Warning: SPOILERS for Poison Ivy #6With just one comment, Poison Ivy has completely torn down both Batman and Iron Man. Despite being one of DC's most iconic villains, Ivy's new philosophy casts these two playboy billionaires in poor lighting. She knows that having money doesn't make someone intrinsically good, and, even with her good intentions, she's proving that to readers in the most horrific way possible.
Both Batman and Iron Man are known for their heroics, but underneath their masks and gadgets, they're men with brilliant minds—and seemingly unending supplies of cash. It's a common argument that both heroes are only successful because of their billionaire status; they can afford their training and lifestyles because they can fund the time and supplies needed. Meanwhile, like many other comic book "villains," Poison Ivy has led a more difficult life. Dr. Pamela Isley's stated goal, time and time again, is to save the environment from humanity. And it's no wonder that, up until recently, her picture of humanity has been so bleak: her powers and connection to the quasi-mystical Green come from the experiments conducted on her as a graduate student by her professor, the truly powerful and villainous Dr. Jason Woodrue.
Pamela, as Poison Ivy, takes revenge on Woodrue—and takes down Batman and Iron Man in the process—in Poison Ivy #6 by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Jay Leisten, Brian Level, Arif Prianto, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Ivy embraces her connection to the Green and so her powers grow ten-fold. Using her newfound power, she completely destroys Woodrue in his terrifying plant form—and then literally eats his remains in order to absorb his regenerative healing powers. Above this gruesome scene, she narrates: "People say eat the rich. But nobody ever does it. I'm just saying, maybe we should."
Poison Ivy, Unlike Batman and Iron Man, Is a Hero "For the People"
This page is one of the most horrifying moments in what could easily be classified as a Poison Ivy horror book—this is not the first moment of body/plant horror from the first six issues of this miniseries. Beyond the beautiful and terrifying art, though, is a redefining moment for Pamela's character. She has embraced her status as a hero for common people. She no longer just wants to save the planet from humanity; she wants to save it for humanity. By echoing the common rallying cry "eat the rich," Ivy proves that she finally recognizes the real problem in the fight for ecological justice: wealth disparity and the greed of corporations. By eating her abuser—literally—she gets her revenge, and she transforms into a "for the people" anti-hero.
Even though Poison Ivy doesn't call out Batman or Iron Man by name, their status as billionaires puts them among her new enemies. Ivy now believes that wealth-hoarding and the ecological indifference of the greedy elite are the true problems she must fight against. Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark better watch out: Poison Ivy wants justice, and she isn't afraid to literally "eat the rich" to inflict retribution.
Check out Poison Ivy #6, available now from DC Comics!