As I Told Lady Freeze...

As you've probably noticed I've been M.I.A. for over a month (if not longer). I've mentioned before that I work at a costume shop and our busy season starts at the end of August and continues until after Halloween. Well, this year we hired fewer seasonal staff members which meant that a lot of the work was put upon me. The money is great but it leaves me completely zapped.

Speaking of zapped...

All that hard work paid off because right now I am blogging from a brand new computer. Fate is cruel and, much like Lady Freeze, my old computer's plug was pulled. My video card finally imploded but it held up much longer than most of the other components. (That tower was almost 10 years old and it rarely ever let me down.)

With that said - I am back! I'm going to cover quite a few things in this one post so be ready.

The DC relaunch put Poison Ivy on the back burner up until the final pages of the second issue of "Birds of Prey". Below is our first glimpse of Ivy in all her Autumnal glory.

Birds of Prey #3 will showcase more of Poison Ivy for sure.

Something that managed to skip past me was Poison Ivy appearing on the Cartoon Network's "Young Justice" cartoon. A show I watch every week - but of course the one week I forget to watch...

I have mixed feelings about this appearance with most of my hangups being about her physical appearance. The costume wasn't particularly elegant and the overall look was rather dull. (The collar was cool though.) I accept that Young Justice has its own style but this didn't work for me. Alyssa Milano voicing Poison Ivy was an odd choice. She wasn't terrible just not all that dynamic. Also, if I have to hear Poison Ivy shriek out "My babies!" one more time when a plant creature comes under attack I just might hurl.

I saw the preview cover to the following comic book a few weeks ago. Needless to say I came to my own conclusion about who the villain in question might be. I hope that it is Poison Ivy because I'm interested to see how she is depicted in a book outside of Birds of Prey.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #4

Written by PAUL JENKINS and DAVID FINCH; Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

Batman must race against time to save a friend's life. But his mission may prove impossible as he reels under the weight of three hundred chemically enhanced super-criminals who stand against him. All clues point to one psychotic criminal, and all roads to a solution that will lead to one secret location... but will Batman arrive too late to stop the rage let loose on his city?

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

On Sale December 28, 2011

It appears that we have a newer Poison Ivy themed t-shirt for sale but this time around she's paired with Harley Quinn. The creators of this shirt used an illustration done by José Luis García-López that I featured previously. The shirt is available in many sizes at allposters.com - don't hesitate! (This link will take you to the basic adult size but women's, youth, and toddler sizes can be found too.)

Guess who decided to go as Poison Ivy for a costumed event this Halloween? Kim Kardashian! Say what you will about the Kardashian family - I thought she looked stunning in her take on Uma Thurman's costume. (I want that wig, now!)

However, the main point of including her in this post is that I noticed her eyemask looked awfully familiar. Now I'm not saying she herself used my tutorial but I suspect the people who helped create her costume may have taken a look at what I offered to those looking for a guide.

That's all I have for now. Stay tuned!

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Louie Vitiello's Lifesize Poison Ivy

I find a certain amount of joy whenever I stumble upon something Poison Ivy related - especially when it wasn't planned. Such is the case here with Louie Vitiello's lifesize Poison Ivy figure. This is a special find because it's something I've always wanted to do (but have not). My hesitation is mostly due to finances but also because I don't have the room.

From Louie's blog:

I am a NYC based artist. Though I like to work on many things, my favorite subject is superheroes, or more so the supervillains.

The mannequins are my specialty; making life size statues of my favorite characters. They are all hand painted/sprayed. Each one is signed, numbered and dated on the foot. Alas, living in NYC, I don't have the space to store them so I am forced to let them go from time to time.

What an absolutely amazing and fun hobby - and she's a beauty (see below). I love the bright and bold colors. The hair is also a great choice. This look appears to be inspired by various interpretations of Poison Ivy. I see a bit of Uma Thurman's costume mixed with the classic costume (Brian Apthorp style).

Check out Louie Vitiello's tumblr page for more images of this piece and other projects including Catwoman, Emma Frost, Mystique and more.

[louievitiello.tumblr.com]

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Justice League XXX : Shyla Stylez as Poison Ivy (or So She Thinks)

I want to make one thing clear before we go on this strange adventure together. I absolutely do not endorse this film. Justice League XXX is very much hardcore pornography and should only be sought after by those of legal viewing age. (If that's your thing.) This post will also be safe for work at all times.

