Warning: Spoilers for Poison Ivy #27!Batmanmay have a bigger nemesis than The Joker in the unexpected form ofPoison Ivy. As long as I’ve been a part of the Batman community, it’s basically been the Bat gospel that The Joker is his archnemesis. I mean, when there’s so manyBatman and Joker comicsout there where they oppose each other, it’s hard to argue with the notion, right? It’s practically blasphemous to suggest otherwise.
Allow me to blaspheme for a second by suggesting thatBatman’s archenemy is Poison Ivy instead of The Joker,based on what I read inPoison 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 readied with my name on them. But like a way-too-eager X user trying to convince you how hot the mom fromCaillouis, I need you to hear me out.
By looking at evidence of their past encounters, I can prove why she isThe Caped Crusader’s perfect parallel.
Poison Ivy is A Better Match for Batman Than The Joker
One Too Many Stalemates
ByPoison Ivy#27,the Batman villain turned misunderstood herois framed for a terrorist attack that she had nothing to do with. As much as she has her history with being an eco-terrorist, the bombing of a grocery store had nothing to do with her. Yet, for some reason,The Order of the Green Knighthas named Ivy as their leader publicly, with each of these cult members being convinced that she will lead these cultists into the future.
This only proves to complicate Poison Ivy’s life, as being wanted for crimes she did not commit puts Batman on her trail. This issue, he catches up to her, cornering her into an alley, forcing her totransform into her best costume armorto protect herself. However, The Dark Knight and the would-be Green Knight reach a stalemate, which Poison Ivy points out as per their usual routine.“A fight that inevitably ends in the same stalemate,“are Poison Ivy’s exact words as Batman corners her, staring each other down.“I can’t decide whether he never learns or I don’t.”
What Makes Ivy and Batman Evenly Matched?
Analyzing Their History
Ivy might be a rare example of an opponent who improves and learns with each battle
I think that last statement that Ivy ponders on is the key to answering if Poison Ivy and Batman are truly worthy of being each other’s archenemies, but so does evaluating their history together. Poison Ivy makes her on-panel debut inBatman#181 by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff. Interestingly enough, or maybe ironically enough (maybe both, so pick one),Poison Ivy debuts by declaring that she will surpass every other female villain that came before her. This, to me, is more or less a declaration that she will be Batman’s biggest rival.
She certainly gives her predecessors a run for their money, as in their first encounter, she puts Batman under her spell (literally, I think pheromones is a better word for it). She would have been fully under her influence if not for his Boy Wonder, Robin.In her first appearance, she outsmarted Batman in ways that Joker never could. More on that later, but first, let’s go deeper about what makes him and Poison Ivy evenly matched, ‘cause it’s not just their first fight that set the tone. Poison Ivy would use her abilities to overcome Batman in multiple instances.
Poison Ivy’s Powers Just Got More Realistic Than Ever, Showcasing Her Underrated Genius
Poison Ivy is one of Batman’s oldest foes, and her criminally underrated intelligence, rather than a penchant for violence, makes her a major threat.
Batman would become prepared in time, but that’d convince Ivy to change her own game, and vice versa each time they met. If they’re so frequently in stalemates, perhaps they’re evenly matched, but to Ivy’s point about whether neither of them is learning from each other, it may be a sign of just the opposite.They learn each other’s moves, mannerisms, etc, after every encounter. Most villains are still easy pickings for Batman after so many fights, but Ivy is still a tough one. Ivy might be a rare example of an opponent who improves and learns with each battle.
Is Ivy a Bigger Match for Batman Than The Joker?
Yes, Because She Actually Learns and Doesn’t Repeat the Same Mistakes or Oversights
Remember when I said that Poison Ivy outsmarted Batman in ways that The Joker never could a little earlier? Let’s unpack that a little bit. Obviously, Batman’s never going to be predisposed to kissing the Joker (then again,their rivalry is like a romance, so you never know), but I don’t mean as far as the method. It’s the fact that when it comes to battles of seduction, Poison Ivy has beaten Batman more times than The Joker ever has. No, I don’t mean sexual seduction, though I suppose that is a component worth addressing.
Poison Ivy vs Joker: The Long-Awaited Battle Confirms Harley Quinn’s Best Romance
Poison Ivy faces off against Joker in the ultimate confrontation, settling once and for all who Harley Quinn’s best romantic interest is.
When I say seduction, I mean pushing Batman past his boundaries to do more than what he believes in. The Joker’s mission statement has often been wrapped in pushing Batman past his limits. If he gets in Batman’s head, Joker wins. If hegets Batman to kill, Joker wins. The Joker has spent years trying to seduce Batman into ignoring his morals and principles, but time and time again, he fails. Poison Ivy has provided a different kind of seduction toward Batman, but she’s succeeded multiple times. Unlike Joker,Poison Ivylearns from every time she fightsBatman.
