Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a minor antagonist in Batman: Arkham Asylum. Botanist Pamela Lillian Isley was transformed into Poison Ivy, a plant-human hybrid by a science experiment gone wrong. With chlorophyll flowing through her veins instead of blood, she developed a toxic touch and a pheromone-fueled talent for seduction. Her sole goal in life is to eradicate humanity in order to wipe the world clean of pollution to allow her plants to seize complete control over it with her as their ruler. Since her encounter with the Dark Knight on Arkham Island, Ivy has been transferred to Arkham City. Taking refuge in a vine-covered stronghold, Ivy would rather keep humanity away than participate in the gang wars of Arkham City.

Biography[]

Voice actor: Tasia Valenza (English)

Her crimes have become more ecologically focused as she has increasingly abandoned her human side, identifying more with the natural world. Her unique brand of eco-terrorism often puts her into conflict with Batman, whose iron will usually protects him from her seductive powers. Apparently she prefers to be au natural when in incarceration, with her plants and barely covers herself; only keeping one or two buttons on her shirt buttoned and wearing foliege panties, taking on a "naked goddess" persona.

Hair Color: Red

Eye Color: Green

Height: 5' 8"

Weight: 115 pounds

Attributes:[]

Able to direct the growth of all plant life
Plant genes mixed with her DNA
Exudes natural pheromones that control victims
Skin secretes a deadly toxin
Pathological drive to protect nature from humanity

Synopsis[]

Batman: Arkham Asylum[]

Batman, whilst searching for the Warden in the Penitentiary of Arkham Asylum, comes across Poison Ivy in her cell. Sensing that her plants were in pain, Ivy pleads desperately with Batman to save them. Not sharing her concern, and knowing full well what kind of havoc Ivy could wreak if released, Batman disregards her plea, leaves her in her cell, and continues looking for the Warden. Soon after, Harley Quinn also makes her way past Ivy and Ivy begs her to let her out so she can rescue her "babies." At first, Harley refuses because Ivy isn't on Joker's 'party list;' however, she gives in rather quickly and unlocks the cell door, leaving Poison Ivy free. On her way out, Ivy blew a kiss to Harley and made her way to the Botanical Gardens.

After discovering Joker's secret lab in the Gardens, Batman goes to Ivy, whose plants had been used to help create the venom. Ivy refuses to help at first, deciding instead to let the Joker "have his fun," but eventually agrees after Batman threatens to destroy her plants if she doesn't cooperate. Ivy then tells Batman that the spores needed to create the anti-venom are produced by a plant located deep in Killer Croc's lair. Before leaving, Batman instructs Ivy to return to her cell or he'll be back, to which Ivy replies that she'll be waiting for him. The Joker subsequently injects Ivy with the new Titan formula. Instead of creating a "monster plant" as the Joker expected, Ivy remains the same on the outside (although with glowing green irises) but gains an enhancement to her chrolokinetic abilities, inducing rapid growth and evolution amongst her plants, even among the newly mutated plants were a species that produced glowing airborne toxic spores (though it should be noted that Batman said that Ivy used a similar species of plants during an attack on Gotham a year ago). Ivy takes the opportunity to take over the entire island with her newly mutated plants, vowing to kill Batman and eventually, the Joker himself, much to his delight; looking forward to the coming battle. Batman eventually returns to the Gardens with the anti-venom formula, where Ivy beckoned Batman to come to her lair. Along the way, Batman was attacked by two security guards under Ivy's control, being forced to defeat them both. Batman attempted to inject Ivy's plants with the anti-venom before being stopped by an attacking Ivy, who forced him to contend with more Arkham guards infected by her mind-controlling plant spores, including William North and Eddie Burlow. The two engaged in a long and strenuous fight resulting in Ivy's defeat. After the Joker's defeat, Ivy was taken back to her cell by the Arkham staff.

After Arkham[]

After being given an overdose of Titan by the Joker, Poison Ivy was left to die in her airtight cell by Warden Sharp, who blamed her for the mass destruction of Arkham Island.

