Poison Ivy Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley) throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of her appearances but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth

New 52

With the beginning of the New 52, the DC Universe’s continuity was reset. Most of Poison Ivy’s history was wiped clean and her adventures began with a fresh start.

Poison Ivy was reintroduced through the Birds of Prey (Reading Order) series, in which she had a prominent role. However, after departing this series, her appearances became less frequent and more scattered. She went on to have several decently-sized appearances in Detective Comics and made smaller appearances in other comics but did not have a starring role until the end of this era, in the Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death miniseries. This miniseries works as a showcase for Ivy as an individual and also sets up her first appearances in the Rebirth era.

In addition, Poison Ivy has a prominent supporting role in the Harley Quinn (Reading Order) solo series. This series takes place at an unclear time in the future of the regular DC continuity, though exactly how these continuities relate to one another is unclear. Since this series is detached from but still related to the main DC continuity, we have included her appearances in it detached from the rest of her appearances.

Forever Evil: RR = Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion
JLU = Justice League United
PI:CoLaD = Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death
Birds of Prey issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Batgirl issues are from the Vol. 4 series.
Swamp Thing issues are from the Vol. 5 series.
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Catwoman issues are from the Vol. 4 series.
Secret Origins issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Harley Quinn issues are from the Vol. 2 series.

Notes

1. Though this issue technically takes place long after Poison Ivy's appearances in Birds of Prey (Reading Order), it helps resolve plotlines from that series. Therefore, we have placed this issue here to avoid separating these arcs by a series of unrelated comics.
2. This Swamp Thing (Reading Order) story arc takes place in an alternate realty/future. However, it is an alternate reality where Poison Ivy's connection to the Green plays a large role and, thus, may be of interest to fans.
3. This issue is mostly about Flash's Rogues but does help show what Poison Ivy did in Gotham during the events of Forever Evil (Reading Order). Note: Poison Ivy's role in Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #2 is very small and only helps in setting up her role in the next issue.
4. Poison Ivy has a small role in these comics. However, it helps spotlight her connection to the rest of the villains in Gotham City.
5. Poison Ivy has a very small role in these comics. However, they show a connection to Batman and heroism that is not present in many other comics from this era.
6. These issues have Poison Ivy in a supporting role on a team that is not mentioned often after this era. However, they may be of interest to readers looking for more examples of Poison Ivy operating as a hero.
7. Poison Ivy only makes a very brief appearance in this comic. However, it is one of the only issues that show her friendship with Catwoman and Harley Quinn has been maintained in the New 52 era.

Rebirth

The Rebirth era directly continues Poison Ivy's progression from the New 52 era. Her role in the Trinity series builds upon her development in Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death and her role in the Batgirl and the Birds of Prey series references her role in the New 52 Birds of Prey series. This indicates little to no continuity breaks between these two eras.

Poison Ivy's appearances in the Rebirth era are mostly as a supporting character in different comics. These appearances often tell a unique story within a single series but each of these series stands independent from the others. For example, Poison Ivy's role in Trinity has nothing to do with her role in All-Star Batman, which has nothing to do with her role in Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, which has nothing to do with her role in Batman. Because of this, this era of this reading order presents the events of Poison Ivy's life in the order in which they took place but readers can feel free to jump around from one to the other with little consequence.

In addition, like the New 52 era, the Rebirth era has Poison Ivy in a prominent supporting role in the Harley Quinn (Reading Order) solo series. This series takes place at an unclear time in the future of the regular DC continuity, though exactly how these continuities relate to one another is unclear. Since this series is detached from but still related to the main DC continuity, we have included her appearances in it detached from the rest of her appearances.

Batgirl issues are from the Vol. 6 series.
Trinity issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 6 series.
Suicide Squad issues are from the Vol. 5 series.

Notes

1. This is mostly a Batgirl story but may be of interest to readers who want to see these two characters interact.
2. Poison Ivy has a small role in this issue. However, it helps continue the overall narrative of the series.
3. Poison Ivy has a small role in this issue. However, it directly sets up her far more significant role in Batman #41-43.
4. These issues have Poison Ivy as a main antagonist but also have her under a type of mind-control, therefore presenting a very different version of the character. As an additional note, her appearance in Teen Titans #12 is mostly a cameo that sets up his larger role in Suicide Squad #26.

All DC Comics Reading Orders