
This was Tara Strong's first time playing the character. In Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arleen Sorkin reprised her role for one of her final times as the character. When Tara took over, she gave her own spin on the voice while still keeping what fans loved about the character.
Though Tara Strong gives a great performance, especially in the Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC story, it is clear that she had not perfected the voice yet. From the moment she appears, her accent fades in and out a lot and some inflections don't seem right. Tara has definitely evolved the performance for the better over the years.
Batman VS Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
In the animated crossover of many nerds' dreams, Tara Strong actually plays two characters. She provided the voice of Poison Ivy and, of course, Harley Quinn. As Harley, Tara Strong does not have the largest role but it is more of what fans have come to know and love from Tara's Harley.
In this one, Harley is more villainous and loyal to the Joker. She even mutates into a giant hyena creature which is just hilarious when Tara's voice never changes even as a monster.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Technically, Tara Strong never plays Harley Quinn because Batman: Arkham Origins only shows the character as Harleen Quinzel. That being said, it's a surprisingly well-done performance despite the small screen time. Arkham Origins shows the time when Joker met Harleen.
As he goes off on a long tangent about his obsession for Batman, he uses the right words that quickly win the heart of Harleen. Tara Strong expertly performs by sounding normal at first but the more she falls for Joker, the more her Brooklyn-esque accent gets stronger. It shows that Tara really cares and respects the psychological nature of the character.
LEGO DC Super-Villains
Both Tara Strong's Harley Quinn and Mark Hamill's Joker are the perfect comic relief of this LEGO game. Sure, most of the cast provides a laugh but Harley and Joker will have the player's sides hurting by the end.
Unlike DC Super Hero Girls, LEGO DC Super-Villains manages to make a more family-friendly Harley while still keeping what makes Harley so iconic. This is easily the closest to Arleen Sorkin's Harley from Batman: The Animated Series that Tara has ever come to. With tons of quips and funny interactions, it's impossible to hate Harley in this game.
Injustice: Gods Among Us
What if Harley reformed and became a superhero? That is what Injustice: Gods Among Us shows. Harley is one of Batman's most trusted members of his Insurgency. In the first game, Tara really plays with the voice in showing the difference between Harleen and Harley.
When she's working for Batman, her voice is reserved and without that over-the-top accent. However, the instant she falls for Earth-2's Joker, the Harley Quinn voice returns. It's easy to feel sorry for her Harley in this one since she goes through so much pain from Joker.
Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay
Surprisingly, Harley is not the star of Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay. Though she plays a big part of the squad, she's more of a supporting cast member. Still, Tara goes all out with her performance since it is an R-rated story. Like always, she's wacky and silly but she gives a darker edge that she hadn't really given before.
It's a shame that the DC Animated Movie Universe never did much more with Harley. Tara could have easily carried her own movie, especially if it was R-rated. However, that doesn't deter from Deadshot and Bronze Tiger being excellent leads.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Everything about Tara Strong's Harley Quinn in the Arkhamverse culminated into her appearance in Arkham Knight. She has taken over the Joker's gang completely and is now a crimelord. She has turned her into a zealous murderer who takes on the entirety of the Bludhaven police to break out Poison Ivy.
Everything about Tara Strong's performance is great: she makes for one of the better villains of the story. If one plays as Harley, one can hear Harleen's voice talking to Harley in her Psychosis-Mode. It's only a shame her role is cut so short but Tara Strong will return to the Arkhamverse with the upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League.
Injustice 2
In the total opposite, Injustice 2 showcases how awesome Harley is as a member of the new Justice League. Her friendship and chemistry with Black Canary and Green Arrow are impossible to not smile at. She has fun banter with Batman and she even shows how strong she is.
Tara Strong's comedic relief in this ultra-twisted reality makes for strong moments of the story. At the same time, Tara Strong flexes her range in action-packed sequences like when Harley battles the phantom Joker or takes on Wonder Woman without any fear.