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Batman Adventures
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love
Written and drawn by the masterminds behind the critically acclaimed "Batman: The Animated Series," Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, this Batman one-shot reveals the origins of Harley Quinn as she proves her love to the Joker by trying to eliminate the Dark Knight on her own!
63 pages, Comic
First published December 14, 1993
75 people are currently reading
4755 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dini
718 books705 followersPaul Dini is an American television producer of animated cartoons. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond and Duck Dodgers. He also developed and scripted Krypto the Superdog and contributed scripts to Animaniacs (he created Minerva Mink), Freakazoid, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. After leaving Warner Bros. In early 2004, Dini went on to write and story edit the popular ABC adventure series Lost.
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
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August 14, 2025
(A) 87% | Extraordinary
Notes: Wherein love is blind (the toxic kind) and truth is candy-coated: repeated hurt will not divert the hopelessly devoted.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ First Half ◦ Second Half ◦ Bonus Content
Notes: Wherein love is blind (the toxic kind) and truth is candy-coated: repeated hurt will not divert the hopelessly devoted.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ First Half ◦ Second Half ◦ Bonus Content
July 2, 2021
Mad Love is Harley Quinn's original origin story.
It's a story about a psychotic chick in love with an abusive clown, and it knows that it's a story about a psychotic chick in love with an abusive clown.
In the foreword, Dini talks about how this is his version of that unhealthy, obsessive love that you usually experience at least once in your lifetime. Most of us learn our lesson and move on to better things, but a foolish few hang on with their toenails to someone who clearly doesn't love them back.
Also, this was written back in the days before Harley was a beloved anti-hero who was splattered all over the place.
So, she's a dick.
She's still goofy comedy relief but she's not a good person underneath it all. She's a manipulative asshole in love with a bigger manipulative asshole, but it still has that cartoony don't worry folks, there's no real danger here feeling to the story.
And the way Dini and Bruce Timm treads the line between adult content in a cartoon setting without getting too dark is a big part of what makes this a good story.
I'm not a fan of DC saturating the market with Harley Quinn, so it surprised me that I enjoyed this older incarnation of her so much.
Recommended.
It's a story about a psychotic chick in love with an abusive clown, and it knows that it's a story about a psychotic chick in love with an abusive clown.
In the foreword, Dini talks about how this is his version of that unhealthy, obsessive love that you usually experience at least once in your lifetime. Most of us learn our lesson and move on to better things, but a foolish few hang on with their toenails to someone who clearly doesn't love them back.
Also, this was written back in the days before Harley was a beloved anti-hero who was splattered all over the place.
So, she's a dick.
She's still goofy comedy relief but she's not a good person underneath it all. She's a manipulative asshole in love with a bigger manipulative asshole, but it still has that cartoony don't worry folks, there's no real danger here feeling to the story.
And the way Dini and Bruce Timm treads the line between adult content in a cartoon setting without getting too dark is a big part of what makes this a good story.
I'm not a fan of DC saturating the market with Harley Quinn, so it surprised me that I enjoyed this older incarnation of her so much.
Recommended.
June 28, 2017
Harley Quinn's origin as only her "fathers" could tell it!
Creative Team:
Writer: Paul Dini
Illustrator: Bruce Timm
DON'T YA WANNA REV UP YOUR HARLEY?
When Harley Quinn did her first appearance in the episode "Joker's Favor" from the now iconic Animated TV series Batman: The Animated Series, in 1992, hardly her "fathers", Paul Dini & Bruce Timm, would being able to imagine the HUGE impact that her creation would make not only in the animated format, but also in comic books and now even in live-action productions.
Hey, Mister J!
It's clear that they hadn't figure out her origin since the beginning, due a comment that Harley does when she's arrested by Batman about that it wasn't a good idea leaving the beauty school. She was just another member of Joker's band and it's very likely that she won't appear much later, but audience got in (mad) love with her at once, and two years later, she was easily one of the most popular animated characters of all time.
Banzai!
So, she deserved a worthy origin, and what better than being done by her "fathers", Paul Dini & Bruce Timm, in this now iconic "one-shot" comic book, winner of an Eisner and Harvey Awards for "Best Single Story" in 1994, and that it got so popular that it was the only story from the tie-in comic book title of The Batman Adventures that got a TV animated adaptation.
NOW IT ALL WORKS!
Then, Harley Quinn, from a secondary animated character with a loosely non-disclosure background as beautician...
...she became Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, PhD, rising young psychologist that she started her promising career at the infamous Arkham Asylum, where she thought that an easy way to success in her field was to make a study in one of the criminally insane residents...
...The Joker.
Poor Harleen never knew how bad call was that one and how her life wouldn't be the same anymore!
Puddin'!
And Gotham City wouldn't be the same anymore neither...
...it would became better and funnier!!!
Thank you, Paul and Bruce, for creating such wonderful character!
Creative Team:
Writer: Paul Dini
Illustrator: Bruce Timm
DON'T YA WANNA REV UP YOUR HARLEY?
When Harley Quinn did her first appearance in the episode "Joker's Favor" from the now iconic Animated TV series Batman: The Animated Series, in 1992, hardly her "fathers", Paul Dini & Bruce Timm, would being able to imagine the HUGE impact that her creation would make not only in the animated format, but also in comic books and now even in live-action productions.
Hey, Mister J!
It's clear that they hadn't figure out her origin since the beginning, due a comment that Harley does when she's arrested by Batman about that it wasn't a good idea leaving the beauty school. She was just another member of Joker's band and it's very likely that she won't appear much later, but audience got in (mad) love with her at once, and two years later, she was easily one of the most popular animated characters of all time.
