Joker and Harley Quinn, a toxic relationship

The relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn is one of the best known in the world of animation and comics, both are two of the antagonists of the Batman character. They are so charismatic that they have generated great admiration from the public. It is clear that both are fundamental in the Batman universe, they enjoy great reputations and bring humor and tension to the fictional city of Gotham. Of course, Batman wouldn’t be the same without the Joker… and the Joker wouldn’t have the same charm if Harley Quinn wasn’t there. But what kind of relationship do they have?

If we analyze the relationship a little, if we delve a little deeper into the characters, we will immediately realize that something does not fit, that it is not a healthy relationship and that probably Harley Quinn is experiencing a situation of manipulation from which she is unable to escape.

The characters: Joker and Harley Quinn

The Joker’s origin is somewhat uncertain, he changes versions of his past as it suits him and his character is shrouded in a halo of mystery. His characteristic appearance (green hair, white skin and red lips) is due to a fall into a deposit of chemical waste that would change his appearance forever. The Joker, as his name indicates, is a prankster: he has a somewhat circus appearance and his macabre plans are accompanied by touches of humor, card games and elements that we associate with clowns.

He is not Batman’s only enemy, but we could say that he is the most charismatic. He is an ingenious, manipulative, lying, selfish and self-centered character, with a psychopathic profile and who enjoys the suffering of others. The Joker doesn’t love anyone but himself. He seeks fun and laughter almost like a child, and doesn’t care who he hurts with it.

There are countless versions of the Joker and multiple differences between them, the comic, the animated series, the movies and the different actors who have been in charge of interpreting him… However, His image and personality make him easily recognizable to the general public.

Harley Quinn is his eternal love, we know a little more about her in Mad Love. Her real name is Harleen Quinzel, she was an outstanding gymnast and, thanks to this, she achieved a scholarship to enter university; She studied psychiatry and obtained very good grades, although in a dishonest way. Finally, He works at Arkham Asylum, where the Joker is interned.

When she meets the Joker in Arkham, she is fascinated by his personality from the beginning. We see in Mad Love that he opens up to her and tells her traumatic experiences from his past, experiences that we will later discover are not true and that Harley is not the only one who knows them. But Harley begins to fall in love, and blinded by that love, she is unable to see the psychopath that is Joker: she only sees in him someone who has already suffered Batman as her great enemy.

Therefore, Harley steals a Harlequin costume, in honor of the nickname her beloved Joker gave her, and manages to rescue him from Arkham. From this moment She will begin her criminal career and build her character, a villain fascinated by pranks and the circus appearance who has two hyenas as pets..

Joker sees in Harley an opportunity to escape from Arkham, he sees in her someone he can trust, since her devotion to him is infinite. She falls madly in love and he will take advantage of this situation.

The toxic relationship of Joker and Harley Quinn

Joker even goes so far as to physically and psychologically abuse her and even tries to kill her. But Harley is not aware of this manipulation, she is submissive and devoted, settling for a minimal show of affection. Although there are some episodes in which we see a certain rebellion on her part, a certain approach to reality; for example, like when she joins Poison Ivy and tries to get ahead with her new friend.

Although Deep down we realize that most of his actions are motivated to try to impress the Joker. And for Harley, the Joker’s opinion will be fundamental, it will determine her actions and decisions. As we see, the relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn is a clear example of toxicity.

Harley Quinn is always at his disposal, she dreams of taking down Batman because she thinks that this way she will be able to fully enjoy their relationship. That is, she looks for culprits to justify the Joker’s attitude and she always has arguments to defend him. She deceives herself into believing that their love is reciprocal and that, one day, they will live happily ever after.

All of this causes Harley to improve a plan by the Joker to kill Batman, proving to be very intelligent and being closer than ever to finishing him off. The irony of the matter is that it is the Joker himself who, out of pride and his inability to accept that Harley has surpassed him, pushes her off a building and rescues Batman.

It is true that On some occasions we observe certain feelings on the part of the Joker towards Harley, but in many cases, it is also about manipulation or the character’s own madness. The Joker may have feelings for her, but his pride and love for himself are much stronger.

Harley has idealized the Joker, she has idealized the relationship and everything that surrounds it. He has completely lost his sanity due to his sick infatuation, which he feeds with tiny signs of affection to ensure his loyalty. But the truth is that all this has created enormous insecurity in Harley, we see it when her great enemy Batman manages to manipulate her on more than one occasion, creating fear and insecurity in her, although he is really telling her the truth about the Joker.

Suicide Squad, an updated version

After the release of the film Suicide Squad In 2016, the characters have become enormously popular of Joker and Harley Quinn. The Joker is played by Jared Leto, an actor and singer well known to younger audiences; and Harley is played by Margot Robbie.

It is true that we have seen other Jokers in the movies such as Jack Nicholson for Tim Burton’s film, and that the Joker most acclaimed by the public and critics was the late Heath Ledger; but There is no doubt that this new updated version with an aesthetic more in line with our times has created a new image of the character that has spread among the younger audience.. Although the impact of Harley Quinn has been even greater, it was the first time that this character was brought to the big screen and her aesthetic renewal has been a great impact.

In Suicide Squad This relationship is not delved too deeply and we see a Joker, at times, more compassionate towards Harley, although also very cruel; Furthermore, the character of the Joker takes a backseat. Harley’s Suicide Squad It better reflects the essence of the character, his madness, his infatuation with the Joker and even his desire to live a normal life and start a family with him.

The problem comes when we try to see what he is not, the Joker is still a psychopath and Harley is a woman subjected to him.. They can be very charismatic, attractive, funny, ingenious characters and, without a doubt, the Batman universe would not be the same without them.

They are characters that have taken on a life of their own, that set a style, they are the perfect prototype of villain and villain, but The relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn is a clear example of what we DON’T want, a toxic relationship.

Their madness is even contagious, but also dangerous and we must not stop seeing them for what they are: comic characters. Characters who draw the villain archetype, which can fascinate us; However, we must be aware that in the relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn, sanity is conspicuous by its absence, something that could not be allowed in real life. As we have seen, their analysis is very interesting and we could observe the relationship as an example not to imitate, without this being an obstacle to enjoying their story and learning from what happens to them.

You might be interested…