I am beyond impressed with Poison Ivy/Swamp Things: Feral Trees. Being more in line with the stylings of a horror comic than a superhero tale, the title certainly fits the genre. G. Willow Wilson’s writing, and the visuals by Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer pulled me right into that spooky feeling. Eerie murderous woods? Sign me up. It’s an ideal setting for those who are fans of the macabre. It was refreshing reading something a bit darker than what I usually read.
Perkins and Spicer’s art is truly impressive. To blend that many shades of greens and browns while still having everything defined doesn’t seem easy to pull off, but the team certainly succeeds. I loved the synchronicity between Poison Ivy and Swamp Thing’s POVs in the split panels. It’s executed very well, having two concurrent stories leading up to them intertwining. Spicer and Perkins make for a great team. They’ve been drawing Swamp Thing for a few years now, and I was very satisfied to see them and Wilson – who currently writes Poison Ivy – join forces for this special.
Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Trees does a great job with Ivy’s characterization. There is always fan discourse fans surrounding her motives and defining attributes. Ivy’s love for human life suppresses her full abilities. She has tried to end humankind just as much as she has saved it – causing her to be “half in and half out” with The Green. She is constantly conflicted but aims to save the world regardless of the cost. Along the way, she realizes humankind is a part of what makes the world whole, despite what she might think about them. She shows extreme empathy and stands up for injustices. Ivy is far from a cold-hearted villain.
This issue showcases Ivy’s abilities to a higher degree than usual. We view her in her element – where she thrives best. It’s not often we get to see the full extent of her powers. She is a complex character, and not many writers seem to get that when writing her – except for Wilson. I genuinely feel she has executed Ivy’s complexity flawlessly in Feral Trees.
I found that Wilson also portrayed Swamp Thing as true to his character. He prioritizes The Green and understands it’s crucial to remain patient and let nature take its course. “To live is to walk toward death…One footstep at a time. Death is not the end.” He attempts to teach Ivy how to control her emotions and how to achieve patience.
If you’re not much of a horror reader, I’d definitely give Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Trees a fair shot and go pick it up to judge for yourself. I went in open-minded and completely surprised myself with how much I got out of it. It’s certainly a great showcase of what DC’s All-In issue is about, giving a great jumping-on point with these characters.