Banzai!
So, she deserved a worthy origin, and what better than being done by her "fathers", Paul Dini & Bruce Timm, in this now iconic "one-shot" comic book, winner of an Eisner and Harvey Awards for "Best Single Story" in 1994, and that it got so popular that it was the only story from the tie-in comic book title of The Batman Adventures that got a TV animated adaptation.
NOW IT ALL WORKS!
Then, Harley Quinn, from a secondary animated character with a loosely non-disclosure background as beautician...
...she became Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, PhD, rising young psychologist that she started her promising career at the infamous Arkham Asylum, where she thought that an easy way to success in her field was to make a study in one of the criminally insane residents...
...The Joker.
Poor Harleen never knew how bad call was that one and how her life wouldn't be the same anymore!
Puddin'!
And Gotham City wouldn't be the same anymore neither...
...it would became better and funnier!!!
Thank you, Paul and Bruce, for creating such wonderful character!
August 25, 2008
Harley, Harley, Harley... Poor thing. Now, I'm not a very good feminist. Let's just put that out there. And I love Joker/Harley stories. The Joker and Harley Quinn are pretty much the ultimate in the abusive relationship. In real life, this would be the saddest thing I'd ever heard. But that's what's so great about fiction, you can look at something from totally different perspectives and you can explore impossible ideas and outcomes. You can take a maniacal serial murderer and pair him with an adorable, but completely insane, proverbial villain cheerleader and the dynamic is not only amusing but there is really something quite charming about it.
Go figure.
So, here we are presented with the origin of one of Batman's greatest female adversaries. (He doesn't have many, but bear with me). We get some Harley Quinn backstory, and it's a lot of fun. Her genius creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm have made her history tragic and shocking and oh, so darkly funny.
Some of my favorite bits (that they didn't end up doing at all in the really-quite-accurate cartoon portrayal a few years later) are the daydreams Harley has of her dream life with her loving puddin'. And there's even one pretty amusing daynightmare from the mind of the Clown Prince of Crime himself, when he's imaging his humiliation at what the other super villains will say, when they find out that his cute little bouncy girlfriend managed to capture and kill The Batman, all by her lonesome, after he failed so many times before. Pretty great.
This is excellent. Harley Quinn is my favorite. She's psychotic and demented and hopelessly in love with a murderous psychopathic clown. How brilliant is that?
This comic isn't just a lot of fun and adorable and entertaining. It's a damn good read. Everything a comic-book should be, with a couple of cherries.
Go figure.
So, here we are presented with the origin of one of Batman's greatest female adversaries. (He doesn't have many, but bear with me). We get some Harley Quinn backstory, and it's a lot of fun. Her genius creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm have made her history tragic and shocking and oh, so darkly funny.
Some of my favorite bits (that they didn't end up doing at all in the really-quite-accurate cartoon portrayal a few years later) are the daydreams Harley has of her dream life with her loving puddin'. And there's even one pretty amusing daynightmare from the mind of the Clown Prince of Crime himself, when he's imaging his humiliation at what the other super villains will say, when they find out that his cute little bouncy girlfriend managed to capture and kill The Batman, all by her lonesome, after he failed so many times before. Pretty great.
This is excellent. Harley Quinn is my favorite. She's psychotic and demented and hopelessly in love with a murderous psychopathic clown. How brilliant is that?
This comic isn't just a lot of fun and adorable and entertaining. It's a damn good read. Everything a comic-book should be, with a couple of cherries.
March 14, 2020
English & Arabic Review :
The Birth of Harley Quinn xD
Amazing story , writing , craziness and as usual from Harley & joker FUN , the story after Harley Quinn and her dream of getting rid of batman and start a family with The Joker.
when we talk about The joker and Harley Quinn , there is two point of views Nolan's Joker Heath Ledger who was phenomenal , one of it's kind of course but wasn't from the comics at all .
Davil Ayer Joker Jared Leto who was in my opinion didn't take his chance yet and his own movie but was amazing in 13 min he appeared in the movie coz it was the Joker from the Comics the crazy mob gangster joker .
Most Of the scenes in suicide squad between The Joker & Harley came from this comics and it was fascinating .
اول ظهور ل هارلى كويين
الولادة الحقيقة لشخصية هارلى كويين من الرائعين بروس تيم و بول دينى الذى ابدع فى سلسلة بات مان الكرتونية المميزة فى التسعينات .
قصة رائعة ب رسومات ممتازة و كوميديا و كيمياء بين الجوكر و هارلى من اول ظهور و كان معظم اللقطات بينهم فى الفيلم الاخير الفرقة الانتحارية مقتبس من هذا الكوميكس .
ك قارئ للكوميكس استطيع ان اجد الفارق بين جوكر نولان هيث ليدجر الظاهرة , جوكر ديفيد آير جاريد ليتو , معظم المشاهدين ل فيلم الفرقة الانتحارية الاخير و ظهور الجوكر مخالف ل هيث ليدجر جعلهم يكرهوا جاريد ليتو ك جوكر فاشل و لكن من قرأ الكوميكس يعلم ان جاريد ليتو جسد جوكر الكوميكس المحبب رجل العصابات السادى المجنون ليس الجوكر الفيلسوفى الذى لا وجود له الا فى عالم و ثلاثية نولان التى لن ياتى مثلها .
