The Flower Girl

The Batman Adventures (vol. 2) comic book was published from 2003-2004 and it showcased characters and designs based on The New Batman Adventures animated television show.

Issue #16 deals with Harley Quinn and the Joker in the main story by Ty Templeton titled "Bride of the Joker". The backup story is focused on Poison Ivy but we'll get to that soon enough...

The main story begins with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn lazing about their cell at Blackgate Prison. Harley is going thru her box of letters paying special mind to a document regarding her fifty million dollar inheritance from a deceased aunt. The Joker learns of this windfall and plans for Harley Quinn's escape, her hand in marriage, and her murder.

As the crazy couple attemps to make their exit from Blackgate Poison Ivy intervenes and tries to talk sense into Harley. The Joker mocks Poison Ivy and her new vine-like hairdo - then Mr. J and Harley flee via helicopter. Ivy also escapes and plots revenge on the killer clown.

Poison Ivy shakes her thorny fist at a smiling helicopter. Huh?

Gotham City Hall is taken over by the Joker and his fiancé but just before Harley says "I do" Poison Ivy crashes in to object! Things go from bad to worse the moment Batman and Batgirl arrive on the scene.

Batgirl and Poison Ivy wrestle atop a giant vine before falling to the ground. Now outdoors, Batgirl realizes she is outmatched so she runs over to a concession stand and grabs salt and a bottle of vinegar - natures own weedkiller! She throws the ingredients directly into Poison Ivy's face and she's painfully blinded. Ivy reacts violently and thorns shoot from every surface of her body before running from the scene.

The story closes out with the Joker being arrested and Harley vowing revenge against Ivy for ruining her wedding. An exchange between Batman and Batgirl is also noteworthy...

Batgirl: Ivy got away Batman. All the trees calmed down when she left. I never knew she was so powerful.

Batman: We'll have to go after Ivy immediately. She's too dangerous in her new form to be allowed her freedom.

This is a rare instance of Poison Ivy's altered physical appearance and powers from "Batman the Animated Series" to "The New Batman Adventures" being acknowledged - as a mutation no less. A theme that was carried over to the very clever backup titled "The Flower Girl". The four page backup story was also written by Ty Templeton and he made great use of the limited space.

"The Flower Girl" takes us to the bayou swamps as the silhouette of a woman stands under the moonlight - spying on a house just across the water. She's afraid and in need of help. We discover that it's Poison Ivy as she arrives at the home of Dr. Alec Holland.

Ivy's appearance has changed. Her vanity gave way to a body that is being taken over - the half-plant nature has betrayed her human side. The experiments that Poison Ivy has performed on herself have led to devolution. She cries out to the doctor for help but there is nothing he can do. Poison Ivy collapses in Alec Holand's arms as final mutation takes place. What's left of Pamela Isley, a.k.a. Poison Ivy, is a pile of vines and leaves.

The clever twist happens just as Dr. Holland calls out for his wife who quickly arrives from the other room. Why...it's none other than Pamela Isley in her human form!

Pamela explains to her husband Alec that she created a plant clone of her Poison Ivy persona to distract Batman while she made a permanent exit from Gotham City. She also adds that the creature acted as a companion to Harley Quinn. But like any plant...they eventually die. In short, The New Batman Adventures Poison Ivy was a fake.

Here is the four page story in full (to magnify pages zoom in, click on cross-hairs):

I remember reading this for the first time back in 2004 and I was left speechless. It was a rather strange feeling seeing various aspects of the DCAU mixed with elements from DC proper - and have it totally work as a short story.

When TNBA premiered I always felt like that particular version of Poison lvy strayed just enough from her BTAS counterpart to seem like a different character. With The New Batman Adventures version being the especially mean sister of the two. Ty Templeton took my vague impressions and created a story - The Flower Girl - and it's awesome. The inclusion of Alec Holland was a nice touch.

The Batman Adventures was cancelled after issue #17. We'll never know if Harley Quinn ever got her revenge on Poison Ivy or if she ever realized her playmate wasn't the woman she had met years ago. Though the idea that Pamela Isley found love and comfort away from Gotham City is endearing.

