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450 reviews for:
Swamp Thing, Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing
Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette, John Totleben
4.2 AVERAGE
450 reviews for:
Swamp Thing, Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing
Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette, John Totleben
4.2 AVERAGE
It was a fine read - for a comic book. It was dark and foreboding and had some nice lines, but I guess I'm just not the comic book type.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m going to get the obvious out of the way. Alan Moore is without a doubt one of the best comic book writers ever. His stories are always memorable for their writing, characters, stories and how they affect your life forever afterwards. He is mostly known for his work in getting rid of the Comic Code, which was this rule comics had to go under. It included such rules like “Good must always, under every circumstances, win”, “no graphic violence, gore or horror”, and “Villains can never be sympathetic”. Basically everything had to be G rated. Alan Moore wasn’t the main reason why people stopped following these rules, but he was one of the first and biggest people to do it. I mean, try reading “Watchmen” and you’ll notice it is the exact opposite on what heroes are supposed to be according to the code. “V for Vendetta” is an open rebellion letter and meditation on control and anarchy, and “From Hell” would have raised some eyebrows just from the name, not even mentioning it’s all about Jack the Ripper. Also, and this is the most important part, his comics are all amazing. They work on such different levels, so this view can actually be acceptable. It’s reading for the smart and the general public, but the more attention you pay, the more you’ll get out of it.
But all great writers had to start somewhere, and even though Alan had written things before he started his run with the struggling “Swamp Thing” comics, this is what got him famous and well known. “Swamp Thing” was a small DC comic that was loved by a few, but not very well known. Wes Craven said he wanted to make a movie out of it, so the comic was brought back to life in order to raise awareness. The main writer quickly dropped out, so the creator of the comic (sorry, but I’ve forgotten his name), in his attempts to find a new writer, stumbled onto Alan Moore. Alan said he would do it, as long as he could make some changes. The changes were accepted and Alan began to write.
Alan’s run of Swamp Thing was basically a starting from scratch, so you can just jump right in from here, although something’s may be confusing, you’ll get the general drift of what’s happened in the past and some plot points will seem confusing at the beginning, but the first issue basically finishes everything off so Alan can create his masterpiece.
Originally Swamp Thing’s background was that he was a scientist named Alec Holland who was badly burned in an explosion, he ran into a swamp and the swamp formed into him, turning him into this creature unlike anything else on this earth. Swamp Thing’s main purpose in life was trying to figure out how to fix this and be normal again. Alan’s main change comes here. Alec actually died that night. The swamp just formed around him and became alive; tricking itself into thinking it was human. Its main purpose is now gone, living with no point in life, except for time to accept and live in peace. Swamp Thing is, in the general sense of the word, a monster. Alan deconstructs Swamp Thing both literally and mentally, creating a whole new Swamp Thing in the process…Swamp Thing is like Frankenstein’s Monster, except it’s now Moore’s Monster…I’m sorry, bad joke, won’t happen again.
But there is a reason to this. Alan doesn’t want to view Swamp Thing as a hero, he sees it as a misunderstood stranger in a strange land that should be able to live in peace and harmony with the land, the only thing he can really do, but is viewed as a monster and risk by others, which makes it need to act like one in order to get them to leave it alone. It’s pretty heavy stuff and actually quite moving, as you dig deeper into the mythology and mind of the Swamp Thing, you can’t help but care for this misunderstood creature. Swamp Thing is not a hero, but not a villain either. It’s just doing what needs to be done to stop the violence against its peace.
The comic also takes a quick but dark look at super heroes, with the Justice League showing up for a bit but unable to help as this is an enemy they don’t understand. It’s a bit deeper than that, but you’ll just need to read it yourself. But I’ll give you an example: the Flash is described as “a man who moves so fast his life is an endless gallery of statues”. That gives the world’s fastest man some depth doesn’t it?
While the writing is truly top notch, it needs some strong art to back it up. Thankfully it does hold its own against Alan Moore’s pen, with some amazing art, sometimes I just needed to stop and admire it. Just the reflections in people’s eyes, the hidden facial expressions and muscles, the always haunting but beautiful scenery, the horrifying but magnificent looking beasts and creatures, and of course, the Swamp Thing itself, with the roots and moss that makes up its body so beautiful, and the emotions and expressions of its face show a truly conflicted state of mind. It’s amazing to say the least.
I think the best way to describe this comic is as a meditation on the pains of being a man and a beast. It’s like poetry, the way it makes you run in horror and fear, but gaze at the beauty on the way, and wonder why such peace and harmony must come at such pain. Alan Moore has turned a comic filled with potential but lacking in many ways into a deep and moving piece of work. It’s the best monster stories from the point of view of the monster, that’s for sure. But it more importantly shows why comics shouldn’t have to follow such ridiculous rules that make them nothing more than light entertainment. Comics deserve better. Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing is a prime example, and while I do not have a favourite out of his work…as of yet, but if someone asked me which comics I’d suggest, I’d say anything by Alan Moore, but in particular, Swamp Thing, potentially the greatest gothic horror literature ever written.
But all great writers had to start somewhere, and even though Alan had written things before he started his run with the struggling “Swamp Thing” comics, this is what got him famous and well known. “Swamp Thing” was a small DC comic that was loved by a few, but not very well known. Wes Craven said he wanted to make a movie out of it, so the comic was brought back to life in order to raise awareness. The main writer quickly dropped out, so the creator of the comic (sorry, but I’ve forgotten his name), in his attempts to find a new writer, stumbled onto Alan Moore. Alan said he would do it, as long as he could make some changes. The changes were accepted and Alan began to write.
