Why Harley Quinn wants to join Legion of Doom, the biggest name in DC Universe villainy?
Little is known about the plot of the upcoming Harley Quinn animated series, but according to the official synopsis, we do know at least one thing sure: she wants “to earn a seat at the biggest table in villainy: the Legion of Doom.”
So what exactly is the Legion of Doom?
As the synopsis suggests, they are the biggest name in villainy, at least as far as the DC Universe is concerned. Led by the worst villains, and greatest masterminds that DC has to offer, the Legion of Doom is essentially villiany’s answer to the heroic Justice League. The pinnacle of any aspiring supervillain's career.
Interestingly enough, both Harley Quinn and the Legion of Doom first appeared on an animated series, rather than in the comics. Harley Quinn was created as an original character for 'Batman: The Animated Series', while the Legion of Doom consists of characters long established in DC comics canon. Debuting on Hanna-Barbera’s animated series, 'Challenge of the Superfriends' in 1978, the team was led by Lex Luthor and was comprised of 13 members, all varying villains and arch-rivals of Justice League members.
Over the years, as the team appeared in other shows, and in the comics, the roster has gone through many changes over the years, as has the team’s threat levels, goals, and even their name, sometimes operating as the Injustice League. A few things, however, remain largely consistent and can be reasonably expected to be included in the upcoming animated series. Lex Luthor is almost always one of the Legion of Doom’s founders and leaders. The team gathers in the Hall of Doom, a large facility resembling a foreboding helmet that’s based in Slaughter Swamp. Most importantly, they are almost always one of the Justice League’s biggest threats. The comics’ current incarnation, in fact, have established themselves as a multiversal threat, spreading the gospel of Doom over Justice throughout the cosmos.
The team has been the subject of a great many 'Robot Chicken' comedy specials focusing on DC comics’ characters - they may be a serious team, but 'Robot Chicken' has proved that the team dynamics lend themselves well to comedy, and should be right at home in a show like 'Harley Quinn'.
As for why Harley would want to join such a team, it could be that she just wants to be taken more seriously. Both in the real world and the fictional one, Harley Quinn is largely seen as a street-level, joke character. A seat at the Legion of Doom’s table, however, is a sure-fire way to establish herself as a figure to be respected amongst DC’s criminal underworld.
It will be no easy task, however, as the Legion of Doom only takes the best, and the baddest. It will require Harley to skew away from her anti-hero leanings and embrace villainy completely. Lastly, of course, it will require something big - and Harley will need every tool at her disposal to accomplish it.
'Harley Quinn' will arrive on the DC Universe streaming service on Friday, November 29.