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Swamp Thing (2011)
Swamp Thing, Volume 2: Family Tree
Alec Holland is back as the Swamp Thing, fully formed as the protector of The Green. Immediately upon his return, he must battle his way through the Bone Kingdom and The Rot to free his ally - and ex-girlfriend - Abigail Arcane. But will the cost of freeing her be...fighting her? Nothing, not even this titanic battle, will prepare Swampy for what he has to face next--a resurrected
and even more dangerous Anton Arcane!
BATMAN writer Scott Snyder and artist Yanick Paquette bring you one of the New 52's breakthrough titles with the classic DC mainstay, Swamp Thing!
and even more dangerous Anton Arcane!
BATMAN writer Scott Snyder and artist Yanick Paquette bring you one of the New 52's breakthrough titles with the classic DC mainstay, Swamp Thing!
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2013
13 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,780 books5,144 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
July 15, 2016
The Swamp Thing takes on Anton Arcane and the Rot in this disjointed collection of somewhat unrelated issues...
Despite thinking Scott Snyder is the alligator's Adam's apple, I did not enjoy this collection. There were several contributing factors.
1. It's been years since I read Swamp Thing Volume 1.
2. Some crossover with Animal Man throws a wrench into the flow of the storyline. The Animal Man issues were not included.
3. Hasn't Old Swampy gone up against Anton Arcane enough over the years?
4. Swamp Thing has tree limb antlers.
5. Since when is rot not part of nature? Things decomposing are part of the ecosystem.
It wasn't without its moments but Family Tree wasn't a great collection. It feels slapped together, like filler in between two more coherent volumes. Okay, I'm guessing volume three is more coherent than this.
Two stars. It wasn't great but I needed something to read while I was doing laundry.
Despite thinking Scott Snyder is the alligator's Adam's apple, I did not enjoy this collection. There were several contributing factors.
1. It's been years since I read Swamp Thing Volume 1.
2. Some crossover with Animal Man throws a wrench into the flow of the storyline. The Animal Man issues were not included.
3. Hasn't Old Swampy gone up against Anton Arcane enough over the years?
4. Swamp Thing has tree limb antlers.
5. Since when is rot not part of nature? Things decomposing are part of the ecosystem.
It wasn't without its moments but Family Tree wasn't a great collection. It feels slapped together, like filler in between two more coherent volumes. Okay, I'm guessing volume three is more coherent than this.
Two stars. It wasn't great but I needed something to read while I was doing laundry.
June 25, 2015
Volume 2 starts out like gangbusters.
In this corner, representing the “Green”, Alec Holland aka Swamp Thing.
His opponent, representing “The Rot”, Sethe.
Swamp Thing gives a cry ofYo, Adrian, “Abigail” and it’s on like Donkey Kong.
The wonderfully creepy art from volume one is back as Swamp Thing and Sethe battle back and forth.
Then, Mr. and Mrs. Animal Man and kid show up in their camper and say, “Hi, um, we’re here to help, but in order for us to do so, Mr./Mrs./Ms. Fanboy, you must go out and purchase volume two of Animal Man.
The curse of company crossover events just bit you in the rear end, dear reader.
To compound matters, the next issue, we suddenly have Poison Ivy on the scene to help, along with Dead Man. Poison Ivy I can understand, she has that whole smexy plant thing working for her, but Dead Man, he’s dead and logically the opposite of “green”. Counter intuitive? Right? Well, I have no flarking clue either, because it's never explained. *sigh*
This is only a brief interlude, because DC next includes an annual-sized flashback. Destination: before Alec Holland became Swamp Thing? Huh, Ugh and Wah-wah-wah!
Hold on to your tickets because pacing and continuity in Swamp Thing are now a thing of the past.
Bottom Line – First three issues or so are wonderful. The rest? Welcome to the meddling, incomprehensible New 52, sucker!
In this corner, representing the “Green”, Alec Holland aka Swamp Thing.
His opponent, representing “The Rot”, Sethe.
Swamp Thing gives a cry of
The wonderfully creepy art from volume one is back as Swamp Thing and Sethe battle back and forth.
Then, Mr. and Mrs. Animal Man and kid show up in their camper and say, “Hi, um, we’re here to help, but in order for us to do so, Mr./Mrs./Ms. Fanboy, you must go out and purchase volume two of Animal Man.
The curse of company crossover events just bit you in the rear end, dear reader.
To compound matters, the next issue, we suddenly have Poison Ivy on the scene to help, along with Dead Man. Poison Ivy I can understand, she has that whole smexy plant thing working for her, but Dead Man, he’s dead and logically the opposite of “green”. Counter intuitive? Right? Well, I have no flarking clue either, because it's never explained. *sigh*
This is only a brief interlude, because DC next includes an annual-sized flashback. Destination: before Alec Holland became Swamp Thing? Huh, Ugh and Wah-wah-wah!
Hold on to your tickets because pacing and continuity in Swamp Thing are now a thing of the past.
Bottom Line – First three issues or so are wonderful. The rest? Welcome to the meddling, incomprehensible New 52, sucker!
February 8, 2017
Epic battle between Rot and Green in Snyder's run, vol 2. We had all the preamble, now we've gotta see Abby take on the mantle of the Queen of Rot and perhaps even get her back out of it! :)
Go Greenie!
So, as a sidenote to just having read all of Moore's Swamp Thing, I was quite content with having a Greenie who was a plant who thought he was Alec, with very little of Alec left except what he accepted.
In this one, it really is a resurrected Alec who *merged* with the Green instead of being *all* green. Something tells me he's just limited himself a LOT. The old Greenie was pretty much a god in the real sense. This one? Well, he's rather damn balanced with his opposite number, the Rot, and its queen, his love.
I've swung from Snyder's camp back to Moore's camp. I remember being a Snyderite all the way through half of Moore's run, but now that I'm jumping back on the Snyder run? I'm a Mooreite! :) Will I never learn? :)
So far, though, I love the art in this much more than the 80's stuff, although there were real moments of brilliance back then. :)
Go Greenie!
So, as a sidenote to just having read all of Moore's Swamp Thing, I was quite content with having a Greenie who was a plant who thought he was Alec, with very little of Alec left except what he accepted.
