Here is why Dezmall’s take on the birth of Harley Quinn is a must-watch for fans of animation and the DC universe.
Unlike other villains, Harley’s rise is fueled by an erratic sense of loyalty and a thirst for spectacle. If it isn't funny, it isn't worth doing.
Harleen stands before her closet. One side holds conservative cardigans (doctor). The other holds her old gymnastics leotard (past). She rips both apart and sews them into the harlequin suit. The sound design—scissors snipping, thread pulling—mimics heartbeat. This is the auditory signature of her birth as a villain.
The narrative begins not in Arkham, but in a dimly lit, neo-noir version of Gotham City. Dr. Harleen Quinzel—portrayed with vulnerable, wide-eyed idealism—is seen in her apartment, reviewing tapes of The Joker. Instead of a quick seduction, Dezmall’s version takes a slower, more intimate approach. The Joker is never fully shown in clear light; he exists as a voice, a shadow, and a series of violent but persuasive off-screen moments. The “rise” is not a happy empowerment—it is a clinical breakdown of sanity.