Poison Ivy #38 is written by G. Willow Wilson and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Marcio Takara, colours by Arif Prianto, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Main cover art is by Jessica Fong.
Poison Ivy #38 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
Ivy’s had enough of Janet’s lies. She’s dragging the mewling, near-dead Janet-from- HR into the woods and giving her what she deserves once and for all. If there’s anything left for either of them to say to each other…now would be the time.
Review
“The part of me you could hurt is grown over with thorns now.” Few lines capture Poison Ivy #38’s spirit as sharply as this one. It’s a moment of raw vulnerability wrapped in defiance — and the perfect thesis for an issue that drags Ivy and Janet’s volatile relationship to its breaking point. G. Willow Wilson’s writing cuts deep here: lyrical yet laced with venom, exploring betrayal, selfishness, and the painful bloom of consequence. What begins as a lover’s quarrel unfurls into a reckoning — both intimate and existential — reminding us that Ivy’s thorniest battles are the ones she wages with herself.
Ivy’s selfishness finally comes full circle here, serving her a wickedly curated dose of karma. Her reckoning feels earned, but also familiar — we’ve seen her navigate this same moral terrain before. Once again, Ivy questions her own motivations: is she truly fighting for the Green, or merely for herself?
While these questions have always been central to Wilson’s take on the character, by issue #38 they’re beginning to lose their edge. We’ve already explored this crisis of conscience in earlier issues, and its reappearance here makes the story feel somewhat redundant. Because of this recurring moral dilemma, the narrative begins to grind to a halt.
Ivy’s constant introspection — over her powers, her purpose, and her relationships — once felt nuanced and dynamic, but now risks becoming repetitive. That said, Wilson’s prose still sings. Her dialogue is razor-sharp, and moments like the thorn metaphor remind us why she’s one of DC’s strongest character writers. The emotional fallout between Ivy and Janet remains raw, intimate, and painfully human.
If the writing hesitates, the art certainly does not. Marcio Takara’s visuals are, as always, breathtaking. From expansive, almost cosmic landscapes to stark silhouettes of Ivy framed in a doorway, every panel is composed with precision and emotional intent.
Arif Prianto’s colouring amplifies the mood beautifully — lush greens, shadowy purples, and earthy tones breathe life into each page. The interplay of light and darkness mirrors Ivy’s internal struggle perfectly. Takara’s ability to capture quiet moments — a flicker of regret in Ivy’s expression, or Janet’s defeated posture — gives the issue a cinematic quality that elevates the entire experience.
At its core, this issue asks: What is the true cost of betrayal? And more importantly, who pays it? Ivy’s confrontation with Janet feels both personal and symbolic — a moment of reckoning not just with her partner, but with the part of herself that refuses to heal. Wilson continues to present Ivy as both monster and martyr, lover and executioner, blurring the boundaries between vengeance and justice. Yet, for all its psychological weight, the story feels caught in a loop. Ivy’s evolution has stalled, and the emotional beats that once landed with devastating precision now risk feeling predictable.
Verdict
Poison Ivy #38 is a beautifully illustrated, emotionally charged issue that thrives on atmosphere and introspection, even as the narrative begins to lose momentum. Wilson’s dialogue remains eloquent and precise, the art team once again delivers stunning work — but the story’s repetition prevents it from reaching the heights of earlier issues.
⭐⭐⭐
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also members of the Forbidden Planet Affiliate Program.