In this one, it really is a resurrected Alec who *merged* with the Green instead of being *all* green. Something tells me he's just limited himself a LOT. The old Greenie was pretty much a god in the real sense. This one? Well, he's rather damn balanced with his opposite number, the Rot, and its queen, his love.
I've swung from Snyder's camp back to Moore's camp. I remember being a Snyderite all the way through half of Moore's run, but now that I'm jumping back on the Snyder run? I'm a Mooreite! :) Will I never learn? :)
So far, though, I love the art in this much more than the 80's stuff, although there were real moments of brilliance back then. :)
February 10, 2022
This was a weird one like I like some stories and the others idk how they fit in with the rotworld event but I guess it makes sense as you read it with Animal and but I like some stories.
It starts off with Alec emerging as the champion of the Green and going to rescue Abby and we see him fight Sethe and all the drama that unfolds there and the fight is short after so much build up but such a bad ass moment for Abby and then we have the coming of Anton Arcane and like how he is the big bad, champion of the rot and his connections with Alec like how his origins are tied into it and how the Green made him swamp thing at first and then we have another story where he remembers first meeting Abby in the Arcane residence, a memory that will lead him to unite with the warriors of the green and save the world?
Its a volume with stories all over the place kinda but still enjoyable as we learn more about Alec and like seeing how he and Abby are so connected and their love is so intertwined and its awesome to see it. I love the focus on his character and Snyder does well to make Anton his arch enemy and showing multiple POVs and making this story so personal than it should be. The art is great again.
It starts off with Alec emerging as the champion of the Green and going to rescue Abby and we see him fight Sethe and all the drama that unfolds there and the fight is short after so much build up but such a bad ass moment for Abby and then we have the coming of Anton Arcane and like how he is the big bad, champion of the rot and his connections with Alec like how his origins are tied into it and how the Green made him swamp thing at first and then we have another story where he remembers first meeting Abby in the Arcane residence, a memory that will lead him to unite with the warriors of the green and save the world?
Its a volume with stories all over the place kinda but still enjoyable as we learn more about Alec and like seeing how he and Abby are so connected and their love is so intertwined and its awesome to see it. I love the focus on his character and Snyder does well to make Anton his arch enemy and showing multiple POVs and making this story so personal than it should be. The art is great again.
May 17, 2013
The second volume of Scott Snyder's Swamp Thing is a mish-mash of storylines collected together to form a fragmentary whole - there's the conclusion to the Sethe storyline from the first volume, Anton Arcane is introduced and attempts a kidnapping, we get the #0 issue showing the origins of Swamp Thing, there's Alec Holland and Abby Arcane's first meeting, and we get dropped right into the middle of the Rotworld Event. Lotta stuff, right?
First off, the Sethe storyline from the first book was good but felt really rushed in the conclusion here, like Snyder wanted to get it out of the way and move the character onto the Animal Man crossover/Rotworld Event. The story ends with basically a lot of fighting between Swamp Thing and the zombiefied horror creatures, with Sethe limping off weakly and quietly at the end. It just seemed like a very unoriginal ending - another story that ends with a big fight. Yawn. Maybe it's just me expecting more from an original writer like Snyder.
But while fighting isn't the best thing to read, Yanick Paquette's artwork on this sequence is outstanding. His character design for Swamp Thing is amazing, making him look like a pagan god, while the Rot creatures, especially the one in control of Abby, is eye-catching and memorable - not to mention grotesquely beautiful! Unfortunately Paquette only illustrated a couple of issues in the book and while the other artists do a decent job (some copying his page layouts), none can match the sheer brilliance of Paquette's strong unique style.
The Anton Arcane story - the Family Tree reference of the title - is ok but again it felt a bit unoriginal. Bad guy busts into house, screaming, etc. ensues, some fighting between good and bad characters, the end. Again it felt like filler from Snyder and read like he was being rushed.
The #0 issue gets things back on track, and read like a folk tale between a forest sprite and a demon (Swamp Thing and Anton Arcane) - I really enjoyed this and think it was the best part of the book.
I haven't read Animal Man Volume 2 (and don't intend to) and know nothing about Rotworld and what it's about/supposed to be, so the inclusion of it here feels a little confusing. Dead Man? Swamp Thing is a giant? What is Rotworld? The story contained within this story is Alec, Abby, and Anton's first meeting in a picturesque isolated European town years ago and had the flavour of Stoker's Dracula with the isolated castle and deadly host, so I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the story is pretty good too.
Swamp Thing Volume 2: Family Tree has some good moments and some decent stories, one or two of which stand out, but the overall disjointed feel of the book and the lack of a strong narrative in the book makes it a weak follow-up to the great first volume. It's disappointing that DC failed to let the series settle and grow naturally like a series should and instead forced it into doing an Event so early and a gimmick like the #0 issue which forced it to go suddenly backwards. The overall effect on the book as a whole is jumbled and chaotic - hopefully Volume 3 will be more focused.
First off, the Sethe storyline from the first book was good but felt really rushed in the conclusion here, like Snyder wanted to get it out of the way and move the character onto the Animal Man crossover/Rotworld Event. The story ends with basically a lot of fighting between Swamp Thing and the zombiefied horror creatures, with Sethe limping off weakly and quietly at the end. It just seemed like a very unoriginal ending - another story that ends with a big fight. Yawn. Maybe it's just me expecting more from an original writer like Snyder.
But while fighting isn't the best thing to read, Yanick Paquette's artwork on this sequence is outstanding. His character design for Swamp Thing is amazing, making him look like a pagan god, while the Rot creatures, especially the one in control of Abby, is eye-catching and memorable - not to mention grotesquely beautiful! Unfortunately Paquette only illustrated a couple of issues in the book and while the other artists do a decent job (some copying his page layouts), none can match the sheer brilliance of Paquette's strong unique style.
The Anton Arcane story - the Family Tree reference of the title - is ok but again it felt a bit unoriginal. Bad guy busts into house, screaming, etc. ensues, some fighting between good and bad characters, the end. Again it felt like filler from Snyder and read like he was being rushed.