Now, with that out of the way let's get into the main purpose of this post. Poison Ivy has been parodied in a porn film based on DC Comics properties. Oh no they didn't, oh yes they did. I realize this title was released back in April, 2011 (by Extreme Comixxx) but I paid it no mind - that is until I discovered Poison Ivy was a featured villain. Apparently she's on the back of the box. Check out this ridiculous gathering of rogues.

Shyla Stylez was the chosen...um...actress to fill Poison Ivy's green boots. I can't tell you much more about Miss Stylez because I refuse to do any further research. As far as the actual flick? I didn't watch it but I can tell you two things. Ivy has a scene with Lex Luthor. She spends most of this scene on her knees (mostly dressed) and it's not to pick flowers. I shall say no more about that. Let's move on to Poison Ivy's costume shall we?

The first thing I noticed was that Shyla Stylez is clearly wearing the Poison Ivy costume produced by Secret Wishes - Rubie's Costume's answer to Leg Avenue. The model to the right is wearing the complete costume in the official product photo. Secret Wishes offers the dress, arm sheathes, and bits of fake ivy in the package and that is all seen on Shyla Stylez (below). The ready-made outfit isn't bad. It's a rather tasteful take on the classic costume and this model wears it well. Though I will say the arm sheathes (gloves) are awfully narrow. I couldn't even get my hand through the ends. So if you have sticks for arms then you're in luck. The ivy leaves are also nothing special. Just typical craft store silk leaves and garland.

Below you will find Shyla Stylez - and I'll say this in the most polite terms I can muster - she's a hot mess. I understand and accept that most people are not professional cosplayers or don't have the resources to successfully pull off this character. That said, it's not what she's wearing that bothers me it's how she's wearing it. The dress is ill fitting and the leaves are just tied on without purpose - decorative or otherwise. Her "gloves" are slipping down and her hair comb is falling out of her wig. I don't care if this is seen as just porn - somebody get this girl a mirror and a stylist in a good mood.

Honestly, she's dolled up in such a way that I could easily mistake her for a drag queen in certain mood lighting. Sometimes I think when women push the "lusty lady" theme too far it wraps back around to farcical. They end up out dragging the drag queens and such is the case here. Shyla would most definitely be lipsyncing for her life. I will give the wig and makeup artists credit for creating a nice variation of the leaf mask and the hair is a nice color. Bless her heart.

One thing that stands out are the boots. I think they are kind of cool - just not with this costume. I also happen to know who makes them.

Pleaser USA is one of the few stateside based shoe companies that creates affordable costume footwear. It's nearly impossible to find glamourous footwear in shades of green but Pleaser is adding green color options to many of their popular styles. This particular boot is part of their Bordello line - a line that focuses on vintage burlesque style heeled shoes. The boot in question is called "Courtess" and is available in green, gold, and pink. Keep in mind that Courtess is a mid-length boot. This height of shoe can look rather swell or make your legs look stumpy (see above).


All fashion aside...I forgot to mention that the company behind this production, Extreme Comixxx, no longer has an official online presence. Their site is currently under suspension and I suspect DC Comics may have finally intervened. Perhaps their latest release, Supergirl XXX, was a step too far. I know that all porn companies who do these types of spoofs hide behind long standing parody laws. Below is the trailer for Justice League XXX and yes it's G-rated. Aaand we're finally done...

[Major Spoilers]

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Cosplay of the Day : Lady Ginevra

Cosplayer Lady Ginevra has created quite the masterpiece. It takes a lot of nerve (and talent) to successfully pull off a green skinned Poison Ivy costume - and she's done just that.

There is a wonderful contrast of textures and colors. The smooth satin played against the rough and spiraling tendrils. Purple and magenta hues look fantastic when paired with spring greens and what you see here is no exception. The application of the green makeup is flawless. I'd love to know if this was an airbrushed effort or a well done sponge application. An elegant use of flowers for sure. Follow the link at the end of this post to see many more photos of this costume in action. Also, Joker and Harley Quinn look equally awesome.