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The Cleaners (New Villain Preview)

Jesus Saiz, a client of David Macho Gómez (Spanish Inq) and main artist for Birds of Prey, has released some promotional art for the DCnU Birds of Prey series. This illustration features new villains called The Cleaners. I suspect these are the "shapeshifters" that have been mentioned in the solicitations. The visible outlines are probably an artistic choice suggesting "invisibility" and this particular Cleaner is masquerading as Poison Ivy

Notice her unusual skin tone. She also appears to be wearing a more traditional looking Poison Ivy costume. Interesting...

UPDATE: DC Comics has released an actual page from issue #1 featuring a Cleaner and Black Canary battling it out until...they kiss. What!? I'm liking this interior art more and more.

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Suicide Squad

The modern version of Poison Ivy is often depicted as hostile and anti-social in titles like Gotham City Sirens. But if you examine her history you will find that Ivy was not above group affiliations.

She's been a member of The Injustice Gang, and had a brief stint with The Secret Society of Supervillains. Poison Ivy has also been seen running amok with the latest incarnations of the Legion of Doom. However, this post will be discussing her time spent with the Suicide Squad.

The current Suicide Squad (created by John Ostrander in the aforementioned Legends #3) is an anti-hero team of incarcerated supervillains who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. The group operates out of Belle Reve Penitentiary, under the command of government agent Amanda Waller. ~Wikipedia

The "Ostrander" era of the Suicide Squad debuted in 1987 and it is, without a doubt, the most popular version of the title. Poison Ivy first appeared in issue #33 - the halfway point of the Suicide Squad's 66 issues. With the exception of Neil Gaiman's Secret Origins #36, "Pavane" origin story there was not much going on with Ivy in DC Comics. At this point she was relegated to cameos in supervillain team ups and back up stories. Thankfully the Suicide Squad run kept Poison Ivy relevant.

Her characterization in the Squad was good and often great. She was smart, brazen, and at times petulant. Though she never dared to cross Amanda Waller. (Those who tried were fools.) The only angle I found annoying was the occasional display of wantonness mixed with a level of questionable vanity during dangerous missions. That one (very) minor nitpick aside, Ostrander created one of the more interesting and fully realized versions of Poison Ivy.

Poison Ivy's costume and powers were definitely old school. When not in civilian clothes Ivy would wear her classic "181" look but you never see Ivy's "meta" plant manipulation abilities beyond issue #33. The emphasis is on her knowledge of plant toxins, poisonous touch, and her famous deadly kiss.

(The remainder of this post basically walks you through Poison Ivy's time with the Suicide Squad in a loose chronological fashion with descriptions and images. Let's get started.)

Suicide Squad v.1 issues #33-36 feature Poison Ivy's first appearance and adventure in said title. However, she isn't an official member of the squad during this story arc.

The basic premise is that Lashina is attempting to regain her status as leader of the Female Furies after being ousted by Bernadeth. To do this she must return to Apokolips and battle her former sisters. The problem is that Lashina is stranded on Earth and requires the assistance of a few unsuspecting characters to participate in her death wish.

Lashina (aka Duchess) sneaks into Arkham to recruit Deadshot (Floyd Lawton) but realizes that his current mental state leaves him unstable and useless to her aims. Just before Lashina leaves Arkham Asylum a voice in the dark volunteers her services. It's Poison Ivy! Lashina allows Ivy to be a part of her mission. For now...

Filling out the remaining seats are Nightshade, Shade the Changing Man, Vixen, Major Victory, Captain Boomerang, Count Vertigo, Big Barda, Briscoe, sad lil' Flo Crawley, and yes Amanda Waller. Most of the team is rendered unconscious (thanks to Ivy's potions) and they are put onto a shuttle train and teleported to Apokolips to act as cannon-fodder. Lashina goes for Bernadeth's throat and she very much succeeds while a war rages.