The #0 issue gets things back on track, and read like a folk tale between a forest sprite and a demon (Swamp Thing and Anton Arcane) - I really enjoyed this and think it was the best part of the book.
I haven't read Animal Man Volume 2 (and don't intend to) and know nothing about Rotworld and what it's about/supposed to be, so the inclusion of it here feels a little confusing. Dead Man? Swamp Thing is a giant? What is Rotworld? The story contained within this story is Alec, Abby, and Anton's first meeting in a picturesque isolated European town years ago and had the flavour of Stoker's Dracula with the isolated castle and deadly host, so I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the story is pretty good too.
Swamp Thing Volume 2: Family Tree has some good moments and some decent stories, one or two of which stand out, but the overall disjointed feel of the book and the lack of a strong narrative in the book makes it a weak follow-up to the great first volume. It's disappointing that DC failed to let the series settle and grow naturally like a series should and instead forced it into doing an Event so early and a gimmick like the #0 issue which forced it to go suddenly backwards. The overall effect on the book as a whole is jumbled and chaotic - hopefully Volume 3 will be more focused.
October 22, 2013
Well, this was... I don't know. The collection kicks off with the conclusion to the Sethe storyline, which is rushed to an almost criminal degree. It felt very much like Snyder wanted (needed?) to get that storyline out of the way to set up the next. Which is odd, because it's followed by several filler-type issues. Giving Animal Man time to catch up, maybe? And then there's the last issue (which was, I believe, the annual) which seems totally unconnected, chronologically, to the issue before it. I mean, suddenly Swamp Thing is gigantic, and Abbey's dead (or not). It came out of nowhere, and it added nothing to the collection as a whole. It should have been printed in another volume, one where it would make more sense in context. Assuming there's a context to make sense in, of course.
There is some good hidden away here, though. The character designs are perfect for the book, and I like the way the panel borders are designed. And Snyder does have some great ideas floating around here. It's just disconnected, and the pacing is off. Rushed at the beginning, meandering in the middle. This could be much better.
There is some good hidden away here, though. The character designs are perfect for the book, and I like the way the panel borders are designed. And Snyder does have some great ideas floating around here. It's just disconnected, and the pacing is off. Rushed at the beginning, meandering in the middle. This could be much better.
August 10, 2016
I'm enjoying this series more I get in to it (same with animal man). Alec is now the Swamp thing, and this mofo ain't fucking around! He became a huge ass green creature of love and he's ready to wreck shit. His fight with the Rot was entertaining (though still don't like the structure of the panels for most part).
I also thought the ending issues should have been integrated into flashbacks. Why were the background stories just stuck into this? It felt so oddly placed, even though they gave more weight to the Rot vs Green it felt so badly placed it took away for me. At first I was even confused at when they took place.
Now the good? The art is fresh still. The story is more focused on showing then exposition is always a plus. The ending got me hyped to read the next volume. I also love the relationship between Alec and Abby because it feels REAL which isn't always easy to translate into comic form.
While still not as great as I hoped it's beginning to pick up steam and get better!
I also thought the ending issues should have been integrated into flashbacks. Why were the background stories just stuck into this? It felt so oddly placed, even though they gave more weight to the Rot vs Green it felt so badly placed it took away for me. At first I was even confused at when they took place.
Now the good? The art is fresh still. The story is more focused on showing then exposition is always a plus. The ending got me hyped to read the next volume. I also love the relationship between Alec and Abby because it feels REAL which isn't always easy to translate into comic form.
While still not as great as I hoped it's beginning to pick up steam and get better!
September 20, 2014
I couldn't wait to jump into this after the rather amazing first volume of the series. I tore through this in one sitting, I just couldn't wait to find out what was in store for Alec Holland.
Volume two isn't quite as good as its predecessor; however, it is still very enjoyable if not because of the steadily building lead-up to the war against the Rot, then definitely because of the gross and gory artwork. There are some amazingly horrific images in these pages, so if horror is your thing, then this title's for you.
Sadly, the excitement kinda peeked somewhere in the middle of this volume as far as the story goes. Issue 10, for me, was the apex, with its bold layout, amazing colouring and minimal text. Then the writing starts to feel rushed... The action happens a little too fast and the pacing of the series (which was consistent since issue 1) is sacrificed in order to set up the impending cross-over event.
And then Buddy Baker shows up and we are thrown head first into a prelude to Rotworld. And that for me is when things start to feel really derailed. Not sure why yet. I'll have to move forward and read Rotworld to know if my intuition is correct....
Still, Swamp Thing has surprised the heck out of me. I never anticipated liking this book, but it turned out to be one of the more enjoyable titles in the first couple New 52 waves.
3.5/5
Volume two isn't quite as good as its predecessor; however, it is still very enjoyable if not because of the steadily building lead-up to the war against the Rot, then definitely because of the gross and gory artwork. There are some amazingly horrific images in these pages, so if horror is your thing, then this title's for you.
Sadly, the excitement kinda peeked somewhere in the middle of this volume as far as the story goes. Issue 10, for me, was the apex, with its bold layout, amazing colouring and minimal text. Then the writing starts to feel rushed... The action happens a little too fast and the pacing of the series (which was consistent since issue 1) is sacrificed in order to set up the impending cross-over event.
And then Buddy Baker shows up and we are thrown head first into a prelude to Rotworld. And that for me is when things start to feel really derailed. Not sure why yet. I'll have to move forward and read Rotworld to know if my intuition is correct....
Still, Swamp Thing has surprised the heck out of me. I never anticipated liking this book, but it turned out to be one of the more enjoyable titles in the first couple New 52 waves.
3.5/5
June 9, 2017
Well its definitely better then the last volume, has a more entertaining story, various different artists working on this book and all suit the tone well. But in the end this title is still not clicking with me, this volume is better, but I think the whole Swamp Thing mythos is just not for me.
July 28, 2013
Not quite the amazing experience of the first book, still not quite an average comic. This time around, the dread takes a back seat to action and fast-moving plot points. Nothing seems to linger too long - like Snyder is in a rush to get somewhere better, but what could be better than epic struggles between the most primordial forces of the world?
