Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel) is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series as a henchwoman for the Joker, and debuted in the series' 22nd episode, "Joker's Favor", on September 11, 1992. Although originally intended to appear in only one episode, Quinn became a recurring character within the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) as the Joker's sidekick and love interest, and was adapted into DC Comics' canon seven years later, beginning with the one-shot Batman: Harley Quinn #1 (October 1999). Quinn's origin story portrays her as a former psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum in Gotham City manipulated by the Joker, her patient, eventually becoming his accomplice and lover. The character's alias is a play on the stock character Harlequin from the 16th-century Italian theatre commedia dell'arte. Following her introduction into comics in 1999, she has been depicted as a former doctor-turned-sidekick and lover of the Joker, as well as a close friend and love interest of Poison Ivy.
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