BY Jessica Lau
DC Comics has many memorable villains and one of the best villains in my opinion is Doctor Pamela Isley, Poison Ivy. Pamela Isley is unique and deadly, she is not only gorgeous, but also a brilliant botanist. When she first introduced in the Batman Animated Series, I was in awe and amazed at her. So when I saw a graphic novel is coming out on the first day of Pride month starring Poison Ivy and a queer one too, I had to purchase it. This graphic novel by bestselling author Kody Keplinger and illustrated by Sara Kipin certainly didn’t disappoint, Poison Ivy’s fans who want a queer romance with a touch of revenge should definitely pick this up.
There is something unusual about Pamela Isley, the girl who hides behind her bright red hair. The girl who won’t let anyone inside to see what’s lurking behind the curtains. The girl who goes to extreme lengths to care for a few small plants. Pamela Isley doesn’t trust other people, especially men. They always want something from her that she’s not willing to give. When cute goth girl Alice Oh comes into Pamela’s life after an accident at the local park, she makes Pamela feel like pulling back the curtains and letting the sunshine in. But there are dark secrets deep within the Isley home. Secrets Pamela’s father has warned must remain hidden. Secrets that could turn deadly and destroy the one person who ever cared about Pamela, or as her mom preferred to call her …Ivy. Will Pamela open herself up to the possibilities of love, or will she forever be transformed by the thorny vines of revenge?
Poison Ivy Thorns is described as a gothic, queer horror twist and it was certainly a twist. In this story, you will see the origin of Poison Ivy. Ivy’s whole mantra is her father telling her not to trust anyone except family. She cares about the plants since that is what her mother taught her, she takes care of the greenhouse. The irony in this statement is her father is the one doing all these terrible and excruciating experiments on her so they can save her mother. The abuse she suffered made her sick and filled with guilt because if she doesn’t keep doing this her mother will die and it will be her fault. This book shows Ivy’s slowly scorn towards mankind, I can’t blame her though. At school, she is being harassed by a boy whom she went to homecoming with. The jock harassed her and pushed her for something more and she didn’t want to give. When she rejected him, he started spreading rumors about her. When she went to the principal, the principal accused her back stating her dress outfit caused the jock to harass her. The levels of abuse Pamela suffered is intense, from her father’s abuse to the jock at the school and the unfair treatment of the principal.
Pamela doesn’t have many friends that are by her side until Alice Oh comes into the picture, the goth queen often stands up for her. She stood up for her to the jock, but Pamela has always been guarded, especially by what her father said never trust anyone. The handle of Alice being gay was perfect, they didn’t make it a big deal she just said she is gay and that was that. Seeing Alice and Pamela slowburn relationship was beautiful, Alice is helping Pamela open her. Pamela has been opening the curtains up more which she has never done due to her father’s displeasure. I would really love more time with Alice exploring her point of view, how she reacts to something Pamela done. As the story progresses, we see Pamela’s mother wasn’t even on a business trip she was sick the plants poisoned her and her father is using Pamela as an experiment to find the cure. As Ivy takes her revenge and standing up for herself, we see the start of her iconic plants beckoning to her call. Ivy also introduces the poison lipstick she is famous more, I love how she poison and killed the jock. The last scene which involves a fight with her father was the most intense. I love how expressive Ivy is with her emotions in this origin, she accidentally used her poison lipstick to kiss Alice, which is a great kiss but she should have wiped that lipstick away first. She was so afraid not for herself, but for Alice, the only person who has always been there for her. She only loves her mom and I’m sure Alice is another one too, and that is a big step from her reserved nature. She is opening up her heart to love someone else and that development is fascinating and heartwarming to read.
Poison Ivy Thorns shows Ivy’s road to eventually becoming Poison Ivy. It’s mostly when you push someone to the extreme and they strike back. Ivy strikes back with every ounce of force she has but this time she is not alone, she has Alice who is slowly starting to understand her. The abuse and unfair treatment she receives made her vision of the world change, she doesn’t believe in humans because they will always be the same. The illustration for a lot of scenes was beautiful, my favorite is the kiss and the final fight. The kiss shows how Ivy holds onto Alice like its the first time she ever had someone treat her well. The fight was the most intense and shows how Ivy’s plants always come to save her. The ending will always be bittersweet, but hopefully Ivy will see Alice again, I love to see how their relationship will continue.
Overall, I loved Poison Ivy: Thorns its a dark, intriguing revenge take on one of the most iconic Poison Ivy. The origin story of how young Ivy stands up for herself in this dark, unjust world while finding a source of love that anchor her. While learning how to break free from a guilt that was thrust upon her. Ivy’s love with Alice is a beautiful start to letting her guard down for people who are worth it. Poison Ivy: Thorns is now available worldwide delve into the origin of one of the most iconic villianess!
JessieClexaFlash 