We see death and ressurection (or last-minute comic book "saving throws") cycle through these issues so fast that it feels like a compressed version of a typical years-long cycle. What's going on? Is there some meta-lesson to learn from watching this, like some fruit fly experimentation played out during the course of a masters thesis on genetics? If I wanted to blaze through this kind of emotionally unsatisfying Cliff Notes storytelling, I'd go read a Wikipedia article on the last five years of Green Lantern terrorism-by-Johns.
The final issue - the lead-in to the Rotworld story - is epically bad. Cloonan's art is fine (but completely inconsistent with what the previous gang of artists have tried to maintain) but the dialogue is atrocious. I have to assume the co-writer (Scott Tuft) is responsible for this misery - "You lie! Abigail Arcane is not dead!!" "What have you kept from me? Tell me now." "Holland is ours Arcane. Now it's time to beat some manners into you."
The only dialogue that's not eye-twitchingly bad is between Holland and Abby - but then again, this is entirely superfluous filler - padding to wait for Lemire to catch up in the Animal Man series? We don't need to see any more flashbacks to early days of the Swamp Thing - not at least while the most world-ending struggles are upon this story. I've seen "flashbacks-as-pauses" go over better in other books, where the pacing isn't jerky from book to book (cf. Jason Aaron's PunisherMAX run). This trade is a perfect example of how not to plot a story arc - ramming through an entire cataclysmic threat in one issue, then tell irrelevant background stories in another.
This is so disappointing when Volume 1 of this book was so tense, slow-burn plotted and...well, crafted. This time around, it seems more like Snyder rummaged through some notes in a drawer and slapped each issue together without consulting any larger chart.
Best part of the book is the art - and even though there are at least four artists on this volume, they at least tried to maintain the style and layout that Paquette created from the beginning. (Except for Cloonan, but I guess she has her own style.)
We see death and ressurection (or last-minute comic book "saving throws") cycle through these issues so fast that it feels like a compressed version of a typical years-long cycle. What's going on? Is there some meta-lesson to learn from watching this, like some fruit fly experimentation played out during the course of a masters thesis on genetics? If I wanted to blaze through this kind of emotionally unsatisfying Cliff Notes storytelling, I'd go read a Wikipedia article on the last five years of Green Lantern terrorism-by-Johns.
The final issue - the lead-in to the Rotworld story - is epically bad. Cloonan's art is fine (but completely inconsistent with what the previous gang of artists have tried to maintain) but the dialogue is atrocious. I have to assume the co-writer (Scott Tuft) is responsible for this misery - "You lie! Abigail Arcane is not dead!!" "What have you kept from me? Tell me now." "Holland is ours Arcane. Now it's time to beat some manners into you."
The only dialogue that's not eye-twitchingly bad is between Holland and Abby - but then again, this is entirely superfluous filler - padding to wait for Lemire to catch up in the Animal Man series? We don't need to see any more flashbacks to early days of the Swamp Thing - not at least while the most world-ending struggles are upon this story. I've seen "flashbacks-as-pauses" go over better in other books, where the pacing isn't jerky from book to book (cf. Jason Aaron's PunisherMAX run). This trade is a perfect example of how not to plot a story arc - ramming through an entire cataclysmic threat in one issue, then tell irrelevant background stories in another.
This is so disappointing when Volume 1 of this book was so tense, slow-burn plotted and...well, crafted. This time around, it seems more like Snyder rummaged through some notes in a drawer and slapped each issue together without consulting any larger chart.
Best part of the book is the art - and even though there are at least four artists on this volume, they at least tried to maintain the style and layout that Paquette created from the beginning. (Except for Cloonan, but I guess she has her own style.)
January 16, 2015
Making my way, albeit slowly, through some of the DCNU launches/re-launches and I've mixed feelings on this one. In part, because taking Swamp Thing away from the Vertigo line and placing him in the DCNU seems to have little effect on the character. The horror might be more of a physical threat than a psychological one, but this remains a horror title for the most part and the lead character is unchanged. The significant changes are to Abigail Arcane and the introduction of the Rot.
I wanted to like this more than I did, and frankly this is not a very original take on the character through the first two volumes. This is pretty much what the classic writers on the character have done previously (Wein, Moore, Veitch, Collins and Vaughn).
Maybe I expected more from Snyder. His work on American Vampire and Batman usually ranges from very good to excellent whereas this was closer to average.
I wanted to like this more than I did, and frankly this is not a very original take on the character through the first two volumes. This is pretty much what the classic writers on the character have done previously (Wein, Moore, Veitch, Collins and Vaughn).
Maybe I expected more from Snyder. His work on American Vampire and Batman usually ranges from very good to excellent whereas this was closer to average.
December 18, 2024
DC of course had to put this together strangely. It's become a part of DC's schtick in the New 52 era. The beginning is really a continuation of the story from volume one, with Abby fighting becoming part of the Rot. There's some really cool visuals here. She looks really out there and different. Then we have a zero issue with Abby growing up and an annual before the beginning of a crossover with Animal Man. There's good stuff here, just not put together in the best way from DC.
July 26, 2017
Ever since I read and was amazed by Alan Moore's magisterial run on Swamp Thing, I've managed to stumble across some modern takes on Swamp Thing. Most have been less than impressive, save for a Brain Vaughn volume that was quite good. Scott Snyder steps up to the plate and tries to do a "deep" Alan Moore like story. He fails. Though not miserably.
The brilliant premise of Moore's Swamp Thing not being a man at all but rather a plant that had the thoughts of Alec Holland is turned on its head as this Swamp Thing is just Alec Holland. They keep emphasizing he is a man underneath, Swamp Thing says it as well..and sadly they do not see how this lessens the impact of what the Swamp Thing is. A manifestation of nature. Not a man. But Snyder's Swamp Thing is a man...and for some reason his Swamp Thing looks like some kind of Nordic warrior with antler horn style branches and a sword..blah blah. Then instead of getting a cool story..we are treated to Swamp Thing fighting the Rot, fighting a demon Abby thing, fighting Anton Arcane. It's the kind of story that covers the fact that it lacks a good plot by providing a lot of action scenes. The plot was ok..the art was decent. I just didn't care much about this one.
