Swamp Thing Appreciation thread

[Johnny P. Sartre]

http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/c/cf/Alec_Holland_02.jpg

One of the coolest and definitely one of the most tragic heroes ever created. He's evolved so much over the years from the early years where he was a creature trying to become human again. Then Moore got a hold of him and changed him completely to the character, making him even a bit more human and more tragic. After Moore runs, Veitch, Wheeler, Morrison/Millar, Diggle, Vaughan, Dsyart all got hold of him and they all added something great to the Swamp mythos backed with some solid artists.

So, what are your favorite writers? Artists? Arcs? How did you get into Swampy?

Me, I got a hold of him when I found a Moore issue (I think it was #61) at Half-Price books as a kid (almost teen) and being blown away by it. I bought more and become hooked on the character.

[MrRoussis]

I picked up Saga of the Swamp Thing v1 on a whim and was in love. I don't read much horror, and i was just intrigued by the character as a whole. I have picked up all of Alan Moores Swamp Thing but havent found any other trades by and other collaborative team. Hoping to find the Wrightson stuff.

[Let's Kill Hitler]

Saga of Swamp Thing; Best comic book ever.

I love that series so much, Moore has written some amazing stuff but nothing came close to Swampy for me.

I'm enjoying Snyder's run so far but at the same time it's not quite clicking for me. But then it has a lot to live up to.

[Knight of DC]

I realistically had not interest in Swamp Thing until I learned Scott Snyder was doing the relaunch. It quickly became my #1 of the DCnU and made me interested in the character. Picking up Saga of the Swamp Thing from my library has only further interested me in the character.

[El Sombrero]

I am starting with the Snyder series. I know the Moore series is really acclaimed but I just don't really have any desire to read it right now.

The Snyder series is okay so far. It clearly has potential but it's moving slow and a few of those early issues have these exposition interludes where you are just DUMPED on with information...it kinda kills the read dead to me. Then it hurts because after the exposition they transition into some random horror incident that is getting a little old already (people get bitten by the fly or whatever, heads turn around, try to infect / kill others, etc). The relationship between Alec and Abby is building pretty well and I like how they serve as their respective avatars. Some of the splash pages where Yanick draws Swamp Thing or random nature scenes are absolutely gorgeous and have definitely helped keep me buying the book.

I will also be honest and say that the knowledge that this is crossing over with Animal Man has kept me buying as well, since I am completely in love with that book and will want to know the full story of what's going on there.

[Johnny P. Sartre]

Synder's run has been like everyone here has said, jarring at times and slow, and as Sombrero said, one of the reasons to stick to Swamp is for the whole story of the red. Another reason for me is because, I love swampy and Snyder and hope it picks up but if it doesn't, I'll drop it like Action because I've been very underwhelmed by it.

[Lil Kis]

I love Synder's Swamp Thing...i don't understand why ya'll is dissappointed in it...

[ArnoldoAAD]

I am starting with the Snyder series. I know the Moore series is really acclaimed but I just don't really have any desire to read it right now.

really acclaimed is a huge understatement
Alan Moore´s Swamp Thing is one of the best comic books ever made

[FanboyStranger]

The most underrated ST artist: Enrique Breccia. The stories weren't all that great, but he was killing it on the art end.

[fishbonex]

Swamp Thing has been my favorite character for a long time. I started reading the 70's, along with Man-Thing who was my other favorite characters back then. I loved monster books and swamp creatures I particular. In the early 80s, both had relaunches which I also liked, but then Alan Moore arrived. The timing is probably why I still read comics today, as a teenager I was around that point where you stop doing a lot of those childhood things, and I began,losing interest in superheroes ( I read mostly Marvel back then). But then anatomy lesson hit, and OH My, this changed everything. It's still the most brilliant, well thought out and logical reimagining of any character ever. I consider Anatomy Lesson second to only Watchmen in quality, they are my favorite comics ever.

