21 Batman Day T-Shirts Featuring the History of Harley Quinn

In 2014, DC Comics declared May 1st as Batman Day. It coincided with the 75th anniversary of the first appearance of Batman in Detective Comics.

It continued to be celebrated the next couple of years, but this year, DC Comics has moved Batman Day to September 26th to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of Harley Quinn. The clown princess of crime is taking over Batman Day this year and we couldn’t be happier. (Note: Many comic book stores celebrated on Saturday the 23rd by giving away free Batman/Harley Quinn comics.)

On one hand, I can’t believe we’ve already had a quarter of a century of antics with Harley Quinn. On the other hand, she’s made such an impact on the Batman universe, it feels like she’s been here forever.

And for those of you who don’t know, she did not originate in the comics. Her character was created by writer Paul Dini for Batman: The Animated Series. Her first episode was “Joker’s Favorite” and the rest, as they say, was history. Her character took the series by storm, and she became inaugurated into Batman’s rogue gallery.

It took about five years, but eventually, Harley Quinn made the cross over into the comics. She started in some mini-series, though they were part of the DC Universe. Eventually, she found her way into Batman comics (as well as many others). And for a few years had a series of her own.

Her romance with Joker was as twisted as in the animated series. But she also has a little girl crush on poison ivy.

The first attempt to create a live action Harley Quinn was the very short-lived WB TV show, Birds of Prey. Dr. Harleen Quinzel was introduced early on and slowly became more devious. But the show was canceled before Harley Quinn truly emerged (which was sad, because I think Mia Sara would have been awesome when all Harley Quinn broke loose!)

Harley Quinn made it to the big screen with Suicide Squad. If you’re like me, you have mix feelings about this movie. As a popcorn movie, it was mindless fun. As a piece of the DC Universe, it was a disappointment. That was NOT my Joker. And that wasn’t quite my Harley Quinn, but Margot Robbie was the life of the movie.

Rumor has it Daddy’s Little Monster may have a solo movie with The Joker. Not sure I’m as excited about that, but here’s hoping Margot’s Harley continues to surprise me.

Harley did make a brief appearance in the Batman Lego Movie, so she had hammered her way into that world, as well as some of our other favorite toys.

And on TV, it’s just a matter of time before she ends up making an appearance on Gotham. Or has she already? Many (like myself) suspect that crazy Barbara Kean will soon transform into Harley Quinn. We may not be sure yet if Jerome is actually the Joker, and if they’ll ever have relations, but that would certainly be some crazy fun if it happens.

Here’s wishing Harley Quinn a happy 25th anniversary! Here’s to another 50, puddin’!

And though this has nothing to do with Harley Quinn, this Batman shirt cracked me up:

Happy Batman Day!