Disambiguation
This is the page for the 1st Harlequin in DC Comics continuity, Molly Mayne.
- For the 2nd Harlequin, see: Marcie Cooper.
- For the 3rd Harlequin, see: Harlequin.
- Harlequin is one of the many names Duela Dent has used (if only briefly).
- There was also a Harlequin that appeared in Kingdom Come. See: Joker’s Daughter.
- And then there’s Harley Quinn, the Batman villain.
Storyline
A Long Romance With Allen Scott
Molly Mayne is the first person to call herself the Harlequin. She appeared in the Golden Age of the Green Lantern (Alan Scott).
Mayne developed a crush on Alan and, donning a colorful costume (which included harlequin glasses, a birthday hat, and a mandolin), started a life of crime to attract his attention. Her crimes tended to be harmless and mostly for show, although the two clashed on several occasions in the late 1940s.
She briefly joined the Injustice Society until she turned on them by aiding the Justice League of America. She had a deep running altruistic streak which occasionally led her to join forces with her enemy/would-be love interest.
Despite being attracted to Harlequin, Scott never entered into a relationship with her and she eventually gave up in despair. She made a deal with the government in which she went on intelligence missions in return for amnesty for her past crimes and then quietly retired. On one occasion, she assisted Green Lantern, Superman and Lois Lane in capturing another foe of her love, the Sportsmaster.
Years later, after the death of his first wife Rose/Thorn, Alan Scott realized that he had loved Molly all this time and they were married.
Later Life
As the years passed a problem developed for the two; the Starheart (which gave Scott his powers) had reversed his aging processes, so he was physically a young man while Molly had since aged into an old woman. In despair over the rift this had caused between them Molly sold her soul to the demon Neron in return for youth.
Her body became that of a young woman (who had the power to create nightmares) but her soul remained in the underworld. Scott fought his way through Hell to obtain it and with the help of the young Green Lantern/Kyle Rayner returned it to the Harlequin’s body, re-aging her but making her whole once again. Some time thereafter, Scott himself was returned to his true physical age, as well. Mayne and Scott remain happily married to this day.
DC’s New 52
Molly Mayne has appeared as the front desk reporter for Channel 52 in several comedic not-in-continuity shorts that have been running in the back DC’s line of New 52 comics.
Powers and Abilities
Molly currently possesses the strength level of an elderly woman who engages in no regular exercise. In her youth, Molly possessed the strength level of an average, healthy female in her 20s who engaged in intensive regular exercise. As Harlequin Molly used various gadgets, most notably the Harlequin Glasses which allowed her to hypnotize people and create realistic three-dimensional illusions (holograms). Later retconned as a gift from the Manhunters for missions performed in their service.
Popular Recognition
As the original Harlequin, Molly Mayne was ranked #100 in Comic Buyer’s Guide’s 100 Sexiest Women in Comics list.