Poison Ivy #45 is written by G. Willow Wilson and published by DC Comics. Art by Leandro Fernandez, with a cover by Jessica Fong, colours by Arif Prianto, and letters by Hassan Ostmane-Elhaou.
Poison Ivy #45 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
Poison Ivy is losing supporters quicker than she can kill them! After a hard day at the office, Mayor Pamela Ivy retreats to her luxurious Gotham City home for some R & R, but not even her home is safe! What terrible menace lurks in wait for her? Read this issue and find out!
Review
The issue kicks off with a news segment that feels uncharacteristically forced. The anchor is talking about Ivy’s first few weeks in office, painting her as incredible, listing initiatives and accomplishments that make her sound unstoppable. As the scene continues, we spot some of Ivy’s goons lurking behind the camera, and it becomes clear. It’s all very much by design.
What I love about an opening like this is how it showcases Ivy at her most contradictory. While doing what she deems good for the world, society, the earth, and nature, she is still unintentionally causing chaos. It’s a subtle nod to politicians and how, no matter how good their intentions, there are always threads beneath the surface that prove they’re still morally grey. No one can truly make a change without causing some chaos or breaking a few rules. Or fingers.
Ivy’s style in the first few frames is a highlight in itself. It’s ripped straight out of The Devil Wears Prada: big glasses, a huge coat, a great hairstyle. She looks incredibly chic, which is a real step away from how she’s been portrayed for much of this run. It’s a bold, creative choice, and it absolutely works.
We find out that Ivy has been bat-hungry. The Caped Crusader is foiling her plans and threatening her title of Mayor, and it’s making her see red. She wants the Bat, and she’s burning alliances and friendships to get there. I love seeing her mad with power. It’s a layer her character has needed for a while, because frankly, she’s been quite one-note recently, and this added dimension makes for a genuinely fun read. Ivy is making enemies faster than she can count, on both the green side and the human side, and this issue starts to let that rear its ugly head.
The art went up a notch here, too. The final frame, in particular, is rather beautiful. I won’t spoil it, because it’s something you should absolutely discover for yourself, but it is drawn to perfection. Scary, beautiful, and impressive all at once.
Verdict
A sharper, more layered Ivy than we’ve seen in a while, issue #45 finds its footing in the chaos of power and the cost of burning bridges. Ivy’s political career is burning bright and fast, and the bigger she becomes, the bigger the target on her back becomes. It’s a fun twist on an iconic character, making her layered and unpredictable. Plus, the Devil Wears Prada energy, and a stunning final frame make this one well worth your time.
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