Take A Bite Out Of Crime — Reviewing ‘Poison Ivy’ #23

Sometimes defeating an enemy is as simple as throwing some fits. Other times it requires actions that are more drastic. Like, say, letting the scores of people turned into zombies by an experimental fungus devour you and said enemy alive.

What began as a series heavy on the eco-horror vibes returns to its roots (sorry, not sorry) as Poison Ivy #23 takes the battle against the Floronic Man to a potentially devastating outcome. The penultimate chapter of the series second year comes in swinging from G. Willow Wilson, Haining, Arif Prianto, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

Wow. How are we twenty-three chapters into this series already? It sure doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, with how engaging and fun things are month after month.

While there is action here, the crux of this issue is tapping into the human relationships and the impact that various characters have on each other. What people are willing to do to protect one another, and the world at large (mostly as a byproduct, since as they remind us, they’re not heroes).

Wilson proves time and time again that she not only understands these characters and their world implicitly, but that she’s the best one to handle their journey. Ivy is slowly dying here as others are giving a bit more of the spotlight, especially Janet (from HR) who in a way finds her space in the group. While working out some awkwardness in regard to Harley and Ivy and some stolen romantic moments.

What I love about this book is how the characters stay true to themselves. These aren’t mostly villains trying to be heroes but are who they are through and through. Sometimes that means out for themselves (or trying to murder the world), other times it means doing something that could be seen as heroic, but it’s not done for those reasons. Another element is how the book knows how to mix the eco-horror with humor, romance, deep emotional moments and more in perfectly equal balance.

Speaking of balance, Haining is a great addition to this storyline. An inherent roughness mixed with some smoother slick beats fits the vibe well. Bringing a lot of that comic book whimsy matched with the darker heavier horror aspects the series is known for. Even as things are happening in horrific ways there is a lightness that can be felt in what’s presented on the page to bring some levity and a bit of light.

Those fungal zombies look grotesque because they are stretched and taken beyond comprehension in appearance. Almost comical in some respects, as they surge on top of one another and through the characters.

A lot of the weight comes from the color choices, which are always on point. Prianto adds little touches here or there that morph to match whatever the particular artist of the issue is bringing to play. Yet, the same overall style remains through and through. More neutral toned down overall colors that allow room for more vibrant powerful beats to shine through. Swirling so many shadows and darker tones into the mix as it moves along.

Similarly, Otsmane-Elhaou brings that same feeling to lettering. Giving the words, be they dialogue or captions, breathe and flow naturally through the page. Adding power and weight to given words through the choices for the font but opposing bubbles. Like how Ivy’s are a more friendly but not too friendly almost fiery red compared to the sickly toxic green that Woodrue/Floronic Man has for his words. A sharpness comes to a lot of the bubbles, keeping the harsh edge of the issue apparent. All of it brings the right energy to the page and helps really sell what is happening, while also just being great visuals.

Poison Ivy #23 is now available from DC Comics.