The new origin of Pamela Isely unfolds in Poison Ivy #20. As is the case with the rest of this series so far, writer G. Willow Wilson crafts a narrative which deftly weaves between sparks of relationship drama and pure biological terror.
One of my favorite parts of this Ivy comic is that it seems to love Seattle. This issue, which digs deeper into Ivy’s relationship with her professor Jason Woodrue, continues that trend. Artist Marcio Takara renders the industrial waterfront area where Pam works under her domineering professor in striking fashion. It makes me wonder whether Takara has spent some time in the Emerald City, because these illustrations really make me feel like I’m in the pacific northwest.
Takara has been working on this series on-and-off since it started, and I’m always excited when he’s on an issue. He has a way of collaborating with colorist Arif Prianto that complements what Wilson is trying to do as a storyteller. Each major narrative area, whether it be Gotham, Seattle’s waterfront or the university, has its own subtle visual palette. It helps the reader delineate between chapters in Ivy’s story as Wilson alternates between past and present, and it is also simply a treat to look at.
The tension between Woodrue and Isley that was building in Poison Ivy #19 comes to a breaking point here. Our titular protagonist becomes involved with Bella Garten, a fellow graduate student by whom Pamela feels threatened personally and professionally. Eventually, Woodrue’s resentment at the newfound closeness of his two graduate assistants boils over.
This is where I do have a slight criticism of the way that Wilson treats her side characters. Bella is (depending on how you choose to count it) at least the third romantic interest in this series who has only stuck around long enough to move Ivy along to the next plot point. I understand that the central focus of this plot is developing Pamela’s backstory, but I wish the writing would let her relationships breathe a little more.
While I would have loved for the chemistry between Pamela and Bella to have had more depth, the interplay between Ivy and the conniving Woodrue is amazing. Wilson offers readers a surprisingly poignant picture of how unhealthy power dynamics can breed toxic and abusive relationships. The professor identifies a naive and idealistic student and exploits those vulnerabilities to his own advantage. The letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou enhance this discomfort by emphasizing Woodrue’s decay.
Once the conflict between Woodrue and Ivy heats up, Ivy chooses to abandon Bella to prove herself as the more worthy scientist to Woodrue, and this selfishness is ultimately what transforms Pamela Isley into Poison Ivy .
