Warning! Spoilers ahead for Poison Ivy: Thorns!
DC finally just retconned Poison Ivy's origin story in a way that matches her incredible evolution over the years, not just transforming her into a more compelling and stronger antihero, but a stronger woman. Although she still falls prey to the sins of numerous men, her ability to break free in this heartbreaking retelling of her beginnings comes from the strength that she acquires from the heartwarming and touching love of a woman, and her determination not to let others use her body.
Fans may be familiar with Pamela Isley's origin story involving her college teacher Marc Legrand, with whom Pamela falls in love. Instead of following that trajectory, writer Kody Keplinger and artist Sara Kipin begin their tale before Pamela heads off to university in Poison Ivy: Thorns. In the book, she is used as a glorified guinea pig by her father, who is desperate to find a cure save his dying wife. It's these experiments that grant Ivy her powers. Meanwhile, Pamela is perpetually subjected to the unwanted sexual advances and harassment of a jock school.
During this time, Pamela has already become an ecological terrorist, unleashing some of her father's experimental toxins to halt the construction of a new project that is replacing a beautiful park. Her efforts, unfortunately, lead to many people in the area getting sick and being forced to evacuate their homes, including Pamela's homosexual friend Alice who comes to stay with her. Of course, this causes a few complications, due to Pamela's father wanting to keep Alice from learning of his unethical practices.
Compelled by her unconditional love for Pamela, Alice helps the future Poison Ivy stand up against her harasser and her abusive father. And while Pamela's efforts are pure at first, extraneous circumstances - including a disgustingly unsympathetic principal and unrelenting father - force the budding eco-terrorist to take more drastic measures. All of this culminates in Pamela poisoning her sexual harasser and murdering her father.
Poison Ivy: Thorns is a tragic tale, as many origin stories are, exacerbated by a love that, while incredibly pure, cannot withstand the inevitable curse that powers always bring into the lives of every metahuman. Alice truly wants to be a part of Pamela's life and to help her in any way she can, even to her own detriment. Additionally, despite learning that Pamela accidentally poisoned her, that her family was displaced because of Pamela's toxin and that Pamela killed her harasser, Alice still does everything within her power to be there for Pamela. Alice's sacrifice, therefore, becomes all the more poignant when Pamela feels forced to leave Alice behind.
However, Pamela is more empowered this time around, despite being twice the victim. She doesn't commit crimes for another man. She commits them herself for the plants she loves. And the men who do control her don't have that power over her for long. It is she who controls their fate. Most importantly, it is the love of a woman that gives Poison Ivy the ability to become a better person and to not let anyone else use her.