As her health started to decline, Ivy prayed for Salvation; which came in the form of a priest, who was unknowingly covered in pollen from the trees near his church. As he performed the last rites, Ivy manipulated the pollen spores into an antidote that worked in harmony with the unique, natural toxins in her blood, and to the amazement of the priest, she began a full recovery.

Furious, Sharp locked her in a Biological containment unit and arranged for her to be one of the first criminals sent to Arkham City which was intercepted by Catwoman who freed her.

Catwoman explained to Batman that while she was procuring stolen goods and other items around Arkham City she rescued Poison Ivy from TYGER custody then dropped her off in Gotham Central Park. It seems that this was part of a plan by Catwoman to gather powerful allies for future venreus in Arkham City. Catwoman promises to water Ivy's plants, a promise she breaks and leads to the events between her and Ivy in Batman: Arkham City.

Batman: Arkham City[]

Poison Ivy's presence in Arkham City comes with the Catwoman online pass; she appears in two out of Catwoman's four episodes.

While plotting to break into Hugo Strange's Confiscated Goods Vault, Catwoman decides to ask Ivy for assistance, saying she prefers a woman's touch. She heads into Ivy's Lair, an old hotel, full of plants and poisoned thugs where Ivy is shown to be angry with her. Ivy attacks Catwoman with hypnotized thugs and heat-seeking spores, which Ivy has prepared for months to rid Arkham of flesh-sacks and replace them with spores; despite Catwoman explaining that she 'just wants to talk'. When all the thugs have been defeated, Ivy uses one of her vines to attack and hang Catwoman upside down and expresses her anger over the death of her plants, which Catwoman is implied to have promised to look after, stating that the only remaining one of those flowers is within Hugo's Vault. Catwoman offers to retrieve the flower for Ivy if she creates a route for her to get into the Vault. Ivy agrees reluctantly, knowing that Catwoman can get the plant for her. Catwoman shows some confusion at first as if Ivy will do it or not. Later we find that Poison Ivy has used her vines to create an underground tunnel to the Vault. Once Catwoman is inside the Vault, she spots Ivy's plant, she throws it on the floor and kills it as revenge for Ivy attacking her (distant screams of Ivy's plants can be heard). When (or if) Catwoman decides to return to see Ivy, she blames the death of the plant on Strange. Filled with hatred, Ivy states she will soon take her revenge on Hugo Strange and all humanity.

Psychological Profile (by Dr. Young)[]

Yet another patient whose treatment is complicated by a bizarre medical condition, Isley has a modified genetic code that incorporates plant DNA and renders her physically toxic to others. She is essentially deeply antisocial, believing herself to be not only inhuman but superior to others; this diagnosis is tied into her hypersexuality, which takes the form of a constant attempt to seduce others to do her bidding. She also displays a narcisstic belief in her role as the protector of the entire natural world.

Additional Notes

Oddly, Isley is another former doctor who is now a inmate.

She seems resentful during our treatment sessions; I believe the fact I'm a woman frustrates her erotomania. She desperately believes that all male residents of Arkham are at least partly in love with her.

I've been looking through her old research papers, many of which were never published. There is some fascinating work there...

Patient Interviews[]

Tape One[]

(Patient Interview #41; November 12)

Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Patient interview. Pamela Lillian Isley. November 12, 11:33 AM. Good morning, Pamela. How are you today?"
Poison Ivy: "Fine. Today is a special day."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "What do you mean?"
Poison Ivy: "This is the anniversary of my new life, when I found my true self, my destiny."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Are you referring to the event with Dr. Woodrue?"
Poison Ivy: "Yes, what else? Of course, at the time I thought Jason had poisoned me, but in retrospect he did me a huge favor."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "And why do you believe what he did has... helped you?"
Poison Ivy: "He showed me the bigger world. A world I should protect. Of course, my first offer was rejected."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Offer? You tried to kill everyone in Gotham."
Poison Ivy: "Well, sometimes you need to prune back hard in order to make something flourish."

