Dr. Harleen Quinzel was a psychologist and talk show personality. Under the alias "Dr. Q", she was a presenter for Knax-TV and ACN. Quinzel was heavily interested in Batman, though had a fascination for his enemy Joker.
Biography[]
Harleen Quinzel's history is unknown, though she was a qualified psychologist and worked at Arkham Asylum. She appeared to have an interest in Batman and his psychology, but was more invested with his first nemesis: Jack Napier/the Joker. Quinzel appeared to develop a romantized obsession with the Clown Prince of Crime, even glamorizing many of his most violent actions. According to one executive, Quinzel had become well-known for generating controversy and bad publicity.[1]
Batman '89[]
After the shooting in Burnside, she appeared on a TV program to discuss Batman and the psychology of masks. Her comments angered Bruce Wayne, who asked for Alfred to turn the show off.[2] Catwoman suggested that she'd begun seeing Quinzel between her murder of Max Shreck and return to Batman, with Quinzel suggesting her and Batman's relationship was a contrast between id and superego. Kyle also indicated that Drake Winston also saw Quinzel.[3]
Batman '89: Echoes[]
Interview Interrupted[]
Quinzel was invited to interview Alicia Hunt for ACN, during which she gain high ratings by asking about intimate details regarding Hunt and Napier's relationship. Despite the criticism it bought, the success of it convinced the executives to bring her back for another interview on City Beat. Whilst preparing for the interview, Quinzel verbally spared with producer Chuck Lantz, even threatening to kill him. As the show began, Quinzel began her introduction talking about the insights she wished to get from Alicia into the Joker and his "kinks". However, Lantz received a tip that they'd cornered the bomber Firefly and interrupted the interview to bring live coverage of the event. Shocked at the disruption, Quinzel was horrified to learn that the show was being suspended to cover the event.
Believing she had been humiliated, Quinzel was later found on the phone with someone trying to arrange for suing against the network. During it, she was approached by her colleague Dr. Crane to interview the captured Firefly, though turned down the offer and insulted him behind his back.[1]
Appearances[]
- Batman '89
- "Shadows: Chapter Two" (First Appearance) (Cameo)
- "Shadows: Chapter Three" (Mentioned only)
- Batman '89: Echoes
Behind the Scenes[]
Scrapped Appearances[]
Harley Quinn in Joe Quinones' original Batman '89 pitch
Harley Quinn previously featured in multiple projects intended to be set in the Burtonverse. These included Mark Protosevich's Batman Unchained script, a third Schumacher film which was intended to serve as the fifth film in the Batman film series. Quinn would have been reimagined as an insane toymaker and the daughter of the Joker. Seeking revenge on Batman for her father's death, she would allied herself with the Scarecrow.[4]
Quinn was also suggested to appear in another proposed film titled Batman: DarKnight. According to an interview with writers Lee Shapiro and Stephen Wise, they had envisioned either Cameron Diaz or Lori Petty in the role.[5]
Quinn also featured Quinones' initial pitch for Batman '89, which was co-created with Kate Leth. Then planned as an ongoing comic book series in the vein of Batman '66, she would have served one of the series' villains alongside Poison Ivy and Two-Face. Little is known about this version of Quinn, though she wore a mask that resembled to Alicia Hunt's from the first Batman film.[6]
Published Comics[]
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Harley Quinn's full costume on Batman '89: Echoes #2's cover
In Batman '89, Quinzel's job as a talk show personality draws some comparison with the 2004 animated series reinvention of the character, who served as one prior to becoming the Joker's moll. Her role in the comic is a callback to the "talking heads" featured in Frank Miller's 1986 Dark Knight series, personalities and psychologists who debated Batman's activities throughout the story.
Quinzel is set to take up her comic book identity during the Echoes series. Her design was based on Madonna, who was heavily speculated to be cast in the role for Unchained.