10 Times Comic Book Villains Became Heroes (In A Big Way)

5. Harley Quinn

Riddler Private Detective
DC Comics

The trajectory of Harley Quinn as a character is really something that's interesting. At first created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini as a sidekick for Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Harley grew over the years to break free of the Clown Prince's control, and has now cemented herself as a key antihero in the DC universe.

It hasn't always been smooth sailing though. The character experienced a few wacky years during the New 52, suffering some tremendously poor redesigns and creative choices in the wake of Batman: Arkham Asylum, until thankfully Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner took the reins on the character in 2013.

Harley's only gone from strength to strength from there, whether that be through her misadventures with the Suicide Squad or with Batman's resistance in writer Tom Taylor's superb Injustice: Gods Among Us comic from the same year.

Quinn's time with the Joker will always be memorable, but ultimately, it's the connections she's forged away from the Clown Prince that have cemented the character as a true DC great.

Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.