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Swamp Thing (1972) #1-10
Swamp Thing: Dark Genesis
He has become a modern legend, this mysterious creature of the Louisiana bayou. Feared as a monster, hailed as a god, by turns wonderfully benevolent and pitiless in his wrath, the Swamp Thing has carved his unique niche in the American Landscape.
Writer Len Wein and legendary horror artist Bernie Wrightson, the original creators of the most complex creature in comics, brought the "Swamp Thing" to life in an 8-page story from HOUSE OF SECRETS #92. Now that classic story, plus the first ten issues of SWAMP THING Volume One, are reprinted in a new edition of SWAMP THING: DARK GENESIS - a 240-page VERTIGO trade paperback.
In DARK GENESIS, learn the astonishing secret of Swamp Thing's "birth"; share the forbidden passions of Anton Arcane and the measureless sorrow of the Patchwork Man; shiver to the timeless horror of the witch named Rebecca Ravenwind and of a tortured Scottish werewolf. These eleven stories are not merely acknowledged classics of the comics field; they are an incredible reading experience, and the ideal introduction to the many-faceted creature known as Swamp Thing.
Writer Len Wein and legendary horror artist Bernie Wrightson, the original creators of the most complex creature in comics, brought the "Swamp Thing" to life in an 8-page story from HOUSE OF SECRETS #92. Now that classic story, plus the first ten issues of SWAMP THING Volume One, are reprinted in a new edition of SWAMP THING: DARK GENESIS - a 240-page VERTIGO trade paperback.
In DARK GENESIS, learn the astonishing secret of Swamp Thing's "birth"; share the forbidden passions of Anton Arcane and the measureless sorrow of the Patchwork Man; shiver to the timeless horror of the witch named Rebecca Ravenwind and of a tortured Scottish werewolf. These eleven stories are not merely acknowledged classics of the comics field; they are an incredible reading experience, and the ideal introduction to the many-faceted creature known as Swamp Thing.
240 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1974
5 people are currently reading
1632 people want to read
About the author
Len Wein
1,587 books154 followersLen Wein was an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men (including the co-creation of Nightcrawler, Storm, and Colossus). Additionally, he was the editor for writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons' influential DC miniseries Watchmen.
Wein was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.
Wein was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 21, 2021
Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson lay a terrific foundation that Alan Moore would one day build off of. The Swamp Thing comes across Anton Arcane and his Un-Men in the second issue. He comes across the paths of witches, werewolves, Patchwork Men, elder gods and Batman during his travails from the Balkans back to the swamps of Louisiana. Bernie Wrightson's art is sublime. It's got this classic EC look to it. He really makes creatures like the Un-Men look horrific while giving Swamp Thing his iconic look. If you've ever wondered about the Swamp Thing's origins this still holds up very well.
March 29, 2016
" . . . something sudden disturbs their repose. . . something that claws its way out of the grasping mire. . . and into the light once more! Something that pulls itself upright on unsteady legs, searching its cloudy mind for a fragment of memory . . . then pauses, studying its gnarled, misshapen hands. . examining the clusters of root, the crumbling chunks of moss. . . and in that frightening, mind-shattering second--knows what it has become! A muck-encrusted, shambling mockery of life. . . a twisted caricature of humanity that can only be called. . . SWAMP THING!"
I had read this some time ago as I was reading the first three volumes of Alan Moore's great Swamp Thing run, to see where it all started. And here it is, such as it is, in the garish pulp horror colors of the early seventies from Bernie Wrightson, with all the purple prose you would expect from the genre and period. Over the top. A bit much. Characters that don't usually seem quite real, B-movie stereotypes who talk like they are naive and stupid. No real character development or relationships outside of Swampy's origin story. But fun, if you just go with it.
That basic story line is pretty interesting. The Swamp Thing is actually Dr Alec Holland, who gets transformed in a lab explosion and ends up in the swamp, reborn as this organic creature. Then missing his true love, too. That figures in, because he doesn't talk and she doesn't recognize him, he's a monster. And the fraught relationship between humans and the environment is there from the start--Man versus Nature!!--though developed way better and more through. . . Moore. Initially The Swamp Thing was a little like Hulk, a monster of peace and nature (this was 1970, after all, we had to have a horror comic for we hippies) who has anger issues. Actually Moore does everything better than Wein.
