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Saga of the Swamp Thing: Book One
Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2012
80 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Alan Moore
1,579 books21.9k followersAlan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 19, 2026
As good as you've heard. Haunting art and words, this volume is a very literary comic book. Reinvents the concepts and conventions of the character. Recommended for readers who like wordy comic books, creepy art, and Alan Moore.
February 1, 2026
A lot of really clever moments. I really loved how the swamp believed he was Alec Holland, but actually just absorbed his memories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2026
I have previously read Mr Moore’s Watchmen and V for Vendetta, and seen the films. I found this at the library and was skeptical as monsters are not usually a favorite of mine. There was a good forward by Len Wein who created the character and another by Ramsey Campbell who puts Mr Moore’s story into comic-history perspective. Whatever Swamp Thing was before, he is that no longer. Mr Moore is not only good at writing a story with complicated characters speaking believably, he has inventive genius as well.
The horror element is thankfully somewhat toned down, usually. There are though a few really horrific scenes.
The pictures are well drawn and usually easily understood. The color-scheme is garish but fitting. The size and placement are inventive and usually easy to follow.
The conclusion I found disturbing and somewhat confused. The creation of Swamp Thing and Floronic Man are based on the usual comic book science – being bitten by a radioactive spider creates… well, we all know what. Inter-dimensional beings are OK too; but the introduction of a demon suddenly tips the story from the profane to the sacred, from SF to Fantasy.
On the other hand, who cares? It’s a pretty cool demon.
The horror element is thankfully somewhat toned down, usually. There are though a few really horrific scenes.
The pictures are well drawn and usually easily understood. The color-scheme is garish but fitting. The size and placement are inventive and usually easy to follow.
The conclusion I found disturbing and somewhat confused. The creation of Swamp Thing and Floronic Man are based on the usual comic book science – being bitten by a radioactive spider creates… well, we all know what. Inter-dimensional beings are OK too; but the introduction of a demon suddenly tips the story from the profane to the sacred, from SF to Fantasy.
On the other hand, who cares? It’s a pretty cool demon.
March 11, 2026
I've really been looking forward to reading the Swamp Thing simply because I knew almost nothing about the series, save that it was one of the classics. I also like Alan Moore's writing, and all this time I thought he was the one who created the Swamp Thing, and was surprised to learn that that's not the case at all. I'll have to see if I can get a hold of the original 20-or-so issues created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson (a favorite of mine!) at some point.
After being hunted down by American government, shot and "killed", it looks like the end for the Swamp Thing. He is preserved, frozen and dissected, and we quickly learn that Alec Holland is not the Swamp Thing after all, but the Swamp Thing is a mutated plant organism who believes it is Alec Holland. And thus Moore has made the character his own.
I enjoyed this first volume and I'm looking forward to reading the complete collection, but I do so with my 80s-glasses on and don't try to compare neither the art or the story to some of today's great comic book works, at which ST falls a little short. For instance: the female protagonist, Abby Cable, is almost without exception drawn scared, helpless, crying or screaming. Always turning to Swamp Thing for help, guidance and comfort.
After being hunted down by American government, shot and "killed", it looks like the end for the Swamp Thing. He is preserved, frozen and dissected, and we quickly learn that Alec Holland is not the Swamp Thing after all, but the Swamp Thing is a mutated plant organism who believes it is Alec Holland. And thus Moore has made the character his own.
I enjoyed this first volume and I'm looking forward to reading the complete collection, but I do so with my 80s-glasses on and don't try to compare neither the art or the story to some of today's great comic book works, at which ST falls a little short. For instance: the female protagonist, Abby Cable, is almost without exception drawn scared, helpless, crying or screaming. Always turning to Swamp Thing for help, guidance and comfort.
February 20, 2026
Really good opening comic, and a great introduction for me to get into Alan Moore’s stuff. I love how introspective this is and I really did not think comics were going this dang hard in the 80s the art is amazing too it’s clear they took their time on every page. Excited to read book two.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews