Though it would be a bold decision on Rocksteady’s part, bringing back one character from the dead in Suicide Squad: KTJL would be worth it.
As shown by Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League’s various trailers, the game will be taking Rocksteady’s Arkhamverse in a bold direction. Instead of playing as other members of the Justice League, something players hoped would happen after Batman: Arkham Knight, players are being tasked with ending their lives. With characters like Green Lantern and Superman mind-controlled by Brainiac, Task Force X has a tough task ahead of them, and it could use all the help it can get. If it wanted to, Rocksteady could revive one dead Arkhamverse character to expand the Task Force X roster.
Obviously, retconning any death is a risky decision, as it can make it feel like a story has no stakes and cheapen classic narratives that fans have fallen in love with. Players are already questioning whether Rocksteady will actually follow through on the subtitle of its Suicide Squad game, as killing iconic characters like The Flash would be a risky move that limits future video game opportunities. Still, reviving Poison Ivy could be worth the risk, as she can improve the gameplay and storytelling of Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League.
NOTE: This article was written prior to Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League revealing the return of Poison Ivy. The Original article is as follows.
Why Reviving Poison Ivy Would in Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League Is Worth It
Poison Ivy’s Arkham Knight Death is Easy to Retcon
Poison Ivy met her end in Batman: Arkham Knight after assisting Bruce Wayne in his efforts against Scarecrow, with the purging of the villain’s fear toxin weakening Pamela Isley to the point where she couldn’t recover. Though her death looks fairly conclusive, as she fades into particles and is spread throughout Gotham, Ivy’s nature as a plant-based character means that she can easily find a way to come back. Just like Marvel’s Ultron can quietly back himself up on another server so that he can return, Ivy could clone herself using her plants, essentially being reborn in a new body. Whether she keeps her memories or is essentially a new person would be up to Rocksteady.
NOTE: It is worth mentioning that a small plant could be seen growing in the location where Ivy died in Batman: Arkham Knight, and if it wanted to, Rocksteady could make it so that this plant eventually grows into a new Ivy.
Poison Ivy Can Be Both Harley’s Love Interest and a Playable Character
As for why Ivy should be resurrected, two obvious reasons present themselves. First, she could be a fun addition to the story due to her romantic history with Harley Quinn. The Harley and Ivy pairing has grown increasingly popular in recent years, with fans happy to see Harley in a healthy relationship after suffering through Joker’s abuse for so long. Though this romantic relationship was first established in 2013, it has really picked up steam in modern comics and the Harley Quinn animated series, and Rocksteady could have a chance to put its own spin on the two characters’ bond. Dialogue between Ivy and Harley could be hugely entertaining, becoming a genuine highlight of the game.
The other reason that Ivy would be worth bringing back is because she would make an ideal playable character for Task Force X. Leaks have already suggested that characters like Deathstroke and Killer Croc will join Amanda Waller’s team post-launch, and Ivy would be a great for such a role. Her plant-based attacks would make her feel far different from the other characters, as she could grab enemies with vines, deal poison damage by sending out AI-controlled plants, and trap groups of enemies in a small area using tendrils. For traversal, she could use a mix of vine-swinging and plant platforms, moving through Metropolis with ease as she flirts with Harley and chats with King Shark.
Unlike bringing The Joker back from the dead, something that would undoubtedly anger fans, Ivy returning would likely not cause that much outrage – especially if the reborn version is somewhat different so that her sacrifice keeps its meaning. With gameplay and story benefits on the table, Rocksteady should consider bringing Poison Ivy back from the dead.
by RICHARD WARREN 23 Dec 2023