There are a lot of crazy plot lines, some of which I could have done without, though some are pretty interesting, I guess. The back cover has the whole effect right: "Share the forbidden passions of Anton Arcane and the measureless sorrow of the patchwork man." A witch named Rebecca Ravenswood. Bizarres appearances from DC superheroes like Batman?! Oh, come on. But some of them figure in Moore's run, so it's useful to know what Moore is referencing, as he is always densely referencing stuff.
I think if you are going to read Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, a classic of the genre, it would be useful to check this out. On its own it is a sort of pulp horror classic from fifty years ago.
I had read this some time ago as I was reading the first three volumes of Alan Moore's great Swamp Thing run, to see where it all started. And here it is, such as it is, in the garish pulp horror colors of the early seventies from Bernie Wrightson, with all the purple prose you would expect from the genre and period. Over the top. A bit much. Characters that don't usually seem quite real, B-movie stereotypes who talk like they are naive and stupid. No real character development or relationships outside of Swampy's origin story. But fun, if you just go with it.
That basic story line is pretty interesting. The Swamp Thing is actually Dr Alec Holland, who gets transformed in a lab explosion and ends up in the swamp, reborn as this organic creature. Then missing his true love, too. That figures in, because he doesn't talk and she doesn't recognize him, he's a monster. And the fraught relationship between humans and the environment is there from the start--Man versus Nature!!--though developed way better and more through. . . Moore. Initially The Swamp Thing was a little like Hulk, a monster of peace and nature (this was 1970, after all, we had to have a horror comic for we hippies) who has anger issues. Actually Moore does everything better than Wein.
There are a lot of crazy plot lines, some of which I could have done without, though some are pretty interesting, I guess. The back cover has the whole effect right: "Share the forbidden passions of Anton Arcane and the measureless sorrow of the patchwork man." A witch named Rebecca Ravenswood. Bizarres appearances from DC superheroes like Batman?! Oh, come on. But some of them figure in Moore's run, so it's useful to know what Moore is referencing, as he is always densely referencing stuff.
I think if you are going to read Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, a classic of the genre, it would be useful to check this out. On its own it is a sort of pulp horror classic from fifty years ago.
March 11, 2021
This book collects the first three issues of Swamp Thing, written by Len Wein and illustrated by Berni Wrightson. It's printed in mass-market paperback format, and was published by Tor in 1982 in conjunction with the release of the first Swamp Thing film. There's a tendency to dismiss all of the non-Alan Moore Swamp Thing work as inferior, which is an injustice. Wein and Wrightson created the character, and their first ten issues of the book were superlative. This one is printed in black-and-white, but if there was ever a comics artist whose work wasn't improved by colors it was Wrightson. There was a good novelization of the film, too, but I believe this edition was instrumental in introducing movie-goers to the printed graphic format of the original.
June 30, 2018
This is one of my favorite comic runs of all time, right up there with Miller's Daredevil and Claremont/Byrne X-Men.
Berni Wrightson is probably my favorite comic artist of all time (along with Neal Adams) and this is some of his best work. Len Wein's writing on this series is every bit as good as the art as well. This series is horror comics done right.
We have basically a gothic horror story featuring a heroic but tragic monster, almost in a Frankenstein type way. The series itself was published in 1972, and set during that time, but really the feel of the stories are much older, from 1800s style Gothic to 1930s style Depression era. But in a way that makes the series timeless and adds to the great atmosphere. This series manages to be genuinely creepy without relying on gore and shock value but strictly though the synthesis of the language and art.
I will say there is some camp that creeps in, especially the way Swamp Thing ends up in one crazy situation after another. But putting that aside you are left with classic comic horror, really along the vein of EC comics but with more continuity and a main continuing character. Oh, also, BATMAN. The Batman appearance is probably my favorite of the run, and Wrightson does a great Batman which he later revisited in the fantastic series "The Cult."
I can't recommend this series enough for any fans of horror comics.
Berni Wrightson is probably my favorite comic artist of all time (along with Neal Adams) and this is some of his best work. Len Wein's writing on this series is every bit as good as the art as well. This series is horror comics done right.
We have basically a gothic horror story featuring a heroic but tragic monster, almost in a Frankenstein type way. The series itself was published in 1972, and set during that time, but really the feel of the stories are much older, from 1800s style Gothic to 1930s style Depression era. But in a way that makes the series timeless and adds to the great atmosphere. This series manages to be genuinely creepy without relying on gore and shock value but strictly though the synthesis of the language and art.
