Breaking Up Is Hard To Do — Reviewing ‘Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes’ #3

Toxic relationships are not a simple thing to suddenly finish … especially ones with the very homicidally toxic Joker.

It’s decision time as the future of Harley and Ivy plays out in Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #3 from Erica Henderson and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

-SPOILERS FOLLOW-

Finding the right mix between humor and serious topics is a delicate recipe. A bit too much of either one can leave the other underserved or unseasoned. Hitting that perfect ratio though is a thing of beauty — and that’s what we have in this series.

Henderson tackles the toxicity of Joker & Harley, a relationship that too many fans (and the parent company at times, too) hold up as romantic. The story demonstrates how the enticement of sticking with toxic people can feel overwhelming and even seductive. While Harley avoids that here, there is still the moment where we, the audience, are not sure.

It mirrors a lot of the reality in which people want to leave these situations, but find themselves emotionally and mentally caught up. The desire for that person to actually love you and not be cruel is a strong one. I appreciate how well Henderson weaves that through the story even as we know where things will end up for the title characters.

Speaking of which, the fade-to-black gag was so very well done. Again, the humor deployed here to balance out the serious is top notch, A+ stuff!

Visually, Henderson’s art style does the same as the writing: providing stable balance to the contrasting emotional tones. Her very light, whimsical, and animated style gives such powerful depth and detail at all times. It also offers a sharpness in the figures and world that add to this hefty feeling, allowing the emotions to be raw and impactful.

She also uses the white space to frame everything really well and brings a lightness to things even when they are at their darkest. The color palette shifts from vibrant to heavier dark at a moment’s notice with ease, giving every space the right atmosphere required for whatever might be happening on that page.

Every bit of lettering seen on the page follows the lead of the rest of the artwork and does its own amazing things. Otsmane-Elhaou is one of the greats and he shows that every single time he works on a book. He lets the lettering soar and be its fullest, greatest self at every opportunity. Not settling for just simple bubbles or space usage, he lets it grow and expand to fill the page.

He also gives unique voices and tones to the characters and the world itself, allowing the overheard, distant voices drift on the wind as large, white letters. And he plays with colors and shapes to give the three villains of the story their particular voices — nailing it all time-and-time-again.

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #3 is now available from DC Comics.