Abigail Arcane Challenges Poison Ivy’s Role as DC’s Top Plant-Based Villain in New Story

Poison Ivy is one of DC’s most iconic characters, but her status as the leading plant-based antihero is being tested. A surprising twist in DC Horror Presents #3 brings Abigail Arcane, an old connection to Swamp Thing, into the spotlight with a dangerous new direction.

The story, “The Chthonian Dawn,” created by Francesco Francavilla, follows Batman as he investigates a murder and break-in at a lab experimenting with plant growth. The case leads him to Abigail Arcane, ex-wife of Alec Holland, better known as Swamp Thing.

Abigail now serves a mysterious entity called Asintman, claiming this force will assimilate all life to save the Earth. Abigail’s shift into villainy reflects the complicated history she shares with Swamp Thing.

Introduced in Swamp Thing #3 by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson, Abigail stood by Alec against her uncle, Anton Arcane, a major Swamp Thing foe and avatar of the Rot. Over time, she inherited this dark connection, which ultimately broke her and Alec’s relationship.

In this alternate storyline, Abigail is no longer tied to the Rot, but her new allegiance with Asintman takes her ideals to an extreme. Poison Ivy’s methods have always been harsh, but she operates on her own moral code. Abigail, however, fully embraces a destructive path, abandoning her humanity and former love in the process.

Interestingly, Abigail and Ivy share more than their plant-based connections. Alec Holland crossed paths with Poison Ivy, then Pamela Isley, during his college days. This history creates a unique link between Abigail and Ivy, two characters now standing on opposing sides of similar environmental crusades.

With DC Horror Presents #3, which is out now, Abigail Arcane emerges as a dark mirror to Poison Ivy. She steps further into villainy, proving herself a formidable rival for the title of DC’s most dangerous eco-terrorist.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!