[LadyGinevra]

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Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman - Batman) Costume Make-Up by Kandee

This is Kandee Johnson's take on one of Uma Thurman's makeup styles in Batman & Robin (costume #2). The video tutorial is just under 30 minutes in length so be prepared to sit for a while or fast forward when you feel the need.

I was mostly pleased with the final results. I kind of felt like there were a few unnecessary or repetitive makeup applications. I also would've paid more mind to scale. The wig looks a bit too big and heavy and the leaf mask also looks too large for my tastes. Almost bird like. Not sure about the foil either. Beyond that this video is a perfect example of how a warm Autumnal color palette can work for Poison Ivy. It's true - plant motifs do come in more than just green. I very much appreciate Kandee's enthusiasm. The opening bits were fun (if not a tad weird - but in a good way).

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Cosplay of the Day : Meagan Marie

I'm the kind of person who is always on the hunt for new and different costuming goods. Especially in regards to items that can be used for Poison Ivy related cosplay. I've learned that typing in basic image search terms like "Poison Ivy" and "wig" (or boots etc.) will pull up some rather interesting and unexpected results. That is how I stumbled across Meagan Marie and her astonishing turn as Poison Ivy.

I tend to be a perfectionist about most things. It's one of the reasons why I find myself fussing more with the look of this blog instead of focusing on posts. (Hush!) So it was fulfilling to see a cosplayer who knows exactly what they are doing.

From her site: Created back in the 60s, Poison Ivy has seen many different costume iterations over the years. I’ve always loved Ivy from the Batman animated series, but the costume was a bit too simple for my tastes. Uma Thurman’s take on Pam Isley in Batman & Robin was a bit more attractive, especially the long and glamorous cape. Ultimately though I drew most from Ivy’s various comic appearances, ending up with the traditional leaf covered leotard and leggings. Can’t go too wrong with that. Still, the end result was more my interpretation of her various outfits than an exact replica of one in particular. While many think of Ivy as a sexpot who manipulates people to her advantage, I always liken her to a classic (and classy) vixen – sexy, but not overtly so. Mysterious and slightly wicked, but only because she believes so strongly in her cause.

There really isn't a single thing out of place. The style and color of that wig is perfection. The makeup is bold but not overdone. (Those lips!) I've often seen leaf bustiers look far too "crafty" (poorly done). But these leaves were carefully placed and the end result is exquisite. I especially love the hints of deep red along the cup trim. The sheer cape adds a touch of class to an already elegant look.

What ultimately works here is the contrast of the bold red hair with the deep earthy, woodsy palette of greens. Brava!

[meagan-marie.com]

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Poison Ivy Halloween Makeup (Comic Book Version) by MakeupByRisa

Youtube user MakeupByRisa has created a makeup tutorial on how to create a look inspired by the modern age green skin Poison Ivy. I think she did a good job and the transformation is fun to watch. Also, she used actual panels from comic books as inspiration.

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The Poison Ivy Leaf Eyebrow Masks (A Tutorial)

I've received hundreds of emails with questions regarding this particular costume accessory. Can it be bought? As far as I know there was not a stand alone replica of this mask for retail purchase. Trust me, I've looked. The only thing released was a sequined eye mask made to resemble Poison Ivy's eyebrow prosthetics. That unfortunate creation came packaged with the officially licensed Poison Ivy costume from Batman and Robin. That would simply never do for costume enthusiasts, so most people made their own. This tutorial is very much a do-it-yourself project and it will cost you practically nothing.

I've created a template that can be printed out at home; it's no larger than a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. It's available in three different formats:

Low Resolution 72 dpi (jpeg)
High Resolution 200 dpi (jpeg)
Adobe .PDF

These are all available for download. Just right click and save or print out through the browser interface.

This is a list of some basic materials needed for this particular project. You may or may not end up using a few of these items. I also suggest a spray bottle (mister) for keeping your paints wet and some toothpicks for aid in precision gluing. FYI the foam sheets are available in various shades of green. The palette of colors depends on the brand you choose. I chose the basic green by "Funky Foam". It's somewhere in between the Kelly Green and the Lime Green. These foam sheets can be found at craft stores like Micheal's or Hobby Lobby.

