[[{“value”:”
WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for the Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy Story in DC’s Lex and the City #1!
As a huge fan of the Harlivy ship—Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy—I am an absolute fiend for any and all content that features their relationship. However, in recent years, DC’s portrayal of the couple has left me feeling unsatisfied. Fortunately, this year’s Valentine’s special marks a return to form, with the publisher finally getting back on track in depicting this iconic duo.
…it perfectly captures what defines their relationship— a little madness, a whole lot of love, and the occasional broken law or two.
DC’s Valentine’s special, Lex and the City, is an anthology that collects eight short stories following some of DC’s most iconic heroes and villains on their search for love. Among the characters featured in these stories are the Robins—Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Jason Todd—the Titans, Mr. Freeze, Lex Luthor, and more.
However, my absolute favorite couple in this collection is Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, who are given their Valentine-themed story in A Valentine’s Day Gift for Poison Ivy, written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, with art by Leslie Hung, colors by Rachael Cohen, and lettering by Taylor Esposito.
Related
Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn’s New Costumes Are the Perfect DIY Couples Cosplay
DC fans have been waiting far too long for fresh art uniting Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, leaving Harlivy fans parched for content. The wait is over.
DC’s Valentine’s Day Special Is a Celebration of Harley & Ivy’s Love
Comic Page Comes From DC’s Lex and the City #1 (2025) – Art by Leslie Hung
A Valentine’s Day Gift for Poison Ivy follows Harley Quinn as she embarks on a hunt for the perfect Valentine’s gift for her girlfriend, leading to some less-than-legal shenanigans and plenty of light-hearted humor. I won’t spoil what the two Gotham City Sirens eventually exchange on this romantic holiday. However, the location of their rendezvous is definitely worth mentioning—the two end up breaking into and celebrating Valentine’s Day in Bruce Wayne’s—AKA Batman’s—greenhouse. This twist was especially fun, particularly since Bruce chose to let the ladies enjoy their night instead of trying to arrest them.
I absolutely adored the light-heartedness of this story, as it’s been a while since Harley and Ivy were given such a simple and romantic moment in the comics. What makes this date night even better is that it perfectly captures what defines their relationship— a little madness, a whole lot of love, and the occasional broken law or two. To me, this is the essence of Harley and Ivy’s bond: drama-free and a celebration of friends who evolved into something more. If you’re looking for a fun, simple, and lovey-dovey Harlivy romance, this is definitely a must-read.
Related
Poison Ivy’s First Words to Harley Quinn Make Their Romance Way Darker
While Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have become one of the best couples in comics, their first encounter shows that their love was born in darkness.
Mainstream Continuity Harlivy Has Left Me Disappointed
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Saowee for DC’s Lex and the City #1 (2025)
A Valentine’s Day Gift for Poison Ivy was a refreshing take on the Harlivy romance, especially when compared to how DC has been portraying their relationship in mainstream continuity. While I appreciate the creative direction in their individual runs, I’ve found their relationship in the comics lately to be either overly dramatic or practically nonexistent. Although I understand the need for stories to focus on more than their romance, the few moments that do explore their relationship have felt lacking, primarily due to one factor—Janet from HR.
While I respect those who enjoy Janet’s role in Poison Ivy’s storyline, I’m not a fan of the love triangle that’s developed between Ivy, Janet, and Harley. Janet and Ivy’s romance has introduced unnecessary drama that detracts from the focus on Harlivy. In fact, it feels like Ivy and Janet have been getting more attention lately than Harley and Ivy. The last time I checked in on Poison Ivy, Janet was kissing Killer Croc, which led me to take a break from the series in frustration over the messy arc. That’s why I truly appreciated the simplicity and focus on the Harlivy relationship in A Valentine’s Day Gift for Poison Ivy.
Related
DC May Have Permanently Broken Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy’s Romance
DC may have irreversibly fractured the once-unbreakable bond between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy by adding a shocking twist to their relationship.
DC Needs to Bring the Focus Back to Harley & Ivy, NOT Janet from HR
Bartel Special Foil Variant for DC Pride 2023 #1
I’ll admit I’ve become a bit spoiled when it comes to Harlivy content, thanks to HBO’s Harley Quinn animated show, which has set my ever-growing standards for how Harley and Ivy’s relationship should be portrayed. However, even with these high expectations, I don’t think it’s too much to ask of DC to refocus the romance on Harley and Ivy. I’m not suggesting their entire narratives should be centered on romance, but when romance does emerge, it should celebrate their friendship and love for each other—without introducing other characters. Here’s hoping DC takes a cue from its Valentine’s Day special and brings a similar approach to Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn in mainstream continuity.
DC’s Lex and the City #1 is available now from DC Comics!
“}]] Finally! Some good Harlivy content. Read More