100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Screen Capture from The New Batman Adventures Season 1, Episode 21: “Mad Love”
#96. The New Batman Adventures Season 1, Episode 21: “Mad Love”
(a.k.a. Batman: The Animated Series Volume 4, Episode 21: “Mad Love”)
Medium
Animated Television Series
Release Date
January 16, 1999
Credits
Director: Butch Lukic
Writers: Paul Dini, Bruce Timm
Cast: Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman, Mark Hamill as The Joker, Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn / Dr. Harleen Quinzel, Bob Hastings as Commissioner James Gordon, Suzanne Stone as Dr. Joan Leland
The Reason It’s Great
To gauge the depth of any story, one only needs to look at how a narrative treats its antagonists. Are they completely one-dimensional, or does the writer make an effort to create an air of believable sympathy.
“Mad Love” is one such episode. After the Joker kicks Harley Quinn out of their hideout, she formulates a plan to win back her Puddin’s love—kill Batman. However, the Dark Knight formulates a plan to show Harley that the Joker is not worth it.
Batman creates a ruse showing Harley’s successful attempt at killing him. When The Joker is shown the “evidence,” he becomes angered that he wasn’t involved and shoves her out a window—severely injuring her. Batman escapes and The Joker ends up in a smoke stack after a fight on a train.
As Harley’s recovering in the hospital, she swears off the Joker for good. However, she receives flowers from her “Mistah J” which promptly changes her mind—falling right back in love with him. Now that is some twisted stuff. It actually makes Harley look like a tragic figure and definitely an underdog in this story.