1. Begin by printing out the template (preferably on a heavier weight paper or tag board). After cutting the shapes from the paper you should have four pieces total. If you are doing both halves at the same time then you would have eight pieces. Place the cut pieces on top of the foam and trace around them. Once the tracing is done place the paper pieces aside. These can be reused if necessary. Before cutting, make sure the scissors are decent quality and sharp. Trust me it makes things easier. Start cutting and take your time.

2. By now you should have your foam pieces cut out and ready to assemble. However, before the gluing process I do an additional step. If you look at the foam mask pieces you'll notice they have a slight "cookie cutter punch" appearance around the edges. (See pic) To get rid of this I take my scissors and carefully trim away the sharp edge. You're basically creating a more organic bevel effect. But only on one side; the edge that faces forward. Be mindful of this because you want the back of the mask to be flat. Same goes for the detail leaf pieces. Consider practicing on scraps before moving on to the mask. The edges don't have to be perfectly beveled and smooth. Leaves on the official mask have a curled and wrinkled appearance. I finish off the foam preparation step by running an Emory board (nail file) over the bevel.

3. The gluing process can be a bit tricky. A lot of that depends on how you want to adhere these pieces together. I prefer to use high temperature hot glue because the bond is quite strong. Place and glue the leaves based on the diagram. When doing this just be mindful of where the glue is applied. Keep it mostly centered on each piece and do not glue past where the leaves extend beyond the base. Otherwise there will be globs of glue showing on the back side of the decorative leaves. Once cooled, slightly bow and flex the mask. This is to see if any of the edges stand up or out. If so, just take a toothpick and dip it into some hot glue, then slide it under the loose edges. Also, you will get a better bond if you press the pieces together while they are cooling. Consider using the scraps for practice purposes before this step. For the less adventurous or skillful a glue like Arleen's may suffice.

4. The painting step is what really makes this mask pop. I don't have any brilliant suggestions for novices. But I figure, if you can paint your nails, you can't paint craft foam. Acrylic paint is best. I usually squirt a small amount onto a plate (why bother with a palette). I also keep water on hand to dilute the paint as needed (aim for a consistency just above water colors). I usually start with the darker green paint and begin to shadow the valleys of the mask in layers. Often times no highlighting is necessary. The last thing I do is add the veins. The painting process is open to interpretation. Add more paint (or less) or none at all. Acrylic paint dries fast and shouldn't crack. I've kept my completed example fairly matte. But if you want more of a pearlescent sheen there are pearl and metallic acrylic paints available. If you feel the need, add some jewels or glitter for extra sparkle.

5. The mask(s) are ready to wear. There's a couple of different ways to adhere these to the face. Eyelash glue is a lightweight option but not the most secure. Prosthetic adhesive may work. But I have always suggested the use of spirit gum. It's inexpensive and long lasting. But before we get into the spirit gum adhesion -- let's talk eyebrows. You likely have them (and want to keep them) so they need to be covered up. Why? Because any adhesive you apply to the brow area will stick and pull out hair if the area is not prepped/blocked out. I've used Kryolan's Eyebrow Plastic. It's applied like heavy duty chap stick over the eyebrows then smoothed with a finger. Once this is done you apply the spirit gum to the back of the mask (avoid the ends of the leaves). Let it dry for about 45 seconds and then tap it with your finger to make it super tacky. Place the mask in the correct position and hold in place. The holding may take a while to get a sure bond but once dry they will remain.

Some things to keep in mind: Play with the positioning of the masks before gluing to the skin. This will aid in knowing where to apply the adhesive on the back of the mask. These do travel up near and sometimes into the hairline. You don't want to end up with spirit gum in your hair or wig unnecessarily.

If at all possible put your makeup on after these are applied. Too much foundation or powder (etc) will inhibit the bond if done beforehand.

To remove the masks, use spirit gum remover. Chances are that you can buy this at the very place you bought the spirit gum. Use a Q-tip and work the liquid behind the mask. The gum will dissolve and you can reuse the mask if wanted. Rubbing alcohol will do. Or you can just rip it off like a band aid and perhaps suffer the consequences.

And finally...if you are wearing these out and plan on drinking an "adult" beverage -- do remember that alcohol will break down the spirit gum bond faster (through perspiration). You may end up with an eyebrow mask in your fancy drink if not careful.

