SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for Amy Chu and Clay Mann's "Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death" #1.


Pamela Isley returns to her scientific roots in Amy Chu and Clay Mann's "Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death" #1, which finds her working at the Gotham Botanical Gardens -- at least, until her old friend Harley Quinn stops by the visit.

Over drinks at a biker bar, Isley explains to Harley why she's moved from crime back to science. "Honestly? It's stimulating to be around humans interested in the same field and with the same level of intellect," she says to Harley's dismay. In order to let off a little steam, Harley promptly begins a bar fight, which quickly proves Isley hasn't lost her supervillain touch.

Chu Explores Poison Ivy's Layers, Says Stories Trump Genre Trappings

Of course, when you're a former supervillain like Isley, things are rarely as simple as dropping crime and moving back to the scientific community. Not long after her spat with Harley, Isley discovers her plants have grown exponentially without her help and that her friend Luisa -- who helped her find a job at the Gotham Botanical Gardens -- was murdered in her office, which officially kicks off Poison Ivy's new arc.

"Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death" #1 is now available.