Harley Quinn is literally a cartoon character. She first appeared in the cartoon and was so popular she was retconned into the comics. (This isn’t to disagree with your assessment but to further support it.)
I find her a good example of the way some creators use mental illness as a way to play out the sexy baby trope. Her insanity makes her more naive and suggestible than a character with her backstory should be.
She also is another brick in Batman’s cultural conservatism - a career focused woman who is manipulated by a master criminal because she is too empathetic.
And yet, I also get her popularity, especially the cartoon version. She was interesting and had great quips in a somewhat bleak era for female villains. And yet yet, I agree with everything you’ve written. 😆
Harley Quinn is literally a cartoon character. She first appeared in the cartoon and was so popular she was retconned into the comics. (This isn’t to disagree with your assessment but to further support it.)
I find her a good example of the way some creators use mental illness as a way to play out the sexy baby trope. Her insanity makes her more naive and suggestible than a character with her backstory should be.
She also is another brick in Batman’s cultural conservatism - a career focused woman who is manipulated by a master criminal because she is too empathetic.
And yet, I also get her popularity, especially the cartoon version. She was interesting and had great quips in a somewhat bleak era for female villains. And yet yet, I agree with everything you’ve written. 😆