The Birth of Harley Quinn xD
Amazing story , writing , craziness and as usual from Harley & joker FUN , the story after Harley Quinn and her dream of getting rid of batman and start a family with The Joker.
when we talk about The joker and Harley Quinn , there is two point of views Nolan's Joker Heath Ledger who was phenomenal , one of it's kind of course but wasn't from the comics at all .
Davil Ayer Joker Jared Leto who was in my opinion didn't take his chance yet and his own movie but was amazing in 13 min he appeared in the movie coz it was the Joker from the Comics the crazy mob gangster joker .
Most Of the scenes in suicide squad between The Joker & Harley came from this comics and it was fascinating .
اول ظهور ل هارلى كويين
الولادة الحقيقة لشخصية هارلى كويين من الرائعين بروس تيم و بول دينى الذى ابدع فى سلسلة بات مان الكرتونية المميزة فى التسعينات .
قصة رائعة ب رسومات ممتازة و كوميديا و كيمياء بين الجوكر و هارلى من اول ظهور و كان معظم اللقطات بينهم فى الفيلم الاخير الفرقة الانتحارية مقتبس من هذا الكوميكس .
ك قارئ للكوميكس استطيع ان اجد الفارق بين جوكر نولان هيث ليدجر الظاهرة , جوكر ديفيد آير جاريد ليتو , معظم المشاهدين ل فيلم الفرقة الانتحارية الاخير و ظهور الجوكر مخالف ل هيث ليدجر جعلهم يكرهوا جاريد ليتو ك جوكر فاشل و لكن من قرأ الكوميكس يعلم ان جاريد ليتو جسد جوكر الكوميكس المحبب رجل العصابات السادى المجنون ليس الجوكر الفيلسوفى الذى لا وجود له الا فى عالم و ثلاثية نولان التى لن ياتى مثلها .
August 6, 2016
4.5 stars
The only reason I took away 0.5 stars is that I prefer the New 52 Suicide Squad origin story. I love my Harley Quinn with bleached skin and funky hair. It's more dramatic than going out and stealing a jester suit.
Anyway, I can never get enough of Harley and the Joker. I love them together, their dynamic. The Clown Prince of Crime did an amazing job of unleashing dr. Quinzel's craziness. And I love how it is implied that Harley is smarter than Mr. J. She actually caught Batman and had a real shot at killing him until Puddin' stepped in. You go, girl!
In her own way, Alfred, Harley Quinn's as crazy as the Joker. Her playful exterior hides an obsessive and dangerous mind.
The only reason I took away 0.5 stars is that I prefer the New 52 Suicide Squad origin story. I love my Harley Quinn with bleached skin and funky hair. It's more dramatic than going out and stealing a jester suit.
Anyway, I can never get enough of Harley and the Joker. I love them together, their dynamic. The Clown Prince of Crime did an amazing job of unleashing dr. Quinzel's craziness. And I love how it is implied that Harley is smarter than Mr. J. She actually caught Batman and had a real shot at killing him until Puddin' stepped in. You go, girl!
September 24, 2019
(Link: http://imgur.com/gallery/PwTvR )
How true. Dear Harley...but the problem is, the guy you are madly in love with obviously doesn't care about you! Plus it really is saying something when Batman can appreciate your cleverness more than the Joker, who is so, so jealous of your success and can't stand you outsmarting him!
I really just can't stand the Joker's ego! He gets upset by the thought of Harley Quinn taking the credit of killing Batman and the other male supervillains (e.g. Two-Face, the Riddler etc) laughing at him for this!
So, here we go, one of the Harley Quinn's origin stories, I read two similar but slightly different stories about how she becomes Harley Quinn, not to mention the new Harley Quinn's origin story in the New 52.
The story line of Mad Love is similar with the Batman anime series from the 1990s. I remember watching a bit of this anime series when I was a child, but back then I wasn't interested in Batman and I barely understood the story because I knew little English when I was very young.
If you had watched the 1990s Batman anime series, you will know how the story will go. The artwork is a bit on the children-friendly side (I almost want to say 'childish' but it isn't what I want to say) but I guess it's fitting for the audience it means to impress?
In the end, we all know Harley isn't going to break up with the Joker any time soon (although I wish she would!) and this 63 pages short story really does show how harmful a toxic love relationship like this can be for a girl, though some might argues that the domestic violence had been made comical by the artwork and the story telling.
Review: Red Hood: Outlaw vol. 1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review: Batman: Battle For the Cowl: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review: Batman: Life After Death: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review: Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Review: Batman: The Long Halloween https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review: The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told Vol. 1 (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
Review: Batman: A Death in the Family https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Batman and Robin by Peter Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Omnibus https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 27, 2017
Pretty good! So this serves as the original but also the best origin story for Harley Quinn and it also looks at Jokers and Harley's toxic relationship! This story was first a comic and then would be an episode in Batman: The Animated series; because of that the artwork is basically the same as the animation for the cartoon, which I like so it was nice to see! If you want to know about this story, it depends whether you wanna watch or read, because they are almost identical. The Comic is probably the more 'Adult' version, as it has certain things they couldn't show in the cartoon, but the changes are very minor and don't really affect the story. But overall I really enjoyed this comic, its a good origin for Harley Quinn; the stuff they did in the Batman cartoon really had a big impact on the comics, which us something I'm always grateful for!
June 22, 2014
Harley Quinn was one of the original characters created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for their seminal series, Batman: The Animated Series. She got her first comicbook appearance in this one-shot by Dini and Timm.
