1. Welcome to Gotham … and to Harlequin-Land!
Picture this: a posh costume party in Gotham City, where Barbara Gordon, the ever-responsible Batgirl, decides to go full identity crisis and dresses as her own hero. Peak 1990s superhero logic. In Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993), what starts as a Batgirl spotlight issue quickly spirals into chaos when Poison Ivy and a certain mallet-swinging sidekick crash the party with a ten-million-dollar ransom plot. According to DC Fandom, the story was cheeky, light, and almost cartoony — exactly the vibe of the animated universe.
But this isn’t just any party-crashing comic. This is the first ever printed appearance of Harley Quinn. Up until now, Harley had only existed in Batman: The Animated Series — created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for what was supposed to be a one-off cartoon episode. Fans loved her, and DC soon realised they had lightning in a jester’s hat. By the time Batman Adventures #12 hit shelves, Harley had her own cult following, and as Wikipedia points out, she quickly became one of the most popular characters in the DC Universe.
2. The Plot, Pals, and Punchlines
The issue itself is a delightfully campy romp:
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Act I: Ladies’ Night Gone Wild
Batgirl attends Sandy Vanocouer’s costume bash (dressed as Batgirl… because why not). But her night of awkward mingling is interrupted when Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy decide kidnapping is the new black. League of Comic Geeks neatly summarises it: “Batgirl crashes a costume party — and gets more than she bargained for.”
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Act II: Costume Party Floor Show
While Batgirl fights the duo, additional chaos enters stage left in the form of Catwoman and her gang, disguised as security. It’s basically Gotham’s answer to Strictly Come Dancing — but with more chloroform.
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Act III: Batgirl vs Everybody
Through a combination of wit, luck, and party-platter parkour, Batgirl saves the day and recovers a stolen diamond. According to DC Universe Infinite, it’s a light-hearted story, but one that secretly planted the seed for one of DC’s biggest breakout characters.
3. Why This Issue Became a Collector’s Sweetheart
The story is fun, but the real gold here is Harley’s debut. Before this issue, Harley Quinn was a cartoon character. After this issue, she was a comics legend. Key Collector Comics ranks it as one of the most important Batman keys of the ’90s, and CGC notes it as a must-own for modern collectors.
And the market agrees. Copies of Batman Adventures #12 skyrocketed in price during the Suicide Squad movie hype, when Margot Robbie donned the jester’s cap. As one user explained on the CGC boards, “it went nuts when the movie started filming… my sense is that it’s a speculator bump.” Today, even mid-grade slabs command serious money. A CGC 7.0 recently listed on eBay for nearly $600 — and higher grades fetch four figures.
And if you think a recent reprint makes your copy less special, think again. DC released a facsimile edition in 2025, complete with original ads, as reported by 13th Dimension. But these reprints only stoke demand for the original issue, as DC Animated confirms. The OG copy is still the prize jewel.
4. Sellers, This One’s for You
Alright, sellers, let’s talk turkey. If you’ve got a copy of Batman Adventures #12 lying in your attic — maybe bagged, maybe shamefully spine-cracked from youthful flipping — here’s why you should consider selling:
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It’s a Key Issue. Harley’s debut in print. Every collector knows it, every grading company highlights it.
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Nostalgia Value. As Wikipedia shows, Harley has evolved from Joker’s sidekick into an icon with her own comics, cartoons, films, and even video games.
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Speculator Hype. As pointed out on the CGC forums, when Hollywood talks, comic prices jump.
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Reprints Don’t Hurt Originals. Facsimiles, like the one detailed by 13th Dimension, only help drum up more attention.
So, if you’ve got a copy, don’t just leave it wedged behind your fridge magnets. Reach out to us at Fantasy Road — we buy collections across the UK and are always hunting for key issues like this.
5. Tales from Collectors
The comic hive-mind has plenty of opinions. On the CGC boards, one collector lamented:
“I’d love to have a CGC 9.8 Batman Adventures #12… so I could sell it for something much cooler.”
Another added:
“For BA #12, it’s been pricey for a bit, but it went nuts when the movie started filming.”
Translation: Harley drives wallets mad, and sellers should take notice.
6. Why Harley Matters Today
Harley Quinn isn’t just a character — she’s a cultural juggernaut. From her comic evolution into a solo anti-hero to Margot Robbie’s mainstream portrayal, she’s now on par with Joker and Catwoman as Gotham’s most iconic exports. With shows like Harley Quinn: The Animated Series on streaming platforms, demand for her key issues isn’t going away anytime soon. That’s why Key Collector and CGC continue to list this book as a must-own.
7. TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Robin)
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Batman Adventures #12 is Harley Quinn’s first comic appearance.
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It’s a hilarious, cartoony Batgirl story featuring Harley, Ivy, and Catwoman.
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Originals fetch hundreds to thousands of pounds depending on grade.
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DC’s 2025 facsimile edition proves the issue’s continued popularity.
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If you’ve got one, sell it to us at Fantasy Road — before Harley smashes you with her mallet.
8. Final Word
Batman Adventures #12 is more than just a “funny book.” It’s a turning point — the comic that elevated Harley Quinn from Saturday morning henchwoman to one of DC’s biggest stars. Whether you’re a collector clinging to nostalgia or someone ready to cash in, it’s an issue worth paying attention to.
