6 Times Harley Quinn Was a Better Hero Than Batman (Including the Time She Saved Him)

When Harley Quinn was first introduced in the comics, she was the Joker’s girlfriend and participated in a number of crimes. She was a major villain in DC’s comic book universe and was one of the more recognizable characters in Batman’s rogues gallery. Harley and the Joker had a wild ride through Gotham as they committed multiple crimes that were foiled by the Batman.

In more recent times, Harley broke away from the Joker and started to do good. She has become an antihero who looks to stop crimes rather than commit them. She turned a new leaf and became somewhat of a hero that looked out for others instead of causing trouble. There have even been times when Harley Quinn has been a better hero than Batman as she turned to the side of good.

6) She Spares the Joker

Anyone who knows even a little bit about Harley Quinn knows how terrible the Joker was to her. For years she had to endure horrible abuse at the hands of the Clown Prince of Crime, both physical and mental.

No one could blame Harley if she got revenge and killed the Joker. However, when she is given the chance, she decides to spare him. In Harley Quinn #25 (2016), Harley gives the Joker a beat down and holds him at gunpoint. But instead of pulling the trigger, she lets him live. This is an act of mercy that many would not take, showing that Harley is capable of a kindness not many would expect.

5) She forgives Wally West

The “Heroes in Crisis” storyline was incredibly tragic. A number of characters that include Arsenal and Poison Ivy are murdered at a sanctuary that Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman had set up. This sanctuary was meant to help support the mental health of superheroes and villains dealing with PTSD. After the massacre, Harley Quinn and Booster Gold become the main suspects behind the crime.

Eventually it is revealed that Wally West committed the murders, who then tried to frame Harley and Booster Gold. In an act of empathy, they both decide to not take revenge on him and let him go. While Harley does knee him in the groin, she displays a level of understanding that many do not possess, helping display that she is more caring than other comic book figures.

4) She Rescued Batman in The Joker War

Batman saves lives on a regular basis as he has a sense of duty that leads him to rescue others. Harley Quinn, on the other hand, does not have the altruism that the Caped Crusader possesses. And yet, she will still save lives, even that of the Batman. This goes against her nature as a major villain.

During the “Joker War” storyline, Harley saves Batman after he is struck with Joker Venom by taking him to Poison Ivy’s hideout in Batman #98 (2020). Harley then fights off Punchline when she crashes the hideout until Batman is able to recover. Even though the Caped Crusader was considered an enemy in the past, Harley still takes him in and saves his life in a moment of compassion.

3) Harley Sits Down With Lobo

In Injustice: Gods Among Us Annual #1 (2013), comic book fans see the main man Lobo go after Harley Quinn. Harley is able to best the bounty hunter and restrains him. She puts on her doctor’s coat and glasses, and sits down with Lobo in a makeshift pychiatric session.

Here we see Harley treating Lobo in a way that Batman has not done. Batman incarcerates the villains that he defeats hoping to rehabilitate them, but he rarely sits down with them in order to help them through their problems. It shows that Harley still has the mind of a psychiatrist and is willing to sit down with others to help better them.

2) Harley Saves Her Daughter

Batman has been a father figure for a number of young characters in the DC universe. Some of them have become Robins, with a few meeting a tragic fate. Many of Batman’s young wards are constantly exposed to danger as they go into the field themselves.

Harley Quinn, on the other hand, saved her daughter from that sort of life. In Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Two #13 (2014), readers find out that the Joker and Harley Quinn have a four-year-old daughter named Lucy. In order to protect her, Harley sends Lucy to live with her sister. This shows that Harley wants to keep her daughter safe instead of exposing Lucy to the life she lives.

1) Harley Brings Black Canary Gifts

Batman has been known to push others away. Harley Quinn, however, is willing to make friends with many of the various characters that she meets. This includes those that she was willing to fight at one point.

In Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Two #15 (2014), Harley brings gifts to Black Canary, who has just given birth. This small act shows how caring Harley is and that she can be an incredible person at times. She has a dark past, but tries to let that go in order to brighten up the days of others.

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