Poison Ivy finds herself amidst the chaos in a two-page spread. (upper left)

Killed in battle are Dr. Light, Briscoe, Flo, and Lashina. (She is destroyed by Darkseid's Omega Effect for subordination.) Poison Ivy survives but not before trying to take out Granny Goodness with her poisoned nails. She fails and is called a slut in the process - ouch! But her gesture was enough to earn the trust of the Squad (somewhat) and a ride back to Earth compliments of Darkseid.

Upon arriving home Poison Ivy attempts to make amends for the poisonings and asks to stay with the team. Amanda Waller appears mostly indifferent to Ivy's plea. She is troubled by the death of her cousin Flo but in the end she allows Ivy and Deadshot to remain.

A doe-eyed Poison Ivy in a rare display of humility.

Suicide Squad v.1 issues #37 and #39 features "The Coils of the Loa" story. Poison Ivy, Deadshot, and Ravan are called upon to aid in Amanda Waller's assassination of the Loa figureheads. The Loa is a rogue organization that dabbles in voudou and they are creating an army of zombies with a mixture of animal and plant toxins. Specifically tetrodotoxin (Puffer fish) and Datura Stramonium (a.k.a. Zombie's Cucumber) as identified by Poison Ivy.

The team of four dispense their own special brand of street justice by taking down everyone along the path that leads to the Loa headquarters. Including a horde of invading zombies. Poison Ivy: Zombie Hunter. I definitely like the sound of that.

Amanda Waller kicks in a door and shoots and kills Boccor, Damballah, and Mambo with the help of Deadshot. She cuts loose Poison Ivy, Deadshot, and Ravan then takes the fall for this illegal mission. Amanda Waller is jailed at Belle Reve penitentiary for her crime.

Poison Ivy and company leaving a bloody scene.

Suicide Squad v.1 issues #40-44 introduce Batman to the book for "The Phoenix Gambit". A year has passed and Amanda Waller is given a presidential pardon in the hopes that a reformed Squad can eliminate conflict between the USA and Russia in Vlatava. The Russians have drugged Count Vertigo and he is leading the enemies charge. Poison Ivy is tracked down in Rio Brava (capitol city of Puerto Azul, South America) and hired to rescue the Count.

Poison Ivy doesn't actually appear until issue #41 but when she does we are treated to one of the more hilarious moments in her DC continuity. Ivy has seduced a certain General Vaca and plundered Puerto Azul's economy. The nation has risen up against the power couple and demand "Ivita's" death. Yes, she has taken upon the role of an "Evita" like character. Poison Ivy escapes with the aid of Batman. Long live Ivita!

Ivy succeeds in rescuing Count Vertigo from his drugged madness, with a kiss, and Batman (along with the rest of the Squad) eliminate the Vlatavan threat. Because she's a bad girl, Poison Ivy decides to keep Count Vertigo under her control and he essentially becomes her love slave. He tries to fight off her charms but fails.

You've been a very bad girl. A very very bad bad girl Ivy.

Suicide Squad v.1 issues #45, #46, and 47 finds the Squad on the hunt for Kobra in Jerusalem. Upon his discovery Ravan and Kobra battle to the death. Raven succumbs to Kobra's poison as the Atom, who tried to intervene, watches him expire.

Poison Ivy plays a minor role in both #46 and #47 but she does appear on a few pivotal pages.

Amanda Waller finds a lingerie clad Poison Ivy and (a silk robe wearing) Count Vertigo held up in an apartment living a life of leisure. Well, at least one of them is at this point. Waller is there to retrieve Count Vertigo because he is needed for the "Serpent of Chaos" mission.

Waller demands Ivy release the Count from her spell and he soon goes into a violent rage when the potion fades. Count Vertigo is now very much aware that he was under Ivy's mind control and wants revenge on his former mistress. His anger will come back to haunt Poison Ivy at a later date.


Suicide Squad v.1 issue #58 is part of the "War of the Gods" crossover event with issue #59 briefly addressing Poison Ivy's status after the war.

