@daldrete7: They don't need to be together, but being with the Joker is Harley's origin and defining attribute. She is a great character on her own, but we always have to be aware that she is who she is because of the Joker.
No, Harley and Joker shouldn't be equals, ever. If Harley constantly shows confidence against the Joker, then that damages him as a character, showing him as too weak to stand up to his former subordinate. Harley can rebel rarely, but Joker needs to be, in the vast majority of time, the dominate one in the relationship.
Like I said in my previous post, Harley being the victim of abuse, but still loving Joker gives depth and pathos to the character. Rather than being a standard villain, Harley has a bit of tragedy to her. That makes her immensly more interesting than a villain who as some vague tragic backstory. Harley's tragedy is ever-present and ongoing.
Joker and Harley was created to be a novelty, because he has never before (as far as I know) been shown to have a girlfriend. It was something different and remarkable at the time. To have them work together without that romantic/sexual relationship makes Harley completely pointless. It adds a new layer to the Joker's character and give Harley most of her character motivation (in her origin, at least).
Log in to comment