Warning: Spoilers for Poison Ivy #27!Batman may have a greater enemy than the Joker in the unexpected form of Poison Ivy. For as long as I’ve been part of the Batman community, it’s basically the Bat’s gospel that the Joker is his archenemy. I mean, when there are so many Batman and Joker comics out there where they oppose each other, it’s hard to argue with that idea, right? It is practically blasphemy to suggest otherwise.
Allow me to blaspheme for a second by suggesting that Batman’s archenemy is Poison Ivy instead of the Joker, based on what I read in Poison Ivy #27 by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Arif Prianto and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. I know, I just verbally desecrated the Batman Bible, pitchforks are being prepared with my name on them. But as an overeager user X trying to convince you how hot his mother is Caillou Yeah, I need you to listen to me.
Looking at the evidence of their past encounters, I can prove why she is the perfect parallel to the Caped Crusader.
Poison Ivy is a better match for Batman than the Joker
Many impasses
Put Poison Ivy #27, the Batman villain turned misunderstood hero is framed for a terrorist attack she had nothing to do with. As much as she has a history as an eco-terrorist, the bombing in a supermarket had nothing to do with her. However, for some reason, the Order of the Green Knight has publicly named Ivy as their leader, with each of these cult members convinced that she will lead these cultists into the future.
This only complicates Poison Ivy’s life, as being wanted for crimes she didn’t commit puts Batman on her trail. In this case, he catches up to her, cornering her in an alley, forcing her to transform into her best armor to protect herself. However, the Dark Knight and the would-be Green Knight reach a stalemate, which Poison Ivy points out as per her usual routine. “A fight that inevitably ends in the same stalemate”, are Poison Ivy’s exact words when Batman corners her, looking at each other. “I can’t decide if he never learns or I don’t.”
What makes Ivy and Batman the same?
Analyzing your story
Ivy may be a rare example of an opponent who improves and learns with each battle
I think the last statement Ivy ponders is the key to answering whether Poison Ivy and Batman are truly worthy of being each other’s archenemies, but so is evaluating their history together. Poison Ivy makes her panel debut in Batman #181 by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff. Interestingly, or perhaps ironically (maybe both, so pick one), Poison Ivy debuts declaring that she will surpass every other villain who has come before her. This, to me, is more or less a declaration that she will be Batman’s greatest rival.
She certainly gives her predecessors a run for their money, as in their first meeting, she puts Batman under her spell (literally, I think pheromones is a better word for it). She would be completely under his influence if it weren’t for her Boy Wonder, Robin. In her first appearance, she outsmarted Batman in a way that the Joker never could.. More on that later, but first, let’s delve into what makes him and Poison Ivy the same, because it’s not just their first fight that sets the tone. Poison Ivy would use her abilities to surpass Batman in several cases.
Batman would become prepared in time, but this would convince Ivy to change her own game and vice versa each time they met. If they’re at impasses so often, maybe they’re tied, but as far as Ivy says that neither of them are learning from each other, it could be a sign of exactly the opposite. They learn each other’s movements, mannerisms, etc. after each encounter. Most villains are still easy pickings for Batman after so many fights, but Ivy is still tough. Ivy may be a rare example of an opponent who improves and learns with each battle.
Is Ivy a better match for Batman than the Joker?
Yes, because she really learns and doesn’t repeat the same mistakes or oversights
Remember when I said that Poison Ivy outsmarted Batman in a way that the Joker never managed before? Let’s unpack this a little. Obviously, Batman will never be predisposed to kiss the Joker (again, their rivalry is like a romance, so you never know), but I don’t mean the method. It’s the fact that when it comes to battles of seduction, Poison Ivy has defeated Batman more times than the Joker. No, I’m not referring to sexual seduction, although I suppose that’s a component worth addressing.
When I say seduction, I mean pushing Batman beyond his limits to do more than what he believes in. The Joker’s mission statement has often been wrapped up in pushing Batman beyond his limits. If he gets inside Batman’s head, the Joker wins. If he can get Batman to kill, the Joker wins. The Joker has spent years trying to seduce Batman into ignoring his morals and principles, but repeatedly he fails. Poison Ivy provided a different kind of seduction to Batman, but she succeeded time and time again. Unlike the Joker, Poison Ivy learns from every time she fights Batman.
Poison Ivy #27 is now on sale at DC Comics.