I’m feeling green with envy because Poison Ivy-PI (alter ego Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley) has always captured my dark (emerald-encrusted) heart. Since the villainous character’s inception in 1966 by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino in Batman #181, she’s always been a verdant scene-stealer. Additionally, the green hues contrasted with her fiery crimson hair has always commanded the attention of readers and fans alike.
Whereas with other heroes and villains who opt for a spectrum of colors or the same unaltered ‘uniform’, there’s something to be said about the confidence of wearing a monotone color like PI does and layering it with textures and accessories. It says that not only is she confident in her demeanor, but reinforces this ethos with her style choices.
Her Witty Quips Are Bolstered With Bold Looks
Gotham City’s brilliant doctor of botany turned eco-terrorist with an ability to wield a force called the ‘Green’, means that she can control and manipulate all plant life to humanity’s demise. Moreover, her criminal master-minded green thumb is also leafing through wardrobe looks that even a couturier would covet. Ultimately, her presence and aesthetic only makes her interactions with longstanding arch-nemesis Batman all the more enthralling to witness.
10: Batman #181
The First Ever Appearance Of This Legacy Character
I would be remiss not to include this plant-powered beauty’s original look that artist Carmine Infantiino conceived of. She’s appearing more like a delightful garden-sprite here than the devious vixen we know her as today. Although, I appreciate how the more wholesome ensemble is a welcome vintage throwback to the 1960s mod-style that influenced this look.
9: Secret Origins #36
Up-Close-And-Personal With Our Emerald Femme-Fatale
Poison Ivy’s smoldering look is cut off because it’s a close-up shot between her and Green Lantern in this cover art; and even in this intense moment, we see hallmarks of her signature look shining through. Conceived by artist Mike Carlin, she’s wearing a sensual-off-the-shoulder top, an ivy halo which is echoed with some of the leaves hanging off her lips, and of course, evergreen nails to complete the look.
8: New 52
The Look Delicately Echoes The Outfits of Catwoman And Spawn
This look is a bit of a departure from her original all-green aesthetic, but it’s intentional to appease the storyline and the fact that in this multiverse, she’s been recruited into the ‘Brids of Prey’ group led by Black Canary. It explains why artist Jason Fabok opted for a sleek black bodysuit and splashes of green. The look is complete with venus fly-traps that snake around her body like deadly accessories.
7: Batman: Arkham: Poison Ivy (Batman, 1940-2011, Book 5)
Poison Ivy Is a Deadly Beauty In This Barely There Look
This is an anthology of reads about Poison Ivy going tet-a-tet against some of the greatest antagonists and heroes that span from Joker to The Dark Knight, but it’s the cover art here that’s particularly daring. Akin to a Vogue magazine cover with a glamorous overhead shot, our verdant beauty is donning nothing but leaves covering strategic areas of her body (of course). It’s decidedly deadly and dramatic.
6: Batman: Poison Ivy
There Is A Pop Culture Homage With This Look
If this stylization reminded you of Uma Thurman from the 1997 Batman and Robin movie, your spidey-sense would be correct. The cover (and respective graphic novels) were released to coincide with the film. In this homage, it is why the textured corset bodysuit with plunging neckline looks exactly like the one the actress wore. The juxtaposition of her set against a marble sculpture, coupled with her grim expression, looks like this edit was pulled from a steamy soap opera or Danielle Steele novel.
5 Batman and Poison Ivy: Cast Shadows
A Minimalist Yet Effective Look That Gets To Her Roots
This one-shot which debuted in 2004 by Ann Nocenti and art by John Van Fleet, depicts PI in a visceral departure from the ivy-adored outfits we are used to seeing her in. The minimalist toned ensemble (a simple mint bodycon dress with leaf-edged detailing) makes her character feel more relatable and down-to-earth. It’s an off-duty-model meets Sex and the City look that strongly speaks to the Y2K fashion trends from that time period.
4: Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death
This Outfit Shows The Duality Of Her Persona And Her Endless Talents
Writer Amy Chu and artist Clay Mann teamed up to have Poison Ivy embark on her first solo adventure. Here, she is framed as a heroine and researcher at Gotham Botanical Gardens who tries to stop a deadly new harvest from killing everyone around her. And she’s looking the part as well: equal parts seductive and smart, she’s donning a lab coat and juxtaposing it with a black bodysuit that’s layered on top with a green sweetheart neckline corset. My favorite accouterment is actually the garter on her left thigh.
3: Poison Ivy 2025 Annual #1
Fewer Thorns And More Dystopian Fairy Tale
This dreamy ‘once-upon-a-time’ portrait is reminiscent of Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, and it’s blended with the romanticism of the Renaissance. In a complete departure from her green-toned ensemble, artist Mark Buckingham infuses the forested backdrop with shades of pine and fern to compensate for PI’s outfit, where she’s donning is a caramel-toned medieval floor-length tunic, sage-hued gloves, and leather sash. Her long lustrous locks and ivy halo complete the serene vision.
2: Poison Ivy #40
Wall Street Meets Mob Boss
Our green goddess ventures into Gotham City on a mission to solve a mystery centered around political espionage but, in the interim, has all eyes on her and looking the part of a woman who will tolerate nothing less than the best. Cover artist Jessica Fong has given our PI a very mafia-meets-corporate-chic aesthetic: a tan blood-stained trench coat with matching tapered pantsuit, and juniper-hued turtleneck that is decked out with gold chains oozes a “I’m walking here (!)” assertiveness.