This book was perfect. Not only does it gave us the origin of a character who has become a mainstay in the comicbook and cartoons, Harley Quinn also made a cameo appearance in the Arrow series, the writing and the art captured both the Batman and Joker character beats so well that this is an essential read for any Batman fan. Harley's obssession for her lover or "puddin" mirrored the Joker's own obsession with the Batman. He could never accept his own lackey executing the perfect plan to capture his longtime nemesis that he would rather sabotage it rather than the glory of the capture be taken from him.
This book was perfect. Not only does it gave us the origin of a character who has become a mainstay in the comicbook and cartoons, Harley Quinn also made a cameo appearance in the Arrow series, the writing and the art captured both the Batman and Joker character beats so well that this is an essential read for any Batman fan. Harley's obssession for her lover or "puddin" mirrored the Joker's own obsession with the Batman. He could never accept his own lackey executing the perfect plan to capture his longtime nemesis that he would rather sabotage it rather than the glory of the capture be taken from him.
October 4, 2020
Pretty much the best version of Harley Quinn ever written; but for her momentary lapse of confidence she would have been the one to bring down the Batman.
December 2, 2016
Also available on the WondrousBooks blog.
*** 3.5 stars ***
Okay, let's start with this: I'm pretty sure you know what got me to this story.
Having previously said that I'm not a Batman girl, I never really feel any specific urge to read yet another famous Batman novel. But everyone, to one degree or another, was interested by the Harley/Joker romance in Suicide Squad. Even a bunch of people who don't know what a comic book is managed to get into it. (I would say that the latter could be explained with an entire series of psychological issues, among which hardcore daddy issues, but that's another topic of conversation.)
So naturally, from everywhere, I started hearing about Mad Love. THE Harley/Joker novel, it seems. And to be honest, I was impressed with how they related some of the moments to the screen. Arguably, Suicide Squad was edited and cut up enough to lose coherency, but nevertheless, I enjoyed how they included so much of the lore.
Long story short, here I am, having read Mad Love. And I would say that it's one of the Batman stories that I've enjoyed the most. The reasons are as follows:
1. Batman is not even a main character in this. P.S. Batman sucks. Enough of this gloomy sociopath already.
2. This book is seemingly very lighthearted and funny, while also being deep and disturbing, especially in the aspects of Harley and the Joker's abusive relationship.
3. This is the first time I actually cared about Harley Quinn. She is such a famous character/villain, but I've never really been interested in her. Villains usually go in to categories: crazy evil and coaxed into being evil. She is neither. Harley, as we see in this book, and as I believed for the first time, is truly mentally unstable. And that was actually cool to read about, as it made her more original and interesting.
4. The Joker is not almighty. He's not much of a mastermind either. She actually outsmarts him, even though she's crazy so it doesn't really count as much.
And in all honesty, there were a lot of conflicting emotions in me while reading Mad Love. The more I thought about it, the more upsetting it became, albeit making me even more impressed with Dini's novel. Because there are many moments in the book where I was like "Ha-ha-ha... oh wait..."
Which brings me to the last part of my review: it's okay to see disturbed people in comic books. It's 80:20 of crazies:normals, and a lot of the crazies are the heroes themselves.
It is, however, upsetting to see how many young people want to be a part of a relationship like this. Many men, especially young ones, see themselves as Jokers, usually guys who want to be cocky and impressive; but more so, it's worse when girls feel like Harley Quinn is a role model. Because not only is she crazy and murderous, but she is in an abusive relationship with a psychopath.
And in reality, I even personally know girls who want to, as the song from Suicide Squad "eloquently" puts it, "meet a gangster to treat them better than the others do." (or something). We all know that the issue here is that a lot of young women want to be special to the one guy who would kill everyone, but love them more than anyone, and treat them special... But if you are a girl who thinks that, and is reading this post: Get your shit together, darling. The most you would get is a special slap, because your boyfriend is an abusive creep.
*** 3.5 stars ***
Okay, let's start with this: I'm pretty sure you know what got me to this story.
Having previously said that I'm not a Batman girl, I never really feel any specific urge to read yet another famous Batman novel. But everyone, to one degree or another, was interested by the Harley/Joker romance in Suicide Squad. Even a bunch of people who don't know what a comic book is managed to get into it. (I would say that the latter could be explained with an entire series of psychological issues, among which hardcore daddy issues, but that's another topic of conversation.)
So naturally, from everywhere, I started hearing about Mad Love. THE Harley/Joker novel, it seems. And to be honest, I was impressed with how they related some of the moments to the screen. Arguably, Suicide Squad was edited and cut up enough to lose coherency, but nevertheless, I enjoyed how they included so much of the lore.
Long story short, here I am, having read Mad Love. And I would say that it's one of the Batman stories that I've enjoyed the most. The reasons are as follows:
1. Batman is not even a main character in this. P.S. Batman sucks. Enough of this gloomy sociopath already.
2. This book is seemingly very lighthearted and funny, while also being deep and disturbing, especially in the aspects of Harley and the Joker's abusive relationship.
3. This is the first time I actually cared about Harley Quinn. She is such a famous character/villain, but I've never really been interested in her. Villains usually go in to categories: crazy evil and coaxed into being evil. She is neither. Harley, as we see in this book, and as I believed for the first time, is truly mentally unstable. And that was actually cool to read about, as it made her more original and interesting.
4. The Joker is not almighty. He's not much of a mastermind either. She actually outsmarts him, even though she's crazy so it doesn't really count as much.
