A Classic Batman Villain Is Set To Become More Horrifying Than Ever Before

3 weeks ago 14

Published Feb 16, 2026, 8:30 PM EST

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

Warning! This post contains a preview for Absolute Batman #17Batman has faced some truly terrifying foes over the years, but the Absolute Universe is once again taking things to the next level with Poison Ivy. Making her full debut this week, it's already evident that this version of the character is going to be the scariest yet.

With every new issue, DC's Absolute Universe has been impressively reinventing Batman's Gotham City and its roster of classic characters. Now, it's Poison Ivy's turn in the upcoming Absolute Batman #17 (and a new preview confirms it's going to be WILD).

Absolute Batman #17 Will Fully Debut Ark M's Poison Ivy (And Her Dark Origins)

Written by Scott Snyder with art by Eric Canete, Absolute Batman #17 is set to fully unleash Absolute Poison Ivy. Thanks to an early preview, we get a brief glimpse into her origins as a child before she was taken and experimented on by the Ark M Project (run by Jack Grimm V aka The Joker).

In the present, Ivy has been released, taking over an entire Gotham city block in plant life that seems to be far more gruesome than it appears on the surface. Armed with dual chainsaws and an oxygen mask, Absolute Batman enters Ivy's new domain, which very much looks like a living nightmare.

After all, it appears as though she's capable of creating grotesque human-plant hybrids, and some are shown incubating in twisted organic pods. Combining organic human matter with plant life, it certainly looks like Absolute Ivy will be more body horror than the traditional eco-terrorist depiction we're used to.

Absolute Batman Encountered Poison Ivy Once Before...

While this is definitely Poison Ivy's main debut in the Absolute Universe, Batman has encountered her before in the Absolute Universe, or at least her disturbing handiwork. Back in Absolute Batman #10, during his own imprisonment by the Ark M Project, Batman stumbled into the "Isley Ecosystem" during one of his many escape attempts.

In the issue, the so-called "forest" Bruce found himself in appeared to be constructed in part with human body parts and other organs, while also being filled with emaciated plant-human creatures.

Now that her full debut is finally here, Absolute Poison Ivy looks ready to redefine her classic plant-based powers from the main DC Universe (which will likely be as scary as it is darkly exciting).

Absolute Batman #17 releases February 18th from DC Comics.