Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy has been a blast. The six-issue miniseries is nearing closer to its end and each one brings new focus and understanding into the titular characters and their relationship with each other. Over the last issues, the series has been shifting perspective from a protective Harley to a struggling Ivy, who is trying to become herself again after being reborn after the events of Heroes in Crisis. Last issue, the women fought off dinosaurs, freed hostages, and realized that Ivy was connected to the Floronic Man. Now in Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #5, they take the fight to the Floronic Man instead of waiting for him to crash their party again.
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Written by Jody Houser, with pencils from Adriana Melo, inks by Mark Morales, colors by Hi-Fi, and letters by Gabriela Downie, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #5 shows our titular characters taking hold of their future instead of just waiting for their enemy to find them again. When it becomes clear that an agent of the green has taken over Manhattan, the two head to the city and plan to finish the fight once and for all. As they approach the city, Batwoman appears, ready to fight the two former villains before they explain how they’ve turned over a new leaf. To end the issue, the three run head-on into the now green New York City.
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #5 works, but it isn’t anything special, at least not until the end. The best thing that this issue does is that it gives us Ivy’s perspective on Harley as the issue opens. It’s loving and endearing, the same way it was when we got to see how Harley looked at her. They love each other, whether it is platonic or romantic, this series has yet to give a definitive answer, allowing readers to see what they want in it.
Additionally, I don’t understand the purpose of Batwoman in this issue. This has been my complaint about other series as well as. Both Batman Beyond and Gotham City Monsters decided to add Batwoman to their stories, and in my opinion to their detriment. That being said, while she feels out of place, her role is small enough as to not distract and instead offers up the first look at how the women who see themselves as heroes now interact with an actual hero.
Truthfully, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #5 is a fun read, but it’s at its best when it’s showing us the characters’ relationships. That being said, the art and colors from Melo, Morales, and Hi-Fi are vibrant and dynamic. This miniseries is just happy, it’s joyful, and it’s fun and that’s all it needs to be. With one issue left, the reveal of a hidden baddie at the end of the issues sets up for a killer last issue next month and I’m excited to pick it up.
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #5 is available wherever comics are sold.
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #5
TL;DR
Truthfully, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #5 is a fun read, but it’s at its best when it’s showing us the characters’ relationships. That being said, the art and colors from Melo, Morales, and Hi-Fi are vibrant and dynamic. This miniseries is just happy, it’s joyful, and it’s fun and that’s all it needs to be.