I will say there is some camp that creeps in, especially the way Swamp Thing ends up in one crazy situation after another. But putting that aside you are left with classic comic horror, really along the vein of EC comics but with more continuity and a main continuing character. Oh, also, BATMAN. The Batman appearance is probably my favorite of the run, and Wrightson does a great Batman which he later revisited in the fantastic series "The Cult."
I can't recommend this series enough for any fans of horror comics.
July 18, 2009
DC's enduring muck monster, co-created by writer Lein Wein and illustrator Bernie Wrightson, Swamp Thing: Dark Genesis reprints the first ten issues of the misunderstood hero's series debut and his 1st appearance from House of Secrets #92.
Scientist and environmental activist Dr. Alec Holland is transformed into a living, breathing, plantman. Replete with super strength, regenerative healing powers, and the ability to take massive damage, the Swamp Thing battles human villians, a sorcerer, genetic-freak-mutations, a werewolf, witchhunters, robots, a Lovecraftian "Great Old One", an extraterrestrial, and even the Dark Knight himself on a quest to restore his humanity and to reunite with his wife and fellow scientist Linda Holland.
Succinctly written and handsomely illustrated, this collection shall be noted for the introduction of various supporting and reoccuring characters in the Swamp Thing mythos including: Linda Holland, Lt. Matt Cable, Dr. Anton Arcane and his army of genetic mutations known as the UN-Men, the Patchwork Man (think Frankenstein's Monster), and Abigail Arcane.
Highly recommended for all horror and comic book afficionados.
Scientist and environmental activist Dr. Alec Holland is transformed into a living, breathing, plantman. Replete with super strength, regenerative healing powers, and the ability to take massive damage, the Swamp Thing battles human villians, a sorcerer, genetic-freak-mutations, a werewolf, witchhunters, robots, a Lovecraftian "Great Old One", an extraterrestrial, and even the Dark Knight himself on a quest to restore his humanity and to reunite with his wife and fellow scientist Linda Holland.
Succinctly written and handsomely illustrated, this collection shall be noted for the introduction of various supporting and reoccuring characters in the Swamp Thing mythos including: Linda Holland, Lt. Matt Cable, Dr. Anton Arcane and his army of genetic mutations known as the UN-Men, the Patchwork Man (think Frankenstein's Monster), and Abigail Arcane.
Highly recommended for all horror and comic book afficionados.
May 31, 2020
*3.5*
A principios de los `70s, la irrupción de “The Swamp Thing” significó un soplo de aire fresco en el apático mundillo editorial del comic super heroico de la época.
Wein y Wrightson nos proponen, en esta especie de “Año Uno”, el origen y las primeras aventuras de su célebre creación.
Wein recurre al típico esquema gótico/romántico del fenómeno rechazado por la sociedad, al que interpone tibias reformulaciones de criaturas clásicas del género, como hombres lobo o criaturas frankensteinianas. Por su parte Wrightson ajusta su arte espléndidamente a los requerimientos del guion, particularmente en lo referido a los detalles anatómicos y a la expresividad gestual, con que delinea a sus criaturas.
Llegué a este tomo más que nada como una introducción, para luego si meterme de lleno, en la mítica etapa de Alan Moore frente del monstruo del pantano.
A principios de los `70s, la irrupción de “The Swamp Thing” significó un soplo de aire fresco en el apático mundillo editorial del comic super heroico de la época.
Wein y Wrightson nos proponen, en esta especie de “Año Uno”, el origen y las primeras aventuras de su célebre creación.
Wein recurre al típico esquema gótico/romántico del fenómeno rechazado por la sociedad, al que interpone tibias reformulaciones de criaturas clásicas del género, como hombres lobo o criaturas frankensteinianas. Por su parte Wrightson ajusta su arte espléndidamente a los requerimientos del guion, particularmente en lo referido a los detalles anatómicos y a la expresividad gestual, con que delinea a sus criaturas.
Llegué a este tomo más que nada como una introducción, para luego si meterme de lleno, en la mítica etapa de Alan Moore frente del monstruo del pantano.
December 28, 2008
After having read Alan Moore's entire run of Swamp Thing, I went back and read the creators', expecting something less than Moore's writing, but still great nonetheless, given all the wonderful characteristics of the title character.
I was disappointed to find most of the stories filled with purple prose, the various characters' voices sounding like either one of two polarities: slow intelligence or fast-acting stupidity. I see where Alan Moore took cues from Wein and Bernstein's themes of violent humans versus misunderstood monstrosities thrown together into classic horror scenarios. However, I am grateful that he quickly did away with the stagnant path Swamp Thing's creators had set him down, by introducing more vocalization, key interpersonal relationships, and emphasis on the connection between Swamp Thing and the entire world of plant life.
