Harley Quinn is an undeniable fan favorite amongst DC's fanbase, and her popularity is showing no signs of abating as a new animated show following her adventures, starring Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory), is set to launch on the DC Universe streaming service.
Speaking with CBR in an exclusive interview, co-creators Patrick Schumacker and Justin Halpern revealed how much inspiration their show drew from DCs comics, in particular, the New 52.
"Tonally, what Jimmy [Palmiotti] and Amanda [Conner] did was really need into the comedic aspects of the character, making her this kind of wisecracking, Bugs Bunny, kind of analog. So I think we do lean into that," Schumaker explained. "You know, the show itself is set in Gotham. It's not the Coney Island representation. It's not the antihero, sort of social justice warrior, version of Harley that you've seen in the New 52 stuff. I would say it is different than that stuff on paper." Schumaker then pointed to the character of Sy Borgman (Jason Alexander), highlighting that he is the only real example they have of borrowing from Palmiotti and Conner's run.
Halpern added, "There is definitely an element -- Like, it's funny you bring up social justice. I feel like she is that in her own way, but it's with her own kind of sense of what is justice.
Quinn's character arc throughout Season 1 is one of personal self-discovery. The two didn't want her to simply get out of one relationship and fall into another one straight away without any time for her own development. "We wanted it to just be about this self discovery, and not self discovery in terms of how I validate myself through other people," Halpern stated. "In the first season, we sort of stay away from too much of her being romantically involved in anything."
DC Universe's Harley Quinn stars Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Diedrich Bader, Alan Tudyk, Rahul Kohli, Christopher Meloni, Tony Hale, Ron Funches, Wanda Sykes, Natalie Morales, Jim Rash, Giancarlo Esposito, Jason Alexander and J.B. Smoove. The series premieres on Nov. 29.