The relationship between Joker and Harlequin is one of the best known in the world of animation and comics, both are antagonists of Batman’s character, are so characteristic that they have aroused great admiration on the part of the public, it is clear that both are fundamental in the Batman universe, enjoy a great reputation and offer humor and tension to the fictional city of Gotham Wouldn’t Batman be the same without the Joker?and the Joker wouldn’t have the same charm if he didn’t have Harlequin. But what kind of relationship do these two characters have?
If we analyze the relationship a little, if we delve a little deeper into the characters, we will realize that something is wrong, that it is not a healthy relationship and that Harlequin is probably living a manipulative situation from which he cannot escape. .
- The origin of the Joker is uncertain; changes versions of his past as he sees it best and his character is wrapped in a mysterious halo.
- His signature appearance (green hair.
- White skin and red lips) is due to a drop in a chemical waste tank that transforms him forever.
- It’s a hoax: it looks slightly circusy and its macabre plans are accompanied by touches of humor.
- Card games and elements associated with clowns.
He’s not Batman’s only enemy, but you could say he’s the most charismatic, he’s a brilliant, manipulative, lying, selfish, self-centered character with a psychopathic profile who loves the suffering of others. , just himself. He seeks pleasure and laughter almost like a child, and he doesn’t care who hurts him.
Are there countless versions of the Joker and multiple differences between them, that of comics, cartoons, film and the various actors who played it?However, his image and personality make him easily recognizable by the public.
Harlequin is his eternal bride. We know a little more about her in Mad Love, her real name is Harleen Quinzel, she was a prominent gymnast and, thanks to that, she got a scholarship to go to college, studied psychiatry and got excellent grades, albeit in an unre honorable way. He worked at Arkham Asylum, where Joker was hospitalized.
When she met the Joker in Arkham, became fascinated by her personality from the beginning, we see in Mad Love that he was honest with her and recounted traumatic experiences from her past, Harlequin begins to fall in love and blinded by this love, unable to see the psychopath who is the Joker: he only sees someone who has already suffered Batman as his great enemy.
Harlequin manages to save him from Arkham. From this moment on he begins his career in crime and builds his character, a villain fascinated by games and the circus appearance he has as pets two hyenas.
The Joker sees Harlequin as an opportunity to escape Arkham, sees her as someone she trusts, because her devotion to her is infinite, she falls deeply in love and he takes advantage of this situation.
Joker manages to abuse her physically and psychologically and even tries to kill her, but Harlequin does not realize this manipulation, is submissive and pious, resigns herself with a minimum of affection, in some episodes we see some rebellion on your part, a certain approach to reality.
Even if one realizes that most of his actions are motivated to try to impress the Joker, for Harlequin his opinion will be fundamental, he will determine his actions and decisions. As we see, the relationship between the two is a clear example of toxicity.
Harlequin always shows his temperament, dreams of ending Batman because he thinks that this way he will be able to fully enjoy their relationship, that is, he looks for culprits to justify the Joker’s attitude and always has arguments to defend him. He was wrong in believing that his love is reciprocal and that one day they will live happily ever after.
All this leads Harlequin to improve on a Joker plan to kill Batman, proving to be very intelligent and closer than ever to the end of the hero. The irony of the matter is that the Joker himself, out of pride and his inability to accept that Harlequin has defeated him, pushes him out of a building and saves Batman.
It is true that on some occasions we observe certain feelings on the part of the Joker in relation to Harlequin, but in many cases it is also about manipulation or the character’s own madness, the Joker may have feelings for him, but his pride and self-love is much greater.
Harlequina idealized the Joker, idealized the relationship and everything around him, has gone completely crazy for his sick relationship, from which he feeds tiny displays of affection to ensure his loyalty, but the truth is that all this has created enormous insecurity in Harlequin, and we see it when his great enemy, Batman, manages to manipulate her on more than one occasion , generating fear and insecurity in her, even if I tell her the truth about the Joker.
After the debut of the film Suicide Squad in 2016, Joker and Harlequin’s characters became very popular, Joker is played by Jared Leto, a well-known actor and singer, and Harlequin is played by Margot Robbie.
It is true that we have seen other Jokers in the cinema, such as Jack Nicholson in tim Burton’s film, and that the Joker most acclaimed by audience and critic was the late Heath Ledger, but there is no doubt that this version updated with a plus in our Over time, created a new image of the character that spread among young audiences. Harlequin’s impact was even greater, as it was the first time this character had been on the big screen, and his aesthetic renewal had a big impact.
In Suicide Squad, the relationship between the two is not very deep, and we see a Joker, sometimes more compassionate to Harlequin, but also very cruel; In addition, the Joker’s character moves to the background. Harlequin’s Suicide Squad better reflects the essence of the character, his madness, his passion for the Joker and even his desire to live a normal life and start a family with him.
The problem arises when we try to see what does not exist; The Joker remains a psychopath and Harlequin a woman attached to him, they can be very charismatic, attractive, funny, mind-blowing characters and, no doubt, the Batman universe would not be the same without them.
These are characters who have taken their own lives, who mark a style, are the perfect prototype villain and villain, but the relationship between Joker and Harlequin is a clear example of what we DO NOT want, a toxic relationship.
Their madness is contagious, but also dangerous, and you should not miss seeing them for what they are: comic book characters. Characters that draw the villain’s archetype, which can fascinate us; However, we must be aware that in the relationship between Joker and Harlequin, mental health shines through its absence, which could not be consented to in real life.
As we have seen, this analysis is very interesting and we could see the relationship as an example of what should not be imitated, without it being an obstacle to taking advantage of its history and learning from it.