In these early volumes, Swamp Thing's character is developed only as a former "brilliant" scientist who becomes a huge, green hulk, with a general disposition toward reason and peace, but a lurking, easily-triggered violent rage. If this description sounds a little too similar to Marvel's Incredible Hulk, I think you'll understand why I was so dismayed at Len Wein's writing and simultaneously grateful for Moore's redirectioning of the character.
If you haven't read Swamp Thing before but are hesitant to jump into a serial comic anywhere but at the beginning, don't worry about it for this one. I say skip to Saga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore and you won't be missing out on anything.
I was disappointed to find most of the stories filled with purple prose, the various characters' voices sounding like either one of two polarities: slow intelligence or fast-acting stupidity. I see where Alan Moore took cues from Wein and Bernstein's themes of violent humans versus misunderstood monstrosities thrown together into classic horror scenarios. However, I am grateful that he quickly did away with the stagnant path Swamp Thing's creators had set him down, by introducing more vocalization, key interpersonal relationships, and emphasis on the connection between Swamp Thing and the entire world of plant life.
In these early volumes, Swamp Thing's character is developed only as a former "brilliant" scientist who becomes a huge, green hulk, with a general disposition toward reason and peace, but a lurking, easily-triggered violent rage. If this description sounds a little too similar to Marvel's Incredible Hulk, I think you'll understand why I was so dismayed at Len Wein's writing and simultaneously grateful for Moore's redirectioning of the character.
If you haven't read Swamp Thing before but are hesitant to jump into a serial comic anywhere but at the beginning, don't worry about it for this one. I say skip to Saga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore and you won't be missing out on anything.
August 2, 2010
I can only imagine that I arrived at this book in the same way everyone else did: I'm a huge fan of Alan Moore's work on Swamp Thing and I wanted to see how my favorite elemental got his start. After reading this volume, it became even more clear what a sea change Moore's run on Swamp Thing was.
Dark Genesis is not a bad book by any means, but it's certainly a product of the 70s. There's a general thread running through the book--Government agent Matt Cable is on a quest to track down Swamp Thing, who he blames for killing his best friend. But every issue ends with Cable shaking his fist in a sort of "I'll get you next time, Swamp Thing!!" gesture. This overarching plot doesn't receive all that much attention--generally this book is a "monster-of-the-week" affair. Every issue finds Swamp Thing in a new location, tangling with a variety of foes: Frankenstein, Wolfman, a witch, an alien, and even Batman! I'm sure Swamp Thing was a cool new character at the time, but his stories are nothing special. They're pretty standard 70s fare. (Also, this book only reprints the first 10 issues--after which the original creative team left the book. So if you're searching for a cohesive story, beware that it ends abruptly.)
On the other hand, the art and coloring are spectacular.
I got from this book exactly what I wanted: a glimpse into Swamp Thing's origin. I was just a little disappointed to see how mediocre his history is. Wein and Wrightson certainly deserve credit for creating such an enduring character. But Moore is the one who really made the character worth reading about. Speaking of which, I'm about to go re-read the entire Saga of Swamp Thing run.
Dark Genesis is not a bad book by any means, but it's certainly a product of the 70s. There's a general thread running through the book--Government agent Matt Cable is on a quest to track down Swamp Thing, who he blames for killing his best friend. But every issue ends with Cable shaking his fist in a sort of "I'll get you next time, Swamp Thing!!" gesture. This overarching plot doesn't receive all that much attention--generally this book is a "monster-of-the-week" affair. Every issue finds Swamp Thing in a new location, tangling with a variety of foes: Frankenstein, Wolfman, a witch, an alien, and even Batman! I'm sure Swamp Thing was a cool new character at the time, but his stories are nothing special. They're pretty standard 70s fare. (Also, this book only reprints the first 10 issues--after which the original creative team left the book. So if you're searching for a cohesive story, beware that it ends abruptly.)
On the other hand, the art and coloring are spectacular.
I got from this book exactly what I wanted: a glimpse into Swamp Thing's origin. I was just a little disappointed to see how mediocre his history is. Wein and Wrightson certainly deserve credit for creating such an enduring character. But Moore is the one who really made the character worth reading about. Speaking of which, I'm about to go re-read the entire Saga of Swamp Thing run.
