How Their Relationship Began
As Harley became embedded in the world of DC comic books, readers learned – along with viewers of Batman: The Animated Series – about the story of Harley and her ‘Puddin,’ The Joker.
She was working as a psychiatrist in Arkham Asylum when she met him. He was the patient, and she was the doctor – Dr. Harleen Quinzel M.D, to be precise. During the course of their psychotherapy sessions, Dr. Quinzel fell in love with the serial killer and repeatedly helped him to escape the facility. Each time Batman returned him to incarceration, Dr. Quinzel became more enraged – until she finally snapped when The Joker was returned to the Asylum severely injured by The Dark Knight.
She dispensed with her life in the medical profession and became Harley Quinn – side-kick extraordinaire. Her obsession with The Joker gave rise to her hatred of Batman though. She came to feel that the vigilante was unfairly targeting her loved one – and so she became his sworn enemy. Her relationship with The Joker was always an abusive liaison, however – and this is where things get really controversial and divisive.