Still I'll keep looking and perhaps some newer author will be able to recapture some of the Swamp Thing's amazing style and story. So far Brian Vaughn has done a good job. Snyder's is ok. If you've never read Swamp Thing-try Moore's. See why it's SO different from anything else. Then read this. See how it is much like any other random comic story. Nothing bad, nothing great. That's a shame since Swamp Thing at worst ought to be at least good. This is just ok.
The brilliant premise of Moore's Swamp Thing not being a man at all but rather a plant that had the thoughts of Alec Holland is turned on its head as this Swamp Thing is just Alec Holland. They keep emphasizing he is a man underneath, Swamp Thing says it as well..and sadly they do not see how this lessens the impact of what the Swamp Thing is. A manifestation of nature. Not a man. But Snyder's Swamp Thing is a man...and for some reason his Swamp Thing looks like some kind of Nordic warrior with antler horn style branches and a sword..blah blah. Then instead of getting a cool story..we are treated to Swamp Thing fighting the Rot, fighting a demon Abby thing, fighting Anton Arcane. It's the kind of story that covers the fact that it lacks a good plot by providing a lot of action scenes. The plot was ok..the art was decent. I just didn't care much about this one.
Still I'll keep looking and perhaps some newer author will be able to recapture some of the Swamp Thing's amazing style and story. So far Brian Vaughn has done a good job. Snyder's is ok. If you've never read Swamp Thing-try Moore's. See why it's SO different from anything else. Then read this. See how it is much like any other random comic story. Nothing bad, nothing great. That's a shame since Swamp Thing at worst ought to be at least good. This is just ok.
February 3, 2021
Scott Snyder’s “Swamp Thing” is a phenomenal addition to a series that has been running, in some manifestation, for almost 50 years for DC Comics. Many great writers have contributed to the series over the years, including Alan Moore, Nancy Collins, Brian K. Vaughan, and even Grant Morrison, so Snyder is following in some pretty big shoes.
In the second volume, “Family Tree”: the Rot is spreading across the western United States; Swampy saves Abby but unwittingly unleashes the true villain behind all this: Anton Arcane, back from Hell; Swampy teams up with Animal Man (a superhero I know nothing about); we learn a little bit more about the history of Arcane’s evil and how Alec Holland’s life has been tied to it; we also get a glimpse of the future, in which the Rot has basically taken over the world and Swampy has a glandular problem…
I've been wavering between like and strong dislike over the whole DC New 52. More to the strong dislike, after some annoying upsets with series like "Justice League Dark" and "John Constantine". Snyder's "Swamp Thing", however, is about the only thing keeping me tethered to it right now. Snyder is a great writer and one that has respect for Len Wein/Bernie Wrightson's original concept for Swamp Thing while also trying to keep him updated for a new audience. Kudos to Snyder...
In the second volume, “Family Tree”: the Rot is spreading across the western United States; Swampy saves Abby but unwittingly unleashes the true villain behind all this: Anton Arcane, back from Hell; Swampy teams up with Animal Man (a superhero I know nothing about); we learn a little bit more about the history of Arcane’s evil and how Alec Holland’s life has been tied to it; we also get a glimpse of the future, in which the Rot has basically taken over the world and Swampy has a glandular problem…
I've been wavering between like and strong dislike over the whole DC New 52. More to the strong dislike, after some annoying upsets with series like "Justice League Dark" and "John Constantine". Snyder's "Swamp Thing", however, is about the only thing keeping me tethered to it right now. Snyder is a great writer and one that has respect for Len Wein/Bernie Wrightson's original concept for Swamp Thing while also trying to keep him updated for a new audience. Kudos to Snyder...
November 29, 2013
I love how, in this New 52 crossover event between Animal Man and Swamp Thing, Swamp Thing is distinctively written as a horror comic while Animal Man stands out as a book about a family man struggling with his superhero identity. In this way, both titles remain true to their origins and are self-aware of the things Grant Morrison and Alan Moore did in the '80s to make them great.
Whereas the totems of The Red in Animal Man have consistently pointed out that there is nothing evil about The Rot, (rather that a balance must always be maintained, lest the plant world, animal world, or decay world dominate in a self-detrimental, non-symbiotic way) in the horror comic Swamp Thing, The Rot is pretty much depicted as inherently evil.
I'm waiting for the library to acquire Vol 3: Rotworld told from Swamp Thing's perspective, as I've already finished that volume via the Animal Man TPB, which includes several issues of Swamp Thing and involves a writer team-up between Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire.
Whereas the totems of The Red in Animal Man have consistently pointed out that there is nothing evil about The Rot, (rather that a balance must always be maintained, lest the plant world, animal world, or decay world dominate in a self-detrimental, non-symbiotic way) in the horror comic Swamp Thing, The Rot is pretty much depicted as inherently evil.
I'm waiting for the library to acquire Vol 3: Rotworld told from Swamp Thing's perspective, as I've already finished that volume via the Animal Man TPB, which includes several issues of Swamp Thing and involves a writer team-up between Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire.
March 31, 2013
As I mentioned on my review of the first Trade compilation of these comics,
I read these as individual issues as they came out... my first impression was that it had nice art, but that the story wasn't really going anywhere.
I then re-read the entire first 12 issues in a single sitting.
Yes, the story is slow, you can tell that they were intended more for a trade compilation than to be read as singles, but there IS a story.
The art matches well with pretty much with the rest the new DC 52... which is to say, ALOT of computer manipulated images and nice computer-coloring on nice (though very thin) glossy paper.
I've stopped buying the single issues and will await the Trades compilations as they come out from now on.
I read these as individual issues as they came out... my first impression was that it had nice art, but that the story wasn't really going anywhere.
I then re-read the entire first 12 issues in a single sitting.
Yes, the story is slow, you can tell that they were intended more for a trade compilation than to be read as singles, but there IS a story.
The art matches well with pretty much with the rest the new DC 52... which is to say, ALOT of computer manipulated images and nice computer-coloring on nice (though very thin) glossy paper.
I've stopped buying the single issues and will await the Trades compilations as they come out from now on.