And in all honesty, there were a lot of conflicting emotions in me while reading Mad Love. The more I thought about it, the more upsetting it became, albeit making me even more impressed with Dini's novel. Because there are many moments in the book where I was like "Ha-ha-ha... oh wait..."
Which brings me to the last part of my review: it's okay to see disturbed people in comic books. It's 80:20 of crazies:normals, and a lot of the crazies are the heroes themselves.
It is, however, upsetting to see how many young people want to be a part of a relationship like this. Many men, especially young ones, see themselves as Jokers, usually guys who want to be cocky and impressive; but more so, it's worse when girls feel like Harley Quinn is a role model. Because not only is she crazy and murderous, but she is in an abusive relationship with a psychopath.
And in reality, I even personally know girls who want to, as the song from Suicide Squad "eloquently" puts it, "meet a gangster to treat them better than the others do." (or something). We all know that the issue here is that a lot of young women want to be special to the one guy who would kill everyone, but love them more than anyone, and treat them special... But if you are a girl who thinks that, and is reading this post: Get your shit together, darling. The most you would get is a special slap, because your boyfriend is an abusive creep.
September 6, 2014
Me encanto. Lo leí en español y debo decir que no me lleve un chasco con la traducción.
Harley es uno de mis personajes favoritos en el mundo de gotham, su interminable amor por el Joker la hace tonta. Pero es eso lo que precisamente hace el amor ¿no?
Las fantasías de Harley con el Joker son algo típicas y ella cree que matando a Batman al fin se harían realidad.
Harley usa un antiguo plan del Joker para llevar acabo el homicidio de batman. Batman cayo en la trampa que harley le puso para atraparlo. Batman logra manipulara a Harley para que se de cuenta de como el Joker la usa, Batman la manipula para que llame al Joker y le cuente lo que esta apunto de hacer. El joker furioso va hacia donde Harley tiene capturado a Batman y lo libera porque él y solo él matara a Batman.
''Pero desde el principio... Harley Quinn no era ningún ángel. En su adolescencia gano una beca de Gimnasia para entrar a la universidad de ciudad gótica. Pero su meta verdadera... Era un titulo del prestigioso departamento de la universidad, sin mencionar que quería obtenerlo sin estudiar. No necesito decir que sus planes han cambiado desde entonces.''
Harley es uno de mis personajes favoritos en el mundo de gotham, su interminable amor por el Joker la hace tonta. Pero es eso lo que precisamente hace el amor ¿no?
Las fantasías de Harley con el Joker son algo típicas y ella cree que matando a Batman al fin se harían realidad.
Harley usa un antiguo plan del Joker para llevar acabo el homicidio de batman. Batman cayo en la trampa que harley le puso para atraparlo. Batman logra manipulara a Harley para que se de cuenta de como el Joker la usa, Batman la manipula para que llame al Joker y le cuente lo que esta apunto de hacer. El joker furioso va hacia donde Harley tiene capturado a Batman y lo libera porque él y solo él matara a Batman.
-Sabia que tu gigantesco ego no le daría el ''honor'' a nadie de matarme. Aunque debo admitir de que ella estuvo más cerca de lo que tú nunca has estado....... Pastelito.
April 23, 2020
Harley Quinn is one of the most popular comic book characters right now. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, originally for the animated series, and this book marks her introduction to the comic book universe.
When Paul Dini and Bruce Timm collaborate, things rarely go wrong. In the book, the origin of Harley Quinn is explored and the readers can also get a brief glimpse of the dysfunctional relationship that Joker and Harley have. Bruce Timm has drawn the comic book in the style of the animated series and every page is a beauty to look at. The action scenes are extremely well done.
This book never forgets to be fun, which is a factor that most current comic book writers have forgotten entirely.
When Paul Dini and Bruce Timm collaborate, things rarely go wrong. In the book, the origin of Harley Quinn is explored and the readers can also get a brief glimpse of the dysfunctional relationship that Joker and Harley have. Bruce Timm has drawn the comic book in the style of the animated series and every page is a beauty to look at. The action scenes are extremely well done.
This book never forgets to be fun, which is a factor that most current comic book writers have forgotten entirely.
August 22, 2020
batman jogando na cara do coringa que a harley chegou mais perto de matar ele do que o coringa jamais chegou e ainda chamando ele de puddin no final mesmo sabendo que o coringa odeia: tudo pra mim!!!!!!! iconic!!!!! queen!!!!!!!
(ps: mds batman classic animated series que saudades!!!!)
(ps: mds batman classic animated series que saudades!!!!)
January 19, 2020
It’s not easy to be in love with The Joker 🃏 ...
January 7, 2017
The graphic novels that I tend to read are the ones that Matt selects for me, so they're generally the best of the genre. For Batman, that means Gritty Dark Heroics or Interesting Mysteries, like The Court of Owls or The Long Halloween. Mad Love is the most comic-y Batman that I've ever read, from the writing to the art:
This is Harley Quinn's origin story, and it has the potential to be very moving. She deeply loves the Joker, who doesn't think anything of verbally and physically abusing her. She comes closer than the Joker does to , which the Joker can't stand because he'd be "Mr. Harley Quinn" - so he lashes out. He clearly and constantly manipulates her, but Harley is so blinded by her love that she stays loyal.
