Top 10 Things You Missed in Harley Quinn Season 3

In season three, dedicated yet unsuccessful character actor Clayface shapeshifts into the lead role of the Thomas Wayne biopic “A Hard Wayne’s Gonna Fall” . It’s directed by real life DC collaborator James Gunn. This shot at stardom also sets up a reference to many different iterations of Clayface in DC history. The very first character to take up the moniker was actor Basil Karlo. While the show’s Clayface shares the original villain’s love for acting, the villain imitates rich people like Matt Hagen AKA Clayface II did. The animated character doesn’t have a ton in common with Preston Payne’s Clayface III or Sondra Fuller’s Lady Clay. But pieces of Cassius “Clay” Payne’s body could become sentient just like the villain’s arm did on the show.

During Joker’s mayoral campaign, Joker rides a float adorned with a giant clown balloon while his goons shoot cash into the crowd of Gothamites. This setup is a perfect recreation of a scene from 1989’s “Batman”. However, the festivities are short-lived since Joker has to dash away to save his stepson from a maniacal Two-Face in an amusement park. But the clown and his ward get trapped on a hellish rollercoaster. If that feels a little familiar, it’s because “The Killing Joke” storyline infamously featured Joker trying to drive Gordon mad on a ride. The commissioner also begs Batman not to slay his foe. Ironically, after the commissioner saves Joker in the episode, the clown has to convince Gordon not to cross the line.

When Harley goes into the mindscape of Bruce Wayne, we are transported into the iconic art deco style of “Batman: The Animated Series.” The creators even used some of the actual artwork from the 90s series like the red skies. While in Bruce’s head, we also see a glimpse of Bruce’s League of Shadows training like it’s “Batman Begins.” We all catch him disposing a bomb a la the campy 1966 movie “Batman”. Animated Bruce also deals with weapon-carrying penguins like he did in Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns.”Additionally, there’s also a score inspired by Danny Elfman’s famous theme and the classic silhouette of the Dark Knight. The episode’s blend of Batman eras perfectly pays homage to the Caped Crusader.

During their pursuit of Swamp Thing, Harley, Ivy, and Nora Freeze run into John Constantine in a New Orleans bar. He’s played by Matt Ryan for the 12th — yes, 12th — time. This comes after the actor appeared on the “Constantine” series, in animated movies and in various Arrowverse shows. When the petty dabbler in magic appears on “Harley Quinn”, his shirt also reads “I TANKED THE SHARK”. This is likely a reference to the intimate encounter he had with King Shark within the “Justice League Dark: Apokolips War.” universe. But Constantine’s photo of Asmodeus, the demonic personification of lust, implies he’s definitely moved on. Sorry, Constantshark shippers.

While this Joker-centric episode is filled with homages to Clown Princes of the past, the sitcom inspired song really stands out. And not just because it’s super catchy. Nearly the entire song is made up of famous cinematic Joker quotes. The title, “Wait Til They Get A Load Of Us,” is a riff of Jack Nicholson’s line in 1989’s “Batman.” Both “you and I can do this forever” and the iconic “why so serious” borrow from Heath Ledger’s clown. There’s a brief Leto Joker reference with “we live in a society”. Last but not least, Joker’s mention that “life is a comedy” is inspired by Joaquin Phoenix’s clown. (xref). The animated Joker’s brief stair dance makes the reference to the 2019 film even better.

A ton of DC rogues showed up to the evil trophy ceremony. If we’re just talking Batman villains, you can spot Firefly, Solomon Grundy and a Killer Croc ripped right out of “Batman the Animated” series. Those rogues and more attended the 83rd year of the awards, which happened to be the “real world” age of Batman when the episode aired in 2022. The villainous event is hosted at the Monarch Theater by Crime Alley. As we’re reminded again and again in the “Batman Begins Forever” episode, that’s close to where Bruce Wayne’s parents died. That makes the Joe Chill Honorary Award that much more messed up. However, it’s still not as disrespectful as Joker’s opening number that recreates the murder of Jason Todd.

Speaking of Villy Awards cameos, that guy with the interesting, um, equipment that Harley was talking to at the bar is a very obscure character from DC comics. The D-list villain, known as Codpiece, made his first appearance back in “Doom Patrol” #70 in 1993. Though he looks ridiculous, his “weapon” actually has some useful abilities like firing missiles and sonic attacks. Another nod to the “Doom Patrol” pops up in the credits of “A Hard Wayne’s Gonna Fall.” Martha Wayne is played by Rita Farr. This DC movie star, also known as Elasti-Girl or Elasti-Woman, is another Doom Patrol mainstay. We hope she and Clayface bonded over both having body changing powers.

David Ayer, director of 2016’s “Suicide Squad”, has stated that theatrical cut wasn’t his movie. This prompted fans to hope Warner Bros. would release “the Ayer Cut” of the film. While there’s no signs of that happening in the real world, The Ayer Cut lives on Batman’s computer next to Batsuit Nipple Concepts. Those design ideas nod to the…eccentric costuming choices made in Joel Schumacher’s Batman films. Outside of the computer, there are other great Suicide Squad references this season. When Ivy captures Amanda Waller, they make fun of the montage scenes from the 2016 movie. The rest of Task Force X is also busy on a mission in Central America to parallel the squad’s South American mission in the 2021 film.

During Joker’s mayoral campaign video, we see a clown-faced school teacher giving a history lesson. Each year she writes represents a milestone of DC history. The 1939 represents Batman’s debut in “Detective Comics” #27. To nod to the debut of Cesar Romero’s trickster in the 1960s “Batman” television series, the chalkboard features a 1966. Naturally, the 1989 pays homage to Jack Nicholson’s menacing take on the Harlequin of Hate in the first Burton Batman movie. Lastly, the 2005 and 2008 represent Hedger’s Joker. While he’s technically only in “The Dark Knight,” his calling card popped up three years earlier. There’s also a small chance the 2005 could refer to an animated film that legendary Joker voice actor Mark Hamill appeared in during that year.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Another Jazz Event Goes Green In a Bad Way, “Climax at Jazzapajizza”
Season One’s Jazzfest Was Also Ruined By a Terrible Plant Related Incident

A Competent Reference to Les Incompétents, “Harlivy”
“Harley Quinn”’s Writers Room Clearly Has Some “Home Alone” Fans

Gordon References “Law and Order” SVU, “Joker: The Killing Vote”
This Nod is Doubly Funny Because “SVU” Actor Christopher Meloni Plays the Commissioner

Gotham’s Newest Couple, “The 83rd Annual Villy Awards”
Kite Man & Golden Glider Make Their Debut Ahead of Their Spinoff Series “Noonan’s”

Money Shot, “Harlivy”
An Homage to Mario Bava’s Film Adaptation of the Italian Comic Series “Danger”

“Harley Quinn” season three sees Dick Grayson return to Gotham City after spending time solo as Nightwing in Blüdhaven. When this comically emo take on the character insults Alfred’s alter ego Macaroni, the writers riffed on an not safe for work line from“Titans” The animated Nightwing’s Batman-inspired voice likely references the times he’s imitated the dark knight’s tones in the past. While Dick manages to keep it together for most of his appearance, he eventually has a full-on meltdown. His talk of allowing “allowing” another vigilante to kill the villain Blockbusters a reference to a highly controversial storyline in “Nightwing” #93. The season ends its Grayson callbacks by highlighting a certain asset of his that fans have pointed out for years.