War of the Gods centered around Wonder Woman and her nemesis Circe. The infamous witch is responsible for starting a battle between the gods of various cultures. Black Adam recruits the Suicide Squad to attack the fortress of Circe that is being guarded by werebeasts and renegade amazons.

Poison Ivy is laying low in the Amazon Rain Forest - the very same place where Circe's island sanctuary is located. What a coincidence. While nosing about the jungle Poison Ivy is captured by a werebeast and strung up in the fortress tower. I do find it strange that Circe would keep Ivy captive instead of killer her on sight. Though she does make good bait.

Black Adam and the Squad are battling Circe's defenses as new recruits drop like flies. The fight is interrupted as the ground begins to shake - the island is self destructing. Count Vertigo finds a captive Poison Ivy crying out for help. The Count mocks her current situation and as the walls begin to fall he flees. Count Vertigo finally has his chance at revenge...

Count Vertigo abandons Poison Ivy in Circe's collapsing fortress.

Major Victory orders Maser to change into a light beam and alert the team that it's time to retreat. Maser finds Poison Ivy and saves her at the very last minute. Phew!

In #59 Poison Ivy is laid out and unconscious in an "Institute for Metahuman Studies" hospital bed. Count Vertigo sneaks into her room but is caught by Dr. LaGrieve who suspects he is there to commit murder. The doctor informs Count Vertigo that a precise mixture of Vlatavan drugs and Ivy's poisons had inadvertently cured his manic-depression. He begrudgingly leaves.

Suicide Squad v.1 issues #63-66 begins the "Rumble in the Jungle" mission. But it's also the beginning of the end for the Squad - DC Comics cancelled the Suicide Squad book at issue #66 without much warning.

This Wikipedia entry about "Rumble in the Jungle" summarizes the events rather succinctly.

The series concludes in issues #63-66, in which the Suicide Squad travels to Diabloverde (an island near the Bermuda Triangle) to depose a seemingly invulnerable and invincible dictator calling himself Guedhe, who has his own personal bodyguards, a group of villains calling themselves the Suicide Squad. Insulted by the rival team usurping the Suicide Squad name, Waller accepts the mission to liberate Diabloverde at the price of one peso, paid by an exiled resident, Maria, with the addendum of exterminating the island's dictator.

During that mission they face the other Suicide Squad, who the actual Suicide Squad beats. At the end of the storyline Amanda Waller tricks the despot, actually Maria's husband, into a form of suicide (the despot believes himself to be immortal, when in actuality he was a formidable psychic whose consciousness kept animating his remains; Waller convinced him her touch brought death, and thus he died). Before that each of the Squad members travel through the mystic jungle to Guedhe's fortress and in that jungle face their personal demons (except for Deadshot. The creative team makes a point of showing he is seemingly unaffected or simply does not have any fears. Also note-worthy, the other Bat-villain, Poison Ivy, is not shown facing her fears and shows more concern for her nylons). Afterward, Waller disbands the Suicide Squad and the series ends.

Poison Ivy puts Sudden Death under her spell.

Another item of note is that Poison Ivy played an important role in this mission's success. Amanda Waller pulls Ivy aside and they have an off panel conversation. Later Waller is shown claiming to have the ability to kill with the touch of her hand. Guedhe is skeptical so Waller places her hand on Maria and his wife drops dead. The superstitious man resigns to his own death and Diabloverde is saved. It turns out that Waller had Poison Ivy create a neurotoxin (that simulated death) and the antidote.

Also...nylons.

There you have it folks - Poison Ivy and the Suicide Squad. An exciting two and half years abroad in the life of Gotham City's most infamous botanist.

I will go on record as saying the true breakout star from this series is Amanda "The Wall" Waller. She exists in comic books against all odds. Waller is an older overweight woman and a racial minority. Yet she resonates. Amanda Waller still commands attention in the modern day DC Universe. She's appeared in animated features and now live-action television and film.

She's tough and takes no guff - not even from Miss Poison Ivy.

