Swamp Full Of Past Sins: Reviewing ‘Poison Ivy’ #26

While fungal zombies and a monstrous ex are things of Pamela Isley’s past, the present isn’t much better. Gotham City’s favorite eco-themed villain has a whole new threat to deal with that hits far to close to home.

A new chapter begins in Poison Ivy #26 as the series joins the big DC All-In launchpad initiative. Another captivating tale from G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Arif Prianto, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

Twenty-six issues … hot damn. Truly, this is the little book that could, surging from miniseries to limited series, to a full throttle ongoing series. Hard to believe things have come this far, and how many shake-ups and changing landscapes have happened around this rock of a series.

If you had told me years ago that, not only would I be enjoying a Poison Ivy-centric title, but that I would have been reviewing it for years … well I’d probably believe you. Especially if you also gave me the info of who is the creative team of the book.

This many issues in would be a good time to maybe give the main characters a rest. Perhaps a one-off issue just having a fun day on the town. Yet, where would be the fun in that? No, see, we all know that what keeps us coming back (beyond the amazing art, character development, our love for the characters/world, etc.) in many cases is the drama/action.

Plenty to be found here.

Wilson gives Ivy a clean slate, moving beyond Woodrue and the fungal concerns of the first 24 issues, while complicating her world instantly. A new status quo through which new chaos is born. A mystery town in the swamps (seemingly raised by Ivy’s own actions in the prior arc) and an eco-terrorist group that seems to claim to be following Ivy’s bidding.

Every month I marvel at how rich, deep, and detailed everything is about this series.

On the writing side, Wilson knows these characters’ front to back and lets them all breathe and exist equally on the page. This is Ivy’s book, but Janet (from HR) and Croc (as well as Harley when she is here) are right there fully realized and important pieces to the story and Ivy’s world and life. Ivy’s past seemingly inspiring a group claiming to follow her is perfect, because it plays to her long history and is a natural avenue to explore.

Artistically, we see the rich depth and detail as well, every single time. Takara and Prianto create such distinctive, eerie but also warmly welcoming visuals.

Eco-horror is baked into the book’s very premise, and the way that Takara draws things makes sure we don’t forget that. Yet, as noted, there is a friendliness and boldness that is clear. Characters have big presences on the page, their personality and emotions always crystal clear. Panel choices keeping us tight and confined in most respects (so that we’re right in the thick of things) while fully out and about in others.

All the colors are right in that sweet spot here. They are mostly swimming around the middle point of the colorful waters, creating a lush and natural feeling environment that is akin to the reality we see in many respects. Being a Poison Ivy book, the colors of nature are even lusher and poppier than the others. As are all the fantastic elements from costumes to powers or beings beyond human scale.

A sort of rough feeling permeates both pencils and colors, playing into the always present ominous feelings natural to more horror leaning stories.

There is a reason that Otsmane-Elhaou got award recognition, and other recognition as well, lately. Just look at what the man can do with the letters on any given page, in any given book. Rife with powerful energies, bursting on the page. Built to convey the tone, volume, or given feeling of words as they flow smoothly across the page. I love things like Croc having a jagged almost sharp speech bubble, matching his gravelly exterior.

Poison Ivy #26 is now available from DC Comics.