Poison Ivy: Thorns

May 3, 2021
Outside of class, Pamela Isley, coded as white, spends her time at Huxley High School’s greenhouse (donated to the school by her mother) and at home involved in secret biological experiments with her obsessive scientist father. While Pamela’s ill mother remains absent for most of the book, her influence on Pamela is evident. The teen also cares deeply for a local park set to be deforested, resolves to stand up for herself against a boy’s repeated harassment, and excels at the sciences. But despite her father’s warnings that drawing unwanted attention will jeopardize their experiments, Pamela releases a toxic gas to stall construction and opens up to peer Alice, who helps Pamela navigate her harassment and household pressures as the two teens fall in love. Keplinger’s narrative feels hollow, reiterating plot points, relying on dialogue, and implying, rather than exploring, major character motivations. In thin lines and cinematic sequences, though, Kipin uses mundane moments, such as chemistry class, to showcase science-minded Pamela’s joy; colorist Jeremy Lawson, meanwhile, smartly juxtaposes the reds of Pamela’s hair and flowers against muted earth tones. Though Keplinger’s overreliance on narrative tropes leaves the ending feeling unearned, Kipin and Lawson’s visuals delight. Ages 13–up.

April 15, 2021
This origin story of an enigmatic villainess begins with a lonely girl. At night, a young Pamela Isley engages in eco-terrorism. What's going on at home, however, hints at much darker secrets. This story explores the limits of trust and abuse, at home and in public, and considers what could bring one to a breaking point. Using a muted color palette, primarily consisting of grayed-out greens and reds, the illustrations create a cold tone that serves to highlight the creeping foliage and the main character's rust-red hair, in striking contrast to her angular face, light skin, and green eyes. Creative, shifting perspective angles and the deliberate draping of her hair are used to shield or hide Pamela's face and self from most people. She exposes her full face and more tender expressions when she converses with plant life, however, and as she slowly develops a trusting relationship with her new friend (and more), Alice Oh, a gay, self-proclaimed "basic mall goth" who is cued as Korean American. Seemingly the only adult concerned about her welfare is her chemistry teacher, Mr. Crowley, a tall Black man who reminds her of her promise, adding, poignantly, "just promise me you'll use that brain of yours for good." This is a fine addition to the DC canon which manages to bring heart to an antihero. The book contains resources for support with suicide, sexual violence, and domestic violence. Atmospheric and haunting. (Graphic horror. 13-18)

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July 16, 2021

Gr 7 Up-Keplinger and Kipin offer a straightforward backstory for one of DC's most iconic villains. Teenage Pamela lives with Dr. Isley, her secretive scientist father who demands that she help with his strange experiments despite the toll it takes on her. She is isolated at school and harassed by a boy she dated just once, but the principal won't help. Pamela's only pleasure comes from chemistry class and performing daring experiments with plants. She does manage to connect with Alice, and romance blossoms between the two. Alice moves into the Isley home when she's forced to evacuate hers due to a toxic gas release. Slowly, the secrets around Pamela's life and Dr. Isley's mysterious experiments are revealed. Alice sticks with Pamela through some frightening incidents but understands things will change. Tired of tolerating mistreatment from men, Pamela uses her chemistry skills and power over plants to strike back, taking the name Poison Ivy and starting down a new path. Characters have just enough depth to move the plot, and the romance is short-lived but sweet. The artwork's somber palette uses dark neutrals to convey Pamela's sadness, brightening slightly when she's surrounded by plants. Spare backgrounds keep the focus on Ivy's experience. The book goes beyond using abuse as a plot point and includes resources for readers who may be experiencing exploitation. Pamela and her father are white, Alice is Asian, and their teachers and classmates are a mix of white and brown-skinned people. VERDICT An intriguing and sympathetic introduction to DC's nefarious Poison Ivy.-Carla Riemer, Berkeley, CA

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