Appearances:
•Suicide Squad #33 "Into the Angry Planet"
•Suicide Squad #34 "Armagetto"
•Suicide Squad #35 "That Hideous Strength"
•Suicide Squad #36 "In Final Battle"
•Suicide Squad #37 "Threads"
•Suicide Squad #39 "Dead Issue"
•Suicide Squad #40 "The Phoenix Gambit Part 1: Ashes" (poster only)
•Suicide Squad #41 "The Phoenix Gambit Part 2: Embers
•Suicide Squad #42 "The Phoenix Gambit Part 3: Firefight"
•Suicide Squad #43 "The Phoenix Gambit Part 4: Black Queen's Mate"
•Suicide Squad #46 "Choice of Evils"
•Suicide Squad #47 "Choice of Dooms"
•Suicide Squad #58 "Suicide Attack"
•Suicide Squad #59 "Legerdemain"
•Suicide Squad #64 "As Nasty As They Want to Be"
•Suicide Squad #65 "Run Through the Jungle!"
•Suicide Squad #66 "And Be A Villain!"

•War of the Gods #3 "Casualties of War" (crossover)

•Wonder Woman #61 "To Avenge An Amazon"
(This Wonder Woman entry is part of the "War of the Gods" crossover event. But there's a continuity error. On the last page Poison Ivy appears alongside other DC characters who are swearing their allegiance to the deceased Princess Diana. There's no way she could have been there because at this time she was recovering in a hospital.)

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Artwork of the Day 8.16.11

I've decided to switch up how I post "Artwork of the Day". Instead of just featuring one artist I'm going to showcase at least five or more. It's a better use of space and (my) time and I think the Poison Ivy themed pieces look great when grouped together. I've kept the images relatively big to avoid having to zoom so be ready. That said, on with the show!

Joshua Middleton

This is probably my favorite of the bunch. The porcelain skin contrasted with the blood orange colored hair is divine. Quite elegant.

Andrea Rhodes

I love this stylized take on Poison Ivy. The olive green is a smart choice and the blown kiss dust skull and crossbones is genius.

Cinar

The loose sketch technique mixed with watercolors in this piece appeals to me. A very lush scene for our May Queen.

Arthur Adams

I'm floored by the lines in Arthur Adams drawing of Poison Ivy. That costume is obviously inspired by The New Batman Adventures style.

Bot

This is darling - from the flytrap to the Uma inspired hair cones. A wicked doll! I'm a huge fan of this style - be sure to check out the rest of the rogues from this collection.

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Birds of Prey #3 Cover Preview (Updated)

DC Comics has released the November 2011 cover previews for the Bat titles. Poison Ivy did not appear on the cover to Birds of Prey #2 but thankfully she graces cover #3 alongside the other players. I guess this makes it fairly obvious that Poison Ivy is acting as a member of the Prey and not a nemesis.

I'm still not completely sold on this new costume but it looks a bit better here - although the anatomy itself is a bit questionable. The positioning of the "crotch" on Poison Ivy is clearly off - there should be no "gap" there. Starling's waist is tragic.(Art credit goes to David Finch and Richard Friend.) Speaking of art, this looks a lot like the cover to #1 even down to the burgundy background color. I have a feeling that Birds of Prey #1 will be given a completely different cover than what we've seen and the original image was nothing more than a promotional piece. Why? Because each issue appears to be introducing the members as they decide to join the cause. Issue #2 deals with Katana joining ranks (with a cover to match) and #3 is where Poison Ivy signs up.

You know...looking at Poison Ivy with a "natural" complexion is still a bit jarring. Apparently I live in a world where it's strange to not see a woman with green skin. However, I've learned to accept this change, for now, because the flesh tone works for this costume.

I'll update this post once the full solicit is released. Stay tuned.

UPDATE (with solicit):

BIRDS OF PREY #3
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by JESUS SAIZ
Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale NOVEMBER 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Someone’s come up with a way to turn ordinary citizens of Gotham City into undetectable walking bombs…and only Black Canary (a.k.a. Dinah Laurel Lance), Starling (a.k.a. Ev Crawford) and new team member Katana (a.k.a. Tatsu Yamashiro) can stop them. But will Canary’s choice of a fourth team member, a notorious bioterrorist, tear them apart first?

