Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #6 is published by DC Comics and written and illustrated by Erica Henderson.
Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #6 is available today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
“FEET OF CLAY… BARF!
Harley and Ivy are getting a whole lot closer, but wait, what’s this?! Clayface has joined the party and literally nobody invited him. Has anyone pointed out that he’s the colour of poop and not clay? What’s up with that?
We don’t know and frankly, it’s been way too many years for us to change it now! Let’s get this show on the road!
BUY, BUY, BUY! We want to make more of this series and we need your money to do it!!!!”
Review
The 6th and final (“final”) issue of Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes is extremely bittersweet, but expertly crafted. From the first page to the final frame, Erica Henderson has had a vision for these characters and this story that is quintessentially Harley and Ivy. An iconic run.
Personally, I love how this comic raises the point that Harley and Ivy don’t technically work as a couple. They’re a mess, they’re unhinged, but it doesn’t need to make sense. Their love for one another doesn’t need to make sense to anyone, not even themselves. All they need to know is that they’re happy to keep exploring their love and admiration for each other’s crazy. And honestly? That’s enough.
This issue has a lot to do in order to land the plane. It’s a hefty bill, but Henderson is absolutely up to the challenge. I love love love how Henderson finds ways to incorporate the different eras and style choices of both characters while making it entirely her own. From the iconic jester outfit to Ivy’s Batman: The Animated Series look to Harley’s more modern pink-and-blue pigtails, every shade of these characters is present without ever feeling forced. Each version has its place in this story, and it all feels organic and exciting rather than like a checklist being ticked off.
The art style has been one of my highlights of this series. It’s so nostalgic looking, but in a fresh and modern way. One of my personal favourite elements is the nighttime sequences in the rain. The way Henderson renders the night with this gorgeous blue tinge is quietly stunning, and it gives those scenes a real emotional weight that lingers.
What makes this run feel so special is how it sits within the wider legacy of these two characters. Harley and Ivy have been beloved for decades, but they’ve rarely been given a story that treats them with this level of care and understanding on every level. Henderson doesn’t just get what makes them funny or chaotic, she gets what makes them matter. And the ending reflects that. Rather than wrapping things up neatly, it leaves Harley and Ivy exactly where they should be: together, messy, and moving forward. It’s the kind of conclusion that respects the history of these characters while nodding to the fact that their story is never really finished. For fans who have followed them through every incarnation, that feels like a gift.
The issue ends open-ended, with a nod to a future, which is just so exciting. I personally think this is the best either of these characters has been represented, looked, and written in a comic book, closely followed by Sirens: Love Hurts. It’s funny, sweet, cheeky, and action-packed, delivering everything you want from Harley and Ivy both as individuals and as a couple. Henderson weaves in real growth for their relationship and their individual characters without it ever feeling forced. It also does a brilliant job of bringing those unfamiliar with the characters’ comics lore up to speed, while still offering fresh takes and new angles for long-time fans. It’s truly brilliant.
Verdict
A love letter to Harley and Ivy that nails who they are across every era, Life & Crimes ends on a high note that leaves you desperately wanting more. Henderson’s run is an instant classic and one for the ages.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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