I have read the character continuously, Veidt was a great writer to follow Moore and the lowest point being the Tefe book. I really disliked it. But not much good happened to the character despite great creators being placed on the character. Until now.

Snyder is writing the 2nd best run I have ever read on the book. It is not slow, he's writing a story not 1-and-done issues. Not only that, he's redefining the character that has been entrenched in25 years of Moore history, as opposed to Moore's redefine about 10 years of history. Let it play out. There's action and characterization every issue, not sure what else people want besides instant transformation into the Swamp Thing, which I guess is understandable. Me? I prefer the story, and this one is fantastic. Swamp Thing is a top 5 book for me again, if not #1.

[Let's Kill Hitler]

^^I think that's one of the sticking points for me. I don't find Alec especially interesting, and we already know it's inevitable that Swampy's going to come back so I just want to get it over with. Swampy is what I want to read about.

[V0nnegut]

Moore's run is spectacular. Really fantastic. Snyder's is also starting out great. I haven't read any other installments.

[Johnny P. Sartre]

Swamp Thing has been my favorite character for a long time. I started reading the 70's, along with Man-Thing who was my other favorite characters back then. I loved monster books and swamp creatures I particular. In the early 80s, both had relaunches which I also liked, but then Alan Moore arrived. The timing is probably why I still read comics today, as a teenager I was around that point where you stop doing a lot of those childhood things, and I began,losing interest in superheroes ( I read mostly Marvel back then). But then anatomy lesson hit, and OH My, this changed everything. It's still the most brilliant, well thought out and logical reimagining of any character ever. I consider Anatomy Lesson second to only Watchmen in quality, they are my favorite comics ever.

I have read the character continuously, Veidt was a great writer to follow Moore and the lowest point being the Tefe book. I really disliked it. But not much good happened to the character despite great creators being placed on the character. Until now.

Snyder is writing the 2nd best run I have ever read on the book. It is not slow, he's writing a story not 1-and-done issues. Not only that, he's redefining the character that has been entrenched in25 years of Moore history, as opposed to Moore's redefine about 10 years of history. Let it play out. There's action and characterization every issue, not sure what else people want besides instant transformation into the Swamp Thing, which I guess is understandable. Me? I prefer the story, and this one is fantastic. Swamp Thing is a top 5 book for me again, if not #1.
Disagree on the bold, I wouldn't say Synder's can be 2nd to Moore, not right that yes, whose to say later. But it's just been a angst fest of Alec refusing the green while inching towards fighting the red. The only time I was really excited is when the history of the parliament of trees was put forth.

I'm going to assume Veidt means Veitch, and I agree! He did a great job following Moore and the art style also got further experimented and further played with.

Speaking of Anatomy Lessons, I remember hunting back issues of Swamp after I fell in love with him and finding Anatomy Lesson, not really know what it is about and then reading. A goddamn amazing way to start of a run, what a way to start it off.

Didn't mind the Tefe book that much but I really wish Millar and Dysart were able to continue their runs because they had amazing things to do with the character.


^^I think that's one of the sticking points for me. I don't find Alec especially interesting, and we already know it's inevitable that Swampy's going to come back so I just want to get it over with. Swampy is what I want to read about.I don't mind that as much because even in Moore's tales swamp was at time situated where he was just an observer of events or where did nothing or wasn't even part of the story.

[The Animal Man]

^^I think that's one of the sticking points for me. I don't find Alec especially interesting, and we already know it's inevitable that Swampy's going to come back so I just want to get it over with. Swampy is what I want to read about.

gotta agree with this...maybe it's just me but i find buddy baker to be a more likeable character than alec holland

[satish patel]

gotta agree with this...maybe it's just me but i find buddy baker to be a more likeable character than alec holland


why compare alec holland to animal man? this is not a competition. it seems like every thread about a dark line comic which is not animal man you make a (negative) comparison. the comic are not competing. this is not a battle to the death. why not enjoy each comic for what it is and not how it stacks up in your mind to your beloved animal man through your buddy baker tinted glasses?

