Harley Quinn is one of DC's most popular characters. She debuted in Batman: The Animated Series as the lover and accomplice of the Joker and was notorious for being a villain before gradually transitioning into an anti-hero following her character's revamp in the Arkham games and the New 52 relaunch.
Despite becoming more of a hero since her emancipation from the Joker, the Clown Princess of Crime's true roots lie in villainy and she has committed numerous atrocities. Harley has proved throughout her history that she is capable of doing good - but she is also capable of creating chaos. Here are the ten worst things Harley Quinn has done.
10 Being An Accomplice To Robin's Murder
Harley Quinn is one of the DCEU's leading ladies. She is scheduled to return to the big screen in Birds Of Prey where the former psychiatrist will be living life on her own away from the Joker. However, that doesn't erase Harley's past crimes, include her canonical role in Jason Todd's murder.
During Harley's introduction scene in Suicide Squad, we are told that the Clown Princess is an accomplice to Robin's murder. Time will tell if Harley's dark past will come back to haunt her in a future DCEU installment.
9 Making Deadshot Wear Joker's Face
Harley has some crazy coping mechanisms that help her process Joker's 'death' in the comics. In the New 52 relaunch, Harley joins the Suicide Squad and initiates a sexual relationship with fellow team member Deadshot - before stealing the Joker's flayed face and forcing her new lover to wear it so she can 'talk' to him.
This is a dark look into the damaged psyche of Harley Quinn as well as a grisly exploration of her relationship with Joker. The Clown Prince influenced Harley more than any other character and brings out her worst impulses.
8 Helping The Joker Break Out Of Arkham
Although Harley's origins have been altered throughout her different incarnations, her general backstory remains the same. After being assigned to the Joker, psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel falls in love with the Clown Prince and helps him escape from Arkham Asylum before donning a harlequin suit and joining him.
Although Harley acts out of 'love,' she unleashes a force of chaos on the innocent people of Gotham when she frees the Joker. Her relationship with him endangers the lives of many and, because of this, Harley is undoubtedly responsible for many deaths.
7 Falling In Love With The Joker
Harley Quinn's relationship with the Joker is one of the most popular and toxic romances in the DC universe. Harley is assigned to Joker as his psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum but, instead of curing her patient, she falls in love with him instead.
Harley's infatuation with the Joker is bizarre and it isn't really clear what it is about the Clown Prince that Harley finds appealing. He is a known criminal and murderer by the time Harley first meets him, though this does not bother her as much as it should.
6 Almost Killing Batman
One of Harley Quinn's most popular stories is the Mad Love comic which details her origin story. To prove to the Joker how much she loves him, Harley traps Batman and almost kills the Caped Crusader in a surprisingly thought-out plan that reluctantly impresses the Dark Knight.
This shows the depths that Harley was prepared to go to prove her 'love' to Joker. Harley has prioritized the Joker above the lives of innocent people and barely bats an eyelid at attempted murder.
5 Killing Children As Harleen
One of Harley Quinn's most despicable acts is portrayed in the New 52 relaunch series. After joining the Suicide Squad, Harley's mentality deteriorates and she has 'relapses' into her old persona Harleen. In Detective Comics #23, Harley gives several children video games with explosives inside and later detonates them, killing them all ruthlessly.
This child-killing incarnation of the Clown Princess is a far cry from her depiction in the DCEU. This is Harley at her most evil, sadistic, and unlikable.
4 Torturing Tim Drake
Harley Quinn has helped the Joker torment more than one Robin. In Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker, the Clown Princess aids Joker in torturing and brainwashing Tim Drake, manipulating the Boy Wonder into a twisted version of their 'son.'
In flashbacks, we see that Harley does show some remorse for this and she is just as much of a victim when it comes to the Joker. Regardless, it is still one of Harley's darkest and regrettable acts of violence in her history.
3 Becoming A Villain
Harley Quinn may have followed the Joker down the path of villainy but she did so willingly. Even after leaving him for the first time, the Clown Princess doesn't abandon her villainous ways and teams up with Poison Ivy and Catwoman to form the Gotham City Sirens.
Harley has demonstrated consistently throughout her history that she is one of DC's more selfish characters. She is not driven by a sense of justice or moral code like Superman and Wonder Woman and instead looks out for herself.
2 Throwing The Joker's Daughter Into Traffic
In Suicide Squad Vol I, Harley has an altercation with Duela Dent, the Joker's daughter. Dent provokes Harley by claiming that she is a more perfect version than her and the Clown Princess responds by throwing The Joker's 'daughter' into oncoming traffic.
Harley's temper gets the better of her here but her actions weren't unjustified. Like the Joker, Duela had a knack for bringing out the worst in Harley and provoking her fury.
1 Killing The Joker At Their Wedding
If there wasn't enough proof that the Joker's relationship with Harley Quinn is toxic then their wedding in Injustice is the ultimate evidence of their dysfunction. In the video game and alternate comic book series, Harley Quinn gets married to him only to snap after the Clown Prince smears wedding cake on her face, killing her husband by cutting his throat.
Harley has been pushed to her breaking point and beyond by the Joker over the years. This final violent act is an appropriate culmination of their twisted 'romance.'