Batman and Robin

In the year 1997 the film "Batman & Robin", as directed by Joel Schumacher, would become part of infamy. It was a definite Summer blockbuster -- but failed to find praise from mainstream critics and fanboys alike. Batman & Robin would go down in history as the film that ended the Batman franchise of the 1990's. But more about that later... I remember lazing about my apartment and overhearing Mary Hart (Entertainment Tonight) announcing the featured villains for this 4th installment. Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy...and Bane(?). I was ecstatic...I could not believe that Poison Ivy would be featured in a live action film. The word spread all over Hollywood like wildfire -- who would portray this villainess described as the most beautiful woman...

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Poison Ivy : Origin Two

"Pamela Isley grew up in Seattle, the only child of well-to-do parents who pampered their daughter and indulged her every whim. A cute girl, Pamela was, sadly, emotionally unstable and entirely too critical of her appearance; consequently, she spent most of her adolescence alone and apart from other children. Deciding that if nobody was going to bring her roses she would just grow her own, Pamela became more and more interested in botany, finding solace in the plants and flowers that always listened to her and depended on her.Pamela went to college and studied botany under Jason Woodrue, a brilliant scientist. (Years later, Woodrue would become the plant master known as Floronic Man, and even later, Floro of the New Guardians.) Woodrue...

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Poison Ivy: Origin One

"Born in Seattle, Washington, of a wealthy family, Pamela Lillian Isley (her full correct name, despite some confusion in print) was early attracted to botany, which became her major at college. Her professor, a frenchman named Marc LeGrand, romanced her, convincing her of his intention to marry her-as soon as he had enough money. He told her he might be able to make a fortune with a discovery based on an urn containing ancient Egyptian herbs. But only burglary could get it from the museum. Pamela was brilliant enough to do just that. What she didn't know was that the herbs were a deadly untraceable poison, and he slipped a bit into her drink when they toasted their future. He thought he was rid of the one person who knew of his part...

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"Beware of Poison Ivy!" : Batman #181 and Forward

Poison Ivy was introduced to the Batman mythos in the year 1966 in a story titled "Beware of Poison Ivy!" (Batman #181). Credit for her creation must be given to various participants. Robert Kanigher wrote the story "Beware of Poison Ivy!" and Carmine Infantino provided the artwork. Robert Kanigher (1915-2002) wrote stories for various DC titles including Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, and Batman. Carmine Infantino is the artist responsible for bringing DC Comics back to life during the mid 1950's. Infantino's dynamic covers and interiors ushered in a new era for the superhero -- it was the beginning of the Silver Age. Infantino was not only an artist but also aided in the co-creation of characters such as Elongated Man and The...

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Introduction

I have faint memories of being a child, parked in front of the television, and getting starry-eyed everytime Lynda Carter would twirl and become Wonder Woman. That show is what sparked this hobby of mine -- this undying interest in comic book collecting. I don't remember comic book shops existing back then...but I do remember quaint spinner racks located in the back section of our local newsstand. Each slot filled with the colorful heroes and villains of DC Comics (and Marvel too). My little fingers would flip through those racks seeking out whatever caught my eye. The Justice League, X-Men, Wonder Woman, Teen Titans...and yes, even Marvel's old school Dazzler. I knew of the super-men...but I was always drawn to the super-women of these fantasy...

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