Warning! Spoilers for Harley Quinn #1!
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have become an inseparable pair whose relationship could be destroyed should Harley’s new path as a hero become permanent. Being lovers, friends, partners and consistent baddies for Batman to fight over the course of their long relationship together, Harley and Ivy have been positioned as much more than gal pals over the years, a defining trait between the two that has done wonders for both characters and their popularity amongst fans.
But as seen in Harley’s new series by Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo simply titled Harley Quinn, the idea of Harley becoming a hero and Ivy continuing down her path of evil are two scenarios that are destined to collide in a way that won’t end well for either woman. And although these two have always gotten over their petty squabbles in the past, this potential new dynamic could spell doom for a couple that might not even see it coming.
Explored in Harley’s new series, the idea of becoming a hero – or at least someone that isn’t always willing to kill, murder or maim to get their way – is a huge change for a woman that has had these “values” drilled into her by her abusive and insane ex, The Joker. Knowing that she has committed unspeakable wrongs and that she will have to do a lot to make up for her past misdeeds, Harley is confronted by Batman who is skeptical about her motives, but – in his own stoic way – has given her the chance to make good on her intentions. And it’s here where the idea of her inevitable confrontation with Ivy comes to the forefront.
Not only needing to impress Bats to hopefully get on his good side and continue her path of redemption, Harley will undoubtedly need to face off with Ivy at some point to either prove herself to The Dark Knight, or to simply take Ivy down on her own terms. Being two people that are often seen as being made for one another given their deep bonds of love and respect, Harley will inevitably need to make a decision to either let Ivy get away with her newest eco-terrorist scheme, or thwart her before she can succeed, leaving very little wiggle room in between.
Furthermore, and although it’s unclear as to how Ivy feels about Harley’s new status quo at the moment, the fact that Ivy’s life mission to see the plant life of The Green rule over all is a sticking point for her that might turn her against Harley first, especially if Harley is lined up against her when it comes down to it. Based on the simple fact that Ivy has tossed away people before in the name of her ultimate goals, fans might like to think that Ivy would never endanger the bond she has with Harley, but when it comes to saving her plants or saving someone else, Ivy has chosen her green friends over all more than once.
So with Harley doing her best to right the wrongs of her past which have pigeonholed her as the crazed ex of the sadistic Clown Prince of Crime, her relationship with Poison Ivy will undoubtedly be tested now that these two are technically at odds with one another. And while it’s possible that Poison Ivy could potentially turn over a new leaf moving forward as well, her drive to continue her evil ways until her ultimate mission is complete might just be something that Harley Quinn will have to face head on sooner rather than later.