DC has announced they are going to reboot their line of character, making them younger and more appealing to 'today's audience'. I don't know many people my who read comics, so I have no clue who the heck they're trying to make changes for. At first, I was a bit worried, but still quite curious about what they had in mind.
My favorite DC character is Harley Quinn, the accomplice and girlfriend of the Joker, batman's arch enemy. Those of you who have seen The Dark Knight will know at least two out of the three. Harls is just amazing to me. She was a psychiatrist who fell in love with the Joker while he was in Arkham Asylum. He twisted her mind, broke her down into something base, animalistic, and as free as he needed her to be. SHe's utterly mad and adorably dangerous. She gigles at death and is utterly devoted to the Joker (she did break him out of Arkham, after all) and likes hitting people with blunt objects. I can go on and on forever about how much I adore her and how complex she is. I just love her to bits and she's been such an inspiration to me for quite some time. I've studied the clown doll and her Mr. J as much as I could, and I even wrote two papers on her and their relationship. So you can see I love her.
Here's how she looked originally. The look that actually fits how twisted and beautiful she really is:
There's a video game that came out called Arkham Asylum. She had a cute outfit that made fun of her usual doctor's uniform. Plus, we also had the actress from the animated series in which Harley made her debute (the amazingly talented Arleen Sorkin) come to reprise her role as the voice of Harley. See, I'm not averse to change, although I did miss her usual costume. Still- Harley was there and I could console myself with the idea that she hadn't found her costume yet or that she would rather make fun of her usual uniform. Overall, she was fun, pretty, and the usual dangerous clown doll we all know and love. I'm just trying to explain that I don't instantly hate change. Until now.
This is her new look. And it makes me want to . . . I don't know. Cry, I think. 'Harley' looks terrible, unrecognizable. And this is what 'today's audience' wants? A NON-CLOWN? And yes she's a more sexual character by nature, but . . . who is this? I don't even recognize her. This means her relationship with the Joker might change as well. I assume, with this thing as a 'sidekick', he'll become a more sexual character, as opposed to the asexual one he's always been. After all, we want to appeal to 'today's audience', don't we? *throws something at far wall*
No, DC. Just no.
http://theuniblog.evilspacerobot.com/?p=5959
Even if you don't know what I'm talking about- well, I'd like your opinion on which is better. It might help to get an outside opinion.
Please comment!
Alex
Don't know much about the subject matter here––I don't know a lot about comics. But, wow ... that is quite the transformation. And I see how, as a fan of the character, you'd be so disgusted. It is stupid to assume that "today's audience" only wants sex and nothing more. Personally, I care much more about characteristics than appearance, and that's what should matter.
ReplyDeleteOf course, just because someone else changed your favorite character doesn't mean it will harm your personal view of the character. You seem to know a lot about her and the true purpose of her role in the story. I'm sure there are a lot of other people out there who understand, too, and are also angry. Just ignore whoever did this ... obviously, they didn't know what they were doing.