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billyjepma's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
”He’s just a ghost. A ghost dressed in weeds.”
Alright, I think I finally understand why so many people are obsessed with Swamp Thing. I love reading Alan Moore because it feels like reading a classic gothic novel nobody talks about. He’s weird, creative, not afraid to be mean, and has an inescapable empathy that keeps his stories somehow hopeful despite the darker pessimism he seems drawn toward. He finds humanity in monsters, monsters in humanity, and watching him explore the fragile lines between the two in these stories was a treat. I had to pace myself because of how strong of a punch each issue hit me with.
And there’s that art—moody, gorgeous, grotesque, romantic, deliriously vibrant. It’s unreal how impressive just about every page and panel are. Some of the “action” scenes, if you can call them that, aren’t always easy to follow, but that’s a minor thing when so much of the comic feels like a psychedelic, phantasmagorical art piece. I can’t wait to read the rest of this run.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Mental illness, Death, Alcoholism, Blood, and Car accident
Minor: Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death of parent
storyorc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It's easy to see how these issues seeded something excellent. This pile of weeds has more soul than me. His desire to quit life and be one with the green is highly relatable and his origin reveal was both unnerving and tragic.
Sidekick Abby is fine, though unremarkable, but her husband Matt is starved of character development, leaving him just gross and annoying. Backstory for them and how they know Alec/ST may help. The end implies Matt may become more interesting in his next appearance too. Someone I hope never to see again, however, was the final villain. He brought only confusion and the punchworthy quirk of speaking in rhyming verse. Autistic kids are featured heavily in the last arc too, dipping between real characters and curiosities to increase Abby's likeability.
Overall, I'm looking forward to more emotional depth from my new favorite shrubbery. Curious what kind of villains will target a swamp so he can fight them.
Sidekick Abby is fine, though unremarkable, but her husband Matt is starved of character development, leaving him just gross and annoying. Backstory for them and how they know Alec/ST may help. The end implies Matt may become more interesting in his next appearance too. Someone I hope never to see again, however, was the final villain. He brought only confusion and the punchworthy quirk of speaking in rhyming verse. Autistic kids are featured heavily in the last arc too, dipping between real characters and curiosities to increase Abby's likeability.
Overall, I'm looking forward to more emotional depth from my new favorite shrubbery. Curious what kind of villains will target a swamp so he can fight them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
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