November 1, 2014
This is a transition book, collecting some loose pieces and setting up the third volume, Rotworld. It resolves the conflict of the first volume fairly quickly, with about two issues, and develops the Swamp Thing (and Abby) in creative new ways, while also reintroducing a classic Swamp Thing villain in a way that is in keeping with the series. Much of this book focuses on the past, including a zero issue that is actually pretty interesting, detailing the first meeting between Alec and Abby, long before their destinies took control. A fair bit happens here, but even still, it feels like a breather between the foreboding of the first volume and the action of the third.
February 7, 2017
"I've got your hug right here"
Strong words from a strong woman ;)
really loving everythiing about this issue: the characters, so deep, so rich.. Abigail, Arcane,.. it all just feels good, connected, one good, brilliant story in fact.
I'm definitely jumping straight into the next one!
Oeh, yeah, right, almost forgot: just.. loving.. this.. ARTWORK!!!
Strong words from a strong woman ;)
really loving everythiing about this issue: the characters, so deep, so rich.. Abigail, Arcane,.. it all just feels good, connected, one good, brilliant story in fact.
I'm definitely jumping straight into the next one!
Oeh, yeah, right, almost forgot: just.. loving.. this.. ARTWORK!!!
January 8, 2023
Now that I’ve reread this volume with Animal Man things make a lot more sense. Even though we kind of spin in circles with Abby Arcane this is all setting up Rotworld and adding some origin to New 52 Swamp Thing.
May 30, 2013
Very disjointed. Cool but confusing artwork. Am hoping this cleans itself up in further volumes....
April 7, 2022
Definite improvement over the first volume, though a couple of things throw a wrench into the proceedings that knock off that fourth star. For one thing (and this is more a personal taste thing than anything else), I guess I just don't like Anton Arcane that much as an arch nemesis. Or I guess the *idea* of the character just remembers better than he revisits, with diminishing returns. Whenever he pops back up in some new "reimagined" incarnation, his presence always feels increasingly more tedious than menacing, especially as this ungainly...thing. Other than menacing Abby with the same old creepy-uncle-with-pedo-overtones schtick, he might as well be any grotesque, brut-force threat. Still not a fan of Abby-is-the-unwilling-rot-queen, though it's put to good dramatic effect, at least. Then we end with...a lead-in to a crossover event no one asked for? Seriously?
June 13, 2017
I forgot that the first two volumes of most New 52 books were connected. At least, Scott Snyder's were. That means waiting six years to pick up the second volume was a mistake. But, aside from the resolution of the previous volume, the rest of this is messy. Mostly, it's preparing for volume three and it's missing an issue that must have been in Animal Man. And I HATED Animal Man's New 52. I'll finish Rotworld but I've been letdown.
August 20, 2019
This is really disjointed, I found. It seemed rushed, and thrown together. It's also harder for me to get into the story when the art style changes so much.
Read
March 19, 2025#8 & 9. This seems like a much more natural point for the previous volume to finish. The threat from volume 1 is finally vanquished and Alec/ST has saved the girl. As for how he saved the girl, well let's just say that suspension of disbelief is required.
*cough* deus ex machina *cough*
Alec: I did this thing to your (tinned) peaches, even though at the time I thought your brother was the issue, not you and I didn't really know what was going to happen to you. And I did it without you seeing me, even though you were standing right next to me and I think you ate maybe 1 peach slice before things went to shit!,
#10 - 11 Abby's uncle is back to ruin everyone's day. And the Parliament of Trees are children!
#0 Read the origin ages ago. I can't remember anything.
Annual - This seems out of place here as it takes part in the Rotworld cross series event. It’s a flashback andtells the story of how Alec and Abby had met before, but is definitely connected to Rotworld.
Overall a decent volume.
*cough* deus ex machina *cough*
Alec: I did this thing to your (tinned) peaches, even though at the time I thought your brother was the issue, not you and I didn't really know what was going to happen to you. And I did it without you seeing me, even though you were standing right next to me and I think you ate maybe 1 peach slice before things went to shit!,
#10 - 11 Abby's uncle is back to ruin everyone's day. And the Parliament of Trees are children!
#0 Read the origin ages ago. I can't remember anything.
Annual - This seems out of place here as it takes part in the Rotworld cross series event. It’s a flashback andtells the story of how Alec and Abby had met before, but is definitely connected to Rotworld.
Overall a decent volume.
March 12, 2013
Reprints Swamp Thing (5) #0, 8-11, and Annual #1 (June 2012-December 2012). Swamp Thing is reborn and literally trying to find his roots as he adjusts to his new powers. Unfortunately, the threat of the Rot is growing, and it could turn Alec’s love Abigail Arcane against him. If Swamp Thing can stop Abigail from succumbing to the darkness inside of her, can he stop the return of his immortal enemy and emissary of the Rot Anton Arcane?
Written by Scott Snyder (with help from Scott Tuft on Swamp Thing (5) Annual #1), Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree serves as a lead in story to the big cross over series of Rotworld. Following Swamp Thing 1: Raise Them Bones, Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree is illustrated by Yanick Paquette, Marco Rudy, Becky Cloonan, Francesco Francavilla, Andy Belanger, and Kano. Issue #10 of Swamp Thing (5) also has a nice homage to the original Swamp Thing (1) #10 (June 1974).
While Swamp Thing 1: Raise Them Bones laid the groundwork for Swamp Thing and restored Alec Holland to Swamp Thing, this volume restores Holland’s nemesis Anton Arcane. The series also continues to develop the story of the Rot which leads into the big Rotworld crossover series that goes through Animal Man and Swamp Thing (and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. to some extent).
I wish the story at this point was a little more concrete and less fluid. Swamp Thing never has been a very linear comic from way back in the Alan Moore days and I don’t really expect it to be, but I like Abby and I like Arcane and the Rot aspect of their background is taking some getting used to. Swamp Thing (5) #0 (November 2012) does provide some more of Swamp Thing and Arcane’s past in regards to the Rot.
