Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Harley Quinn season 3.
The three-episode premiere of Harley Quinn season 3 introduces over a dozen new DC Comics characters into the reality of the hit animated series. This expansion to the cast includes some long-awaited additions from the Suicide Squad, whose existence has been teased since the series' beginning. It also includes some delightfully obscure characters who might be unfamiliar to all but the most serious of comic book fans.
The first original animated series produced for the DC Universe streaming service, Harley Quinn season 1 was popular with both fans and critics, earning a second season on HBO Max. The series centers around the Maiden of Mischief as she tries to build her brand as an independent villain after breaking up with her boyfriend, the Joker. Season 2 took the title character in a bold new direction, as Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy consummated the love that bloomed between them. As Harley Quinn season 3 opens, the BFFs turned GFFs are in the process of building a new life together as partners in crime and in love.
Harley Quinn boasts an impressive ensemble of voice actors, but it is also beloved by comic fans for how deeply it delves into the lore of DC Comics. This devotion to the source material led to considerable cameos by various villains, as Harley and Ivy negotiated the power politics that ruled the supervillain community of the DCU in previous seasons. Harley Quinn season 3 continues this trend, by introducing even more DC Comics characters. Here's a rundown on all the heroes and villains introduced in the first three episodes of Harley Quinn season 3.
Jor-El
The father of Superman, Jor-El was widely regarded as the greatest scientist of his generation on Krypton before the planet exploded. His rocket helped carry an infant Kal-El safely to Earth, and his hologram acts as an advisor to his son and as a guardian to the Fortress of Solitude. Jor-El briefly appears in Harley Quinn season 3, episode 1 after Harley and Poison Ivy break into the Fortress of Solitude and use Superman's home theater to watch an adult film based on their lives.
Amanda Waller
A high-ranking government official with countless connections, Amanda Waller is the brains behind Task Force X, also known as the Suicide Squad. Known to her enemies and her subordinates as "the Wall," Amanda Waller is abducted by Harley Quinn as part of a misguided effort to prove that she and Poison Ivy are serious villains. This follows Waller's casual dismissal of the duo in the middle of a raid on Arkham Asylum, saying Ivy "hasn't done anything evil in years."
Captain Boomerang
A self-taught master of the Australian boomerang, George "Digger" Harkness turned to crime after a failed career as a toy company mascot. While few take him seriously as a threat, Harkness still manages to menace the Flash on a regular basis and keeps coming back for more. Captain Boomerang makes a cameo appearance in Harley Quinn season 3 as part of a promotional video discussing the Suicide Squad.
Deadshot
Considered to be one of DC's deadliest assassin characters, Deadshot is another mainstay of the Suicide Squad. Harley Quinn doesn't show him without his mask during his brief appearance in a Suicide Squad promotional video, but he appears to be modeled on the Deadshot of the comics rather than the DCEU version played by Will Smith. In either case, he more than lives up to his reputation as a sniper who is as ruthless as he is skilled.
Katana
One of the few honest heroes recruited for the Suicide Squad, Tatsu Yamashiro is the wielder of the Soultaker sword, whose name is self-explanatory. Believing she can commune with the spirit of her murdered husband through the weapon, Tatsu took the name Katana in honor of her sword and has fought to protect others as part of both the Outsiders and the Birds of Prey. In Harley Quinn season 3, she s Deadshot and Captain Boomerang in making a cameo appearance in a Suicide Squad promotional video.
Enchantress
Freelance artist June Moone is the unwitting host of a sinister sorceress's spirit. As the Enchantress, she is one of the most powerful of the Suicide Squad and all but impossible to control. The mad mage has a cameo alongside the rest of the Suicide Squad and is modeled on the DCEU version of the character portrayed by Cara Delevingne rather than her comic book counterpart or the Enchantress of the Arrowverse,
Plastique
Describing herself as "the bomb," Plastique is an expert in explosives. Like her comic book counterpart, this version of the DC character is a Quebecois terrorist who was arrested in the United States while plotting a violent coup against the Canadian government. Plastique is also — unfortunately for her — the only member of the Suicide Squad in Harley Quinn season 3 who can be spared for the mission to rescue Amanda Waller from Harley and Ivy.
Nightwing
The first young man to fight alongside Batman as Robin, the Dick Grayson of Harley Quinn season 3 seems to have had a similar career to his comic book counterpart in most respects. He has taken on the name Nightwing and is said to be both a Teen Titan and the protector of Blüdhaven. However, this version of Dick Grayson is not dating the Barbara Gordon Batgirl, whom he meets for the first time in Harley Quinn season 3, episode 2, and the two completely fail to get along at first.
Firefly
In the comics, Garfield Lynns was an expert in pyrotechnics and special effects who turned to crime after developing acute pyromania. Armed with an insectoid flying suit and a number of flame-throwing weapons, Lynns adopted the moniker Firefly and became Gotham City's most notorious arsonist. Firefly and his gang make an appearance in Harley Quinn season 3, episode 2, trying to burn down the Gotham Corn Palace under the noses of the Batman family.
Gorilla Grodd
One of the most powerful enemies of The Flash, Gorilla Grodd is a threat on multiple fronts. Beyond the super-strength he enjoys as a talking gorilla, he is also a powerful telepath and a criminal mastermind. He's also found ways to tap into the Speed Force, giving him the speed to match The Flash. Grodd makes an appearance, dressed in a tuxedo, at the 83rd Annual Villy Awards in Harley Quinn season 3, episode 3.
