Batman: The Animated Series is a revolutionary cartoon, as it was the first notable American program to show how dark animation could really be. I’d say it even brought an anime sensibility to American animation. It also launched the much-loved DC Animated Universe, which continued through the end of Justice League Unlimited 14 years later and spanned numerous cartoons and animated TV movies.
While the show overall was fantastic, even winning the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program one year, for the purposes of this post I’m focusing on the episodes featuring our antihero of the hour, Harley Quinn. Arguably the show’s biggest contribution to Batman lore was the introduction of her.
Without further ado:
“Joker’s Favor” (Episode 22): A fun story about an ordinary man unexpectedly turned into the Joker’s lackey, but Harley doesn’t do anything too notable. Still worth watching for any fans of the character, as this is her first appearance in any medium ever! 80/100
“The Laughing Fish” (Episode 34): Fantastic! A classic Joker plan – use a chemical compound he designed to make all the fish in the area look like him and then systematically kill the bureaucrats who won’t give him a patent on the fish – with Harley having some fun playing a part in the trippy commercials her “Puddin’” creates for his fish. Batman, meanwhile, is dealing with particularly high stakes trying to stop this scheme, as lives are being taken! 100/100
“Almost Got ‘Im” (Episode 46): Recommended if you like seeing a bunch of the supervillains together. Harley also gets foregrounded, as she’s the one attempting to kill Catwoman (whose shocking romance with Batman is further explored). Fun times. 82/100
“The Man Who Killed Batman” (Episode 51): A hapless guy voiced by geeky-sounding Matt Frewer seemingly kills Batman accidentally and starts getting God-like treatment from fearful fellow criminals. Hilarious episode, although Harley’s part is small. 93/100
“Harley and Ivy” (Episode 56): Finally Harley gets to be the episode’s lead villain. At least co-lead villain with Poison Ivy, as the title implies, and the episode’s sole main character, as she’s the one who grows and changes. As much as Harley can, seemingly, and the episode is very compelling. 98/100
“Trial” (Episode 68): Tantalizing episode where the DA who wants Batman locked up (even though she’s Bruce Wayne’s love interest!) ends up having to defend him in the trial the supervillains put him on when she and Batman are both trapped in Arkham Asylum with them. It’s as surreal as it sounds, plus it’s plenty exciting and it has a cavalcade of the show’s baddies. For Harley Quinn fans, this is the first we learn about her exhilarating backstory. 100/100
“Harlequinade” (Episode 72): Batman and Robin seek Harley’s help stopping an atomic bomb Joker plans to detonate. Nice thrills, and Harley’s utterly codependent relationship with Joker is laid bare. 100/100
“Harley’s Holiday” (Episode 81): Harley is released from Arkham but quickly shows how tragically unready she is. You just can’t keep your eyes off of this pathos that manages to avoid being downbeat. 100/100
Note: my rating is for the Harley Quinn episodes, not the series overall, which would get an easy 100.
Bottom line: Great times!
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