In the last several years, Harley Quinn has really come into her own and become as popular in the DC Universe as Deadpool is in the Marvel Universe. Now, on the surface, Harleen Quinzel and Wade Wilson couldn’t be more different. But they actually share quite a number of similarities.

Now, it’d be reductive to call Harley Quinn the ‘Deadpool of the DC Universe’, but she is a kickass antihero who’s proficient with all kinds of weaponry and loves to crack a joke. Read on to discover a few reasons that show a few other instances of her taking a page out of the Merc with a Mouth’s book.

8 Harley Has Beaten Up 'Deadpool' Several Times

Harley's Made It Clear How She Feels About Deadpool

Deadpool hates himself and, interestingly enough, displeasure of meeting Red Tool, a more obvious parody who became obsessed with Harley (until she beat him up, that is). Deadpool's never met a Harely-type character, but Harley's already faced and trounced her share of Deadpool rip-offs.

7 Harley Created a Team Inspired by Her

Harley's Band of Vigilantes Helped Keep the Streets Safe

If Deadpool and Harley Quinn have one thing in common, they have a bit of an ego and even created teams modeled after themselves. Deadpool founded the Mercs for Money, a team of mercenaries who all temporarily wore multicolored Deadpool costumes. But in Harley Quinn and Her Gang of Harleys, the titular character decides to clean up Coney Island with a crew of vigilantes (who all wore multicolored Harley costumes). Similar ideas, yes, but at the very least, Harley’s heart was in the right place and tried to do good with her crew.

6 Harley Became the DCU's Poster Child

Popularity Led to a Company-Wide Push

As most comic fans know, when a character is popular, they show up everywhere. Much like Marvel’s wise-cracking mutant, Harley Quinn skyrocketed in popularity in the early days of the New 52 and much like how one couldn’t turn their head without seeing Deadpool, Harley was everywhere in the 2010s. She featured in ongoing titles and spin-offs, had guest appearances all over the place, and even had variant cover months dedicated to her. Both Harley and Deadpool found levels of success that some heroes or villains just never find.

5 Harley Quinn Has a Team of Variants

The Deadpool Corps Ain't Got Nothing on the Council of Quinn

Deadpool infamously has the Deadpool Corps, a band of variants from all across the multiverse. And yes, Harley has one as well. In Multiversity: Harley Screws Up the DCU, Harley is introduced to the Council of Quinn, which is composed of alternate Harleys such as her Injustice, Bombshells, and even her classic jester self. Humorously, the team only united to protect the multiverse from one thing: The actions of the Prime Universe Harley Quinn.

4 Harley Smashed the Fourth Wall Over and Over

Deadpool's Not the Only One Who Likes Making Meta Jokes

If there’s one thing Deadpool is known for, it’s for his cheeky, fourth wall gags. While Harley Quinn doesn’t have as loose a grip on reality as Wade, she’s just as adept at mocking the conventions of comic book storytelling. Aside from the occasional crack in the canon books, series like Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red and Harley Quinn: Black + White + Redder are brimming with jokes that lampoon and satirize Harley’s history and the rest of the DC Universe.

3 Harley (Almost) Became a Justice League Member

She Was This Close to Making It Into the Big Leagues

Neither Harley nor Deadpool are what one would consider Avenger or Justice League material. But Deadpool did make it onto the Uncanny Avengers (albeit under very extreme circumstances). Harley Quinn similarly made it onto the Justice League during Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths after the previous incarnation was killed by Pariah. Harley’s time as a Leaguer unfortunately never got to be explored once the Crisis was over, but it’s still cool she was able to make it onto such an iconic team.

2 Harley Made a Mess of the DC Universe

Forget Killing, Harley Erased Heroes Altogether

Deadpool infamously killed the Marvel Universe (multiple times, in fact), so how could Harley Quinn compare? Well, in Multiversity: Harley Screws Up the DCU, through a series of accidents (which totally weren’t her fault), Harley Quinn managed to erase the DC Universe’s greatest heroes from the timeline, giving Starro the Conqueror the opportunity to claim the Earth. Unlike Deadpool, Harley actually fixed the mess she made. Granted she forgot to rescue Aquaman, but still, she gets an ‘A’ for effort.

1 Harley Grew From Villain to Hero

Deadpool is Trying But Harley is Thriving

Both Harley Quinn and Deadpool were introduced as villains, but they’ve both been giving heroism an honest try (to varying degrees of success). It’s safe to say that Deadpool is still trying to gain the respect of more legitimate heroes. But as far as Harley’s concerned, the hero community has seen her make an earnest attempt at going straight and treat her a lot better than they used to. That’s not to say things are perfect for her, but Harley Quinn is definitely thriving in her more heroic era.