But the writing and art here do Harley a disservice. When the Joker hits her and throws her out of his home, Harley has an emotional moment where she vows to bring down Batman, the specter she believes is standing in the way of their love. But, of course, she does this in a sheer babydoll. In the introduction to this volume, Paul Dini says - somewhat incongruously - "We'd be constantly running into each other's offices - Bruce to show me cool page layouts and sexy Harley poses, me to deliver rewritten script pages." And Harley does spend more than half of this volume only partially clothed. It's pretty cheap and robs the story of any emotional heft it might have had. In the hands of a different artist or writer (hate to say it but in the Nolan style), this would have been great. Here, it's just distasteful.
This is Harley Quinn's origin story, and it has the potential to be very moving. She deeply loves the Joker, who doesn't think anything of verbally and physically abusing her. She comes closer than the Joker does to , which the Joker can't stand because he'd be "Mr. Harley Quinn" - so he lashes out. He clearly and constantly manipulates her, but Harley is so blinded by her love that she stays loyal.
But the writing and art here do Harley a disservice. When the Joker hits her and throws her out of his home, Harley has an emotional moment where she vows to bring down Batman, the specter she believes is standing in the way of their love. But, of course, she does this in a sheer babydoll. In the introduction to this volume, Paul Dini says - somewhat incongruously - "We'd be constantly running into each other's offices - Bruce to show me cool page layouts and sexy Harley poses, me to deliver rewritten script pages." And Harley does spend more than half of this volume only partially clothed. It's pretty cheap and robs the story of any emotional heft it might have had. In the hands of a different artist or writer (hate to say it but in the Nolan style), this would have been great. Here, it's just distasteful.
September 20, 2016
Read this one because I wanted to see how Bruce Timm's art looks like on paper. Great artwork. If you're a fan of the animated series you'll definitely like it. In fact this story was later adapted into an episode of the same name in The New Batman Adventures.
The story explains the origin of Harley Quinn and her relationship with the Joker. Seeing her Puddin' fail again and again at the hands of Batman, she executes one of Joker's plans for killing him while giving it a twist from her side.
It's a quick read, and if you are in the mood for a good old humorous Joker book then this is the one for you.
March 25, 2017
Oh Harley, you never learn!
The issue was so much fun and had a lot of adventure. Also, amazing artwork. If you're a fan of the animated series (I am!) you'll definitely like this. In fact, this story was later adapted into an episode of the same name in The New Batman Adventures.
If you don't know anything about Joker's and Harley's relationship and history (I doubt that!), this is a great start for you.
The issue was so much fun and had a lot of adventure. Also, amazing artwork. If you're a fan of the animated series (I am!) you'll definitely like this. In fact, this story was later adapted into an episode of the same name in The New Batman Adventures.
If you don't know anything about Joker's and Harley's relationship and history (I doubt that!), this is a great start for you.
December 3, 2020
Review to follow...
December 6, 2022
I had high hopes for this one having read in various places that it is considered a real modern classic and the origin story for Harley Quinn. I was not enamored with the artwork which felt like stills from the Batman Animated Series, and the story while interesting was actually not all that engaging. Plus, I bought the Deluxe edition hoping to get some stories before and after this one to contextualize it, but the edition only brought tons of alternative drafts of the final version. Oh well...
October 15, 2015
"Face it, Harl. You´re a certified nutzo wanted by the law in two dozen states...an hopelessly in love with a murderous, psychopathic clown.
At what point did my life go looney tunes?
How did it happen? Who´s to blame?
Batman, that´s who! Batman! It´s always been Batman!!
Coming between me and my puddin´ from the very beginning..."
Um Joker ihre wahnsinnige Liebe zu beweisen, will Harley Batman für ihn zur Strecke bringen. Aber sie hat Mr. J´s Narzissmus nicht bedacht, denn es kann nur einen geben, der Batman zur Strecke bringen darf.
Egal, ob man noch vom letzten schlechten Buch frustriert ist oder vom Herbstwetter: MAD LOVE gibt die unbändige Freude am Leben zurück: Quietschbunt, grell, überdreht, irrsinnig witzig - Paul Dini und Bruce Timm sind ein Traumteam und MAD LOVE das Beste, das einem an einem grauen Tag passieren kann!
Zur Ausgabe selbst: Die Deluxe Edition beinhaltet die Story mit einem Vorwort von Dini und einem Nachwort von Timm, die original Layouts in s/w sowie die original Color Guides jeweils für das gesamte Comic.
At what point did my life go looney tunes?
How did it happen? Who´s to blame?
Batman, that´s who! Batman! It´s always been Batman!!
Coming between me and my puddin´ from the very beginning..."
Um Joker ihre wahnsinnige Liebe zu beweisen, will Harley Batman für ihn zur Strecke bringen. Aber sie hat Mr. J´s Narzissmus nicht bedacht, denn es kann nur einen geben, der Batman zur Strecke bringen darf.
Egal, ob man noch vom letzten schlechten Buch frustriert ist oder vom Herbstwetter: MAD LOVE gibt die unbändige Freude am Leben zurück: Quietschbunt, grell, überdreht, irrsinnig witzig - Paul Dini und Bruce Timm sind ein Traumteam und MAD LOVE das Beste, das einem an einem grauen Tag passieren kann!
Zur Ausgabe selbst: Die Deluxe Edition beinhaltet die Story mit einem Vorwort von Dini und einem Nachwort von Timm, die original Layouts in s/w sowie die original Color Guides jeweils für das gesamte Comic.
August 3, 2016
Dialogue: A
Artwork: A+
Plot: A
Characters: A
I rated all those categories very well, but I just can't rate this a four. I think the three star/"liked it" is most appropriate because I did like this. Maybe it's just too short and a little too comical for a four star rating.
