Related
DISCLAIMER : This article does not condone Poison Ivy ’s villainous or illegal actions in the name of environmentalism . While her motive may be compelling , any actions that make damage to others are unequivocally ill-timed and should be recognized as such .
Poison Ivyis easily one of the most iconic female villain in amusing history , rival only byHarley QuinnandCatwoman . But call her a“villain”has always felt like an simplism . If she were truly vicious , why would I and so many others understand with her ? Why would we detect ourselves rooting for her ? Poison Ivy ’s current writer has the resolution .
… Poison Ivy is ultimately driven by good intentions gone awry , making her more of an anti - villain than a simple antagonist .
G. Willow Wilson recently sat down with DC to discuss her ongoingPoison Ivyseries , which has been running since 2022 and just hit a major milepost with its thirtieth progeny . This incredible three - year streamlet , combined with the series win theGLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic in 2022 , speaks to its immense popularity among fans .
Among the most far-famed question direct at Wilson were her thoughts on why Poison Ivy has become a breakout star for DC and how she approaches Ivy ’s characterization . Her response moult luminance on the kind of villain Ivy genuinely is — and why sports fan find themselves steady down for her success rather than her fall .
Poison Ivy’s Resurgence in Comics Comes Down to One Word: Relatability
Main Cover by Jessica Fong for G. Willow Wilson’sPoison Ivy#7 (2022)
During her sit - down with DC , Wilson was asked why she thought Ivy resonate so deeply with so many people — a connection that has driven the series ’ huge popularity . She responded with humility , attribute much of the comedian ’s success to Ivy being“very much a character of the current moment , despite the fact that she ’s almost sixty years old now . ”Wilson elaborated , explaining thatIvy ’s urgency to keep the planet and her fear that time is run out are concerns that many citizenry , especially younger generation , can associate to . It ’s this share sense of urgency that has contributed to Ivy ’s remarkable success among readers .
Wilson also emphasized the crucial role of timing in the series ’ popularity , stating that“with any risible book character or series , 80 % of popularity is timing . ”She explained how telling this story just five years sooner or by and by could have resulted in a completely different reply from reader . Poison Ivy ’s success , in part , come from the fact thather environmental deputation aligns with a minute in time when mood alteration is directly affecting countless life . This perspective play up why , despite her villainous label , readers can understand with Ivy and even root for her , despite her darker tendency .
This year ’s Valentine ’s special from DC marks a return to form , with the publishing company finally getting back on track in depicting the Harlivy romance .
The Evolution of Poison Ivy’s Loyalty: Humanity vs. The Green
Comic Panels Come From G. Willow Wilson”sPoison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees#1 (2024) – Art by Mike Perkins & Mike Spicer
One of the most unique aspects of Wilson’sPoison Ivyrun is how it limn Ivy ’s softer side , peculiarly in relation to humanity . While retiring depictions have occasionally paint her as an outright hater of all humanity , Wilson ’s ongoing series — and her special , Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing : Feral Trees — have done an olympian job of exploring Ivy ’s empathy and how it mold her loyalty to The Green . This makes DC ’s question for Wilson—“What do you think ultimately acquire out [ for Ivy ] ? Her anger towards man or her empathy towards them?”—especially relevant , as it highlights the evolution of Ivy ’s fibre throughout the series .
Wilson responded by explicate that every time it seems like they ’ve rule a unequivocal answer — whether Ivy ’s empathy for mankind or her commitment to The Green takes precedence — something take place to pitch that balance . However , she admitted that , at the end of the 24-hour interval , Ivy’s“primary loyalty is towards The Green , towards flora life on this planet . ”Still , this ultimate devotion does n’t erase her empathy for humanity . As the serial publication has shown , Ivy has strong emotional and physical connection , particularly with her sexual love interests , Harley Quinn and Janet from HR . Wilson noted that these relationships service as an anchor , stating,“There are things keeping her human , and that ’s the tensity of the book . ”
While Poison Ivy ’s nefarious nature has long defined her character , a new ontogenesis has essentially rewritten everything fan remember they know .
It’s Time We Admit that Poison Ivy Was Never a True Villain
Main Cover by Jessica Fong for G. Willow Wilson’sPoison Ivy#20 (2024)
These insights into Ivy ’s relatability and her separate loyalty between human beings and The Green foreground the complexity of her character , let out that she ’s not the aboveboard villain many comprehend her to be . While Ivy has a history of opposing heroes and committing felonious bit , her motivations and moral deepness make her far more nuanced than a traditional baddie . Her goals — addressing climate variety and environmental destruction — are highly relatable , and many share her frustration , even if they would n’t recur to her extreme . As such , despite her villainous condition , Poison Ivyis ultimately driven by good intentions gone cockeyed , making her more of an anti - villain than a simple antagonist .