I also find it strange that it was decided to include Swamp Thing (5) Annual #1 (December 2012) in this collection since it takes place during Rotworld (but does house a story that is more tied to Abby’s family and her past with Alec). It could be jarring to readers to be thrust into Rotworld when they haven’t really encountered it yet in the story.
Despite some minor criticisms, Swamp Thing continues to be a strong title in the New 52 and one of the ones I look forward to. Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree is a good continuation of the story and has Swamp Thing really establishing some strong “roots” for future storylines. The Rotworld story has been a long time coming, and I look forward to see where it goes.
Written by Scott Snyder (with help from Scott Tuft on Swamp Thing (5) Annual #1), Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree serves as a lead in story to the big cross over series of Rotworld. Following Swamp Thing 1: Raise Them Bones, Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree is illustrated by Yanick Paquette, Marco Rudy, Becky Cloonan, Francesco Francavilla, Andy Belanger, and Kano. Issue #10 of Swamp Thing (5) also has a nice homage to the original Swamp Thing (1) #10 (June 1974).
While Swamp Thing 1: Raise Them Bones laid the groundwork for Swamp Thing and restored Alec Holland to Swamp Thing, this volume restores Holland’s nemesis Anton Arcane. The series also continues to develop the story of the Rot which leads into the big Rotworld crossover series that goes through Animal Man and Swamp Thing (and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. to some extent).
I wish the story at this point was a little more concrete and less fluid. Swamp Thing never has been a very linear comic from way back in the Alan Moore days and I don’t really expect it to be, but I like Abby and I like Arcane and the Rot aspect of their background is taking some getting used to. Swamp Thing (5) #0 (November 2012) does provide some more of Swamp Thing and Arcane’s past in regards to the Rot.
I also find it strange that it was decided to include Swamp Thing (5) Annual #1 (December 2012) in this collection since it takes place during Rotworld (but does house a story that is more tied to Abby’s family and her past with Alec). It could be jarring to readers to be thrust into Rotworld when they haven’t really encountered it yet in the story.
Despite some minor criticisms, Swamp Thing continues to be a strong title in the New 52 and one of the ones I look forward to. Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree is a good continuation of the story and has Swamp Thing really establishing some strong “roots” for future storylines. The Rotworld story has been a long time coming, and I look forward to see where it goes.
May 27, 2013
The first time I ever saw the Swamp Thing was when my dad showed me the movie on HBO very late one night, the one directed by Wes Craven that is super terrible but so good at the same time. Too bad Alan Moore's comics were not friendly reading for 7 year-olds.
Vertigo titles were never really my thing until I hit about sophomore year in high school, or until the ass-end of Sandman, whichever came first. Black Orchid, Kid Eternity, stuff like that just seemed so severely and intentionally opaque and impenetrable that it just wasn't fun. It wasn't even very literary. It was just artsy for the sake of it. But titles like Preacher seemed to open some doors and blow the hinges off the imprint and then I was floored by some of the things it started to publish. Swamp Thing being a Vertigo title for so long (and the earlier 70's comics being so hard to find), I never really got into it. I knew of it, had read some issues, but just didn't dig it outside of the origin and the abilities of the character.
But I was down to read this incarnation of from the first issue and have been picking them up as single issues ever since. And although it was partly because of Snyder's involvement and the gorgeous art of Paquette, it had more to do with the character in general. I wanted this to work out. I wanted this to become a huge deal for DC, just the same I am always rooting for their quirkier characters like Resurrection Man. And to see Animal Man so wrapped up in the story here as well, I am just as giddy as can be.
Unfortunately, this book wasn't as strong nor as intriguing as the first volume. Extremely heavy on the exposition, the story is pushed forward with an inordinate amount of straight-forward explanation instead of letting it unfold naturally. Info dump? Is that how they refer to this kind of story-telling these days? I guess that's what it felt like. Not very good in the transitions and clumsy flashbacks, but striking in every other respect. Especially the art. If you aren't reading this book, you're missing out on one of the best in the industry right now.
Writing: B
Art: A
Vertigo titles were never really my thing until I hit about sophomore year in high school, or until the ass-end of Sandman, whichever came first. Black Orchid, Kid Eternity, stuff like that just seemed so severely and intentionally opaque and impenetrable that it just wasn't fun. It wasn't even very literary. It was just artsy for the sake of it. But titles like Preacher seemed to open some doors and blow the hinges off the imprint and then I was floored by some of the things it started to publish. Swamp Thing being a Vertigo title for so long (and the earlier 70's comics being so hard to find), I never really got into it. I knew of it, had read some issues, but just didn't dig it outside of the origin and the abilities of the character.
But I was down to read this incarnation of from the first issue and have been picking them up as single issues ever since. And although it was partly because of Snyder's involvement and the gorgeous art of Paquette, it had more to do with the character in general. I wanted this to work out. I wanted this to become a huge deal for DC, just the same I am always rooting for their quirkier characters like Resurrection Man. And to see Animal Man so wrapped up in the story here as well, I am just as giddy as can be.
Unfortunately, this book wasn't as strong nor as intriguing as the first volume. Extremely heavy on the exposition, the story is pushed forward with an inordinate amount of straight-forward explanation instead of letting it unfold naturally. Info dump? Is that how they refer to this kind of story-telling these days? I guess that's what it felt like. Not very good in the transitions and clumsy flashbacks, but striking in every other respect. Especially the art. If you aren't reading this book, you're missing out on one of the best in the industry right now.
Writing: B
Art: A
November 5, 2013
Hey, some spoilers ahead.
This volume of Swamp Thing goes in parallel with the latest New 52 Animal Man comics. Both are fighting The Rot. I really like this other-worldly superhero / horror type of comic more so than your standard tights and capes comics. The art is great, weird, and disgusting. The writing is good, although might be a little heavy on the "I'll get you!" side of things.
The first team of artists in this volume has every "panel" packed with really disgusting fights. The reason I put "panel" in quotes is because they eschew the normal comic book grid pattern and construct the panels out of ropey Swamp Thing mossy stuff. I like the uniqueness of it, but I think I get a little confused on the chronology of the whole thing. It's very much like Bendis's run on Daredevil or Powers, but I feel like when Alex Maleev does it in DD, I can follow if he's doing a spiral or whatever. Here it was tougher.