But I loved the artwork in this. It was the 1990s cartoon artwork, and it just really worked for this story. It made some of the scenes that would have maybe been violent or dark in any other art seem a little comical. On one hand, this was a good thing and I liked the mood it gave off. On the other hand, it made Harley Quinn's origin story more of a joke. I mean, she loves the Joker so it seems fitting, but she actually has a pretty rough and depressing origin story.
At the end of this, Bruce Timm (illustrator) wrote that Harley's origin story was inspired by a female friend of his that was struggling in an abusive relationship until she finally left "her Joker." That was pretty cool and a little known fact, I imagine.
Overall, I don't know that I would consider this mandatory reading aside from the fact that I believe it's Harley Quinn's origin story.
Artwork: A+
Plot: A
Characters: A
I rated all those categories very well, but I just can't rate this a four. I think the three star/"liked it" is most appropriate because I did like this. Maybe it's just too short and a little too comical for a four star rating.
But I loved the artwork in this. It was the 1990s cartoon artwork, and it just really worked for this story. It made some of the scenes that would have maybe been violent or dark in any other art seem a little comical. On one hand, this was a good thing and I liked the mood it gave off. On the other hand, it made Harley Quinn's origin story more of a joke. I mean, she loves the Joker so it seems fitting, but she actually has a pretty rough and depressing origin story.
At the end of this, Bruce Timm (illustrator) wrote that Harley's origin story was inspired by a female friend of his that was struggling in an abusive relationship until she finally left "her Joker." That was pretty cool and a little known fact, I imagine.
Overall, I don't know that I would consider this mandatory reading aside from the fact that I believe it's Harley Quinn's origin story.
October 15, 2021
Divertidísimo.
Con lo mucho que me gusta Harley tendría que habérmelo leído mucho antes pero bueno, dicen que mejor tarde que nunca.
Aw, c'mon, Puddin', don't ya wanna rev up' your Harley?
Vrrooom, vrrooom.
Con lo mucho que me gusta Harley tendría que habérmelo leído mucho antes pero bueno, dicen que mejor tarde que nunca.
Aw, c'mon, Puddin', don't ya wanna rev up' your Harley?
Vrrooom, vrrooom.
March 1, 2018
amazing ...
thank you, Paul for creating Harley
this has become my favorite batman comic-book.
thank you, Paul for creating Harley
this has become my favorite batman comic-book.
May 17, 2016
Okay, this was pure fun. Also, I finally figured out why I keep coming back to Batman comics: it's not that it's all my library has (okay, partly that), and it's definitely not Bat-brain himself; it's the supporting cast.
Think about it: who would Batman be without the Joker? Without his legion of Robins? Without Catwoman and the Riddler and Batgirl and yes, HARLEY QUINN, YOU MAGNIFICENT, MESSED UP LAND MERMAID? I'll tell you: he'd be dark, brooding, mopey, quasi-anti-hero #43.
Mad love was amazing good fun, but also strangely poignant. Harley was a delusional, naive psychologist who fell under the sway of her beloved Mister J, and she dreams of nothing but the day when her Puddin' gives her his undivided love and attention (the panels where she fantasizes about her life with Joker at home with their two maniacal children were a major highlight)... the only thing in her way is the Bat-freak and Joker's obsession with him.
Solution?
KILL THE BATMAN.
I've seen so many fanboys scoff at Harley, saying she's just a dumb (insert less-than-pleasant word here) who had to sleep her way through school, but that's not the impression I got from this story at all.
I will defend Harley Quinn to my dying breath... though, granted, she doesn't really need any help. I'll just hold her purse for her.
Think about it: who would Batman be without the Joker? Without his legion of Robins? Without Catwoman and the Riddler and Batgirl and yes, HARLEY QUINN, YOU MAGNIFICENT, MESSED UP LAND MERMAID? I'll tell you: he'd be dark, brooding, mopey, quasi-anti-hero #43.
Mad love was amazing good fun, but also strangely poignant. Harley was a delusional, naive psychologist who fell under the sway of her beloved Mister J, and she dreams of nothing but the day when her Puddin' gives her his undivided love and attention (the panels where she fantasizes about her life with Joker at home with their two maniacal children were a major highlight)... the only thing in her way is the Bat-freak and Joker's obsession with him.
Solution?
KILL THE BATMAN.
I've seen so many fanboys scoff at Harley, saying she's just a dumb (insert less-than-pleasant word here) who had to sleep her way through school, but that's not the impression I got from this story at all.
I will defend Harley Quinn to my dying breath... though, granted, she doesn't really need any help. I'll just hold her purse for her.
November 26, 2015
I'm not a comic book expert; being absolutely truthfull, I haven't really read that much comics so far, and most of my readings are in the graphic novel department. Even so, the Batman universe is the one I got in deeper when on my DC readings, looking for more and more stories, and finding a lot of great ones. So many amazing authors wrote absolute classics exploring Gotham and it's characters!
I've read some of this classics, and liked them, some more, some less. And that small, funny, silly-writen comic was in most of my friends list, never in the Top, but always close to it. I tought "Why not? Harley is fun, let's give it a try!", expecting another fun story to put close to the top, but not on it.
Turns out it became my favorite Batman comic. Yes, I like it better that "Year One" or "Dark Knight" or "Arkham Asylum". Even after finding the ones Gaiman, my all-time favourite author, wrote, that silly little story remained straight up on the podium, first position, holding flowers and with the golden medal. Why? No idea.
