Poison Ivy #29 Review: One To Grow On

Poison Ivy from DC Comics is one of the most consistently excellent books on the stands. A clarity of focus on the character of Ivy and her extended cast, excellent and dreamlike art from Marcio Takara… Every issue of the series has been good to great. What stands out about Poison Ivy #29, though, is how much Wilson has allowed the character to grow, pun definitely intended.

In the issue, and spoilers past this point, Ivy has fast-traveled to Seattle to find out who is framing her for something she would normally be all in favor of: eco-terrorism. The only thing, she hasn’t done any of the deeds she’s being accused of. She’s also not — as far as she knows — the fabled Green Knight who will herald in a new age where the Order of the Green Knight frees the Earth from the shackles of corporations bent on destroying it through negligence or otherwise.

Is there someone Ivy knows behind this not-so-nefarious plot? Of course, and without spoiling that reveal not only does it dig into the established continuity of the run but it also affords Ivy an opportunity to slip into her old ways, burdened by the sins of her past. Instead, Wilson builds on what she’s set up over 29-plus issues and allows Ivy to make other, better choices.

Beyond that, though, it also allows Wilson to lean into the soap opera nature of the book, with some thrillingly tense romance via Takara’s confident pencils and great dramatic tension thanks to the fact that Ivy and her “villain” are pretty much right… We are destroying the Earth, and someone has to do something before it’s too late.

While this issue is missing one element that would knock it up half a star (breakout character Janet from HR), Poison Ivy repeatedly delivers a great read, month after month. And it’s allowing its title character to actually change, a rarity in comics. Good stories, good romance, the occasional horror, and actual character growth? Heck yeah. And that’s one to grow on.

Poison Ivy #29 Rating:

Poison Ivy #29 Official Synopsis:

Poison Ivy ventures into the wilds of Washington to uncover the true identity of the Order of the Green Knight’s mysterious leader! But when Pamela hears what they have to say, will she decide to stop fighting and embrace their mission… or will she burn the operation down once and for all?

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