morebedsidebooks's review
4.0
Batman Arkham: Poison Ivy is a collection for the 50th anniversary of Poison Ivy’s debut containing selections from 1966-2013 charting the course of the character from pin-up model inspired seductress to eco-crusader. As a longtime fan I felt only a couple entries were of less interest or enjoyment.
Batman #181 “Beware of Poison Ivy”. Created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff with inking by Joe Giella is a simple debut turning Batman off his game.
Moving into 1978 in the World's Finest #251-252 A Kiss of Death Three Times” (Penciller: Ric Estrada, Inker: Jack Abel, Colorist: Mario Sen, Letterer: John Simek) and "A Poison of the Heart" (Penciller: Jack Abel, Inker: Vince Colletta, Colorist: Izzy Goldstien, Letter: Milton Snappin) written by Gerry Conway, Ivy tangling with Wonder Woman reveals a bit more of Ivy’s ill-fated background.
1981 Batman #339 “A Sweet Kiss of Poison”, the selection of was lost on me. Ivy targets Wayne Enterprise, to be continued.
In 1989 Secret Origins #36 "Pavane" (Art: Mark Buckingham, Colorist: Nansi Hoolahan, Letterer: Agustin Mas) written by Neil Gaiman who can be credited with revising and more broadly giving shape to Pamela Lillian Isley for the modern age Isley is frightening and at the same time inescapable as one sees the very deep damage betrayal can wreak.
From 1993 Batman Legends of the Dark Night #42 &43 “Hothouse” (John Francis Moore, Art: P. Craig Russell, Colorist: Lovern Kindzierski, Letterer: Bill Pearson) continues sophistication of Pamela’s character along with memorably stylized scenes and references to Victorian poetry as Batman finds himself fixated with her once again. Eventually leading him to seek out her home roots.
1995 Shadow of the Bat Annual #3 Year One: “Poison Ivy” (Alan Grant, Penciller: Brian Apthorp, Colorist: Linda Medley, Inker: Stan Woch, Letterer Ken Lopez. showcases her early criminal career where she is not necessarily endearing (it has one of my least favourite covers, sorry Brian Stelfreeze). Yet, the story does touch on her differing natures and asks is she truly bad or, badly sick.
Released in 1997 to coincide with the live-action Batman and Robin movie, Batman Poison Ivy (John Francis Moore, Penciller: Brian Apthorp, Inker: Stan Woch, Colorist: Patricia Mulvihill, Letterer: Todd Klein) has bonus poetry again since it’s another entry by Moore. This time Pamela a survivor bent on reckoning after the human world doesn’t let her or, the environment she has become kin to live in peace.
Also 1997 Batman Chronicles #9 “Passion’s Fruits” (Andrew Helfer, Penciller: Cully Hammer, Inker: Robert Campanella, Colorist: Noelle Giddings, Letterer: Albert T. DeGuzman) with Ivy in Arkham Asylum is subtle. I probably think back on this story of the collection at points the most. The cover by Hugh Fleming also has nothing to do with this chapter.
Ahead to 2008’s Joker’s Asylum: Poison Ivy “Deflowered!” (J.T. Krul, Art: Guillem March, Letterer: Rob Leigh), which is also where the cover for the collection comes from, with the Joker narrating Ivy’s history (who listens to him though, probably better to read with reservations) stresses her strong connection to the green and exacting gruesome revenge.
Into 2010 Gotham City Sirens #8 features a killer is on the loose targeting those who have committed some offense against the ecology of Robinson Park and Ivy is suspected. It’s series where Pamela has teamed with Harley Quinn and Selina Kyle, I recommend checking out.
2013 bringing revision once again, Detective Comics #23.1 Poison Ivy “The Green Kingdom” (Derek Fridolfs, Art: Javier Pina, Letterer: Taylor Esposito) this time dives deeper. It’s a beautiful piece. Though I favour the similar Secret Origins #10 “Green Savior” from 2015 that was not included in the volume.
