DC Reveals Poison Ivy’s Kryptonite, Justifying Her Upgraded Powers

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #3!

Poison Ivy has undergone many transformations in recent years, evolving from one of Gotham’s most formidable metahumans to achieving literal god status, only to lose her plant-controlling powers altogether and then regain them once again. It’s been a wild ride for the Gotham City Siren, and now that her overpowered ability to control plants has returned, she faces a newly revealed weakness.

Leah Williams, Matteo Lolli, and Tríona Farrel’s Gotham City Sirens #3 continues the Wild West adventure of Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy as they attempt to take down Punchline and her violent, highly illegal, energy drink-sponsored hunting operation that threatens the wildlife and residents of Gotham City.

Despite the trio’s efforts, Punchline gets the best of them, imprisoning them in one of her jail cells. She cranks up the heat, hoping to dehydrate the Sirens enough to force them into drinking her mind-controlling energy drinks. It is during this heated jail cell scene that DC reveals Poison Ivy’s Kryptonite—excessive heat.

DC Reveals Poison Ivy’s Kryptonite Is Excessive Heat (& It Makes Perfect Sense)

Ivy’s Vulnerability to Excessive Heat Goes Hand-and-Hand With the Return of Her Plant Control Powers

While all three Sirens suffer from the excessive heat, it’s clear that Ivy is the most affected and at risk of dying. As Selina and Harley search for a way out of the cell, Ivy lies curled up on her side on the floor, slowly wilting away, prompting Harley to note, “We’re running out of time. Ivy won’t survive this much longer.” Harley’s comments, along with Ivy’s lack of movement and verbal response, emphasize that the plant-inclined Siren is in critical condition and just as susceptible to excessive heat as her beloved plants.

With Ivy recently regaining her plant control powers in G. Willow Wilson’s Poison Ivy run, the reveal of this new weakness is particularly well-timed and makes sense. As any current or former plant owner knows, one of the quickest ways to kill a plant is by subjecting it to excessive heat. Therefore, Ivy’s renewed plant powers coming with a plant-specific weakness feels especially fitting. It’s also neat to see this vulnerability revealed in a series written by a different writer than Ivy’s main run. This highlights the overarching brilliance of DC, making their separate stories feel more interconnected.

Poison Ivy’s Vulnerability to Excessive Heat Goes Perfectly With Her Other Plant-Inspired Weakness

Ivy’s Ultimate Weakness Also Proves Why Arkham Is the WORST Place For Her Mental & Physical Health

Poison Ivy has relatively few weaknesses, but in addition to her sensitivity to heat, previous canon establishes that she relies heavily on sunlight—making sunlight deprivation another potential vulnerability. This weakness is fitting for Ivy, as it aligns with her plant-based powers, much like her sensitivity to excessive heat. It’s also worth noting that Ivy’s need for sunlight makes Arkham Asylum one of the worst places for her, as the lack of natural light would negatively impact her physical and mental health. Together, Poison Ivy’s weakness to sunlight deprivation and her sensitivity to heat add depth to her character and powers.

Gotham City Sirens #3 is available now from DC Comics!