Well it's now clear that Poison Ivy will retain her wicked nature (of sorts). I'm just hoping they don't limit her motivations to just the environment. I always found the eco-terrorist angle quite limiting and hollow.

Compare and contrast the difference between the "Batman: The Animated Series" interpretation of Poison Ivy and "The New Batman Adventures" version.

Poison Ivy became a lot more entertaining when they moved her past the psychotic "save the earth" story lines. Of course "The Batman" put Poison Ivy back into that box and her character often came across as laughable. You all know how I feel about the "Don't fool with Mother Nature!" stuff. (I hate it.) Catwoman is more than just a cat burgler and Poison Ivy is certainly more than just a tree hugger.

Though keep in mind the solicit used the term "bioterrorist". This may indicate an emphasis on her knowledge of poisons and toxins. I'm okay with that so long as we don't lose Poison Ivy's flair for diva antics. I like my villains a bit unhinged.

Thanks "Anonymous" for the heads up in the comments section.

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Gotham City Sirens #25

My opinions on Gotham City Sirens #25 are late. Yes. But it's not because I didn't like this issue - it's because I enjoyed it sooo much. It saddens me to think this title wasn't always this good and now that Sirens has found a heart - it's almost over. Unfortunately, this is the penultimate issue of Sirens. It did not get carried over into the DCU relaunch (as you probably know).

Issue #25, "Friends Pt. III", begins with Poison Ivy laid out in an Arkham Asylum cell (still in heels) pondering life and circumstance. Never losing sight of the fact that it was Catwoman's betrayal that landed her behind bars.

Pesticides are being pumped into the air inside a reenforced glass chamber to keep Ivy sedate. While incapacitated we are allowed to read her deepest thoughts.

Most marvel at the beauty of nature. And they are right to be marveled. But they ignore nature's true beauty. Life is a battle. It is a struggle, renting us time against darkness. It's a fight it will never win. And still it fights. The universe has no morality. It has no love, no patience. Those are the playthings of humans. The universe does not care. And neither do I. I left that part of me behind long ago. There are only two things: the living and the dead. And right now I'm not far from the latter.

This style of internal dialogue, mixed with plant metaphors, leads the entire story - and this is very much a Poison Ivy centered piece. It's quite effective and Peter Calloway deserves praise for this approach.

So...the Penguin sends a man disguised as a guard to Ivy's cell and he proposes the two villains join together to destroy Catwoman. The only stipulation being that Poison Ivy must free herself from Arkham.

A "seeker" root snakes its way towards Poison Ivy's cell and cracks the floor. It was just enough to cause the pesticides to leak out - allowing Ivy to harness her power. She releases pheromones into the air and convinces the guards to open her cell door. At first Ivy wants to tear the place down, as illustrated in this panel, but she chooses a more covert means of escape. Though not before paying Harley Quinn a visit. (Her partner in crime is also housed at Arkham.)

Poison Ivy arrives at Harley's cell with the intention of killing her where she sleeps. She has a change of heart upon seeing Harley Quinn lost to her obsessions. The Joker graffiti on the walls brings out Poison Ivy's rarely seen sympathetic nature. Ivy extends her hand to Harley and they escape together...to visit the Penguin and to kill Catwoman.

Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn flee Arkham to go cat hunting!

Poison Ivy: Are you prepared to die, Catwoman?
Catwoman: Are you, Poison Ivy?
Poison Ivy: Yes.
Catwoman: Me, too.

That exchange takes place on the last page of Sirens #25. Ivy and Harley ambush Catwoman in Robinson Park just as she was planning on robbing an armored car. A car planted by the Penguin, of course. So begins the final moments of Gotham City Sirens with Poison Ivy and Catwoman ready to battle. Will this fight actually take place? I guess we'll just have to wait a few weeks to find out. My bets are on Ivy taking this one. Naturally.

