1) Harley Quinn (Batman: The Animated Series)
Speaking of Batman: The Animated Series, that show created several characters who would go on to become comic book fixtures e.g. GCPD officer Renee Montoya, supervillain Lock-Up and Nora Fries (the tragic wife of Mr. Freeze). However, only one broke out of the TV series, into the comics and slap bang in the middle of popular culture. Naturally, we’re talking about the one, the only, the infamous Harley Quinn.
The Joker had had henchman and the odd sidekick before, but the addition of Harley in BTAS explored the character in a whole new way. Here the arch-villain actually had someone who cared for him – would it melt his cold, clownish heart? Of course not. Instead, it added another notch to his evil bow – domestic abuse.
But it is Harley herself as much as her relationship with the Joker that her millions of fans worldwide have fallen in love with. Harley might be totally insane, but she’s always unapologetically herself, which made her an instant feminist icon.
Margot Robbie might have made quite an impression in Suicide Squad, but it’ll take a while before BTAS’s Harley – complete with jester outfit and Arleen Sorkin’s shrill Brooklyn accent – is no longer the definitive version of the character.