Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #2 Comic Book Review

In this review of Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #2, while Harley and Ivy try to figure out their next move, Joker beats them to it. Come and witness the wildest (and possibly most infectious) tour of Gotham City’s seamier side.

HARLEY AND IVY: LIFE AND CRIMES #2
Written by ERICA HENDERSON
Art and Main Cover: ERICA HENDERSON
Variant Covers: LEIRIX, MAHMUD ASRAR, EJIKURE
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 12/17/25

This review contains spoilers 

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #2 picks up with a frustrated Poison Ivy tending to a concussed Harley Quinn at her lab/lair (where a news program plays in the background). As Ivy confronts Harley about her unhealthy attachment to the Joker, Harley seems to actually respond to Ivy’s prodding, but before the duo can figure out their next move, Joker frames them in a series of high-profile attacks that he perpetrates across the city.

Harley and Ivy attempt to pry information on Joker’s current whereabouts from the Gotham underworld, but a resulting scuffle involving Ivy’s giant, genetically-modified vines draws the unwanted attention of the Gotham’s finest. Harley takes Ivy on a less than scenic tour of some of her previous hideouts in an effort to regroup, but the pair are dogged by the GCPD at every turn.

After arriving at a rundown novelty factory, Harley finds a note from Joker claiming that he will always be able to find her. The note triggers Harley into a complete mental collapse, but Ivy is able to get her back on her feet and back in the game (which is now revenge).

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #2 ends at the site of the now devastated Ace Chemicals factory, where Ivy and Harley hatch a plan that will hopefully take down Joker, but more importantly, this is the moment where there shared bond begins to solidify as Harley finally sees herself living a life with someone who respects her.

Analysis 

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #2 features another breathless chapter as Harley and Ivy duck the GCPD after being framed by the Joker for his crimes (he even gets them labelled as “man-haters”.  While Joker doesn’t physically appear in Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #2, he casts a long shadow from which the duo attempt to escape. From Harley’s codependency issues, to his own twisted and clever Psy-ops, the clown prince of crime wreaks havoc from afar.

Writer/artist Erica Henderson nails the characterization of this nascent sister act (and Joker), striking the necessary balance between suspenseful storytelling and domestic violence issues, allowing a palpable sense of fear, dread, confusion, loneliness and frustration in Harley and Ivy, while mixing in a wild series of narrow escapes from the GCPD, and a healthy dose of gallows humor with some clever visual gags and solid one-liners.

Henderson digs deep, pushing Ivy into intervention mode as she delves into Harley’s psyche and  motivations for continually returning to an abusive relationship. Remarkably, progress is made, but there is much work to be done before Harley finally frees herself (and finds herself with a supportive partner). The clever but annoying “man-haters” gag from both Joker and the GCPD illustrates how inherent misogyny can be wielded as an additional weapon against an other.

Henderson also mixes in plot elements/draws inspiration from the classic Batman: the animated series as well as Harley’s first official in-canon DC Comics appearance from 1999. Henderson’s art style reflects the minimalist look of the classic cartoon, as well as using her layouts to add a visual sense of growing chaos, panic, paranoia and anger. Henderson’s art also plays with the format of the comic book page in one of the chase scenes.

Ivy lowers her guard to help Harley (at first, possibly only for her own protection) which comes off as a logical and pragmatic choice (especially for a scientist). Ivy slowly warms to her unwanted partner-in-crime in Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #2 , but only a little, (about as much progress as Harley made in breaking away from Joker). The duo currently share a moment of crisis in being hunted by the GCPD, while also bonding over getting revenge on Joker.

Final Thoughts 

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #2 comes out swinging with another taut chapter that threads the needle between suspenseful storytelling, exploring past trauma, forging healthy connections and a solid dose of dark humor.

Adam Koppel

Who strikes fear into the darkest of hearts in Gotham City? Not me, I'm too busy reading comics and writing reviews.