[satish patel]

also i got to say, i might be the only one, but i don't really like the art. i preferred the veitch/alcala style for this book. also the writing...eh. i also liked things more abstract as they used to be. everything has become more clear cut but it rings corny to me. "you are our only savior, you are the destined champion, etc".

[Johnny P. Sartre]

also i got to say, i might be the only one, but i don't really like the art. i preferred the veitch/alcala style for this book. also the writing...eh. i also liked things more abstract as they used to be. everything has become more clear cut but it rings corny to me. "you are our only savior, you are the destined champion, etc".
Well, he is part of the main DC universe now and not a part of vertigo, so the abstractions has to be tone down a bit but I did feel a bit weird when Synder said Swamp Thing was made to fight this one thing. This is nitpicking on my part but I liked it when there wasn't an overall villain to the story and what we thought were the main villains, weren't really.

I love the art style, Yanick does a great job and it feels like veitch/alcala style at times.

[satish patel]

good point about him having to integrate. but i'd say, and i hate saying this because i will feel like i am supporting a certain poster's weird campaign to put his beloved comic above all others, that animal man is keeping things more abstract and in that sense more intriguing than swamp thing is. yes the fact that it is the destiny of the swamp thing to be the defender, etc etc i don't like this. i guess it makes sense that if there is this parliament of trees, they must have an enemy or something they've been assembled to defend against, but i don't like it. i mean it seems to me pretty much everything else in this modern world is the enemy of the green! doesn't need to be the rot. most humans, industry, etc etc...this is how i thought things were in previous swamp thing iterations and i liked that.

[Dave Hackett]

I'll agree they've gone to the "This is what you were REALLY created for" well one too many times. First it was the War in Hell in Moore's run, then the birth of Tefe in Veitch's, then the creation of the Parliament of Trees in Wheeler's, then the unification on the Parliaments in Millar's, and now to confront the Rot. That's a whole lot of singular destinies being thrown out there.

[The Animal Man]

why compare alec holland to animal man? this is not a competition. it seems like every thread about a dark line comic which is not animal man you make a (negative) comparison. the comic are not competing. this is not a battle to the death. why not enjoy each comic for what it is and not how it stacks up in your mind to your beloved animal man through your buddy baker tinted glasses?

because i can't really enjoy it to be honest
even when not bringing up animal man and judging it on it's own

[satish patel]

because i can't really enjoy it to be honest
even when not bringing up animal man and judging it on it's own


well, either way, you might like previous iterations of swamp thing. to me, they were more in the spirit of current animal man.

[The Animal Man]

i like animal man better because it tends to have more action and doesn't just try to make us care for a character who really has no personal life in the new series

[PennyDreadful]

Shameful confession: I'm mostly unfamiliar with previous Swamp Thing stories. That said, I'm liking this run. I like Animal Man, too, but I'm not crazy about the art.

[Lil Kis]

At what issue does Animal Man and Swamp Thing crossover at? Thanks

[The Animal Man]

At what issue does Animal Man and Swamp Thing crossover at? Thanks

the 12th issue

[The Animal Man]

issue number 12

[Pow!]

I understand the whole art thing is subjective, but I am a fan. I think that the art style in some way connects the new series into the kind of horror roots that swamp thing was based from? ... I could be off base but this is kind of the way I see it.

[TomServoFan]

One of my fave characters in DC ever! i've been a fan of him since i was 4 watching Swamp Thing on video then bought the comics as i collected/read them even if some said "suggested for mature readers" as my parents didn't mind me reading comics with that label or reading comics with graphic violence, gore, nudity, sex, language and drug use. I saw Return of Swamp Thing in theaters when i was 7 and loved it, i even taped/watched both the animated show and live-action show as a kid and had the action figures.