September 20, 2018
Decent comic with some good moments but definitely a product of its time. Each Issue has a self-contained story which starts and ends within 22-pages. This leads to pulpy adventures with a tinge of darkness. Some of the stories still hold up pretty well, my favourite being the Patchwork Man. The art is pretty good for something this old and the gloomy, lumbering figure of Swamp Thing was never drawn better. Len Wein’s Run ended on Issue #13 and he does bring some closure to the series with Swamp Thing accepting that he is fated to remain a Monster till death and giving up hope of becoming human. The series could have lasted longer especially if it switched to more serialised storytelling. A good read for those interested in Swamp Thing’s origins but the format of 1-story-per-issue severely limits the ability to explore the characters.
December 12, 2024
Swamp Thing has had many incarnations but this is where it all began. Dark Genesis collects the original ten comics from the early 1970s plus House Of Secrets #92, which introduced the character. The series is considered a classic today based on the strength of Len Wein's creepy storytelling and Bernie Wrightson's macabre illustrations. If you like graphic novels and prefer bizarre horror over superhero bravado, you'll want to check this out.
December 7, 2021
This run is a campy masterpiece. It is truly something to behold.
"...pulling the shaggy stalker into the air as a mother lifts her child----but without a mother's tenderness..."
That line is pure genius and if you can't understand that then I pity you. You never know what's going to happen next in this series. Swamp Thing keeps ending up in one ridiculous situation after another.
Now this book I think has two issues. I'll start with the smaller one. Swamp Thing throughout the series is being pursued by an agent Matt Cable. When we're first introduced to Matt, he is working as the Hollands' handler. He has brought them out to the Louisianna bayou so they can complete their research. He treats the Hollands like garbage and threatens them. He is clearly supposed to be some mean government agency watchdog. After they die he goes on and on about how they were his best friends. I guess Wein changed his mind, but it's a jarring retcon.
The other problem I have is, the last issue has plantation slave ghosts who rescue Swamp Thing. I don't think a campy gothic comedy is really the right setting to try and tackle the issue of racism. And they certainly do not pull it off. Looking at the best possible light this issue is problematic, to say the least. I do not think it mars everything that comes before it though.
"...pulling the shaggy stalker into the air as a mother lifts her child----but without a mother's tenderness..."
That line is pure genius and if you can't understand that then I pity you. You never know what's going to happen next in this series. Swamp Thing keeps ending up in one ridiculous situation after another.
Now this book I think has two issues. I'll start with the smaller one. Swamp Thing throughout the series is being pursued by an agent Matt Cable. When we're first introduced to Matt, he is working as the Hollands' handler. He has brought them out to the Louisianna bayou so they can complete their research. He treats the Hollands like garbage and threatens them. He is clearly supposed to be some mean government agency watchdog. After they die he goes on and on about how they were his best friends. I guess Wein changed his mind, but it's a jarring retcon.
The other problem I have is, the last issue has plantation slave ghosts who rescue Swamp Thing. I don't think a campy gothic comedy is really the right setting to try and tackle the issue of racism. And they certainly do not pull it off. Looking at the best possible light this issue is problematic, to say the least. I do not think it mars everything that comes before it though.
November 15, 2020
3.5 Great to see where this all began. There's a simplicity that's deeply appealing. Wein is flexing his literary chops in the narration in the best way and the stories sit beautifully in a Universal monster tradition. Bernie Wrightson art is some of the best ever.
November 7, 2025
I really enjoyed how descriptive this book was and I’m really liking the plot lines. I’m excited to continue reading this series to see what Alan Moore does with the character
December 29, 2017
Thank God for Alan Moore is all I have to say, because some of Len Wein's storytelling is just utterly ridiculous, even for the 70s. He's too verbose for one thing. We don't need a description of the scene; that is what the illustration is for. Why would you take a dog - even that of your best friend - overseas on an international investigation? Only to allow the Conclave to track your moves, but then they don't actually do anything while Swamp Thing fights werewolves and apparently travels back in time to save a witch? The evil Conclave doesn't actually do anything before its taken down other than kill Alec and Linda.
Nevertheless, this is the beginning of the Swamp Thing's story and I got to see the genesis of some of the characters who will continue to be important throughout many different incarnations of the Swamp Thing, so that was cool. I also liked how Wein changed Linda's role from just wife to partner. They were both scientists (although only Alec ever gets called Dr., but he also gets called Mr. or Herr anyway - it was the early 70s; I'll settle for scientific partner).
