Warning: SPOILERS for Batman: The Knight #9There would be no saving the DC Universe if Ra's al Ghul. These two major Batman villains are dangerous enough on their own, and both have been deadly adversaries for the Dark Knight and others. But their goals and vision for the world are significantly aligned; if Poison Ivy claimed her rightful place at Ra's' side, nothing could stop them.
Poison Ivy's reputation, both among fans and within the DC Universe, has shifted over the years from dangerous ecoterrorist-seductress to something akin to an anti-hero: more righteous—if radical—environmentalist than supervillain. That's not to say she doesn't still indulge her more "evil" side—only that her end goals of saving the planet are more sympathetic than ever. Meanwhile, Ra's al Ghul, the leader of the League of Assassins, has almost always been known as an out-and-out villain and one of Batman's most deviously intelligent opponents. Ra's's goal, however, is much like Ivy's: to save the world from humanity's destructive hand. The only downside is his tendency to accept assassination and world domination as the only solutions.
The connection between these two villains is immediately apparent when Ra's articulates his mission statement in Batman: The Knight #9 by Chip Zdarsky, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, and Pat Brosseau. This miniseries tracks a young Bruce Wayne as he seeks out and trains under the various masters who teach him the skills he needs to become Batman. In this issue, Bruce finally meets Ra's al Ghul and his League of Assassins. Upon that first meeting, Ra's tells Bruce what makes their two missions different: "You [...] wish to stop injustice. To save people. Whereas I...wish to save the world."
Poison Ivy Reflects Ra's al Ghul's Outlook And Motivations.
This is one of the clearest articulations of what differentiates Batman from Ra's al Ghul, as well as it what makes Ra's so dangerous: his unerring sense of righteousness, and the lengths he'll go to to "save the world." Meanwhile, over in Poison Ivy's solo series, she has set out to kill humanity using a poisonous fungus in order to save the environment and the planet at large. Ivy and Ra's have rarely, if ever, been paired together in main continuity or in fan discussions, despite their goals being absurdly aligned. Ra's often wants Bruce Wayne to take on the mantle of his heir, but really he should ask Pamela Isley, extraordinary botanist and genius ecoterrorist—just like Ra's. If Poison Ivy were ever to forces with the League of Assassins, their t power would be unstoppable. Ivy could easily end humanity—and save the world, for better or for worse—if she embraced the kind of power the League has.
Alas, Ra's al Ghul and Poison Ivy often walk different paths, and even though Ivy's current plans involve death and destruction, her own humanity—including her love for Harley Quinn—is still holding her back. And that's to say nothing, of course, of that fact that Ra's was killed during the events of Shadow War. Still, DC Comics should take note: Batman may regularly face down and defeat Ra's al Ghul and Ivy, but the real challenge to the Universe would come when the two teamed up. Poison Ivy would truly be unstoppable.
Check out Poison Ivy #4 and Batman: The Knight #9, available now from DC Comics!
