Warning: SPOILERS for Poison Ivy #6At the conclusion of the series' first six-issue arc, it's safe to say that DC Comics' most compelling antiheroes. For decades Ivy has mostly been considered a one dimensional villain, but her latest storyline has added much needed depth and complexity to her character and her relationship to humanity at large.
Poison Ivy (also known as Dr. Pamela Isley) debuted in Robert Kanigher, Sheldon Moldoff, and Joe Giella's Batman #181 from 1966. Originally depicted as a dangerous seductress with a poisonous touch, her goals almost always involve protecting the environment—usually at the cost of humanity itself. Ivy is typically viewed as an ecoterrorist both within the DC Universe and among DC readers, but, as her ecological mindset became increasingly sympathetic, she eventually turned more antihero than villain. Her dramatic—and previously only ambiguously romantic—relationship with fan-favorite character Harley Quinn only cemented her status as one of Batman's most iconic rogues. This earned her a self-titled miniseries as part of DC's 2022 Pride month line-up in which Ivy once again tries to protect the planet by killing humanity—while running from her troubled past.
Despite her origins as a a moving love letter to Harley Quinn.
Poison Ivy Was Always Meant to Be Humanity's Defender
After being one of DC's most consistently stellar books, the conclusion of Poison Ivy's first arc completely redefines Pamela Isley—and for the better. This arc first recontextualized Poison Ivy's character and motivations through the conflict with (and triumph over) her ab and graduate school adviser, Jason Woodrue. Beyond her closure with Woodrue, however, Ivy's journey reconnected her to humanity beyond just her love for Harley—though of course Harley was a big catalyst for that. Poison Ivy has given this queer love story a whole new weight and importance in Ivy’s history, further cementing Harley and Ivy's status as a true and important romantic couple in the DCU. Now, no one can mistake Poison Ivy for what she is: a major threat and a serious force, and thereby humanity's last real hope for survival.
Overall, the first six issues of this now-extended miniseries is practically a coming-of-age story, all the fun road trip tropes included—and Ivy has certainly come into a new age as humanity's protector, no matter the cost. Hopefully the creative team can continue the momentum as the series continues into its second arc. With that still to be seen, the first arc of Poison Ivy has already reshaped one of the most iconic DC Comics villains—to the point where she is a villain no more.
Check out Poison Ivy #6, available now from DC Comics!
