When asked about who the greatest and most dangerous of Batman’s adversaries are, most, if not all, but the most-seasoned Batman fans would tell you it’s the Joker. Sure, the Clown Prince of Crime has done his fair share, and perhaps even more, to earn the title of the baddest of the bad. But the truth is that all of Batman’s adversaries are dangerous for different reasons. Take Clayface (Matt Hagen/Preston Payne) as an example; if the Bat isn’t prepared to fight him, Clayface can be extremely dangerous. But given some prep time, he proves to be one of the easiest villains to beat.
This brings us to Dr. Pamela Isely, also known as Poison Ivy. Most casual fans see Poison Ivy as merely a trumped-up eco-terrorist, and in the hands of some Batman writers, she’s portrayed just as such. However, many modern interpretations of the character depict Ivy as one of Batman’s most dangerous and powerful adversaries, indeed one of the most dangerous villains on Earth. She has both supernatural powers and great intellect, which makes her exceedingly deadly, even to a mind as trained and methodical as Batman‘s.
Here are five times Poison Ivy proved that she is one of Batman’s most dangerous adversaries:
She Really Dislikes Humans
The thing about Ivy is that she’s not an inherently evil character, as she simply wishes to save the flora of Earth from the effects of climate change and senseless destruction for profit. However, her drive to save the flora comes at the expense of those who often destroy it: humans. This reveals Ivy’s rather unsettling side because she would prefer the eradication of human life as a means of protecting the flora on the planet.
This is best seen in Batman #41 and #42 from 2018, in which Ivy uses the Green (a mysterious force that connects her to all the plant life on the planet) to take control of virtually every person on Earth, including superheroes. She manages to create a more peaceful and ecologically balanced world but at the expense of robbing living creatures of their will and instinct. These issues illustrate just how complex Ivy is as a character since her motivations are rooted in the desire to protect the planet, but her methods are dangerously authoritarian.
Not Even Superman Is Immune to Her “Charms”
Ivy releases pheromones that are strong enough to make anyone fall for her. As we previously mentioned, this also works on superheroes, including Superman. We’ve seen this happen in Batman #611, which is a part of the Hush storyline, in which Ivy takes control of the Last Son of Krypton and reveals just how horrifying he can be when devoid of any moral or ethical sense. Batman and Catwoman eventually help Clark snap out of Ivy’s control, but this storyline goes to show just how dangerous and overpowered Poison Ivy actually is. Â
She Even Scares Other Villains
If someone has the ability to control Superman and use him to do her bidding and rain destruction upon her foes, imagine what would happen to any villain that got on her bad side? Well, the Riddler had that misfortune; in Detective Comics #797–799, The Riddler crosses the line with Ivy, so she goes after him and beats him within an inch of his life. She even uses her fists, and that’s not something we get to see often. She ends up sparing his life but strings him into the trees by his neck. This volatile, vicious, and cruel side of Ivy is only seen when she’s pushed to a breaking point.
She Connects to the Green
Ivy’s connection to the Green and the Parliament of Trees has been explored in several different issues and storylines, which also implies a connection with other plant avatars, such as Swamp Thing and Black Orchid. If Ivy were ever to unite all the users of the Green, she would have an army that would make her into a force that could easily rival Superman and other superheroes as well. Additionally, in the Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death miniseries, Ivy manages to create plant hybrid children. These creatures grow to adulthood very fast, showing that Ivy has the power to grow her own army of chloromancers.
She’s Immune to Toxins
Herbicides are among the most effective ways of dealing with weeds, but what happens when the weed you’re trying to exterminate is actually not only immune to toxins but has the ability to produce her own and even counter the effects of other toxins? One of Ivy’s powers that span across all storylines and mediums is her immunity to toxins, including the Joker Venom, which typically causes victims to laugh uncontrollably until they die.
In the acclaimed Arkham Knight video game, Ivy actually gave her life while helping Batman combat a toxin Scarecrow released upon the whole city. She dies and turns into seeds, spores, and petals, which scatter in the wind. A plant grew where she died, and within five years’ time, would become the second incarnation of Poison Ivy.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Poison Ivy’s depiction as one of Batman’s most formidable foes is rightly deserved. Beyond her overwhelming powers and a profound connection to nature, Ivy’s motivation is what makes her dangerous. It’s her willingness to cross moral boundaries that makes her not necessarily a villain but a uniquely complex antagonist and, at times, even an anti-hero. It’s characters like her that give depth to various narratives that make the Batman universe so compelling.