WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for POISON IVY / SWAMP THING: FERAL TREES #1 !
Fifty-eight years ago, Batman #181 (1966), marking the start of her evolution into one of the Dark Knight’s most iconic and enduring villains. While Ivy’s villainous nature has long defined her character, a new development has essentially rewritten everything fans thought they knew about the Gotham City Siren, revealing she was never meant to be the “bad guy.”
...fans are now witnessing Poison Ivy's affection for humanity extend beyond just her loved ones...
This year, Hallow’s Eve kicks off with the release of G. Willow Wilson, Mike Perkins, and Mike Spicer’s Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1. In this gripping one-shot story, Swamp Thing and Ivy are mysteriously summoned to a forest on the outskirts of Gotham by The Green, only to find themselves embroiled in a deadly mystery surrounding the trees that are attacking and killing people.
While the narrative is filled with suspenseful twists and turns, the most significant revelations revolve around Poison Ivy herself. Notably, she confesses that she never intended to become a villain, alongside the jaw-dropping realization that she loves humanity more than plants. These groundbreaking insights redefine her character in ways fans never expected.
“It Just [Happened]”: Poison Ivy Makes a Shocking Confession About Her Villain Origins
“I Never Set Out To Be the Bad Guy” – Poison Ivy in Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1
Ivy’s confession that she never intended to become a villain arises during a discussion with Swamp Thing, where she grows defensive, sensing judgment from the Avatar of the Green regarding her past decisions. In an imioned monologue, Ivy expresses her frustration, stating, “I just want the Earth to survive. No matter what it takes, I just want this planet to survive. I don’t understand why that’s so controversial.” After a poignant pause, the Gotham Siren reveals, “I never set out to be the bad guy,” explaining that her transformation into a villain was an unintended consequence of her efforts to do the right thing when no one else had the courage.
Given that Ivy’s origins have always been firmly rooted in her villainy, this revelation redefines her lore, casting new light on her character's backstory. While Ivy has long been regarded as a tragic figure, learning that her initial intentions were noble makes her journey all the more heartbreaking. This unintended villainization emphasizes the complexity of her character and aligns with DC's recent efforts to reposition Ivy into a more anti-heroic role. This development seems to be a direction that DC intends to explore further, especially since G. Willow Wilson is also the writer of the ongoing Poison Ivy series.
"The Green Knight" Is Officially Replacing Poison Ivy in Gotham Lore
It's official: a new contender is vying for Poison Ivy's title as Gotham's premier plant lover, laying claim to Ivy's original role in DC lore.
DC Reveals Poison Ivy Loves Humanity More Than She Loves Plants
“...I Chose the Forest. You… Chose the Girl.” –Swamp Thing in Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1
Ivy not intending to become a villain is far from the only jaw-dropping revelation in this issue. As previously mentioned, Feral Trees follows Ivy and Swamp Thing as they attempt to unravel the mystery of why the Gotham forest has suddenly begun killing people. They ultimately solve this mystery when they discover that the forest is protecting a dying girl with powers similar to Ivy's. Unfortunately, despite reaching the girl while she is still alive, Ivy and Swamp Thing arrive too late, and the girl dies. Ivy is emotionally devestated by this loss, despite having never met the girl before.
With no one and nothing else to lash out at, Ivy directs her anger toward the seemingly unaffected Swamp Thing, questioning whether he wants revenge for the girl—something she clearly desires. Swamp Thing responds while offering a profound insight into Ivy's connection to humanity: “No. I do not want… Revenge. But the fact that you do… Says much about what you love most in the world. My brethren and I chose the forest. You… chose the girl.” This revelation challenges the widely held assumption that Ivy loves plant life more than humanity, with only a few exceptions like Harley Quinn and Janet from HR.
Earlier in the issue, this revelation was hinted at during a conversation between Swamp Thing and Ivy about Pam's connection to the Green, where she is described as “half in and half out.” Ivy initially disputes this characterization, asserting that she is “all in” with the Green and emphasizing her disdain for humanity by asking, “How many times have I tried to kill off the human race?” Swamp Thing counters with a thought-provoking question: “How many times… have you stopped?” Ivy concedes his point, acknowledging her view of humans as interconnected with the Green.
Poison Ivy’s New, Dark Costume Is So Badass, It Might Turn Me into a Cosplayer
Ivy has fully embraced her villainous roots with a costume that combines her classic look with a dark twist, and I might just have to cosplay it.
G. Willow Wilson Redirects Ivy’s Rage Against All of Humanity Toward the Wealthy Elite
“The Rich Are Cooking the Planet While the Poor Freeze and Starve—” – Poison Ivy in Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1
G. Willow Wilson, the writer of Feral Trees and the ongoing Poison Ivy series, has been gradually shifting Ivy’s infamous distaste for humanity specifically toward the wealthy elite. While Ivy has a long-established history of hating the rich, particularly wealthy men, Wilson elevates this theme by narrowing Ivy's resentment to target only the affluent, rather than humanity as a whole. This shift is evident throughout her ongoing series, including Ivy's “eat the rich” moment in Poison Ivy #6 (2022) and its subsequent echoes in later issues, such as issue #26, where Ivy expresses her acceptance of eco-terrorists blowing up supermarkets, provided they target "rich-people supermarkets."
This focus on the wealthy as her primary target is further solidified in Feral Trees, particularly during a moment of deep mourning for the deceased girl, when Ivy yells at Swamp Thing, “That’s it? You’re not angry? The rich are cooking the planet while the poor freeze and starve—” This stark contrast between Ivy's grief over a girl she never knew and her specific blame on the wealthy for the destruction of Earth highlights a significant transition in her character: her enemy is not all of humanity, but rather the wealthy elite, whom she holds able for the most pressing environmental issues.
Poison Ivy’s Leaf Bikini Marks Her Most Daring Costume Yet In More Than 1 Way
Poison Ivy has just taken the word 'daring' to a new level with her recent leaf bikini debut, marking one of her most unforgettable costumes yet.
Poison Ivy's Core Identity Is Undergoing a Dramatic Transformation (Especially In Her Capacity For Love)
Comes From Poison Ivy #26 (2024)
Feral Trees reveals that Poison Ivy is undergoing a significant transformation, as DC seems to be officially transitioning her into a true anti-hero, a status that some may already argue she has achieved. This shift is primarily reflected in the redefinition of Ivy’s origin, highlighting that she never intended to become a villain, that she cares for humanity more than plant life, and that her ire is now directed at a more sympathetic cause. While Poison Ivy’s love for Harley Quinn and Janet from HR has played a crucial role in humanizing her, fans are now witnessing her affection for humanity extend beyond just her loved ones.
Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1 is available now from DC Comics!
POISON IVY / SWAMP THING: FERAL TREES #1 (2024) |
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- Alias
- Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley
- Created By
- Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino
- Franchise
- DC, Batman
- Race
- Metahuman
- Movies
- Batman & Robin
- TV Shows
- Gotham, Harley Quinn
Inducted into Batman's rogues gallery in the 1960s, Poison Ivy is a metahuman who terrorizes Gotham with her poisonous touch and control over plant life. A misanthropic eco-terrorist, Poison Ivy is also depicted as an anti-hero, using her powers in attempts to regrow the environment in the wake of pollution and deforestation. Together with her lover Harley Quinn, the two are always ready to wreak havoc in Gotham.
