Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death — An Ambitious First Pass at Her Own Series
Note sull'episodio
On this episode of the Choice Media Podcast, I take a look at Amy Chu and Clay Mann’s Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death, DC’s 2016 limited series that finally gave Poison Ivy her own starring vehicle nearly 50 years after her debut.
This series explores Pamela Isley as a scientist and mother becoming entangled in a murder mystery, with stolen research, mysterious threats, and rapidly growing plant-human children.
This episode also examines Amy Chu’s approach to Ivy and how the series helped expand the character beyond her traditional role as a Batman villain. I also touch on Chu’s interest in creating realistic female characters, as well as her decision to pitch an Ivy story that didn't revolve around eco-terrorism.
The discussion also looks at Ivy's daughters Rose, Hazel, and Thorn; the series' themes of motherhood and boundaries; and the influence of mythology on the character.
Finally, I compare Cycle of Life and Death with later interpretations of Poison Ivy, particularly Willow Wilson's acclaimed ongoing series, and consider the different storytelling goals of limited and ongoing comics.
Cycle of Life and Death is an important milestone in Poison Ivy's history, which finally demonstrated the untapped potential of Pamela Isley as a lead character.