It's a strong comic that gets a little weak in the final installment when Alec is in... Transylvania? I can't tell. They could've done a stronger job making us care about how he and Abigail met.
And both Animal Man vol. 2 and Swamp Thing vol. 2 give us a cliffhanger for the next installment when the two of them are teamed up fighting The Rot. I'm looking forward to it.
Read this comic if you want to see disgusting fights and Cthulhu-esque otherworldly forces toying with mankind.
This volume of Swamp Thing goes in parallel with the latest New 52 Animal Man comics. Both are fighting The Rot. I really like this other-worldly superhero / horror type of comic more so than your standard tights and capes comics. The art is great, weird, and disgusting. The writing is good, although might be a little heavy on the "I'll get you!" side of things.
The first team of artists in this volume has every "panel" packed with really disgusting fights. The reason I put "panel" in quotes is because they eschew the normal comic book grid pattern and construct the panels out of ropey Swamp Thing mossy stuff. I like the uniqueness of it, but I think I get a little confused on the chronology of the whole thing. It's very much like Bendis's run on Daredevil or Powers, but I feel like when Alex Maleev does it in DD, I can follow if he's doing a spiral or whatever. Here it was tougher.
It's a strong comic that gets a little weak in the final installment when Alec is in... Transylvania? I can't tell. They could've done a stronger job making us care about how he and Abigail met.
And both Animal Man vol. 2 and Swamp Thing vol. 2 give us a cliffhanger for the next installment when the two of them are teamed up fighting The Rot. I'm looking forward to it.
Read this comic if you want to see disgusting fights and Cthulhu-esque otherworldly forces toying with mankind.
August 28, 2013
I didn't enjoy this as much as Volume 1, but it was still very good.
Swamp Thing looks badass here, with wings and antlers, and kicks some serious ass in his showdown with Sethe. Trying to free Abby from his clutches, but is it too late? Or is Abby even more powerful than ever known?
The art is great for the horrific nature of the book.
Also an old enemy returns, even stronger than ever, Swamp Thing's greatest enemy ever (as well as Alec Holland's).
There's also some good work that tells how Holland became the Swamp Thing, and stuff about the Parliament of the Trees and the Green, and how their power manages to help Thing survive.
Also, a flashback shows where and when Abigail Arcane and Alec Holland first met, and how their connection was strong from that point on; stronger than either of them ever suspected at the time.
There is also the arrival of another DC hero who's been suspected to show up for sometime, and if you read his New 52 series, you know he's been looking for Alec...looks like Volume 3 will be the team up I'm rather excited for...
In addition, there's a preview of an event where Swamp Thing, Poison Ivy and Deadman seem to be some of the only people left on Earth after the Green and the Red and the Rot go at it...looking forward to the next volume for sure, but this was solid, just didn't grab me as much as Vol 1.
Swamp Thing looks badass here, with wings and antlers, and kicks some serious ass in his showdown with Sethe. Trying to free Abby from his clutches, but is it too late? Or is Abby even more powerful than ever known?
The art is great for the horrific nature of the book.
Also an old enemy returns, even stronger than ever, Swamp Thing's greatest enemy ever (as well as Alec Holland's).
There's also some good work that tells how Holland became the Swamp Thing, and stuff about the Parliament of the Trees and the Green, and how their power manages to help Thing survive.
Also, a flashback shows where and when Abigail Arcane and Alec Holland first met, and how their connection was strong from that point on; stronger than either of them ever suspected at the time.
There is also the arrival of another DC hero who's been suspected to show up for sometime, and if you read his New 52 series, you know he's been looking for Alec...looks like Volume 3 will be the team up I'm rather excited for...
In addition, there's a preview of an event where Swamp Thing, Poison Ivy and Deadman seem to be some of the only people left on Earth after the Green and the Red and the Rot go at it...looking forward to the next volume for sure, but this was solid, just didn't grab me as much as Vol 1.
May 10, 2013
I'll give it this much: I liked it better than Volume 1. The art is still good, but feels like it's trying to hard to be what it isn't naturally. The story is markedly better now that Alec Holland has stopped whining about how he doesn't want to take up the responsibility and has just decided to kick some @$$. And that's what he does. You see the impressive display of Swampy's powers in this and it's considerably more satisfying action than the "run away!" of the previous installments. What's more is you see the true villain of the Rot take shape. You also get the added bonus of the #0 issue and Swamp Thing Annual #1 to give additional backstory on the villain's relationship with Alec and the Green. Those stories were the ones that actually stood out the most. The main core seemed to fly by rather quickly with just the faintest impression that something happened. The other stories had a much more deliberate pace which built more suspense and subsequently had a much better payoff at the end, in my opinion. Still a little "meh" overall with this title. I'll definitely stick with it through the end of the Rotworld arc, but I don't know how much longer beyond that...
September 15, 2014
I liked this one better than the first. I don't know if it's because it gives us some background on Alec and in particular how his fate became entangled with Abigail. The battle between the Green and the Rot feels epic. In this book, we see that the battle also involves the other vital force, the Red, which is the animal primal nature.
I really like the concept of plantlife being powerful and sentient. I think it's because I love plants and I am a keen gardener. I feel like that part of me that loves plants connects to Alec as a hero. And the part of me that is a healer instinctively rejects the Rot. I like that Abigail's fate isn't predetermined. That Alec fights for her and she fights against it herself. I feel that bad her brother had chosen the darker path.
This series is definitely more horror than anything else. Lots of disturbing imagery, but the artwork is in its own way very beautiful. I think this one has earned four stars from me. I will keep reading!
I really like the concept of plantlife being powerful and sentient. I think it's because I love plants and I am a keen gardener. I feel like that part of me that loves plants connects to Alec as a hero. And the part of me that is a healer instinctively rejects the Rot. I like that Abigail's fate isn't predetermined. That Alec fights for her and she fights against it herself. I feel that bad her brother had chosen the darker path.
This series is definitely more horror than anything else. Lots of disturbing imagery, but the artwork is in its own way very beautiful. I think this one has earned four stars from me. I will keep reading!
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