In this review of Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3, imagine a one-act play in a single location as both Joker and Poison Ivy vie for the heart and partnership of Harley Quinn, with some unexpected results.
Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3 main cover by Erica Henderson (DC Comics)
HARLEY & IVY: LIFE AND CRIMES #3
Written by ERICA HENDERSON
Art and Main Cover: ERICA HENDERSON
Variant Covers: LEIRIX, MARGUERITE SAUVAGE, YASMINE PUTRI
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 1/28/26
This review contains spoilers
Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3 begins amid the ruins of Ace Chemical as Harley and Ivy go looking for the Joker and discover the Clown Prince of Crime’s…unique approach to romantic gestures. The pair are hoping to convince Joker to clear their names after being framed for his recent crime spree, and it appears that Joker might be amenable to that since he has littered the factory floor with dead bodies, using several to create a heart-shaped apology note to Harley.
Ivy expresses disgust at the macabre display, but Harley is taken aback by the grand gesture from “Mistah J”.
Ivy calls Harley out, reminding her of the beating Joker recently inflicted on her (along with the many insults and previous violence). Harley’s resolve is further tested as Joker appears in the flesh (still wearing the gruesome mask he made from his own ruined face).
Joker is all creepy smiles and sweet nothings as he approaches the pair. Harley rages against Joker’s unexpected apology, but has an abrupt change of heart (to Ivy’s apparent shock and surprise). Harley makes Joker promise that he will fix things with the GCPD (how?) and that Ivy can join them. Joker agrees but stares daggers at Ivy behind Harley’s back. Joker adds that he knew she couldn’t stay away from him, to which Harley replies, “I knew you’d think that.”
Harley bolts, leaving a startled Joker at the mercy of Ivy’s giant vines. Harley grabs onto Ivy and the pair are cocooned in more vines as they smash through one of the factory’s walls, and are deposited gently onto the ground outside as the factory collapses. In the rush and thrill of pulling off their plan, Harley and Ivy give into their feelings. Sometime later, the newly minted couple engage in some pillow talk while lying on the ground.
Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3 ends with the nearly bare-naked duo surprised by the spotlight from a GCPD helicopter as they are ordered to surrender.
Analysis
Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3 functions essentially as a one-act play that speed plots its way through some of the weighty issues involving the darker aspects of Joker and Harley’s romantic/abusive past. It is important to not gloss over this material as it is integral to the story and to all three characters despite drawing elements from a cartoon series. Writer/artist Erica Henderson approaches this series with a sense of seriousness as well as a dose of humor that breaks the tension and is probably one of Harley’s key defense mechanisms.
In rereading the opening pages of Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3, exactly how much of Harley’s reaction to Joker’s romantic gestures are genuine is unclear, but despite any misgivings she might have about betraying her former paramour she goes through with the plan, such as it is. For two intelligent women what was the plan exactly? Their gambit works if they just wanted to just get rid of him (fat chance of that though) so he couldn’t frame them for more of his crimes, but it resembles more Ray Stantz’s ‘get her’ approach in the opening part of the 1984 Ghostbusters movie.
Obviously Joker will survive and there is more story to tell in this series, but Henderson’s storytelling is metaphorical in parts, as the tangle of vines ensnaring Joker act like a Venus flytrap, whereas Harley and Ivy are cocooned and taken to safety, literally smashing through the walls of Ace Chemicals, the birthplace of both Joker and Harley. Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3 is yet another violent rebirth for Harley Quinn, but one that portends a happier future.
Henderson’s art continues to evoke the classic style of Batman The Animated Series (TAS), with a decidedly darker touch (Joker’s gruesome display with the dead bodies for instance). Henderson also masterfully depicts Harley’s varied facial expressions, exaggerated for dramatic effect. Remarkably, the crackling script speeds the story along so fast that it ends feeling like there should be more in the issue. From ominous dread, to unexpected betrayal, to liberation, all in one well-produced issue.
Final Thoughts
Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #3 continues to chug along as an entertaining, unsettling and heartfelt series, making great strides in exploring this unusual romantic origin story. While the dramatic and dangerous aspects loom large, hope, heart and emotional vulnerability win the day (mostly).
