Harley Quinn is an iconic character who’s had a roller coaster of a ride ever since she made her DC Universe debut in 1992, and has gone on to prove herself as an important part of DC’s sprawling multiverse in the decades since. Yet for as popular as the character became, Harley's first comic appearance is far different from most, especially considering she didn’t originate on the page, making her a unique addition to DC lore that other characters can’t compare to.

Featured in an increasing number of comic books, video games, movies, and more, Harley has carved herself a spot in DC fandom that won’t soon go away, with her continued adventures in the comic space proving that point handily. Successfully bucking the Joker’s insidious influence, turning over a new leaf as a former-criminal-turned-pseudo-crime-fighter, and settling down with Poison Ivy in an apartment of their own, Harley has come a long way from her original comic appearance, but what exactly happened the first time she graced the panel of a comic, and how has she evolved since?

Harley Quinn’s First Comic Appearance: 'The Batman Adventures #12' (1993)

Harley’s First Canon Comic Appearance: Batman: Harley Quinn #1 (1999)

Created in 1992 by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for the Batman: The Animated Series episode titled “Joker’s Favor,” Harley Quinn was supposed to be a one-and-done “walk-on role” but quickly became a fan-favorite, eventually making her non-canon comic debut in 1993’s The Batman Adventures #12, by Kelley Puckett and Mike Parobeck. An issue that also acted as the debut for Batman: The Animated Series’ version of Batgirl before her proper introduction in the show, the unexpected popularity of Harley opened the door for this first incredibly brief comic appearance, with the character not becoming an official member of DC’s comic universe until seven years later.

Given a slightly tweaked canon origin set against the backdrop of an earthquake-ravaged Gotham City circa 1999’s No Man’s Land by Harley’s original creator, Paul Dini, as well as artist Yvel Guichet, Batman: Harley Quinn #1 kept the psychiatrist-turned-henchwoman angle Harley had received in 1994's award-winning non-canon Harley Quinn: Mad Love one-shot, and added a layer of danger and darkness to the proceedings that fit within the confines of Batman’s then-current line of books.

Effectively bringing Harley into DC’s main continuity proper, much of her wise-cracking yet violent tendencies from Batman: The Animated Series carried over into this story and successfully reintroduced Harley and Joker’s twisted romance, one that defined the character for years afterward.

Harley’s First Comic Was Set in Batman's Animated Series Continuity

Harley’s First Canon Story Was Set During Batman: No Man’s Land

A Batman: The Animated Series-set tale titled “Batgirl: Day One,” Harley’s first non-canon comic appearance saw her team up with Poison Ivy to kidnap a particularly rich woman attending a high-end costume party, a place where Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl, also happened to be. Although the actual story content and time given to Harley on-panel in The Batman Animated Adventures #12 was understandably light, fans did get to briefly see Harley (equipped with a baseball bat, no less) take on Batgirl, and then, in a twist, get captured by Catwoman, making her debut comic issue a fun if not world-shattering appearance.

Conversely, in her canon comic debut, Harley received an oversized one-shot that fleshed out her origin story, and showed where she got her iconic jester uniform from, how she reintroduced herself to Joker as his henchwoman, and even discovered and renovated a replacement hide-out for her "puddin’." Joker would then betray Harley, who would betray Batman, perfectly illustrating the dysfunctional dynamic of the trio. What’s more, Harley meets her eventual main squeeze, Poison Ivy, in the opening pages of this issue, officially kick-starting a relationship that’s still going strong to this day.

Harley’s Biggest Difference? She’s Finally Become Her Own Woman

Harley No Longer Associates With the Joker or His Twisted Mission Against Batman

Now a canonical part of DC’s comic offerings, Harley’s first comic appearance saw her just beginning her journey as a character, with Harley's obsession with the Joker resulting in a years-long toxic relationship and a villainous streak that Harley was thankfully able to rise above. A bad situation made infinitely better once she kicked Joker to the curb, this was a big change for the character, especially since Harley had premiered as Joker’s lackey, leading her to ditch her jester costume, explore who she is as a person with her partner, Poison Ivy, lean into her more heroic nature, and most importantly, develop faith and confidence in herself, all things that weren’t originally possible.

As for Harley’s first canon appearance, Dini using No Man’s Land’s destroyed Gotham as the setting for Harleen Quinzel’s transition into villainy is something that may have worked at the time, but in hindsight, dates Harley’s origin by tying it to a specific event, especially one that slips in an out of DC’s main continuity depending on what the company’s current stance on which stories “matter” is. However, Harley’s similar backstory and characterization, as developed in both of her “first” comic appearances, are more prevalent now than ever, with fans currently following a Harley Quinn who’s bucked the insidious influence of the Joker to become her own hero — and consequently, a hero to many others.

Harley Has Become a Cross-Medium Star in the Years Since Her Debut

Margo Robbie Famously Plays the Live-Action Version of Harley

Coming a long way from her humble television beginnings, Harley has gone on to not only become a staple DC Comics character on the page but a star in every other medium she crosses into as well. Currently closing in on issue #50 of her ongoing solo series, Harley always seems to have some comic on store shelves, with a constant drip of spin-off miniseries like Harley Quinn Black + White + Red, video games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, live-action movies like Birds of Prey, and even an HBO animated series that brings Harley’s journey full-circle to the medium that started it all, never leaving fans wanting for more Harley content for long.

With her popularity increasing the more fans around the world discover her wacky yet heartfelt adventures in the comic space and beyond, it’s safe to say Harleen Quinzel isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, making Harley one of DC Comics’ most changed but also most developed and layered characters of all time. Harley Quinn’s first comic appearances were memorable ones, and luckily for fans, most of her stories in the time since have followed suit, effectively turning a one-off television goon into a living, breathing anti-hero who might even admit to being a full-blown hero one day.