Image via DC Comics
Jason is an award-winning journalist whose writing career dates back to when he developed the ability to use a crayon. He, most notably, worked previously as a "professional fan," as he likes to call it, at CinemaBlend, for which he wrote about anything and everything under the pop culture umbrella... especially Batman. His passion for the art of cinema began even earlier, stemming from repeat viewings of The Wizard of Oz.
This initially led him to pursue a career in filmmaking -- and even work briefly in the industry as an extra in the straight-to-video family film, Alice Upside Down -- before deciding that his talents would be better served discussing and showing appreciation for the various forms of entertainment he is passionate about.
One of the most fun things about DC's Absolute Universe is seeing how Scott Snyder and co. intend to reinvent classic comic book characters. Fans already have an idea of who the next big foe in Absolute Batman is.
A sneak peek at Absolute Poison Ivy has dropped, as seen on the cover of Absolute Batman #17, which was shared to social media by Discussing Film on Dec. 29, 2025.
Snyder, who is the main overseer of the Absolute Universe, previously confirmed that Poison Ivy would be planting herself into the fold in Nov. 2025, but no other details regarding her role in the series have been revealed. However, Snyder did tease that her debut in this popular, relatively recent continuity would occur alongside a big surprise.
It is possible that the renowned comic book writer was referring to the emergence of the Court of Owls in Absolute Batman, which he said may appear in the seventeenth issue. The secret society that covertly manipulates Gotham City, with the help of a deadly assassin known as the Talon, is actually the brainchild of Snyder and illustrator Greg Capullo, who introduced them in an acclaimed 2011 arc from DC's New 52 era.
Poison Ivy, created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Sheldon Moldoff, made her DC Comics debut in Batman #181 in 1966, and has gone on to become one of the most revered members of The Dark Knight's rogues' gallery. Formerly known as a botanist named Dr. Pamela Isley, the ecoterrorist is noted for her ability to put her enemies, including Bruce Wayne, under a seductive trance to ensure that she gets her way.
Absolute Poison Ivy Appears More Traditional Than Past Absolute Batman Villains
Image via DC ComicsUpon the unveiling of Absolute Poison Ivy's visual design, fans on social media were quick to point out that she looks quite familiar, being an attractive woman with red hair and boasting a plant-based aesthetic in her wardrobe. This is not much of a stretch from previous iterations of the iconic comic villain, which is surprising considering the history of the Absolute Universe's dramatic reinventions of famous Batman villains.
For instance, Killer Croc, The Penguin, The Riddler, and Two-Face are not only reinterpreted in a more heroic light, but are depicted as childhood friends of Bruce Wayne and come to his aid after learning of his secret life as a vigilante. The same goes for Catwoman, but the most shocking creative liberty regarding Batman's allies would have to be Alfred Pennyworth, who, having never been hired as a servant by the middle-class Wayne Family, continued his career as a covert operative before crossing paths with The Dark Knight.
However, Absolute Joker has undergone an especially striking transformation, initially being introduced as the handsome aristocrat that Bruce Wayne is typically known as before acquiring a demonic redesign that is considered one of DC Comics' most frightening modern creations. One of the few villains in the Batman Absolute Universe to stick closest to tradition is Bane, save when his venom allows him to grow to a gargantuan size in Absolute Batman #14.
In December 2024, the fourth issue of a separate DC Elseworlds story called Immortal Legend Batman introduced a wildly different version of Poison Ivy. The normally female foe is given the gender-swap treatment and referred to as Jake, otherwise known as "The Poisoned Man" for his unique connection to all vegetation. The one way writers Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom, with illustrator Erica D'Urso, honor the original villain is by making Jake an angelic figure who seems to have a thing for Batman.
So, while Absolute Poison Ivy may not seem so different from how DC has treated her in the past, save for in Immortal Legend Batman, there is still more to learn about this new take on the character.
Absolute Batman #17 is scheduled to hit the shelves on Feb. 11, 2026
Writer Scott Snyder
Penciler Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Nick Dragotta
Colorist Frank Martin
Publisher(s) DC
English (US) · 