All in all, Batman Arkham: Poison Ivy is a good value and should be entertaining. Especially as a starting point for reading about this enduring Queen of May.
Batman #181 “Beware of Poison Ivy”. Created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff with inking by Joe Giella is a simple debut turning Batman off his game.
Moving into 1978 in the World's Finest #251-252 A Kiss of Death Three Times” (Penciller: Ric Estrada, Inker: Jack Abel, Colorist: Mario Sen, Letterer: John Simek) and "A Poison of the Heart" (Penciller: Jack Abel, Inker: Vince Colletta, Colorist: Izzy Goldstien, Letter: Milton Snappin) written by Gerry Conway, Ivy tangling with Wonder Woman reveals a bit more of Ivy’s ill-fated background.
1981 Batman #339 “A Sweet Kiss of Poison”, the selection of was lost on me. Ivy targets Wayne Enterprise, to be continued.
In 1989 Secret Origins #36 "Pavane" (Art: Mark Buckingham, Colorist: Nansi Hoolahan, Letterer: Agustin Mas) written by Neil Gaiman who can be credited with revising and more broadly giving shape to Pamela Lillian Isley for the modern age Isley is frightening and at the same time inescapable as one sees the very deep damage betrayal can wreak.
From 1993 Batman Legends of the Dark Night #42 &43 “Hothouse” (John Francis Moore, Art: P. Craig Russell, Colorist: Lovern Kindzierski, Letterer: Bill Pearson) continues sophistication of Pamela’s character along with memorably stylized scenes and references to Victorian poetry as Batman finds himself fixated with her once again. Eventually leading him to seek out her home roots.
1995 Shadow of the Bat Annual #3 Year One: “Poison Ivy” (Alan Grant, Penciller: Brian Apthorp, Colorist: Linda Medley, Inker: Stan Woch, Letterer Ken Lopez. showcases her early criminal career where she is not necessarily endearing (it has one of my least favourite covers, sorry Brian Stelfreeze). Yet, the story does touch on her differing natures and asks is she truly bad or, badly sick.
Released in 1997 to coincide with the live-action Batman and Robin movie, Batman Poison Ivy (John Francis Moore, Penciller: Brian Apthorp, Inker: Stan Woch, Colorist: Patricia Mulvihill, Letterer: Todd Klein) has bonus poetry again since it’s another entry by Moore. This time Pamela a survivor bent on reckoning after the human world doesn’t let her or, the environment she has become kin to live in peace.
Also 1997 Batman Chronicles #9 “Passion’s Fruits” (Andrew Helfer, Penciller: Cully Hammer, Inker: Robert Campanella, Colorist: Noelle Giddings, Letterer: Albert T. DeGuzman) with Ivy in Arkham Asylum is subtle. I probably think back on this story of the collection at points the most. The cover by Hugh Fleming also has nothing to do with this chapter.
Ahead to 2008’s Joker’s Asylum: Poison Ivy “Deflowered!” (J.T. Krul, Art: Guillem March, Letterer: Rob Leigh), which is also where the cover for the collection comes from, with the Joker narrating Ivy’s history (who listens to him though, probably better to read with reservations) stresses her strong connection to the green and exacting gruesome revenge.
Into 2010 Gotham City Sirens #8 features a killer is on the loose targeting those who have committed some offense against the ecology of Robinson Park and Ivy is suspected. It’s series where Pamela has teamed with Harley Quinn and Selina Kyle, I recommend checking out.
2013 bringing revision once again, Detective Comics #23.1 Poison Ivy “The Green Kingdom” (Derek Fridolfs, Art: Javier Pina, Letterer: Taylor Esposito) this time dives deeper. It’s a beautiful piece. Though I favour the similar Secret Origins #10 “Green Savior” from 2015 that was not included in the volume.
All in all, Batman Arkham: Poison Ivy is a good value and should be entertaining. Especially as a starting point for reading about this enduring Queen of May.
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