Arleen Frances Sorkin was an American actress, screenwriter, television presenter and comedian. Sorkin is known for portraying Calliope Jones on the NBC daytime serial Days of Our Lives and for serving as the real-life inspiration and voice for DC Comics character Harley Quinn, co-created by her friend Paul Dini on Batman: The Animated Series.
Sorkin in 2011
Harley Quinn is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series as a henchwoman for the Joker, and debuted in its 22nd episode, "Joker's Favor", on September 11, 1992. While intended to appear in one episode, Quinn became a recurring character within the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) as the Joker's sidekick and love interest, and was adapted into DC Comics' canon seven years later, beginning with the one-shot Batman: Harley Quinn #1. Quinn's origin story features her as a former psychologist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum who was manipulated by and fell in love with the Joker, her patient, eventually becoming his accomplice and lover. The character's alias is a play on the stock character Harlequin from the 16th-century Italian theater commedia dell'arte.
Textless cover art of the second series' first issue featuring Harley Quinn's roller derby-inspired costume, art by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts. Harley Quinn co-creator Bruce Timm said of the design: "I really like Amanda's design a lot because it's modern and a little bit punk rock, but it's really fun without being trashy. I think the whole roller-derby look is really fun because it's tough but it's still playful. It's not...It's not skanky".
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in "New Roots" from Batman: Urban Legends #1, art by Laura Braga.
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad (2016)
Image: Comic Con 2013 Harley Quinn (9333210259)