Addendum: I've begun to find masks (online) that were created by using this tutorial. Great! I'm more than happy to feature any person interested in sharing their efforts. Be proud, be green!

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Fruit of the Earth: The Costume That Never Was

In the late Summer of 1999 the "No Man's Land" saga was coming to an end. While looking after the orphans of Robinson Park a distracted Poison Ivy was captured by Clayface. For six months she was held prisoner in an underground cave; deprived of sunlight and water. Clayface forced her to grow crops for a devastated Gotham City and the children were also forced into this slave labor scheme.

Eventually Batman and Robin arrive on the scene to save Ivy and her brood. They tear the place apart and as it floods Poison Ivy swims into the sunlight. Now revived she regains her powers and commands the plants below to wrap themselves around her body; forming the costume in question.

I'm about to speculate so don't quote me. The penciling artist for the "Fruit of the Earth" three part story was Dan Jurgens. With Bill Sienkiewicz on ink duty. I suppose you could say that it was Jurgens who decided to change Poison Ivy's costume for this arc. Whether or not he intended for this design to become a lasting part of continuity is up for debate.

The costume is comprised of dark thorny vines that are wrapped like bandages over her entire body (as if wearing a catsuit). Spiked leaves are found at mid-elbow and mid-calf suggesting trim on gloves and boots. This same detail can be found around the neck. A rather large pink hued flower blooms on the upper chest like a broach. It's a rather charming way to add femininity to an otherwise forbidding outfit.

In some ways this costume could be seen as a metaphor; wanting to feel covered and safe after being tormented by the (wrong) elements. The entire scene involving the creation of this garb, just before Poison Ivy lays the smack down on Clayface, is just awesome to behold.

If you're wondering why I used the expression, "The Costume That Never Was", it's because after Detective Comics #735 the Jurgens creation practically ceased to exist. The same year this story played out, DC Comics released Batman: No Man's Land Secret Files #1. On page 49 you will find Poison Ivy's profile page and she is wearing this costume. Beautifully illustrated by the team of Guichet and Sowd (of course). This same drawing appears in a 2001 Batman Stickerbook.

The only other official appearance I can recall is in JLA: Justice League of Arkham (March 2001). It was a rather goofy one-shot; at least the cover was good. Poison Ivy is lovingly referred to as the Chlorophyl Queen during roll call.

And finally, the September 2000 issue of "Adventures of Superman, #582" features a costume that is quite similar to the Fruit of the Earth catsuit. Poison Ivy is second in command of an alternate reality JLA comprised of villains. Bizarro is the leader of this gathering.

I hope that other artists are willing to take such bold risks. Beyond Jurgen's effort, Poison Ivy's costume has rarely changed. The last time there was any new precedent was during Jim Lee's "Hush"; that design has now become the standard.

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Poison Ivy Costume : Secret Wishes (889103)

This is an officially licensed ready made (out of the bag) Poison Ivy costume produced by "Secret Wishes"; they are a sexier (see: Leg Avenue) sub-brand of Rubies. The latter company is an industry giant and they often score the licensing rights to many trademarked characters.

Rubie's is known for putting out trendy mass produced goods. The costume details and accessories are quite often already attached (sewn or printed). So all one has to do is step inside and away you go. Though the Secret Wishes line seems to have more thoughtful and quality craftsmanship.

This offering appears a bit plain in detail; it doesn't exactly scream Poison Ivy. The dress comes in a shade of muted forest green. There's a lime green trim across the bust line and a sheer greenish fringe detail at the bottom. Elbow length fingerless "gloves" and boot covers complete the look. The item list at the official site doesn't include the ivy leaves. But those are a dime a dozen at a craft store near you. I suggest getting them otherwise you might get mistaken for Tinkerbell (or any other garden variety fairy or nymph).

I wouldn't say this is terrible just bare. There is a lot of potential for creating something a bit more sensational with this five piece costume (especially if used as a base). Perhaps adding some sparkle with sequins or rhinestones. Of course using dramatic makeup details and truly red hair would seal the deal. That brown hair on the model will never do! Consider flowers too.

