Poison Ivy (character)

"Poison Ivy (comics)" redirects here. For the comic book, see Poison Ivy (2022 comic book).
Pamela Isley
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy on the variant cover of Batman (vol. 3) #26 (September 2017). Art by Joshua Middleton.
Variant cover of Batman (vol. 3) #26 (September 2017).
Art by Joshua Middleton.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceBatman #181 (June 1966)[1]
Created byRobert Kanigher
Sheldon Moldoff
In-story information
Alter egoPamela Lillian Isley
SpeciesMetahuman
Place of originGotham City
Seattle
Team affiliationsInjustice League
Legion of Doom
Injustice Gang
Suicide Squad
Secret Society of Super Villains
Gotham City Sirens
Birds of Prey
PartnershipsHarley Quinn (accomplice)
Catwoman (accomplice)
Janet Mitchell (accomplice)
The Carpenter (accomplice)
Notable aliasesDr. Pamela Isley
Lillian Rose
Dr. Paula Irving
Penelope Ivy[2]
Poison Ice
Dr. Green
Queen Ivy
Abilities
  • Doctorate in Botany
  • Manipulation of plants and toxins
  • Self-sustenance
  • Seduction

Poison Ivy (Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley, PhD /ˈaɪzli/ EYEZ-lee) is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, she debuted in Batman #181 (June 1966) and has become one of the superhero Batman's most enduring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.

In her comic book appearances, Poison Ivy is depicted as a Doctor of botany-turned-misanthropic ecoterrorist in Gotham City with the ability to control all plant life. Empowered by an elemental force known as the "Green", Ivy attempts to protect the sanctity and supremacy of nature at all costs by lashing out against humanity, which brings her into conflict with Batman. While usually portrayed as a supervillain, Ivy has also been an antiheroine at times as well as the primary love interest of Harley Quinn as of The New 52 and DC Rebirth relaunches. A one-piece costume adorned with leaves and vines serves as Poison Ivy's visual motif.[3][4]

Poison Ivy has been adapted in various media incarnations, having been portrayed by Uma Thurman in the 1997 film Batman & Robin; Clare Foley, Maggie Geha and Peyton List in the Fox television series Gotham; and Bridget Regan in The CW's Arrowverse series Batwoman. Diane Pershing, Tasia Valenza, Lake Bell, Tara Strong, and others have provided the character's voice ranging from animation to video games.

  1. ^ McAvennie, Michael (2010). "1960s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, England: Dorling Kindersley. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Poison Ivy first cropped up to plague Gotham City in issue #181 of Batman. Scripter Robert Kanigher and artist Sheldon Moldoff came up with a villain who would blossom into one of Batman's greatest foes.
  2. ^ Detective Comics (vol. 1) #566 (September 1986)
  3. ^ "Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death". DC Comics. DCUniverse.com. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "Zendaya Makes Everyone Green With Envy in Poison Ivy-Inspired Gown at 2019 Emmys". E!. September 22, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.