Overview: In Knight Terrors: Poison Ivy #1, new villain named Insomnia has forced the entire world into slumber as he searches their dreams for the Nightmare Stone. Trapped within her darkest fears, can Poison Ivy survive?
Synopsis (spoilers ahead): We start in the swamp as Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley) is still distancing herself from life in Gotham City with Harley Quinn. Thoughts and fears about how her dreams and Harley’s may be too far apart fill her head as she uncontrollably falls asleep.
Bright pink and yellow pastels hit Ivy right in the face as she stands in the middle of the perfect neighborhood. Harley steps out of the front door of one of the houses, holding a pie of Harley and Ivy kissing; she invites Ivy into their dream home. Ivy immediately protests, explaining the amount of harm to the environment these neighborhoods cause. Harley ignores her, pulls her through the house to the backyard, and cuts her a piece of face pie. Harley’s moving far too fast for Ivy to react.
Harley says hello to the neighbor grilling in his backyard; it’s Batman – he’s wearing cargo shorts, sandals with white socks, a pink collared shirt, and the cowl. A pregnant Selina Kyle walks up to Batman and gives him a kiss. Ivy starts to fall for the dream.
Meanwhile, Janet from HR gets bumped into by a version of The Penguin dressed just like Batman. Oswald’s wearing a different collared shirt but the same socks and sandals. He greets a Dick Grayson washing his car in short shorts, black tank top, and his mask. Janet jumps out of the way just as this dream world’s versions of The Riddler and Batgirl almost hit her with their bike, with Batgirl laughing manically.
Janet runs until she hears a familiar voice. She pleads with Ivy that this place is wrong, and they need to get out. It’s too late. Ivy will not do anything to upset Harley. They are both living the dream. Suddenly everyone turns: they get huge smiles as yellow sludge starts to spill from their mouths. The issue ends with Janet cornered; the only person left.
Analysis: G. Willow Wilson has been such a hit or miss for me lately, and this is a hit. Having Ivy’s nightmare be a super bright, pastel-colored world is a fantastic idea. Harley fit perfect into that setting as well letting her get Holly Homemaker crazy. Batman is hilarious in this issue. I would recommend picking this issue up just for next-door-neighbor Batman.
Ivy and Harley have a back and forth where the discussion is about living next door to their enemies. Ivy says, “Batman protects the rich and the corrupt against ordinary people. He’s a bad person.” I like that we are given a real reason for Ivy to dislike Batman more than just he puts criminals in Arkham. Really, I would like to see this run continue to try and put Ivy and Batman on an even playing field. I like the idea of rooting for Ivy and questioning Batman.
I really enjoyed the art throughout the entire issue. As the ending crescendos, the art moves right along with it. Artist Atagun Ilhan, Inker Mark Morales, and Colorist Arif Prianto should have gotten to do a cover as well. There are six different covers for this book and not one of them does the art inside justice.
Editor’s Note: DC Comics provided TBU with an advanced copy of Knight Terrors: Poison Ivy #1 for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support TBU in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Comixology through Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
Knight Terrors: Poison Ivy #1
Overall Score
3/5
The story by G. Willow Wilson was able to place the artists in some very fun positions in Knight Terrors: Poison Ivy #1. Neighbor Batman alone is a sure reason to pick this up, and I am excited to see what fun they are able to have in part 2.
