There is a new, re-imagined version of Poison Ivy in the DC Multiverse, marking one of the most drastic changes to the femme fatale in recent memory. More than a costume change, a new romance to replace Harley Quinn, or even a shift back from villain to hero. The new enemy to Batman won’t be turning heads with their powers, but their name: it’s time to meet The Poisoned Man.
Poison Ivy is a Man in DC’s New Cosmic Batman Series
Immortal Legend Batman #4 by Kyle Higgins, Mat Groom, Erica D’Urso
The twist comes out of left field in the new Immortal Legend Batman series, shifting the action and adventure of the caped crusader and Gotham City into a new, plantetary arena. Previous issues have introduced altered spins on classic Batman villains like Bane, The Riddler, and Two-Face. While those villains have remained male in this new universe, the new Poisoned Man represents the book’s first gender switch to take place among DC’s iconic rogues’ gallery.
Readers have been kept in suspense as to which legendary villains were being redesigned for each issue, and as Batman descends into a hostile, overgrown planet in Immortal Legends‘ cosmos, the stage is perfectly set for a new take on Dr. Pamela Isley. Instead, an unknown man emerges from the forest sending a poisoned spear directly into Batman’s shoulder. Revealing himself to be the aformentioned “Poisoned Man,” the transformation into a being of vines and vegetation officially takes hold.
The design of the villains isn’t dramatically different from Poison Ivy’s modern costumes, and the same can honestly be said for the villain’s demeanor and attitude. While this threat is technically not a real human, but a manifestation of the dark magic the Immortal Legends are tasked with fighting, the villain’s poisons and toxins most definitely are. But as usual, Batman has a plan.
The Male Version of Poison Ivy Officially Makes DC History
While The Villain’s Time is Short, The Variant Marks A Comic First
Aside from giving comic book fans and cosplayers a legitimate ‘male Poison Ivy costume’ to emulate in the real world, the introduction of the Poisoned Man makes comic book history as the first such redesign, variant, or versions of Poison Ivy in DC Comics canon. A surprising milestone, and one that seems inevitable in hindsight (as Poisony Ivy’s no stranger to controversy).
The villain’s time in the spotlight seems to have fallen well short of the original Poison Ivy, but to see that story play out readers will need to read the issue for themselves. But will the Poisoned Man, like the other shadows vanquished by Bruce Wayne to this point, return to defeat him as he returns to Gotham City? Only the next issue holds that secret.
Immortal Legend Batman #4 is available now from DC Comics.
