Poison Ivy Reveals the One Reason Batmans Rogues Stay in Gotham (And It's The Last One Anyone Would Think)

Poison Ivy #27, by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Arif Prianto, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, focuses on Poison Ivy's investigation of the Order of the Green Knight - a group claiming her as their leader as they commit eco-terrorist acts. Batman corners her, ready to stop her from inciting more violence, but Pam de-escalates the situation by... telling the truth.

Batman accepts Poison Ivy's logic, giving her the time and space to investigate the threat in front of them. While Ivy is irritated to answer to the Bat when she doesn't feel she's doing anything wrong, she notes that he's unfailingly fair, even to his villains. Despite his dark reputation, Batman has long supported the rehabilitation of his enemies, giving them the chance to turn over a new leaf. It's a detail that explains why villains would stay in Gotham despite Batman's ruthless efficiency in foiling their crimes.

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Batman's Sense of Fairness Gives His Rogues Room to Make Their Own Choices

Poison Ivy Uses it to Move Away from Villainy

Many of DC's superheroes have a rotating list of "bad guys" to fight, but Batman's rogues can be particularly dark. At a glance, they're the least likely candidates for rehabilitation, and yet the Caped Crusader continues to give them that chance. It isn't purely because of his "no kill" rule, either, though that certainly plays a role. Beneath the scowl and the cowl, Bruce Wayne is guided by a sense of fairness. It's far from perfect, but it's proven effective, and a few of Gotham's biggest criminals have scaled down their operations as a result or even joined the Bat-Family - even if it doesn't last forever.

Poison Ivy is simply the latest of Batman's opponents to start walking a different path. Over the years, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Two-Face, Riddler, Clayface, Man-Bat. the Penguin and more have tried their hand at less crime-focused lives. They're not always successful, but Batman's sense of fairness makes it possible in the first place. He doesn't permanently stamp Gotham's worst as unforgivable, and they have room to make different choices for themselves. Bruce can't force them to stick to those paths, but being fair makes a difference. Ivy can deal with the Green Knight, and he's (semi)trusting her to do it.

Batman's Fairness Has Drawbacks

Villains Like Two-Face & Riddler Have Been Given Too Many Chances to Hurt Innocents

Pam Isley is handling her life differently and moving away from her repeated attempts to wipe out mankind, so Batman is right to give her leave to pursue the Green Knight. That isn't always the case. By combining the idea that everyone has the potential to change with his no-kill rule, Batman is arguably responsible for dangerous criminals continuing to return to the streets of Gotham, as they're well aware that mending their ways will always be an option further down the line. For example, Batman has given Two-Face leeway time and again, only for Harvey Dent to use the opportunity to kill and steal. Poison Ivy and Gotham's villains know that Batman is fair, but it's a fine line for the Caped Crusader to walk.

Poison Ivy #27 is available now from DC Comics.

Poison Ivy

Inducted into Batman's rogues gallery in the 1960s, Poison Ivy is a metahuman who terrorizes Gotham with her poisonous touch and control over plant life. A misanthropic eco-terrorist, Poison Ivy is also depicted as an anti-hero, using her powers in attempts to regrow the environment in the wake of pollution and deforestation. Together with her lover Harley Quinn, the two are always ready to wreak havoc in Gotham.

Batman

One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.