Never figured out Why I love it so much. Maybe is the cleverlly done mixture of sugar and sour. The sutil lines. The child-like style that seems only funny at first sight, but so much more later. Don't know. Don't care. Just keep on loving it, and it's enough.
I've read some of this classics, and liked them, some more, some less. And that small, funny, silly-writen comic was in most of my friends list, never in the Top, but always close to it. I tought "Why not? Harley is fun, let's give it a try!", expecting another fun story to put close to the top, but not on it.
Turns out it became my favorite Batman comic. Yes, I like it better that "Year One" or "Dark Knight" or "Arkham Asylum". Even after finding the ones Gaiman, my all-time favourite author, wrote, that silly little story remained straight up on the podium, first position, holding flowers and with the golden medal. Why? No idea.
Never figured out Why I love it so much. Maybe is the cleverlly done mixture of sugar and sour. The sutil lines. The child-like style that seems only funny at first sight, but so much more later. Don't know. Don't care. Just keep on loving it, and it's enough.
March 19, 2020
"Batman Adventures: Mad Love" is a comic written by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm and drawn by Bruce Timm. This story is the first comic appearance of Harley Quinn and it's also her origin. Harleen Quinzel worked as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum and Joker was one of her patients. While she was Joker's psychiatrist, he was manipulating her into falling in love with him. As Batman said "Even from the beginning Harley Quinn was no angel", but after she fell madly in love with Joker she became much worse. Harley Quinn was obsessed with Joker and she wanted his attention, but he was always too busy with planning how to kill Batman. That made Harley believe that Batman is the reason Joker treats her badly and pays no attention to her, so she decided to try and kill Batman herself.
For me the greatest and the most important aspect of Joker's character has always been his manipulation skills. Joker has always been able to manipulate almost everyone he wants to do whatever he wants. There's no greater example of that, than in the case of Harley Quinn.
The artwork in this book is very good and the writing is amazing. It's at the same time violent, thrilling, exciting, interesting and really funny. The characters are very well written and the action is exciting.
10/10
For me the greatest and the most important aspect of Joker's character has always been his manipulation skills. Joker has always been able to manipulate almost everyone he wants to do whatever he wants. There's no greater example of that, than in the case of Harley Quinn.
The artwork in this book is very good and the writing is amazing. It's at the same time violent, thrilling, exciting, interesting and really funny. The characters are very well written and the action is exciting.
10/10
February 5, 2023
Generally a solid comic that probably reads better at the time it was published before the oversaturation of Harley Quinn in DC Comics began to happen. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini bring their animation sensibilities to the comics medium, and a lot of this easily seems like animation brought onto page. The characters all have a cartoonish quality to them - they seem to always be in motion in most panels. Even the darker concepts, like domestic abuse and a strip club, are covered under the veneer of euphanism and childlike innocence to make them more palatable. It does make for a bit of a confusing read, but overall I enjoyed my time with this.
The basic premise is that Joker has begun shunting Harley to the side, making her feel like she needs to step up her game and take out the Batman herself. It's basically the quintessential Harley comic - serving both her present day (at the time, present day) status quo as well as her origin story. It's all efficiently done - the comic reads like a 20 min episode from the animated series. It's an overall good comic that bridges the gap between animation and comic quite well, though there are moments where those gaps felt a bit too noticeable for me.
The basic premise is that Joker has begun shunting Harley to the side, making her feel like she needs to step up her game and take out the Batman herself. It's basically the quintessential Harley comic - serving both her present day (at the time, present day) status quo as well as her origin story. It's all efficiently done - the comic reads like a 20 min episode from the animated series. It's an overall good comic that bridges the gap between animation and comic quite well, though there are moments where those gaps felt a bit too noticeable for me.
August 22, 2015
This graphic novel focuses on Harley Quinn's origin story and her abusive relationship with Joker.
I absolutely loved it but I'm aware of the fact that because I loved the 90's animated Batman series as a kid, and I particularly loved Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn's friendship I'm biased. (By the way if you haven't hears DC recently confirmed them as non-monagamous girlfriends which is amazing)
I'd recommend it to fans of the animated show, (I adore how much this book focuses on how much of a cartoon looney tunes style villain she is). I'd also recommend it to people who are reading her most recent solo book to show how far she's come. Although I'm a strong believer that no redesigns of Harley's costumes are ever going to beat Bruce Timm's design. But be prepared its quite short and your enjoyment may vary depending on your fondness for the character.
I absolutely loved it but I'm aware of the fact that because I loved the 90's animated Batman series as a kid, and I particularly loved Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn's friendship I'm biased. (By the way if you haven't hears DC recently confirmed them as non-monagamous girlfriends which is amazing)
I'd recommend it to fans of the animated show, (I adore how much this book focuses on how much of a cartoon looney tunes style villain she is). I'd also recommend it to people who are reading her most recent solo book to show how far she's come. Although I'm a strong believer that no redesigns of Harley's costumes are ever going to beat Bruce Timm's design. But be prepared its quite short and your enjoyment may vary depending on your fondness for the character.
April 11, 2009
So, Harley Quinn is quite possibly Paul Dini's greatest invention. His wildly entertaining romp and Bruce Timm's brash and vibrant illustrations à la B:TAS radiate sheer genius and utter madness. Love certainly makes you do the craziest things. What more could we expect from Gotham's most insane duo partnership/quasi-relationship that is Harley and the Joker (although don't get me going on the whole setback of feminism here)? I only wish Dini and Timm would do way more of these books.
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