What makes Poison Ivy a serious challenge to Batman?
Perhaps the single aspect of Poison Ivy that makes her most challenging to Batman is that she is a woman. For the most part, Batman’s collection of rogues is somewhat of a boys’ club. From a purely gender standpoint, Poison Ivy stands apart. That coupled with the “tragedy” of how she came to be adds to Batman’s urge to understand and sympathize with her. True, she does horrible things and seems off her rocker at times, but I don’t think Batman can bring himself to go out after her, like he can with the Joker and the like. What makes Poison Ivy an interesting character to explore as a writer? The thing I love most about Poison Ivy is walking than line between bastion of Mother Nature and psycho eco-terrorist. Most of Batman’s rogues are driven by greed, ego, or Batman himself, but Poison Ivy has something of a nobler calling. She sees herself as the hand of Mother Nature. If Mother Nature were a “god,” then she would be her “Jesus.” She defends the defenseless nature in the world and tr
