JewishHobbit
Avenger
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- Aug 4, 2003
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Yeah, I really enjoyed that story. The one to follow hasn't been quite as good thus far but it has room to grow.
Finally picked up a copy of Swamp Thing #19 and what a refreshing look at the character it was. I see some people praising it, but I wouldn't go that far. I certainly enjoyed it very much. it was a nice back-to-basics style story, but with numerous branching off points for a larger, epic narrative that hopefully doesn't go the way of Rotworld. I cannot express how happy I am that Charles Soule is going to be maintaining 1 to 3 issue long arcs encompassed by an overarching narrative.
That said, I was still a little put off by Soule's decision to write Swamp Thing more...street level, I guess is a good term. He talks too much like an average guy, and not an enlightened god-being. Maybe we'll get there eventually? I'm anxious for the next issue as some of Swamp Thing's actions seem a little off. Perhaps the Parliament of Trees is trying to control Swamp Thing's actions without him knowing it? His meeting with Superman, i imagine, will clear some of that up next issue.
But a nice big "LOL" at the people complaining about Superman appearing in this book and their demands that Swamp Thing not interact with the rest of the DCU. It's a good indicator of who has only read Snyder's work and nothing that came before it. Two of the best Swamp Thing issues are the Alan Moore penned DC Comics Presents issue where Swamp Thing saves Superman from dying via a kryptonian fungal disease and Rick Veitch's issue of Swamp Thing "Waiting For God(Oh!) where Swamp Thing travels to Metropolis and confronts Superman about bringing Lex Luthor to justice. Not to mention, Swamp Thing's interactions with the rest of the DCU have been a staple since the Len Wein/Berni Wrightson days right on up to Mark Miller's run under the Vertigo banner. Hell, Rick Veitch's final run on the book was nothing but that.
That's because he isn't the enlightened God-being. He is in fact Alec Holland transformed to plant, rather than a plant with a case of mistaken identity.
I am glad that he is fully plant in body now however. Something I will never understand about Snyder's run is the supposed benefit of having vegetation over Alec's Human body. It greatly reduced the Swamp Thing's abilities (i.e. can't travel via the green, can't inhabit redwood trees, can't grow multiple bodies) and instead him in constant danger. How does that help him be some kind of warrior king?
I am however okay for now with the struggle of Alec's human consciousness to come to terms with his abilities and his duties. They're treating this Alec Swamp Thing as a different character essentially (he even sees himself as separate from the Swamp Thing of the past even as he shares that Swamp Thing's memories as that Swamp Thing in turn retained Alec's memories).
Also, I've never come across that Alan Moore DC Presents Story. I'll have to track that down.
They definitely should have done more either showcasing swamp things inadvertent destruction of metropolis, or preferably dived further into his fears and the dreams brought on by the drug.
Still, when paired with Soules first issue, it was an interesting little side trip.
the introduction of the woman at the end was rather abrupt though.
Here looking to the start of a new arc next mont, instead of a year and half down the road!
Anyone read Constantine?
I'm not sure how I feel about it.
It's not a bad book but I haven't managed to warmed up to it much yet.
Is it still as dark as it was under Snyder? I enjoyed the first 12 or so issues but it was a little too disturbing for a PG-13 mind like mine. But I love the character.