DC may be eager to rebrandPoison Ivyas their next rising anti-hero, but for many fans, this shift feels like a betrayal of everything that defines her. This Gotham City Siren isn’t a hero in disguise; she’s a villain through and through, and her long, complex history proves it.
With so many classic villains already solidly in anti-hero territory, it raises the question: Shouldn’t DC allow Poison Ivy to remain bad?
Poison Ivy debuted inBatman#181 (1966), and from the start, the Gotham City Siren was rooted firmly in villainy, quickly becoming one of Batman’s most iconic rogues. However, DC’s recent push to reframe her as an anti-hero—evident inG. Willow Wilson’s ongoingPoison Ivyseriesand thePoison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Treesone-shot—has sparked mixed reactions.
While some fans appreciate this new direction, others are disappointed, arguing that Ivy is the latest in a long line of iconic female villains unnecessarily"redeemed.“For many, Poison Ivy’s complex, morally questionable nature makes far more sense as a villain than an anti-hero.
Poison Ivy’s Origins: A Tragic Beginning, But Not an Excuse
Cover C Card Stock Variant by Noobovich forPoison Ivy#27
Poison Ivy’s tragic origin undeniably makes her a sympathetic character. Raised in a violent home, Ivy endured abuse at the hands of her father, who kept her isolated and eventually murdered her mother—an outcome that helpedshape her belief that humanity was cruel and destructive.Her trust was later shattered further byDr. Jason Woodrue, a professor she loved, who manipulated her into enduring unethical experiments. These experiments transformed her into a plant-human hybrid and connected her to the Green—a mystical force tied to all plant life. While her backstory invites empathy, it doesn’t necessitate turning her into an anti-hero or hero to justify that sympathy.
Furthermore, Ivy’s tragic past offers valuable insight into her perspective and motivations, but it doesn’t excuse the destruction, death, and suffering she has caused. While her origins add depth to her character, they should not be used to justify her actions or reframe her as an anti-hero. Hence,it’s essential to recognize Poison Ivy for what she has always been: a villainwhose worldview, though understandable, does not absolve her of the monstrous consequences of her actions—including earning the label of “villain.”
“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.
Environmental Crusader or Eco-Terrorist? Poison Ivy’s Past Proves She’s a Straight Up VILLAIN
Cover F 1:25 Card Stock Variant by Sebastián Fiumara forPoison Ivy#26 (2024)
One aspect of Poison Ivy’s character that creates confusion over whether she should be classified as a villain or an anti-hero is her ultimate goal of saving Earth’s plant life. This mission, deeply altruistic and one that resonates with many readers, is a cause people can relate to and support. However, the methods Ivy typically employs to achieve this goal firmly place her in the realm of villainy.Her solution often boils down to wiping out humanity, or at the very least, eliminating the vast majority of the human population—a stance that should be an obvious red flag when labeling her actions as unacceptable and undeniably villainous.
When considering whether Poison Ivy works better as a villain or anti-hero, it’s crucial to look beyond recent portrayals and examine her entire comic history.This includes the numerous times she has tried to eradicate humanity—most recently in Wilson’s run, whereIvy sought to destroy humanityusing fungal spores that sprouted toxic fungi from people’s bodies, painfully killing them and transforming some into plant-zombies. Another notable instance occurred inBatman/Green Arrow: The Poison Tomorrow(1992), where Ivy attempted to release deadly toxins across Gotham and the world, targeting those who couldn’t develop a natural immunity.
While many of Ivy’s attacks on humanity are motivated by her noble goal of preserving plant life, it’s also important to acknowledge the darker, sadistic side of her character.Ivy has often reveled in pain and suffering, finding enjoyment in others' torment for her own selfish pleasure.She has used her pheromones to manipulate others, turning them into her willing slaves, sometimes involving physical contact that could be seen as assault. For years, Ivy was notorious for feeding ex-lovers, corrupt CEOs, and incompetent henchmen to her man-eating plants, where they were slowly and painfully digested. These actions, among many others, support the argument that at her core, Ivy is undeniably a villain.
Poison Ivy Is Bringing the World of The Last of Us to the DC Universe
Poison Ivy is finally coming for humanity, unleashing a deadly new mushroom arsenal familiar to fans of zombie game The Last of Us.
DC’s Attempt to Reframe Poison Ivy From Villain to Anti-Hero (But Is It Working?)
Cover B Card Stock Variant by Mike Perkins forPoison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees#1
While many fans will always view Poison Ivy as a villain,there’s no denying the significant efforts DC is making to position her as their next anti-hero.This evolution is evident throughout Wilson’s ongoing comic run, but it is most explicitly conveyed in her one-shot,Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Tress. In this issue, Ivy openly confesses thatshe never intended to become a villain. In an impassioned monologue, she expresses her frustration, saying,“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 trying to do the right thing when no one else had the courage. This revelation serves as a key example of how DC is reframing Ivy’s story to make her more sympathetic, while also transitioning her into a role that aligns more with the anti-hero archetype than the traditional villain. Additionally,this comic shifts Ivy’s iconic hatred for humanity, redirecting it specifically toward the wealthy elite, a move that further solidifies her transition into the anti-hero role.
Poison Ivy Just Decimated Batman & Iron Man With One Sentence
After Poison Ivy’s call to “eat the rich,” the billionaire heroes Batman and Iron Man are definitely among her new enemies—and they better watch out.
DC’s Female Villain Problem: Let Poison Ivy Be Bad
Cover D 1:25 Card Stock Variant by Eliza Ivanova forPoison Ivy#24 (2024)
As mentioned earlier, a noticeable pattern is emerging among DC’s most iconic female villains, with many transitioning from their villainous origins into more anti-heroic roles. Among the most notable characters making this shift alongside Poison Ivy are Catwoman, Cheetah, and Harley Quinn. This article isn’t arguing that Selina, Harley, and Barbara should have remained villains. However, it is a bit disheartening to see the pool of morally complex female villains shrinking, especially for fans who enjoy a good, morally bankrupt female character. With so many major names already solidly in anti-hero territory, it raises the question: Shouldn’t DC allowPoison Ivyto remain bad?