Alan’s run of Swamp Thing was basically a starting from scratch, so you can just jump right in from here, although something’s may be confusing, you’ll get the general drift of what’s happened in the past and some plot points will seem confusing at the beginning, but the first issue basically finishes everything off so Alan can create his masterpiece.
Originally Swamp Thing’s background was that he was a scientist named Alec Holland who was badly burned in an explosion, he ran into a swamp and the swamp formed into him, turning him into this creature unlike anything else on this earth. Swamp Thing’s main purpose in life was trying to figure out how to fix this and be normal again. Alan’s main change comes here. Alec actually died that night. The swamp just formed around him and became alive; tricking itself into thinking it was human. Its main purpose is now gone, living with no point in life, except for time to accept and live in peace. Swamp Thing is, in the general sense of the word, a monster. Alan deconstructs Swamp Thing both literally and mentally, creating a whole new Swamp Thing in the process…Swamp Thing is like Frankenstein’s Monster, except it’s now Moore’s Monster…I’m sorry, bad joke, won’t happen again.
But there is a reason to this. Alan doesn’t want to view Swamp Thing as a hero, he sees it as a misunderstood stranger in a strange land that should be able to live in peace and harmony with the land, the only thing he can really do, but is viewed as a monster and risk by others, which makes it need to act like one in order to get them to leave it alone. It’s pretty heavy stuff and actually quite moving, as you dig deeper into the mythology and mind of the Swamp Thing, you can’t help but care for this misunderstood creature. Swamp Thing is not a hero, but not a villain either. It’s just doing what needs to be done to stop the violence against its peace.
The comic also takes a quick but dark look at super heroes, with the Justice League showing up for a bit but unable to help as this is an enemy they don’t understand. It’s a bit deeper than that, but you’ll just need to read it yourself. But I’ll give you an example: the Flash is described as “a man who moves so fast his life is an endless gallery of statues”. That gives the world’s fastest man some depth doesn’t it?
While the writing is truly top notch, it needs some strong art to back it up. Thankfully it does hold its own against Alan Moore’s pen, with some amazing art, sometimes I just needed to stop and admire it. Just the reflections in people’s eyes, the hidden facial expressions and muscles, the always haunting but beautiful scenery, the horrifying but magnificent looking beasts and creatures, and of course, the Swamp Thing itself, with the roots and moss that makes up its body so beautiful, and the emotions and expressions of its face show a truly conflicted state of mind. It’s amazing to say the least.
I think the best way to describe this comic is as a meditation on the pains of being a man and a beast. It’s like poetry, the way it makes you run in horror and fear, but gaze at the beauty on the way, and wonder why such peace and harmony must come at such pain. Alan Moore has turned a comic filled with potential but lacking in many ways into a deep and moving piece of work. It’s the best monster stories from the point of view of the monster, that’s for sure. But it more importantly shows why comics shouldn’t have to follow such ridiculous rules that make them nothing more than light entertainment. Comics deserve better. Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing is a prime example, and while I do not have a favourite out of his work…as of yet, but if someone asked me which comics I’d suggest, I’d say anything by Alan Moore, but in particular, Swamp Thing, potentially the greatest gothic horror literature ever written.
I've heard and read SO much about Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing, and now I can attest that it is incredible! This is some of the most clever writing I have ever read. Scary and twisted, it makes you cringe a bit as you read it. Absolutely love it.
Wow, I started out thinking this was going to be a hokey Swamp Thing story and it turned into this masterpiece. I would really give it 4.5 stars, if the option were available, only missing the 5 star because the end of the 2nd arc felt a bit rushed. I have heard some complaints online about the production quality. I actually really enjoyed the older feel that it produced versus the glossy plastic comp-gen art being kicked out so readily in today's comics.
Moore just continues to give evidence as to why he remains one of my favorite writers. How can he write some thing that is as relevent, or more so, decades later? Amazing.
Moore just continues to give evidence as to why he remains one of my favorite writers. How can he write some thing that is as relevent, or more so, decades later? Amazing.
Good, but not that meaningful on its own. I'll have to wait until I've reached further in the series to give a fair appraisal.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this years ago and then just re-read it so I could remember what was happening before reading book 2. Here's my old review:
Kind of left hanging. Cooler than I thought Swamp Thing could ever be. Fear monster wasn't that original but was creepy. I like Etrigan.
I would add to that that one thing I noticed this time is that the Swamp Thing is mostly in the background instead of being a normal "superhero" punching bad guys in the face and I think that's a good thing. He always seems to be very calm and introspective and he's connected to nature. He's a very chill hero. The story seems to be happening around him and I love Alan Moore's dramatic, dark vocabulary so this works out great.
Would probably give it 3.5 stars if I could.
Kind of left hanging. Cooler than I thought Swamp Thing could ever be. Fear monster wasn't that original but was creepy. I like Etrigan.
I would add to that that one thing I noticed this time is that the Swamp Thing is mostly in the background instead of being a normal "superhero" punching bad guys in the face and I think that's a good thing. He always seems to be very calm and introspective and he's connected to nature. He's a very chill hero. The story seems to be happening around him and I love Alan Moore's dramatic, dark vocabulary so this works out great.
Would probably give it 3.5 stars if I could.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A