Magic Food For The Soul — Reviewing ‘Poison Ivy’ #39

It’s often quoted that the remedy for a disease or illness might  be worse than the disease itself. For Janet from HR, there might be quite a bit of debate about that one when it comes to her predicament.

Pull up a chair because it’s dinner (breakfast) time in the character-rich, bloody cuisine heavy, and darkly gorgeous Poison Ivy #39. From the always stellar team of G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Arif Prianto, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

-SPOILERS FOLLOW-

If you had bet that this issue was going to feature not just our duo of characters chowing down on a demi-god but getting some personal sexy time, congrats, you’ve earned some money. Though I question how you came to the conclusion this was going to be the case. We’ve got our eye on you.

Anyways, what an issue.

There is a reason that this book has gone on as long as it has, approaching the forty issue mark. After starting as a mini that turned into a limited series that became a multi-year ongoing, hitting landmark issues that a lot of characters- some much bigger than Ivy in many respects- don’t get to see in the modern age.

This is a testament to the creators and the amazing work that they keep churning out month after darkly glorious month. Creating a series that has such a distinctive combination of flavors that it’s irresistibly mouth-watering each and every time. It’s a dish that has become a fan favorite, not just because it tastes good but because that delicious taste shifts each time, keeping a familiarity to it while taking on a slightly different form along the way.

Nature and the world play a massive, predictable, role in the narrative. Takara breathes such lush and dark life into all of that, as well as the multitude of characters present. He gives everything the right touch of rough sharp textures at the same time that it’s smoothly gliding across the page. Intricately planned paneling choices give the most opportunity possible to the artistic beats, keeping the movement to a premium while maximizing the depth and structure.

Each of the colors chosen allow the work to really speak to realism and familiarity mixed with the fantastic. With a little flourish, Prianto brings out that aforementioned lushness with the striking greens and browns of nature. He wraps them in heavier shadows at times and releasing the light to bring colors to a more robust and vibrant space, really giving Marshview this ethereal and pure nature appeal in how much it pops and breathes on the page.

Stemming from that same vein is the wealth of artistic energy expended upon the lettering, not letting any of it just be run of the mill or just settled on placing dialogue. None of that ever the case when Otsmane-Elhaou is on the case. Each word sinks into the page, resounding with the perfect unique voice energy of the characters. He crafts the sounds and tones of this world so smoothly that we can’t help but hear them playing out in our minds.

Weaving a story web as strong as the roots of a tree is Wilson, who has taken these characters from differing beginnings to the massive sprawling soap opera they stand within today. She drops seeds that have blossomed into something grander than their origins. Just the relationship between Ivy and Janet, and how it’s shifted, is testament to this idea, from flirtations that were pushed aside to them sharing a moment in touch with all of life itself.

For once Ivy has someone on her side that understands what she sees and feels at all times, even if it was just for the moment.

Throwing Harley back in the mix as the voice of reason is such a solid move and really subverts their usual dynamic and her personality. It also really plays to the whole soap opera and relationship heaviness of the title that works so well. So often we get representation of different types of sexualities and relationships that are only focused on being “clean” or “good.” Relationships, of all types, are messy and bumpy roads to travel. Wilson makes sure we get some of that bumpiness all the time, and I’m quite glad that we do.

Poison Ivy #39 is now available from DC Comics.