“You’ve always been my exit plan.”
Creative Staff:
Story: Tom Taylor
Art: Cian Tormey
Colors: Rain Beredo
Letterer: Wes Abbott
What They Say:
Finally, it’s the Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn reunion we’ve been waiting for! Pack your bags and steal a plane-we’re going to Vegas!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
One of the things that I enjoy with the Injustice series is tha Tom Taylor gets to take an issue here and there, as we’ve seen over the years, and just deliver something that needs to be done or should be done in the mainline. The advancement of character is what makes these series work so well for me. This installment as Cian Tormey on board for the artwork and I’ve quickly grown to like what they’re doing, especially with how Rain Beredo works the coloring of it, and having this team deliver a Harley and Ivy story that gives the fans what they want while feeling true to the characters is spot on.
With Harley having dealt with how Joker is during this run so far, she’s ready to get away – again. She’s left him before and as noted later here, she gets further away each time and his control on her slips. But here, she’s starting off with going to Arkham and breaking out Ivy because she needs Ivy. It’s a good reunion but it’s not what Ivy expected as Harley was actually hoping that Ivy would watch over Harley’s kid, which is with her sister. Ivy, however, is Ivy and she’s not one to really like people in general outside of a couple of specific exceptions. But what Ivy can do is to make threats in the right places, such as the beautiful sequence of her going to Joker and making so much clear to him. She understands the psychology of him so well and just destroys him with ease.
This allows Harley and Ivy to get away from Gotham together for a while, which means it’s Vegas, Baby! The two are fun here for what’s intended though the reality is that even her Ivy knows this can’t be the normal. She’s not interested in gambling and being among a lot of people with problems but it’s what Harley needs to feel alive for the moment. The two do have a really good talk together and knwo that they’re meant for each other in some form so it’s welcome to just see that. But to have Harley come back later and see Ivy prepping for a wedding with her? Oh, bliss. We’ve all read so many Harley/Ivy stories with them hitching together or at least even playing at it that even one more time is welcome, especially with the dialogue used here and the artwork.
In Summary:
I’m always game for a good Harley and Ivy story and this one delivers easily. Ivy’s time with the Joker may be my favorite because it does show just how protective she is of Harley but also just how much she understands Joker and what must be done to get him to shift gears when it comes to Harley. Taylor keeps things moving well and while it may be a one-off that slows the energy of the main story it’s a good one that lets us just see a little positive material here amid all the chaos and of what’s to come.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: 12+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology | Amazon
Release Date: October 13th, 2020
MSRP: $0.99