He's such a badass character but too bad he couldn't be on Superman TAS, Batman TAS or Justice League toons as that would be kickass if Bruce Timm did him. I think they should do an animated movie based on him as it would be one of DC/Vertigo's first animated movies and would be rated-R as Yoshiaka Kawajari of Ninja Scroll/Wicked City/Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust fame would do it with Timm as producer.

They should do a reboot movie based on Moore's take.

[Alpha Male]

I read the latest issue of Swamp Thing and I guess it makes sense that Arcane is the avatar of The Rot. It lines up with past history. He created the Un-Men out of corpses. What I didn't like is the fact that we haven't seen Matthew Arcane in a few issues. Why did Arcane kept referring to Abby as his daughter? I thought Abby is his niece unless Arcane slept with his brother's wife.

Other than that, I wonder if we'll find out what happened to Tefe. If she still had her powers, The Rot wouldn't know what to do with themselves.

[thewarning]

I think its been retconned that he's her father. Wouldn't be surprised if Tefe doesn't exist.

I have to say, I started off loving this series, but the direction is been heading in is really worrying me. Alec, you are the One! No, Abby, she is the One! You're both the One of the Other! Wow she has powers! Oh, Arcane is here!

It's like the slow development of the first issues has disappeared and been replaced by blockbuster tropes. I dunno. I started off loving, loving this, and now I'm just buying it out of duty to the character. Redemption soon, please!

[Mr. Holmes]

I was going to get Snyder's run in trade and jump on for the Animal Man/Frankie crossover, but I've been badly soured by Snyder's writing on Batman. Any opinions here?

[Hierocles]

I was going to get Snyder's run in trade and jump on for the Animal Man/Frankie crossover, but I've been badly soured by Snyder's writing on Batman. Any opinions here?
I have a few problems with Snyder's writing on both titles, but as a whole I prefer his Swamp Thing work. You'll find very extended narration/exposition in his ST run as well, but mostly in the first few issues; I know you don't have much love for his metaphors... well, there are quite a few in ST as well. Personally, I love ST's world (and its connections with Animal Man), the Green/Red/Rot, and I'm very interested in the upcoming crossover. I felt ST (and AM, to a lesser degree) slowed down too much in the issues preceeding the crossover (mostly around #9-10), but they found back their form just in time.

The art has been far less "consistent" than Batman's (not necessarily in quality -- I loved all the fill-in work in ST -- but in style), but a bit more interesting, to me. Paquette rocked in his issues, but Francavilla and Rudy both did/do great fill-in work on it. (#11, by Rudy, was a new high for me.)

[thewarning]

Yeah the fill-ins have all been very good, and there's only been one case of a split issue, but its irksome that there's those inconsistencies month-to-month. Holmes, I wonder what your reaction would be the finale of the first arc given your feelings about NotO - I wouldn't equate the two too closely, but I thought there was a similar "cop out," or at the very least a dropping of the ball, at the end of the ST arc. And these past Arcane issues have just felt like padding before Rotworld...

[Brave Sir Robbin]

I have been really enjoying the Swamp Thing run lately. It took a little bit of time to build up speed but looking back, it seems necessary to get the story set. Swamp Thing is the kind of comic that has more of an epic feel. Since Alan Moore's Swamp Thing is one of my favorites ever, probably only beaten by Sand Man and The Goon, I wanted the comic to have that same dream like, mystical bent that the original felt like to me. I also think the are is outstanding and captures the feel of the book perfectly.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

The first comic I'd read starring Swamp Thing was Batman #522, part 2 of a tale from the Doug Moench/Kelley Jones years pairing him with Killer Croc (incidentally, my favorite story of that run); before then, I mostly knew him from the old USA TV series or somesuch. And I first read Moore's run a decade or so ago, after getting the Millennium Edition of "The Anatomy Lesson" on a whim and reading the trades (up to that point) in the local library. While looking back I do feel that he clearly went on to better things in the likes of From Hell or Top 10, when that run was on, it was mother^%&ing ON. I still can't think of any SW comics I've glanced at after that impressed me nearly as much, be they before or after Moore (I have the same problem with Garth Ennis & Frank Castle, but that's by the by) My personal favorite of it is the still chilling & gutting in equal measure "My Blue Heaven."

