Comics have always graced their audiences with strong female bonds on the “gal pals” trope but Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner’s Harley Quinn #25 gave the relationship people always craved; Poison Ivy and Harley became the most wholesome couple seen in years, by sharing their first on panel kiss, confirming their decades-in-the-making relationship.
When Harley finally breaks free from the Joker’s bond, Ivy is here to help her get back on her feet. As her best friend, Ivy is always there to help Harley get through the breakup and rebuild herself as a person after her abusive relationship with the Joker.
After years of suffering Harley finally found her safe space with Ivy.
As useful as representation of queer people are, these narratives are defined by this trope as if it’s the only type of story that can be told with a queer character, which is obviously not true. At no moment did the characters feel the need to come out but that does not mean that their queerness is ignored.
In the Harley Quinn show, their queerness is fully explored and embraced. The characters acted on their feelings as a normal couple. Queer couples don’t need to struggle in their dating lives to be validated and Harley Quinn shows that to the world. Harley even tries to lighten the mood and tells Ivy, “You’re here, you’re queer. Get used to it.”
The Harley Quinn show is a testament not only to how the comics and future comic books shows should handle Harley and Ivy’s romance and queer couples, but also a perfect example of how other TV shows should display queer storylines.
Young Queer Alliance
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