At the end of 2022, fans of Poison Ivy started a new arc alongside writer G. Willow Wilson, artist Atagun Ilhan, colorists Arif Prianto and Ivan Plascencia, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. As Ivy worked to take on corporations instead of dooming all of humanity, this new chapter in Ivy’s life ended with a horrific cliffhanger. Issue #8 throws readers back into the action and highlights two untraditional heroes.
The last time readers saw Poison Ivy, her enemy — an old colleague of her twisted creator’s — neutralized her powers. This meant the fungi infecting her body could kill her, but thankfully an employee of this girl boss from hell finds Poison Ivy’s decomposing body. It’s up to her to save Ivy, who is the key to freeing this community from a corporation that does not care for its employees or the environment.
The image of Ivy decomposing is evocative of Little Shop of Horrors and David Cronenberg. While Poison Ivy #7 teased the body horror Ivy would endure, Poison Ivy #8 explores it fully. Ivy’s nightmare spreads and consumes like a virus. Ilhan picks up where Poison Ivy’s primary artist — Marcio Takara — left off. This series became a stand-out early on with its beautifully grotesque version of Ivy, a woman plagued by a deadly fungus. Ilhan stays true to Takara’s vision while bringing his own style to the issue. Ilhan highlights the horror of what Ivy is going through. Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering underscores the pain Ivy experiences. The scratchy fonts feel like nails on a chalkboard and add to the painful tone of the issue.
Poison Ivy #8 is as beautiful as it is disturbing. When Ivy is at her peak, she is a green goddess — to be admired but not trifled with. Plascencia and Prianto’s colors bring a sense of grandeur and power to the character. The contrasts of reds against the numerous shades of green make Ivy and her plants pop. Meanwhile, during a more sentimental moment near the end, the colorists use warm oranges and dark shadows to establish a quiet, thoughtful atmosphere. This creates a tender and intimate moment between the two leading women of this issue.
Wilson makes Janet — the employee who finds Ivy — an endearing addition to the series. The civilians who drift through Ivy’s life are the reminders she needs about the good side of humanity. Despite her cynicism, Janet is a bright light for Poison Ivy, who becomes a hero in her own right as she helps Ivy and struggles with her own personal battle. Janet is proof that people can make a difference, which is what Ivy fights for now that she’s targeting corporations and those upholding exploitative, damning systems. As compelling as she is, Janet’s appearance and her connection with Ivy feel too coincidental, especially considering her introduction in 2021’s Gotham City Villains Anniversary Special #1.
While Janet proves to be the everyday hero in Poison Ivy’s life, Pamela continues to be more anti-hero than villain in Poison Ivy #8. She genuinely cares about people, and her cause is noble. Now that she no longer believes that exterminating humanity will save the Earth, Ivy becomes an even bigger “hero.” She is willing to cross moral and legal boundaries, but Wilson maintains Ivy’s empathy. With each issue, readers are reminded that Ivy has a heart, and that’s what keeps fans coming back for more.
Poison Ivy is one of DC’s best series. Issue #7 and Issue #8 tell a complete, thought-provoking story that could be a sign of things to come for the rest of the series and Ivy’s mission to save the environment. While this could mean a more “monster-of-the-month” approach to the narrative, the potential to see Ivy take on numerous corrupt figures and corporations with each issue is exciting. Poison Ivy #8 tackles political issues like America’s failed health care system, fracking, and corporate feminism. Seeing more issues call out systemic problems, as opposed to humanity as a whole, is a unique and evocative take on Ivy that highlights a more hopeful and human side of the villain. Poison Ivy is the hero the world needs, and Issue #8 is proof of that.
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