I'm giving it 3 stars for the fact that it was written before the comic revolution of Moore and Gaiman, so I'm forgiving some of the story-telling. And, as I said above, I enjoyed seeing the genesis of some of the primary characters who will go on to be important for the Swamp Thing for decades to come.
Sorry, Len. I just read issue #14 by David Michelinie and, even though it was a little heavy handed, it was so much better than your non-Swamp Thing mythos driving stories. In fact, it might be one of my favorite ones yet.
Nevertheless, this is the beginning of the Swamp Thing's story and I got to see the genesis of some of the characters who will continue to be important throughout many different incarnations of the Swamp Thing, so that was cool. I also liked how Wein changed Linda's role from just wife to partner. They were both scientists (although only Alec ever gets called Dr., but he also gets called Mr. or Herr anyway - it was the early 70s; I'll settle for scientific partner).
I'm giving it 3 stars for the fact that it was written before the comic revolution of Moore and Gaiman, so I'm forgiving some of the story-telling. And, as I said above, I enjoyed seeing the genesis of some of the primary characters who will go on to be important for the Swamp Thing for decades to come.
Sorry, Len. I just read issue #14 by David Michelinie and, even though it was a little heavy handed, it was so much better than your non-Swamp Thing mythos driving stories. In fact, it might be one of my favorite ones yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2018
This is my first exposure to the pre-Alan Moore Swamp Thing, and I was very struck by how much the groundwork for many of Moore's "modifications" is already in place. You see Swampy get his arm chopped off and his entire body crushed, but he regenerates time and again. Also, in many of these stories, Len Wein is also clearly channeling a particular EC Comics horror vibe. It might not be as sophisticated as Moore's EC-inspired tales, but Wein clearly takes pleasure in contrasting Swamp Thing's monstrous exterior with the horrific behavior of mob mentalities and more.
He does have an occasional miss, but most of these stories are genuinely engaging, full of intriguing characters and completed by great twists. Although the notion that the Conclave can follow what Swampy and Cable are up to because the heroes allow this dog, with a transmitter embedded in its head, to follow them everywhere is a bit silly.
Wrightson's art is pure mood, creepy and twisted, with oddly elastic people and a great sense of design to his inhuman creatures. His storytelling is very strong.
It might not be at the heights it would later reach, but Swamp Thing is a compelling, fun and haunting from the get-go.
He does have an occasional miss, but most of these stories are genuinely engaging, full of intriguing characters and completed by great twists. Although the notion that the Conclave can follow what Swampy and Cable are up to because the heroes allow this dog, with a transmitter embedded in its head, to follow them everywhere is a bit silly.
Wrightson's art is pure mood, creepy and twisted, with oddly elastic people and a great sense of design to his inhuman creatures. His storytelling is very strong.
It might not be at the heights it would later reach, but Swamp Thing is a compelling, fun and haunting from the get-go.
May 22, 2019
Like a lot of people, I first got acquainted with Swamp Thing in the 80s when the older stuff was hard to find. Catching up with it now, it seems like something from way more than 10 years earlier, old-fashioned in both good and bad ways. The good: Wein had a solid grasp of several pulp genres and hit on a premise that could be adapted to any of them, while also being perfect for morbid young people who felt like monsters, and Wrightson's art (though it's sometimes a little clumsier than I expected—he was pretty young) has Gothic style to spare and also a great cartoony expressiveness that recalls some of the EC greats. The bad: Wein writes in a time-honored tradition of endless bombastic narration that's constantly telling you what you're looking at, and the recurring human characters are pretty forgettable. Although it would take a while for them to figure out what to make the story about besides a series of one-off monster encounters, Swamp Thing at this point is already obviously a great idea and you can see all kinds of weird notions being thrown on the wall to see what sticks.
For more thoughts, here's a blog post: https://alibi-shop.dreamwidth.org/994...
For more thoughts, here's a blog post: https://alibi-shop.dreamwidth.org/994...
December 9, 2021
Swamp Thing is a character which has been described as someone with no bad runs to me one on occasion or another. I don't know if that's true, I've really only touched on Moore's Saga of the Swamp Thing, but that is truly one of the best run of comics if not the best. But how do we treat the origins of the character? Quite well apparently. I think perhaps overly wordy it might be, Wein's Swamp Thing manages to be quite good. I had to pause for several months after an underwhelming first two issues, but upon return and tempered expecations, it is quite a work. The art is haunting and iconic, and the bones of what would be the iconic Frankenstein art is starting to take form here. Though there's a layer of repetitiveness, with Matt Cable and Abby Arcane basically falling repeatedly into the same loop, the premise of each story is pretty creative even half a century later. Swamp Thing is very nearly just ripping off the idea of the Hulk, but it avoids that with the fantastic tone it sets.