Tape Two[]

(Patient Interview #42; November 13)

Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Patient interview. Pamela Lillian Isley. November 14, 10:21 AM. Hello, Pamela. Today I'd like to go back to something you said in our last conversation."
Poison Ivy: "Ask me anything you like."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "You said your first offer to help Gotham was rejected. How can you possibly believe that?"
Poison Ivy: "What do you mean?"
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "You released thousands of poisonous spores into Gotham, killed hundreds of people. How does that help anybody?"
Poison Ivy: "I'm not interested in bodies, Doctor. Horrible fleshy sacks walking around destroying my poor babies with their greed and arrogance."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "But aren't you one of those fleshy sacks? You're a... were a doctor too. How can you turn your back on us?"
Poison Ivy: "Quite easily, as it happens, but not you....Stephen. You're different. I feel we have a connection."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Really? You do?" (Dr. Kellerman is slowly being seduced by Ivy's mind control and is falling under her spell)
Poison Ivy: "Of course.."

Tape Three[]

(Patient Interview #43; November 15)

Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Pamela! I got you what you asked for. Do you like it?"
Poison Ivy: "Oh yes, Stephen, I love it. Such a beautiful flower. Do you mind it if i keep it?"
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Oh no, Pamela. I can't leave it. It's against all the rules. I'll just bring it and show it to you when I visit."
Poison Ivy: "But it's me, Stephen. I get so lonely on my own. You wouldn't want me to be lonely, would you?"
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "No, of course not. Keep it. Just don't let anyone see it. Really. No one."
Poison Ivy: "You can trust me, Stephen. Thank you. Now give me a kiss."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "I can't... people will see."
Poison Ivy: "No one's watching. What is wrong with you? Don't you love me? Call me Ivy."
Dr. Stephen Kellerman: "Of course I love you."

Tape Four[]

(Patient Interrogation # 1; November 17)

Warden Quincy Sharp: Where is Doctor Kellerman?
Pamela Isley: How should I know, Warden? It does seem careless of you to have lost him.
Warden Quincy Sharp: I have no time for your games Miss Isley. Tell me where you have him. We have security footage of you and him leaving your cell last night.
Pamela Isley: So?
Warden Quincy Sharp: Do I need to spell it out? We know you hypnotized him, or whatever it is that you do. We know he took you somewhere, but conveniently, security cameras across the island were mysteriously covered by leaves and flowers at 3 AM. Now tell me where he is!
Pamela Isley: I’m not saying a word unless you do exactly what I tell you to do.

Tape Five[]

(Patient Interrogation # 3; November 18)

Warden Quincy Sharp: We found him. No thanks to you. The poor man could have died.
Pamela Isley: So?
Warden Quincy Sharp: He has a wife. A child.
Pamela Isley: As do the plants he tramples underfoot. The spores he breathes in and destroys have children. Why does he deserve anything more than them? You people ignore what is happening in front of your eyes.
Warden Quincy Sharp: I refuse to put the welfare of plants before the welfare of people.
Pamela Isley: And that is why you will lose. There's more happening than you know, Warden. It’s all connected.

Trivia[]

In Dr. Young's notes, she has seen only her own profile, due to the fact that her picture was the only picture to have her lipstick on it. Of course, these lips might be Young's, indicating that she has fallen for Ivy's charms.

Poison Ivy's presence in Arkham City comes with the Catwoman DLC. She appears in two of Catwoman's four episodes.

The vines on her body were intended to resemble body tattoos.

Both Catwoman and Harley Quinn nickname Ivy "Red" due to her hair. The three sometimes work together, often enough to be dubbed the "Gotham Sirens" when they are referred to as a group.

It appears in Arkham City that her powers have grown better, as she has more grasp over humans. She also claims to have perfected new pheremone formulas, a reference to her former status as a scientist.

Poison Ivy is the only character that Batman does not interact with, as he cannot enter the building she is in. However, he probably knew she was there, as there are large plants covering the area, and occassionally inmates will talk about her.

Ivy already had a friendship with Catwoman before the game, but she became angry at her because Catwoman forgot to water her plants and they died. Although Catwoman tries to smooth things over (however this is probably just to get what she wants out of Strange's vault), Ivy helps her, and is still mad her by the end of the game.

It seems that she has abandoned her friendship with Harley Quinn, as Harley is preoccupied with the dying Joker and his gang, whereas Poison Ivy prefers to stay with her plants.