You made me forget my dreams

[stubbleupdate]

Part of my Poison Ivy kick this summer took me to John Layman's Detective Comics. She pops in and out of the Emperor Penguin story, but had more of an impact in the three part Gothtopia that ran in Detective #27-29.

Gothtopia starts with Ivy going on a rampage




Ivy subscribes to the Beverly Crusher school of problem solving. She's interrupted by a white suit wearing Batman and Catbird, who is Catwoman wearing half a Robin costume.


After meeting Mayor Cobblepot where they celebrate Gotham being virtually crime free, Batman is called to help a man threatening to jump off a building. Bullock tells him that the man won the lottery last week, and has no reason to kill himself. Batman catches the jumper, but he grabs a gun from a policeman and shoots himself in the head. At the Batcave the team examine the case, as Gotham has seen over 30 suicides in the last week, giving them 15 times the national average, and rising. Batman thinks that something is up, but Selina and Alfred (who has done the blood work) assure him that there is nothing untoward in the suicides.

Bruce goes for a walk in the gardens and finds one of Ivy's thorns in his cowl. He gives it to Alfred to analyse, then goes out on patrol, where he analyses his own blood on the thorn. In this, he finds a number of chemicals, including calming agents and psychotropics that make people see a new reality, and react violently when information challenges this reality.

Catbird and the rest of the Batfamily attack Batman and he realises that the best tactic is to "lose the battle, win the war"

OF course, in reality, the rogues are now in charge of Arkham. Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, Professor Pyg, Scarecrow and Mr Freeze are all pictured, and Merrymaker has a job as well.

Batman spends a bit of time in Arkham. Catbird comes to visit him a few times, Croc gives him a little tour where he sees Nurse Zsasz and we establish who's in charge. Because Batman helped to beef up the Arkham security in Batman Annual #2, he finds it no bother to break out of his cell, where he finds Ivy.







"...why not ask your friends?", and we see Talon, Batgirl, Batwoman and Catwoman all wearing Scarecrow masks.
SCarecrow looks strange without a hat or hood






Of course, Batman isn't under Crane's control, but and finds a way to counter Crane's plan. Ivy doesn't appear later on in this book, as Batman givers her a free pass and acts dumb when Gordon says that she didn't turn up when the Asylum was reclaimed.

Comments

[indy2012]

I love the 2 of them teaming up once in awhile. Intellectual equals.

[starwolf_oakley]

Nothing about "Crane's formula can sometimes turn people into paranoid ass-hats who are mean to their family, friends and co-workers for no real reason."

[stubbleupdate]

TBF, Crane's forumula is made up of Dramazene and plotic acids

[jlbarnett]

fears can make you paranoid, and when you're worried about something and you can't stop worrying about it someone telling you not to do so can really piss you off

[bradygirl_12]

"Gotham City--City of Hope"

Gothamites hope they survive 'til morning!

[stubbleupdate]

Not this one - there's hardly any crime, remember?

[bradygirl_12]

Sorry, it's a slogan perfect for Gotham, crime-free or not! ;)

[janegray]

I like a lot about this story, both the writing and the art.

But not Croc referred to as "so dumb, with a tiny reptile brain." *sigh* They never remember he used to be a mob boss :/

[joetuss]

Yeah, Lizard brain Croc is getting old now

[tigerkaya]

Really, I'm getting tired of him being written as a cannibal. Glad Suicide Squad brought back his personality.

[sarahnewlin]

Wait why did he punch ivy? Did she get sent back to jail?

[stubbleupdate]

Did you see the bit in the last page where Batman was being controlled by scarecrow, and Scarecrow asked him to dispense with Ivy?

Or the bit at the end of the post where it says Ivy doesn't appear later on in this book, as Batman givers her a free pass and acts dumb when Gordon says that she didn't turn up when the Asylum was reclaimed.

[sarahnewlin]

Haha it was very early in the morning when I wrote that. My apologies.

[thenicochan]

Love the art and writing. Really dig the team-up dynamic between these two. Yes.

[stubbleupdate]

I really do like Aaron Lopresti, ever since he was on Brian Reed's Ms. Marvel. Unfortunately, he hasn't been on a book I've wanted to read since then

[lbd_nytetrayn]

Batman and Ivy make an awesome pair. I'd like to see her play the hero more often.