The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
A review by graamcracker
Poison Ivy: Thorns by Kody Keplinger, Sara Kipin
3.0
Poison Ivy is one of my favorite DC villains, and so I was excited to read this retelling of her back story. I didn't expect this to be as dark as it was, but overall I really enjoyed it. The illustrations are dark, simplistic and very organic, complimenting the seriousness of the plot perfectly. I loved that Pamela/Ivy's history of plants and caring for the Earth came from her mother, a biologist that instilled her love of plant life in Pam/Ivy. There is also some LGBTQ+ romance in it. I always appreciate seeing LGBTQ+ representation, especially for teens!
There is a strong message of how the world police's women's bodies and the way some men feel they have the right to do as they please, that women should be "grateful" for attention men give them. Nature is a parallel metaphor for women's bodies, and how mankind/men feel entitled to do whatever they want with it. Pamela/Ivy learns to stand up for herself and fight against these men, taking back her power in the end (and ultimately becoming her true self of Ivy). Kody Keplinger includes different resources on domestic violence and sexual abuse readers can use if needed, which is extremely important and I appreciated this inclusion.
I would recommend this to teen readers, especially those interested in darker comics/stories and moody settings. DC fans may appreciate it, but this story could also be enjoyed by those who are completely new to the DC Universe and Poison Ivy.
There is a strong message of how the world police's women's bodies and the way some men feel they have the right to do as they please, that women should be "grateful" for attention men give them. Nature is a parallel metaphor for women's bodies, and how mankind/men feel entitled to do whatever they want with it. Pamela/Ivy learns to stand up for herself and fight against these men, taking back her power in the end (and ultimately becoming her true self of Ivy). Kody Keplinger includes different resources on domestic violence and sexual abuse readers can use if needed, which is extremely important and I appreciated this inclusion.
I would recommend this to teen readers, especially those interested in darker comics/stories and moody settings. DC fans may appreciate it, but this story could also be enjoyed by those who are completely new to the DC Universe and Poison Ivy.