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hakimbriki's review
4.0
After having enjoyed the first volume, "Raise Them Bones", which left me excited about the rest of Scott Snyder's run on Swamp Thing, I couldn't help but feeling a little bit let down by "Family Tree".
Don't get me wrong, this second volume is a great read. It collects different storylines (a lot of flashbacks) that were action-packed for the most part and well-written and drawn. Moreover, the introduction of the very powerful villain Anton Arcane to the mythos makes the story even more interesting, giving Swamp Thing a truly worthy adversary and also bringing to light the inner struggles of Abby Arcane. However, it does not measure up to the excellence of "Raise Them Bones". Plus, I expected Swamp Thing to do a little more butt-kicking but in comics, patience is key. The build-up part was very satisfying - I expect to be dazzled by "Rotworld".
Don't get me wrong, this second volume is a great read. It collects different storylines (a lot of flashbacks) that were action-packed for the most part and well-written and drawn. Moreover, the introduction of the very powerful villain Anton Arcane to the mythos makes the story even more interesting, giving Swamp Thing a truly worthy adversary and also bringing to light the inner struggles of Abby Arcane. However, it does not measure up to the excellence of "Raise Them Bones". Plus, I expected Swamp Thing to do a little more butt-kicking but in comics, patience is key. The build-up part was very satisfying - I expect to be dazzled by "Rotworld".
unladylike's review
4.0
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.
dantastic's review
2.0
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.
tmwebb3's review
3.0
Too short. Needed more issues in there instead of a couple then set up the next trade, and add an #0 and Annual. Backstory on villain, which was halfway interesting. Again, looked great.
lookhome's review
3.0
Snyder's first misstep. This one seems to live in Moore's shadow. The entire collection feels like he needed to one up Swamp Thing's previous physical incarnations.
It's not a bad collection but it feels less sincere than in his previous work.
That isn't to say it's all Snyder's fault. Deadlines and exterior pressure could also factor in.
It's not a bad collection but it feels less sincere than in his previous work.
That isn't to say it's all Snyder's fault. Deadlines and exterior pressure could also factor in.
gohawks's review
3.0
I usually love Snyder, but this one was just okay. Swamp Thing is not a character that is ever that interesting to me. It's always been the case that Alan Moore is just that great a talent that he made Swamp Thing a must read. As far as this volume goes, it is what Swamp Thing easily slips into because of its origin. Snyder's story starts to slip into ambience and creating a mood without really driving the story. This is not to say that nothing happens. Swamp Thing is weakened by the fact that plot and gothic moodiness are not craftily balanced in this tale. But hey, it's still Snyder.
levibaus's review
3.0
This started so strong! It was great! I really liked the continuation and the build up of the anticipated epic battle between the Rot and Swamp Thing.
It was not to last long. Animal Man shows up for like 2 seconds and then the rest of the volume collected a flashback and some other aspects of the story that don't make any narrative sense to the collection as a whole.
Again, great writing! Again, amazing art! But boy does the editoral work of complying this volume tank it! I'm glad I saw some other reviews that helped sort out what was going on - for a while I thought I was way off. But it's just a weird mix up. Still, I'm really interested in reading some Animal Man now!!
It was not to last long. Animal Man shows up for like 2 seconds and then the rest of the volume collected a flashback and some other aspects of the story that don't make any narrative sense to the collection as a whole.
Again, great writing! Again, amazing art! But boy does the editoral work of complying this volume tank it! I'm glad I saw some other reviews that helped sort out what was going on - for a while I thought I was way off. But it's just a weird mix up. Still, I'm really interested in reading some Animal Man now!!
psantic's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25