I also want to make note of the fantastic art in this issue. Every page is exquisite - with each panel being framed in some type of vine or root. Poison Ivy also looks very striking. A pleasant departure from March's style. Both styles being good but different. Compliments to artists Andres Guinaldo and Lorenzo Ruggiero.

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Ferak

No that's not She-Hulk! It is one of Poison Ivy's plant creations known as Ferak (an anagram of "freak"). This prickly beauty made her DCU debut back in 1998 on a profile page featured in Batman Villains Secret Files #1.

I must say that my initial reaction to seeing Ferak was not exactly a friendly one. Mainly because I wasn't sure if this was a character who would compete with Poison Ivy or if she was in allegiance to Ivy's cause. As it turns out, Ferak was indeed a Poison Ivy construct and would act as the guardian(s) of Robinson Park but also to the orphans who would call that park home.

Her appearance is both beauty and beast. Brilliant green hair tops the frame of her rather strong and green body. Thorns jut out from her "skin" at various points and she can shoot these thorns defensively. (The profile page claims that her skin is toxic to the touch but this is never explored.) We learn of her super-strength in Batman: No Man's Land (Ground Zero) #0. Ferak can tear apart solid objects like asphalt and toss cars with ease. Her body has the ability to transform and regenerate limbs when necessary.

In #0 she is portrayed as having a primitive intelligence and she does not speak. A trait that the Huntress has to work around in order to communicate with the lost creature. That is the basic premise of #0. Ferak is found destroying Gotham City after being led astray and it's up to the Huntress to get her back to Robinson Park.

Ferak wreaks havoc on Gotham City as the Huntress (in Batgirl drag) swoops down!

The next time we see Ferak is in the pages of Detective comics (issues 751 & 752) in a storyline titled "Walk in the Park". Commissioner Gordon is given orders by the Gotham City Mayor to remove Poison Ivy and her orphans from Robinson Park. Ivy has ruled over the park for a year since the events of No Man's Land.

The feeling is it's better to have no park -- or at least one we can replant -- than to have a psychotic eco-terrorist living in the middle of Gotham. ~ Gotham City Mayor

The city plans on using R.C. Sixty, a defoliant created by Lexcorp, to kill all plantlife within the park - including Poison Ivy and the Feraks. Yes plural! In #751 we discover that there is a small army of "Feraks" that act as the muscle on Poison Ivy's command. Batman arrives to try and convince Ivy to leave the park willingly to avoid any harm to the children. She balks and is ready to martyr herself on behalf of nature...until one of the children is accidentally poisoned by touching Ivy's toxic skin. Poison Ivy decides to surrender to the G.C.P.D to avoid any further danger to the orphans and the park is spared total destruction.

The Feraks watch over the children and Robinson Park as Poison Ivy prepares for invasion.

Ferak makes her final appearance in Young Justice, No Man's Land #1. Batman has banned Robin (Tim Drake) from Gotham City after it is taken over by criminals. Back in Keystone City a sulking Robin is convinced by Superboy and Impulse to break the rules and go on a road trip to Gotham. When they arrive in the city the level of devastation becomes clear. Lagoon Lad, from Atlantis, also appears in Gotham at the same time.

Upon entering Robinson Park they catch a group of gun and torch weildling thugs attempting to escape out of the park. Something has them running off in fear. It's Ferak! She holds her own against the Young Justice boys until Batman shows up to bring her down. He douses her with an herbicide and she collapses and dies at their feet. She was the last of her kind.

Ferak succumbs to the effects of herbicide and returns to the earth, from whence she came.

Ferak was a gentle giant who protected her mistress without hesitation. This particular plant creation was unique because Poison Ivy usually conjures up monstrosities that appear male in nature. Beyond making plant avatars of herself - this was Ivy's first female humanoid plant servant.

It's unclear whether Chuck Dixon intended to use her beyond the No Man's Land crossover. Regardless, she was a striking addition to Poison Ivy's family for however long.

Appearances:
• Batman Villain Secret Files #1
• Batman: No Man's Land (Ground Zero) #0
• Detective Comics #751
• Detective Comics #752
• Young Justice, Young Justice in No Man's Land #1

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