November 4, 2022
Inauguro con il mostro delle paludi la mia avventura letteraria nel mondo Dc Comics. Una storia, quella del dottor Alec Holland e di sua moglie Linda, estremamente struggente.
In questo volume sono raccolti 11 capitoli della vita di Swamp Thing, una creatura fatta di muschio e radici, alta poco più di due metri, e con l’unico scopo di vendicarsi di chi ha portato alla morte dei coniugi Holland.
È stato bellissimo poter leggere gli albori di questo personaggio, la sua nascita, la sua trasformazione, la sua crescita personale.
Le parti narrative dei fumetti qui contenuti sono quasi poetiche! I disegni, con i loro tratti e colori tipici degli anni ‘70, costituiscono un’esperienza visiva particolare. Non sono accattivanti e introspettivi come quelli moderni, ma a loro volta hanno delle caratteristiche e uno stile particolarissimi.
Sarà interessante recuperare le storie più recenti dedicati a questo eroe mostruoso e capire come è stato tramutato in “cattivo” o comunque “antieroe”.
Altri dettagli che ho amato sono stati i frequenti rimandi alla letteratura horror precedente (Coleridge, Lovecraft, Poe, Shelley) e l’interazione con altri personaggi dell’universo DC Comics (sì, sto proprio parlando di Batman).
In questo volume sono raccolti 11 capitoli della vita di Swamp Thing, una creatura fatta di muschio e radici, alta poco più di due metri, e con l’unico scopo di vendicarsi di chi ha portato alla morte dei coniugi Holland.
È stato bellissimo poter leggere gli albori di questo personaggio, la sua nascita, la sua trasformazione, la sua crescita personale.
Le parti narrative dei fumetti qui contenuti sono quasi poetiche! I disegni, con i loro tratti e colori tipici degli anni ‘70, costituiscono un’esperienza visiva particolare. Non sono accattivanti e introspettivi come quelli moderni, ma a loro volta hanno delle caratteristiche e uno stile particolarissimi.
Sarà interessante recuperare le storie più recenti dedicati a questo eroe mostruoso e capire come è stato tramutato in “cattivo” o comunque “antieroe”.
Altri dettagli che ho amato sono stati i frequenti rimandi alla letteratura horror precedente (Coleridge, Lovecraft, Poe, Shelley) e l’interazione con altri personaggi dell’universo DC Comics (sì, sto proprio parlando di Batman).
April 12, 2018
This is good solid 1970's horror comics. Not the works of art in mystical and theological horror that the later Alan Moore books would be, and not the shocking gore of the classic 50's horror comics, but somewhere in between. Len Wein gives solid scripts on what feels for much of the book like the classic runs of the Incredible Hulk where the green monster guy runs into bad situation after bad situation on the road (and to be honest I had not seen the 'kidnapped in issue 2 and brought to central Europe for 8 months of getting back to the Bayou' plot arc coming, but Wein sells it), and Bernie Wrightson's signature style evokes as much of the 50's pre-code horror books as 1970-74 would allow. None of it is earth-shaking but it's all solid stuff, and you can see the deep roots being laid for what Moore and company would cultivate a decade later. A worthwhile addition to my Swamp Thing books.
September 13, 2022
Lejos de lo que haría Moore pero con el origen de La cosa del Pantano. En esta historia, el científico Alec Holland investigaba una fórmula biorestaurativa basada en plantas, cuando fue asesinado por un tal Míster E, cuyos agentes habían colocado dinamita debajo de la mesa del científico. Holland se quemó vivo pero alcanzó a tirarse a un lago en el pantano. Su esposa Linda fue asesinada poco después. Sin embargo, Holland no murió, sino que los productos químicos que investigaba lo convirtieron en un monstruo vegetal en los pantanos de Luisiana.
En estas primeras aventuras La cosa lucha contra los asesinos de su esposa, monstruos, aliens e incluso Batman. Pero se lleva la palma, Anton Arcane como archienemigo, un genio loco y nigromante que puede convocar demonios; y su nieta Abigail, de quien La cosa se enamorará.
