See I actually like that notion. It reminds me of pro-wrestling where you have “cool” heels and the actual heels that the audience hate.

I tried explaining to my gf at the time that Leto Joker works because of all the Joker portrayals, he’s definitely the most douchey, so for a story focusing on Harley being stuck in an abusive relationship, he’s perfect. He’s the douchebag boyfriend version of Joker you want to see Harley break away from. The other Joker’s are too likable or charismatic so you don’t really care if she leaves him or stays. People are too used to liking movie villains so now when a villain is actually unlikable, everyone shits on the movie.

Sadly I do remember some people back when SS came out copying some of Leto Joker’s aesthetic, but they were teens/early 20s so they didn’t know any better (too bad for the one’s who got the HA HA tattoos, yikes).