Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes is the tonal levity we need with legacy characters like Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel and Dr. Pamela Isley. There’s been an onslaught of horror and psychological deep dives of late — and certainly, I’m a big proponent of dark tales done with delicious gusto (Absolute Batman, Smile For the Camera, and Exquisite Corpses are examples that spring to mind) but to jump into this series has been admittedly, a breath of fresh (ivy-laced) air.
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The fourth in a six-part DC Comics miniseries, Life & Crimes: Harley & Ivy, written and illustrated by Eisner Award-winner Erica Henderson, is precisely the mash-up of Mean Girls and Thelma and Louise we need in our lives.
Even the opening sequence of them ending up naked (again?) and on the run from Joker’s cronies (well, essentially all of Gotham City including the police) still kicked up chuckles from me. Cheesy and borderline campy lines are endearingly shouted by Quinn like “Smell ya later, coppers!”; “Kay, but that trash bag ATE though”; and “I was gonna let it slide because you’re SMOKIN’ hot” had me grinning from ear to ear.
If I’m going to nerd out, it’s likely because I hear wisps of these cultural colloquialisms IRL, thereby bringing these so-called illustrious and longstanding icons down to a more relatable and grounded ethos. For me, it’s akin to the sentiment of “ohhhh — they’re afflicted by love, angst, AND mixed signals?? Perhaps they’re just like us after all!”
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Even while dodging budgets a la The Matrix, performing Olympic-caliber vaulting over gates, and making a getaway vis-a-vis a high stakes car chase — the primary focus remains on our beloved duo finally hashing things out (with words, not fists), unpacking their trauma, and longing for one another.
The hysteria and the thrills are abundant in this issue but I really appreciate that the focus is on the dynamic between the enemies-turned-frenemies-to-lovers and how the integral seeds are planted in these initial interactions and only continue to blossom later on.
The vulnerability of them sharing their respective thoughts and feelings for one another in the midst of all the chaos is a testament to Erica Henderson’s fun yet heartfelt writing. Additionally, the comedic timing of the jokes, the more serious conversations between Harley & Ivy, all while balancing an overarching action sequence are done with deft, admirable craft.
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The art with its vibrant colorways and energy intensity is more wholesome in appearance and conjures up a magna-esque stylization for me. Even though the tale is a dark one — Harley & Ivy being on the run from mob bosses and seedy underworld minions due to be framed by Quinn’s jilted ex-lover Joker— there’s (still) a slightly slapstick flair volleying between these femme fatales, like a bit out of I Love Lucy. And it is also why the dialogue is so well-suited to what I’m seeing visually depicted in every frame.
As the chase sequence draws to a close, there’s more closeness, empathy, and compassion established between the duo because they’ve aired out their grievances and found common ground — cultivating strength and support for one another. I think this more delicate backstory/exploration is so necessary because we often see them more depicted as a power couple today — with all their foibles and follies — it caused me to love these characters more because their flaws humanizes them.
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At the end of the issue, they seek sanctuary at a safe house by way of Abigail Hunkel AKA ‘Ma’ — hinting at The Red Tornado to appear and look forward to in the next issue.
A last thing to note: not many can lay claim to executing all elements (e.g. writer, letterer, penciller, colorist, etc) of a comic by themselves, so it bears repeating that Erica has created this all on her own accord. A rare tour-de-force of talent to behold and enjoy in the modern days of comic reading.
Overall, I’m smitten with their sassy tête-à-tête; this is a riot of a romance story, and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
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