We believe villains are more than just two dimensional evil-doers. They're complex characters who rarely get to share their stories. The concept may seem silly, but empathy is a skill. If we can practice it here, we just might have a shot at understanding the 'villains' in our everyday lives.
Dr. Quinzel’s log #00—October 12
Tomorrow is the day. I’m finally having my big first case. None other than ’’the Joker“, real name unknown. I am finally recognized for my talents! Even if my doctoral thesis was on the Joker, I kept getting rejected for working at Arkham Asylum; when you’re a young woman, you have to work twice as hard to get half much what men get. But I digress. Tomorrow is my first meeting with Mr. Joker. I am quite excited, but also a bit nervous: he has the reputation for chewing up every psychiatrist and psychologist that tried to cure him. But I am not everybody else! I am not coming from so far and work so hard to be discouraged by a challenge. And if I succeed… No, when I’ll succeed, my name will forever be respected among my peers. The name of Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel will be remembered and young girls will see me as an example of a woman of modest origin who succeeded as any man from a well-to-do family.
Dr. Quinzel’s Log #01—October 13
My first meeting with Mr. Joker was … disconcerting, but interesting. Meeting a legend in person, mostly after spending 3 years of thesis on him, is a weird experience. When talking to him, he was acting like any sane person. It’s his eyes that betrayed him. An intelligent look, but mixed with a deep instability. But the most disturbing thing was his politeness; he is quite the charmer. I think being a young and rather attractive woman softened his side. I won’t use my charms as tools, of course, but I won’t deny what can help me. And, I must say, based on my precedent researches, I even thought he was asexual. Among all his horrible crimes he has done, rape was never one of them. Relationship could be an interesting subject to have with him.
Dr. Quinzel’s Log #06—November 8
Today, Mr. Joker was particularly unstable. I couldn’t obtain a lot from him. He kept talking about this Batman. A lot of patients here in Arkham have been apprehended by this vigilant and traumatized by him. But to Mr. Joker, this is more of an obsession. He is completely obsessed by him, saying that he is his nemesis. That they are two sides of the same coin. That their own existence has no sense without each other. And more, and more. I don’t think I am wrong when I say that Batman character is an obstacle to Mr. Joker’s recovery. How can you become a healthy member of society when you’re up against a man that fights at night, dress as a bat? I must find a way to move his obsession on something healthier or more useful.
Dr. Quinzel’s Log #14—December 22
Every time I tried to find out about Mr. Joker’s past, or even get his real name, his story changes. Each time, he tells me about a different past. One was about his wife that died of miscarriage. Another time, he was in the mafia or the Red Hood. Once he was an orphan rescued by the Waynes and once he killed them in an alley. Another time he was working at Ace Chemicals plant. A fall or a jump into a pool of chemical wastes comes back regularly. Sometime Batman is responsible for that fall. Today, he told me how he was an unsuccessful stand-up comedian. I don’t know how he makes them up, but I have the feeling he believes his stories. Each time, he really thinks he lived those past. Maybe one of his stories were true, but how can we tell? I was hoping, being very close to Christmas, his memory could have jogged up, but he had the same expression today than the other times. However, he surprised me with a very strange request: he wants me to visit him on Christmas Day. He said he will have a gift for me. Well, I’m intrigued. And since there is no way I endure another Christmas with my family, why not be on call that day.
Dr. Quinzel’s Log #15—December 25
Mr. Joker really surprised me today. He told me that usually, either his psychiatrist quits after a few meetings or, when they stay, he starts to develop sadistic thoughts about them. I already knew that, of course, through his files (he even gouge out the eye of one of them with a pen), but I am happily surprised that he confessed it. He also gave me a small present (that was not some feces or a human ear) to me, saying it was a first. That I must be “his lucky shrink.” The present was two deck cards, two jokers. But he had drawn of one of them to make it more feminine, in a black and red costume and blond hair like mine. He called me his “Harley Quinn”, doing a word play with my name. I must confess… I am touched.
