Harley Quinn's Ever-Changing Origin Is Finally Settled for Good
Warning: contains spoilers for Harley Quinn #15 and Shadow War Zone #1!
In DC Comics, many know of Harley Quinn's professional title as Dr. Harleen Quinzel. However, Harley's original job description has fluctuated in various adaptations, generally flip-flopping between psychiatrist and psychologist as needed for the plot. However, it doesn't make sense to use these terms synonymously, as they're both very different professions. Finally, DC has settled the debate.
Many aren't familiar with the differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist, those roles being used interchangeably in various forms of media, including comic books. A psychologist is someone who requires a PhD qualification; they study human behavior and treat their patients through therapy. Psychiatry, on the other hand, is a medical field, which requires an MD. They focus more on the science of the brain, studying its biological and chemical imbalances, and prescribing medication to their patients. Even in her comic-book origin following Harley's rise in popularity in Batman: The Animated Series, creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm couldn't decide what kind of doctor she was. In the span of five pages, readers learned that Harley somehow had a PhD in Psychology and had attended med school before starting work at Arkham Asylum.
Related: Harley Quinn Should Have Become A True DC Hero Years Earlier
So, which is it? In Harley Quinn #15, written by Stephanie Phillips and drawn by Riley Rossmo, readers get their answer. «In psychology we have this term called 'masking'...» Harley says, observing the violence wreaked by Verdict, a masked villain with an agenda against a certain Mistress of Mayhem. She confirms her qualifications while also reflecting on the
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