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Continued from this page.
Affection: It is often said that Harley is delusional in her beliefs about her relationship with Joker; that it is an entirely one-sided affair. Yet there are numerous examples in both the comics and cartoons that Joker is engaged with the relationship and a participant in it and that yes, he considers Harley his girlfriend. He refers to her as such, talks about the relationship in typical terms (at one point he mutters to himself "crazy broad, blaming me for every little glitch in the relationship", worthwhile to note he had no audience when saying this), refers to her by pet names and behaves possessively of her. In an episode of Justice League Unlimited, Wild Cards, Harley also remarks they've been to couples counselling; which would indicate Joker considers himself part of a couple. In the two-part series The Code, Harley reads a “rule-book” on how to keep a man interested and consequently begins behaving aloofly towards Joker and ignoring him with the response that he covets her attention once more. Believing one of his hench-men is trying to muscle in on his girl, he swiftly kills the man. Furthermore, in the Batman and Robin Adventures story, Joker’s Last Laugh, Joker moves to kill a man roughing Harley up, saying the fellow has “forced his hand”, this despite the fact Joker is in a morose and humourless state and tells his intended victim his “heart’s not really in this”. Additionally, in Masks of Love Joker also makes the remark: “that’s not your usual perfume”, which indicates a pretty high degree of awareness of her and her habits. He can also be observed frequently to be engaging in acts of affection with her. This is also not something that happens only when he is manipulating her, but frequently when he is feeling good and is joyous about something. He embraces her, cuddles her, touches her face, holds her hand or arm and even sometimes kisses her. He smiles at her as often as he backhands her; the danger is in not ever being quite sure which he'll do, so quickly does his emotions change and so unpredictable he is. The Joker has no trouble expressing his emotions. With his violent mood swings, he is a completely unrestrained person, generally freely demonstrating which particular emotion he is experiencing at any given moment, with the exception of times when he is manipulating a particular situation. He has often expressed vocal affection for Harley, again not exclusively whilst messing with her. Would Joker ever tell Harley he loved her? In Mightier Than The Sword, he had signed a photo of himself looking very happy in an embrace with Harley: 'Harley Baby, Love You Forever!'. Whilst I think it's more likely Joker would say something more along the lines of "you're mine" to Harley when he's being deadly serious; in a fever pitch of excitement I can see Joker easily exclaiming those three little words. Increasingly so as the years passed and he grew more – perhaps not comfortable, but accepting of the relationship. Besides Batman, Harley Quinn is the most intimate relationship that exists in Joker's life. He has openly told Batman and others that he loves The Dark Knight. I don't think it's such a stretch he would say it to or about Harley. Not that he would always be comfortable with it, or unbegrudging or that it has the same meaning for him that it does for regular people, but Joker is so excessively flamboyant with his emotions that I consider not beyond the realm of possibility that he would. Sex: Joker and Harley's sex life is another point of contention for many people; whether or not it actually exists being subject to debate. This is because it had generally been accepted The Joker was asexual, that his interest did not lie with sex in any form and that his pleasure was fulfilled in more perverse ways (such as causing destruction and mayhem). I agree with this; but also believe sex happens between Joker and Harley. In the beginning, it probably didn't for some time. But, as with Joker's feelings toward Harley, as time passed Joker's libido was possibly stirred and awakened. To say that ‘Harley is gorgeous, who wouldn't want her’, is far too simplistic when it comes to Joker because he does not operate on that sort of normal level. Naturally, he would be aware of her attractiveness and its use, but I believe his desire to engage sexually with her is more about how attractive he finds her as a possession; as his very own living doll. It is another way of experiencing his power over her and revelling in it and I'm sure Joker would think up plenty of twisted ways to explore just how far his hold on Harley went in this way, and seeing her prove it would excite and titillate him. Several references have been made to their use of a whoopee cushion as a sex toy in such a way that it is clear its use has already been established - that is, it's been used. They have been shown to share a bed several times and Harley's failed attempts at seduction take place in such a way that it is apparent she has succeeded in the past - the language she uses and the way she engages with him does not suggest she's always drawn blanks. The most famous, in Mad Love, where Harley says things like: "oh sweetie - I've got the whoopie cushion!" and "don'tcha wanna rev up your Harley?" are two examples. Not: "Oh sweetie, we could use the whoopie cushion!" or "I could be your Harley! Vroom vroom!" The differences are subtle, but there. Additionally, in Harley Quinn, it is said that they spent their nights together and when Harley says they went back to share "a night of pure joy" she does not say "we finally consummated our love!". It was just another night of joy. :) It is important to remember no one is privy to what goes on between Joker and Harley behind closed doors except the two of them. I consider it an absolute certainty sex between them happens, possibly with more regularity as the years go by (Harley is persistent, after all, and a quick learner). Not that it happens in any normal way or even in ways that are always safe for Harley, and she is probably the initiator most of the time then subjected to being passive and submissive, but that it does exist and is probably as rude and disturbing (if pleasurable) a shock to Joker as his feelings for her. But further to this, is the fact that most of society is focused on traditional forms of sex to the point we tend not to see sexualised behaviour in other manifestations. To me it is apparent that the relationship between Joker and Harley is a *highly* sexualised one that is mutually gratifying. There might not be a lot of missionary position style copulating, but it is clear that other forms of sexualised play form the basis of their relationship. There is the power exchange, for a start. Those who are involved in such relationships understand full well that this can be enormously gratifying on its own. There is the pleasure Harley clearly gets as a 'performer' for Joker and the delight Joker takes in making her run in circles for him. Just because there might not be a great deal of traditional sex does not mean sexual pleasure is not taken in other ways. In fact, I believe this is something Harley learns how to do over the years - from as little as a touch or a look from Joker. Joker himself, being something of a sensualist and pansexual, has demonstrated on many different occasions he gets perverse pleasure from all sorts of things and this would be true of Harley as well. Continued... |
