Before I start this, the entire post is link heavy, I know I’d hate if someone was talking about a character and referencing moments but didn’t leave some kind of link for people to see them.
Let me make it clear, I don’t dislike Harley Quinn, I dig every version of her. I even base a clown princess’ abilities and style of Harley Quinn. (Although to be fair Joker and Harley Quinn have become the tropes of super-clown anything). However, I don’t think it’s right to just lump her in with the actual anti-heroes of DC because of a few things.
Her origin, even those it’s been ret-conned like 4 times is that of a Fallen Hero similar to Two-Face a person who was trying to do good, Harvey Dent was a district attorney, and she was a psychologist but due to circumstances became a villain. Harley Quinn’s story is a tragedy, but it’s not like she was a superhero prior or was forced. Even when she “leaves Joker, she’s doesn’t exactly quit crime” (https://youtu.be/mK7u9bqvknc)
Her behavior, She still does whatever she wasn’t legal or not; such as breaking into Arkham asylum when she needs to get someone (Poison Ivy or Mason) out or breaking into someone’s house to get a dog although the story’s ending is really sweet. (https://youtu.be/BkwXei0_XKk).
A good comparison is Red Hood: Jason Todd kills as much as Harley Quinn (or at least wants to). However, there is a difference. Jason’s doing it because he wants to reduce crime, and he only hurts other criminals. An even when Harley Quinn does do that, she does sh*t like this (https://comicnewbies.com/2017/11/25/harley-quinns-revenge-on-mayor-deperto/)
Her time on the Suicide Squad doesn’t count because they’re being forced; watch what happens the second the squad all realize that the neck bombs aren’t active: (https://youtu.be/vbzxhrcqQpM?t=4m30s)
In my opinion, her comics are more slice of life, we see her going on vacation, running for mayor and defending Brooklyn. (In injustice she’s a hero.) Her crossovers aren’t “side by side butt kicking” as they are ” you’re not a real threat so you can tag along.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZS-wbZ7Vjo)
The Arkham game isn’t canon, but this is a pretty good live action version of the character. In the Asylum and City, she’s a complete sidekick while knight shows her as the villainous gang leader. There isn’t much to say about the origins version of her. However, she seems a little hostile towards Batman even after he saves her. In her Knight DLC level, She isn’t as much killing the police officers as much as she is running around knocking them aside with a metal-bat, knocking them out with non-lethal laughing gas and usually explosives.
(this is a long one with game spoilers, it just shows what she does throughout the series: https://youtu.be/diQ9m6pdSGg)
In my opinion, if they wanted to include the possible anti-hero angle, the developer could have put a part in the games main story (this shouldn’t spoil too much) where Harley help Batman. One example; when she’s in the bat-bases holding cell, and Batman needs to go save Robin (Tim Drake) they could have kept Poison Ivy around and had her call in Batman needing help. Desperate and unable to save both Batman tells Harley that despite her rage towards him Poison Ivy is her friend and she is in trouble (Maybe she hears Ivy scream offer the communicator), and Harley Quinn decides to help by taking out the soldiers attacking Ivy and her plant. However, this wouldn’t even be Anti-hero activity it would just be Harley Quinn doing something heroic for personal reasons.
So, while I don’t consider her a true anti-hero, Harley Quinn is also not a real villain. She’s in the gray area between the two categories (at least at the moment of the post) which is kind of where I like her.
The Wannabe Writer 