Harley Quinn Celebrating 25th Anniversary on Batman Day at Comics to Astonish

Harley Quinn, one of Batman’s most colorful villains, will mark her 25th anniversary and share the spotlight with Gotham City’s Dark Knight on Batman Day at the Comics to Astonish specialty store in Mount Airy on Saturday.

“Batman has been enjoying a major surge in popularity and sales for the past several years,” store owner Keegan Conrad stated. “And Harley Quinn has gone along for the ride with her own successful title and regular appearances in other DC comics.”

Quinn first appeared on Batman: The Animated Series in the episode “Joker’s Favor,” which originally aired in September of 1992.

Co-creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm stated that the Joker, Batman’s most dangerous villain, needed a partner to talk to about his latest criminal plot and attempt to take out the Caped Crusader.

Quinn’s original name was Harleen Francis Quinzel, a psychiatrist who was assigned to help the Joker abandon his evil ways. Instead, she fell in love with “Mistah J” and adopted an identity based on the word “harlequin,” a comedic character with a painted face mask and a colorful costume.

The female criminal later appeared in DC Comics' Batman titles, with the character's first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 one year later in September of 1993.

During her time as one of the fastest-growing characters in DC history, Quinn has had an on-again, off-again romance with the Joker and teamed up with fellow Batman villains Catwoman and Poison Ivy, the latter frequently serving as her close friend and recurring ally.

Harley Quinn has also been depicted as a member of the Suicide Squad, a team of villains who carry out dangerous secret missions in their own comic and was featured in the 2016 movie of the same name.

To commemorate the occasion, the shop will give away free Batman and Harley Quinn masks, as well as three “all-ages” comics issues, while supplies last.

Batman Day 2017 Special Edition #1 reprints Batman #16, the first chapter of "I Am Bane" as written by Tom King with art by David Finch. This issue's cover art is by Ryan Sook and features Batman and Harley Quinn in an homage to The Dark Knight Returns #1.

This issue also includes a new, three-page original story written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Bret Blevins.

Harley Quinn Batman Day 2017 Special Edition #1 reprints Harley Quinn #11, the first chapter of "Joker Loves Harley," written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti with art by John Timms and a cover by Amanda Conner.

In addition, DC Super Hero Girls Batman Day 2017 Special Edition #1 features a chapter of the upcoming all-ages original graphic novel DC Super Hero Girls: Out of the Bottle, starring Harley Quinn and written by Shea Fontana with art by Marcelo DiChiara and Agnes Garbowska and a cover by Yancey Labat.

The Mount Airy store will be open from 12 noon and 8 p.m. on Saturday at 1312 South Main Street Suite #5. For further information, phone (301) 829-1017.

The celebration will also take place during the same hours at the eastern Columbia shop on Saturday at 9400 Snowden River Parkway in Suite 112. For more information, call (410) 381-2732.

To learn more about both stores, turn your Web browser to: www.comicstoastonish.com.