Dr. Quinzel’s Log #31—April 5
Is it me or Mr. J is starting to make sense? He kept saying he is a truer representation of society than any “healthy and honest” civilian. The more I talk to him, the more I think he’s right. What is this freaking society we live in? I am supposed to work in a mental institute, but it looks more like prison. Even worse than prison! Some patient even live in glass cell with literally no intimacy. This Batman character keeps bringing patients with severe mental disease, but breaking their arm or foot in the process. Mafia has power everywhere and gang war strikes while police do nothing. People are literally dying in the streets while rich playboy like Bruce Wayne keep spending money on useless party for other rich people. I pushed myself through school, with the help of no one, being valedictorian and all cutting myself from my shitty family and for what? Being renown by old misogynistic Freudian male psychiatrists that should be dealing with their own Oedipus complex? I wanted to help people! At least, at first, that was the goal. But I can’t be the only one fighting. The problem is not the individuals, it is the society! It’s the society that is making people sick. And those who understand that and live their true self are put in a mental institution… Boy! That I digress! I need a bath and a glass of wine.
Dr. Quinzel’s Log #55—June 8
I understand now. I have been wrong my all life. Why did I want to be a psychiatrist? To prove that I was better than my crazy shitty parents? That is not a goal, it’s a reaction. Everything is a reaction to what society, big and small, taught us. But that is not ourselves. Our true selves I mean. Even trying to deconstruct society is a reaction to it! I forfeit. There is no way to fix society, so let fix ourselves. Be real to who we are, the real us, without all that bullshit society told us. That is real liberty, real integrity! And the only way to achieve that is by chaos. Mr. J. taught me that. He is the embodiment of chaos! And I want to learn that from him. I want to be chaotic, to obey to no rules whatsoever. Not even my own! I need to unlearn what I’ve learned. Find my true self. And only Mr. J. can teach me that. We can be a duo, a couple, maybe even lovers. Yes! Love each other through the chaos! And be ones against the world. Against the order. Against this so call sanity. We are not the insane one, you all are. I will be, too, the embodiment of chaos!
Harley Quinn’s Diary—June 10
Mr. J and I are eloping tonight. I don’t know who will read that, but I wanted at least, while I’m still in Arkham, closed that chapter of my life. Bye, bye Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel! Hello Harley Quinn! Chaos and Mr. J are my new passion now. My new me…. Nah, my real me! I’ve always been Harley Quinn. I just discovered it now. Boy! Will I have fun now! Kisses! XOXO
Marie Bélanger is a UX designer, but also a multidisciplinary artist and a french canadian (Yes! That exists!)
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Pudding! You came for me! BANG! Oh, it was just a dream. He isn't here. It was not a pleasant dream but, somehow it is better then my reality. My clothes are white, matching the other inmates here at Arkham Asylum. They claim I am crazy, but I disagree. There goes Ed, now he actually is crazy. I used to be his doctor. We made a lot of progress. I helped people. I used to help people. I used to be Doctor Harleen Quinzel. Now most people call me Joker's girl or I guess his ex, now. But I have a name. I am Harley Quinn. I changed my name when I met Joker, but then again I changed a lot of things about myself. How could I not, I never knew better. From early childhood the only relationships I had or saw were toxic. I know this now and still I fall for it every time. My dad as abusive and yet my mom would reassure me that he hit her because he loved her. I believed that even when I found their bodies. The police said my dad killed my mom then himself. After that I grew up in multiple foster homes. My foster mom's would hit me and my foster dad's would touch me. Both of them would tell me it was either for my own good or because they loved me. I started focusing on my studies determined to become a doctor. I dated in school, men women, yet my relationships never lasted. I thought it was my fault, I knew I was broken. I stopped dating, got doctorate and started working here, at Arkham. I loved my job, I was finally helping people, making a difference. i felt I was making progress with my patient, Jerome. I wasn't the one making progress, he was. I was falling for him, I believed everything he told me, I believed he was getting better. But instead, he had me under his spell. I killed people for him, I allowed him to hurt me, I branded myself as his. I told him I was in love with him but all I got back were insults telling me I am worthless and telling me to prove my love to him. I proved myself, landing myself in here for HIM. I have been imprisoned for three years, some days I think he doesn't care about me and others I know he will come save me. My good days, I can tell myself I am over him but, I honestly never believe it.