[Mr. Holmes]

I have a few problems with Snyder's writing on both titles, but as a whole I prefer his Swamp Thing work. You'll find very extended narration/exposition in his ST run as well, but mostly in the first few issues; I know you don't have much love for his metaphors... well, there are quite a few in ST as well. Personally, I love ST's world (and its connections with Animal Man), the Green/Red/Rot, and I'm very interested in the upcoming crossover. I felt ST (and AM, to a lesser degree) slowed down too much in the issues preceeding the crossover (mostly around #9-10), but they found back their form just in time.

Metaphors are fine, I just think Snyder's Batman beats you over the head with it. Really, as long as this book isn't trying too hard to be some grand epic, I think I will be fine. But I'll start with the 0 issue.

[Hierocles]

The first comic I'd read starring Swamp Thing was Batman #522, part 2 of a tale from the Doug Moench/Kelley Jones years pairing him with Killer Croc (incidentally, my favorite story of that run)
Hehe, it was my intro to Swamp Thing as well. Incidentally, I loved the Moench/Jones Batman run (my avatar is a KJ drawing). My intro to American comics was Batman #519.

[Batman and Charles]

When I was a kid my neighbor (also a kid) was obsessed with the Swamp Thing cartoon, which at the time had the greatest theme song EVER! I remember my neighbor and I rocking out to that song. I had no idea it was actually based on a popular rock single!

Later I became a fan of Alan Moore, and that eventually led to my borrowing the Saga of the Swamp Thing trades at the library and reading it all in a couple of weeks. That stuff was completely epic.

[Batman and Charles]

You guys what are your thoughts on Nancy Collins' ST run? What about Millar's? I haven't read them, and have been thinking about checking them out.

I tend to really really dislike Millar's stuff, but I've sometimes heard people say his run was pretty good, and I'm assuming he has a good writer in him when he isn't completely unleashed like he is now.

[FanboyStranger]

You guys what are your thoughts on Nancy Collins' ST run? What about Millar's? I haven't read them, and have been thinking about checking them out.

I tend to really really dislike Millar's stuff, but I've sometimes heard people say his run was pretty good, and I'm assuming he has a good writer in him when he isn't completely unleashed like he is now.

Nancy's run is okay, but kinda blah. Lots of buildup that doesn't really go anywhere. She does write the most convincing Cajun dialogue in the business, though.

Millar's run is actually quite good. It's nothing like the Millar work of the past decade-- he was actually a somewhat thoughtful writer who could write with some depth back then, something that basically disappeared after Tangent: Superman. The initial arc co-written by Grant Morrison is actually the weakest part of the run, but after that, he finds his stride fairly quickly and tells an epic that constantly ups the stakes with every arc and one-shots that actually sublime. Definitely go for it.

[Batman and Charles]

It's really weird that they haven't collected his runs in trades considering he's one of the biggest names in comics right now. Guess I'll have to find the individual issues.

[Hammer!]

Ok I'm five issues into Swamp Thing now and loving it but I have a few questions:

Is this one of those series with retconned continuity from before Flashpoint? Just a little confused since Supes knew about Holland and the Swamp Thing and because there were quite a few years mentioned in between Holland's death and revival. And was the Swamp Thing that approached him at the end of issue 1 and beginning of 2 the ST his memories of Abby and being the creature based on?

[FanboyStranger]

It's really weird that they haven't collected his runs in trades considering he's one of the biggest names in comics right now. Guess I'll have to find the individual issues.