Un primer tomo que sienta las bases para lo que vendría después.
En estas primeras aventuras La cosa lucha contra los asesinos de su esposa, monstruos, aliens e incluso Batman. Pero se lleva la palma, Anton Arcane como archienemigo, un genio loco y nigromante que puede convocar demonios; y su nieta Abigail, de quien La cosa se enamorará.
Un primer tomo que sienta las bases para lo que vendría después.
September 29, 2018
some of the art is great, but the prose is self important and awful and I had to skip huge chancks.
I choose to read it before the alan moore run. even the early 70s DC has better comics to read, like dead-men, super-man's sandman saga and batman's ras al ghoul saga.
the overarching plot of an agent that want to revenge the swamp thing because he thinks it killed his friends (alec holland who became the swamp thing and his wife) achive virtually nothing, and actually the swamp thing is following him rather than the other way around. other then that and two recurring villains (but not too recurring) it's completely episodic fair. and not that good.
I choose to read it before the alan moore run. even the early 70s DC has better comics to read, like dead-men, super-man's sandman saga and batman's ras al ghoul saga.
the overarching plot of an agent that want to revenge the swamp thing because he thinks it killed his friends (alec holland who became the swamp thing and his wife) achive virtually nothing, and actually the swamp thing is following him rather than the other way around. other then that and two recurring villains (but not too recurring) it's completely episodic fair. and not that good.
July 15, 2019
Very much a product of its time. That is, the Silver Age of comics. Stilted dialogue, superfluous scene descriptions, questionably shallow character motivations, contrived meetings, cheesy government conspiracies. It's technically right on the cusp of the Silver and Bronze ages and its flirtings with body horror is a good example of the growth comic books were going through at the time, but as an overall story, it's still stuck pretty firmly in the same trappings as a lot of Silver Age comics. The first short story issue was good and pondering and, more importantly, didn't overstay its welcome. It shouldn't have gone beyond that.
September 3, 2021
Es un cómic de los años 70 que ha envejecido regular, con lo bueno y lo malo que eso tiene. Lo bueno: está muy loco y hay ideas que luego retomaría Alan Moore en su etapa.
Lo malo: la cosa del pantano no acaba de ser ni un monstruo ni un ente vegetal, y su monólogo interior shakespeariano se alarga demasiado. Además de que el tufillo a años 70 - guerra fría pues le queda un poco regular ya a cualquier cosa.
Lo malo: la cosa del pantano no acaba de ser ni un monstruo ni un ente vegetal, y su monólogo interior shakespeariano se alarga demasiado. Además de que el tufillo a años 70 - guerra fría pues le queda un poco regular ya a cualquier cosa.
September 26, 2018
I think you should read the book if you like action books because there is a lot of fighting. A man and his wife are in a lab when it explodes and chemicals go everywhere the guy lands in swamp water creating The Swamp Thing and The Swamp Thing is put up against a lot of enemies in the process of trying to become human again. I think the book was good it was really exiting and just fun to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2022
I definitely struggled with the old school pacing but this is a great book. Just real solid horror with a lot of cool variations. And the art is fantastic and actually looks really good reprinted in this small book. The printing is like nice and crisp. You can definitely see all the seeds of what would grow into Alan Moore's run. From Batman to the alien visiting.
May 24, 2022
La Cosa del Pantano es una creación de Len Wein y Bernie Wrightson. El tomo recopila su primera aparición (HOUSE OF SECRETS #92) y los diez primeros números de la serie, en los que se relata el origen de la Cosa del Pantano. Cómics con valor histórico, con una lectura propia de su tiempo (años setenta).
October 18, 2018
I think the book was a good fiction, graphic novel. The main character the swamp monster was a nice monster he was a hero who saved his friends if he could. The swamp monster had to go up against other monsters from the woods also.
July 26, 2019
I didn’t actually read this book so much as the issues on the DC Universe app. The first 10 issues are really quite good. All of the Wein-scripted issues are really well done, and Wrightson’s art is truly legendary. I truly enjoyed it!
October 22, 2019
I didn't know what to expect when reading this but I found myself lost in each issue. I would definitely recommend this for the varying story lines per issue. The writing is really good and the art work is done well to accompany the story. Definitely looking forward to reading this again.
December 19, 2021
Loved these as a kid, and the cover art is from issue #9, which my dad bought me when I was 5 or 6. Sure enjoyed reading these old issues again. Wrightson's art is still some of the best I've ever seen, and the stories are good too.
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