Time to say ‘Good bye’!

Starting as an ecobiologist, she soon became one of the most notable villains of Gotham. Dark Knight’s foe later became an ally of the Bat Family. But recently, the antihero, Poison Ivy met her demise in the arms of her love, another antihero, Harley Quinn.

This big loss is not felt just by comic fans of Harley and Poison Ivy, but also by the viewers of the animated show and movies.

Warning! Proceed at your own risk! Poison Ivy #23 Spoilers ahead!

Yes, unfortunately, it’s official, Poison Ivy is dead. Her death will shake every comic fan, especially the ones who loved the romance between Harley and Ivy and saw a happy future for them. Harley and Ivy’s romances has been one of the most regarded romances in DCU. Even their infamous and brief stint left many furious and in 2023, they patched up. But, this heartwrenching development shook everyone once again.

In Poison Ivy #23, to bring the outbreak of the parasitic fungi, Ophiocordyceps Lamia, and to defeat her personal foe, Dr. Jason Woodrue, Poison Ivy will have to make the selfless sacrifice of killing herself and her foe. Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Solomon Grundy, and Janet dispose of the Lamia zombies, and taking Jason Todd, Harley torches Woodrue with flames. But Ivy too falls and breathes her last in Harley’s arms.

Seeing how Harley and Ivy’s relationship was built, this is a great shock for the duo’s fans.

Since 2016, Harley and Ivy got together, their romance is well-known among comic fans. With their love as iconic as Superman & Lois, Batman with Catwoman, Barry with Iris, Ralph Dibny With Sue Dibny, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy became an LGBTQIA+ power couple. So, her death is something that will of course send waves across the DCU fans, but the comic fans will be hit the worst, as there will be many Harley fans who will understand the pain and loss.

During the brief break-up, Harley and Ivy continued to think about each other, triggering hopes of the couple reuniting for good. Even with its flaws, everyone rejoiced to see the couple come back together. With tiny hints showing that they still loved each other, every fan hoped DC Comics would bring the couple together.

Some fans are already no strangers to Ivy dying and it’s a death that is never permanent to a big character in comics there are reasons for her return. We have Superman, Flash, and even Batman (displaced in time), and Hal Jordan, all dying, but after a prolonged or brief hiatus, they were back.  A lot of clues point out that, by paying homage to The Death of Superman, ranging from Ivy facing an impossible threat and sacrificing herself to save everyone else, and finally to the most mirroring panel with Harley holding Ivy close like Lois held Superman, after his fight with Doomsday. This sparks a hope that her death will be reversed just like The Return of Superman arc.

Whatever be it, the death of this once Gotham’s notable villainess will break the hearts of many. Her sacrifice just shows how the character has changed a lot from a selfish environmental botanist to a hero who values the lives of many than her own.

Poison Ivy #23 is available at stores now.

^{Pic Credits: DC Comics}