DC Comics have given us a first look at Poison Ivy: Thorns, DC’s next YA graphic novel from the team of writer, Kody Keplinger (The DUFF) and artist Sara Kipin. The recent run of YA graphic novels has been nothing short of spectacular, and Batman’s supporting characters have fared extremely well. Harley Quinn and Catwoman have had excellent stories released, and the new Poison Ivy offering looks like it will follow suit.
Here’s the full scoop:
DC REVEALS FIRST LOOK AND NEW DETAILS FOR
POISON IVY: THORNSBestselling Author Kody Keplinger and Artist Sara Kipin Present a
Gothic LGBTQIA+ Romance Starring DC’s Iconic AntiheroNew Original Young Adult Graphic Novel Hits Stores June 1, 2021
Available to Pre-order Now
Just in time for Pride Month, DC has tapped acclaimed author Kody Keplinger (The DUFF) and artist Sara Kipin to reimagine Poison Ivy – one of DC’s most popular antiheroes – in Poison Ivy: Thorns, a new teen romance with a gothic-horror twist.
The original young adult (YA) graphic novel follows closed-off teenager Pamela Isley as she navigates her thorny high school years. Pamela might be the school’s most passionate caretaker of the campus greenhouse, but her deep love and devotion only applies to plants. She doesn’t trust people easily – especially men, who always seem to want something from her – and prefers to hide behind her bright red hair.
That all changes when a cute goth girl named Alice Oh comes into her life. Alice makes Pamela feel like pulling back the curtains and letting the sunshine in. But there are dark secrets deep within the Isley house. Secrets Pamela’s father has warned must remain hidden. Secrets that could turn deadly and destroy the one person who ever cared about Pamela, or as her mom preferred to call her… Ivy.
“Poison Ivy has been my favorite comic book character since I was a little girl,” said Keplinger. “Getting to write a story about her in one of my favorite genres (gothic romance), brought to life by the amazing art of Sara Kipin, is just a dream come true in so many ways. It’s spooky, it’s romantic, and it’s full of drama. It was so much fun to write, and I hope readers will fall as in love with Pamela and Alice as I did.”
“I’m very proud and excited to be part of Poison Ivy: Thorns!” said Kipin. “Working on this book during 2020 was a very tough experience, but through my own struggles, I hope readers can see the time and love I poured into these pages. Kody did a fantastic job writing a fun, gothic romance story, and I can’t wait for new and longstanding Poison Ivy fans to read it!”
Poison Ivy: Thorns marks both Keplinger and Kipin’s first graphic novel and first work with DC. The book is available to pre-order now and hits stores everywhere books are sold on June 1, 2021. See below for the official description and above for new artwork revealed today.
Poison Ivy: Thorns
Illustrated by Sara Kipin
Colored by Jeremy Lawson
Lettered by Steve Wands
On sale everywhere books are sold on June 1, 2021
MSRP: $16.99
New York Times bestselling author of The DUFF Kody Keplinger and artist Sara Kipin reimagine an iconic DC antihero with a gothic-horror twist.
Will Pamela open herself up to the possibilities of love, or will she forever be transformed by the thorny vines of revenge?
Talent Bios:
Kody Keplinger is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of many books for young adult and middle grade readers, including The DUFF, which was adapted into a major motion picture in 2015, and That’s NOT What Happened. She teaches writing classes at the Gotham Writers Workshop in New York City. When she isn’t writing, Kody can usually be found playing Dungeons & Dragons, cuddling with her two black cats, or taking long walks with her German shepherd. You can find her online at kodykeplinger.com or @Kody_Keplinger on Twitter.
Sara Kipin is an illustrator and visual developer based out of Burbank, California. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2016, and has been working in the animation industry ever since.
Images and Press Release Courtesy of DC Entertainment