They've been all over the place reprinting ST, and Millar hasn't been particularly well-liked by DC after his comments about Paul Levitz. Still, DC finally got off its ass and reprinted Ed Brubaker's Deadenders, so you never know.

[DebkoX]

Do I have to buy animal man to understand this????

[8diagrams]

Loving the Snyder run. The issue with the little kid with the gas mask was a straight up trip

[DebkoX]

This, along with Aquaman has benefited most from the New 52.

[barcelunatic]

Hey guys, I hope one of you can help me out here.

I have no clue on the background of The Swamp Thing, his origin story, etc etc. I kinda have a vague idea of the history of the character, and am also aware that Scott Snyder is currently writing it for the New 52.

I was thinking about picking up only the trades written by Moore - I believe its called The Saga of the Swamp Thing, and that there are three volumes.

Do you think I can enjoy Moore's work without any prior knowledge of the character, or do I need to read up a bit on the previous storyline(s)?

Thanks!

[FanboyStranger]

Hey guys, I hope one of you can help me out here.

I have no clue on the background of The Swamp Thing, his origin story, etc etc. I kinda have a vague idea of the history of the character, and am also aware that Scott Snyder is currently writing it for the New 52.

I was thinking about picking up only the trades written by Moore - I believe its called The Saga of the Swamp Thing, and that there are three volumes.

Do you think I can enjoy Moore's work without any prior knowledge of the character, or do I need to read up a bit on the previous storyline(s)?

Thanks!

You can enjoy them without any previous introduction to the character. That's how I first encountered Swampy. In fact, I'd say that Moore's first issue is the perfect introduction to the character.

[Ood Omega]

Whats this image from?


http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/c/cf/Alec_Holland_02.jpg

[barcelunatic]

You can enjoy them without any previous introduction to the character. That's how I first encountered Swampy. In fact, I'd say that Moore's first issue is the perfect introduction to the character.

Got it, thanks! :-)

[theflyingfrogunderdog]

Swamp Thing has been my favorite character for a long time. I started reading the 70's, along with Man-Thing who was my other favorite characters back then. I loved monster books and swamp creatures I particular. In the early 80s, both had relaunches which I also liked, but then Alan Moore arrived. The timing is probably why I still read comics today, as a teenager I was around that point where you stop doing a lot of those childhood things, and I began,losing interest in superheroes ( I read mostly Marvel back then). But then anatomy lesson hit, and OH My, this changed everything. It's still the most brilliant, well thought out and logical reimagining of any character ever. I consider Anatomy Lesson second to only Watchmen in quality, they are my favorite comics ever.

I collected Saga of Swamp Thing from the first issue up. I remember, when it was up to about issue #7, my local comic shop that i had just started going to, had just a couple copies of multiple issues on the new comics shelf (#'s 5-7). I could tell it wasn't selling. I collected it, regardless. Didn't care if it wasn't a popular title. I liked the character. Then came the Moore run and the rest is history. "My Blue Heaven" blew me away when Swamp Thing went into space. Added a whole new dimension to the character. Still have my collection up to #59. :smile:

I also had a few issues of the original series, begining with #10 and #11, as a kid. Always loved the cover of #11, drawn by Luis Dominguez (even better than #10).

[The Uncanny Poster]

Hey guys!

I just got back from my local used book store and found around 13 ST back issues from the 80's and 90's. They are all from either Alan Moore or Rick Veitch and are between issues 50-80. Are these some good ones? Thanks for the help!

[Ood Omega]

11090610char

[FanboyStranger]

Hey guys!

I just got back from my local used book store and found around 13 ST back issues from the 80's and 90's. They are all from either Alan Moore or Rick Veitch and are between issues 50-80. Are these some good ones? Thanks for the help!

Yeah, that's all top material.

[Johnny P. Sartre]

Moore, Veitch, Millar/Morrison, Diggle and Dysart are worth your time and money.

[weeks]

Whats this image from?

i'm pretty sure that's an eric powell cover.