Expect this costume to be available for purchase before the 2009 Halloween season. http://www.rubies.com

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Poison Envy (Ivy) Costume : Charades 01514

Charades costumes are a mixed bag. The quality is there - but sometimes the ideas behind them tread into goofy territory. However, Poison Envy here is a nice ensemble. Okay, for the rest of this post I'm referring to this costume as Poison Ivy. Clearly that is what the manufacturer intended. They did not get an official license to produce Poison Ivy costumes so they created something "in the spirit of" to avoid lawsuits.

The Charades package includes a leotard, arm sheathes, boot covers, and a cape. All done in green lame (metallic fabric). I know that seems a bit too disco fever-ish for some people but it's actually quite stunning in person. The only questionable piece is the leotard - it rarely fits as needed. There's no real bust support so it fits like a tube top (lots of slippage). I'd recommend retrofitting the top half with either flesh toned straps or perhaps boning for the ambitious. You'll have to supply your own hair leaves and fence net stockings. They are not included!

I think it's safe to say this is a nod to the Poison Ivy costumes in "Batman and Robin" as done by Robert Turturice. What a strange and varied resume, Mr. Turturice.

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Poison Ivy Costume : Gotham Girls (Rubie's 888104)

Okay, I cannot tell a lie. I think this costume is adorable. It is certainly on the cartoon side of things -- but that's the point. This Poison Ivy costume is part of a series called "Gotham Girls" (of course). It is supplied by Rubie's. The remaining three characters in this series are Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and Batgirl.

The greens are bold and fabulous! I love the small details like the leaf on the leotard. But also the spiraling tendrils on the arm sheaths and boot covers. Speaking of boot covers -- they are basically sturdy sock like devices that slip (or rest) over your shoes to create the appearance of boots. In case you didn't know.

A bonus feature for this costume is the included wig. However, I think the wig seems rather poorly conceived. Both in design and materials. There are a few wig companies that feature better wigs befitting of Poison Ivy -- both in hairstyle and color. I would certainly stick with this shade of red. But a less play-time like wig would really make this outfit pop.

As for customizing...I would say add some construction elements. Perhaps lining the leotard -- it's thin and can you see through the fabric (look at the promo pic). Or do something bold like remove the lime green tee-shirt quality of the upper half. This cover-it-all aspect is certainly suitable for the child sizes of this costume. But this top feature in the adult line veers into pajama territory. Just be sure to reinforce that bust line to avoid wardrobe malfunctions. Oh, and you have to supply your own darn lilies.


Here's a preview of the remaining costumes in this line. Very charming reproductions of some familiar faces. Gotham Sirens anyone? All of these costumes can be found at Rubie's official site. http://www.rubies.com

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Poison Ivy Costume : Batman and Robin (Rubie's)

The creators of Batman and Robin partnered with Rubie's to recreate many of the costumes that appeared in the film. These were the variants offered for Poison Ivy's first costume in the Botanical Gardens scene.

The first costume on the left is the standard (cost effective) version. I prefer the leaf print on the standard because it is more in keeping with the leotard leaf detail from the film. The second and third from the left are the adult and child "deluxe" Poison Ivy costumes. I suppose by deluxe they mean sequined details along the bust line and on the arm sheaths. These two costumes did offer a slightly more finished look. Including ivy vine details on the tights and finger loops on the arm sheaths - but let's get real. These are not that great. Once again, the odd proportions and seams make this costume look a tad goofy. (Though I did purchase two of the standard costumes and used the leaf fabric to create something much like the official movie version.)

All these costumes included a sequined eye mask to double as Uma Thurman's more fanciful prosthetics. Not pictured here is the child's standard costume. But it was essentially the same outfit. A few "official" Poison Ivy wigs were released to go with these outfits. I bought one (okay two), but it looks absolutely nothing like the models wigs. The wig I (still) own is made of a really bad synthetic ruby colored fiber that tangles if you so much as breathe on it too hard. I'll take a photo of it when I have time. But in the mean time check out the child version. Which, again, looks nothing like the wigs I own or the ones on the models.

As I stated before, these aren't great. In fact, I don't recall ever seeing anybody wearing one (awful fit). But they do lend to nostalgia for better or worse. Though I can say this; Batman and Robin encouraged countless fans to create many customized Poison Ivy costumes. And that's a good thing.

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