Review: Saga of The Swamp Thing

When Alan Moore wrote the Swamp Thing, he took away his humanity but left behind his spirit and compassion. Those qualities have left the character a fan favorite several decades later.  Sure he's had his own movie but the character was a radical departure from the established comics during the time. It's not exactly a walk in the park to establish these new changes and transform the creature into a hit monthly series and a legacy that continues today, but that's what Moore did.  The Swamp Thing still remains relevant despite not having any qualities that make today's popular heroes like Superman or Spiderman appealing.  He's not your next door neighbor who decides to fight crime because his parents were violently murdered or a teenager who loses his uncle to mugger's bullet. In fact, at one point the creature, didn't want return to the land of the living (via it's consciousness) and almost became a plant permanently!

With the Saga of The Swamp Thing hardcover, the early beginnings of the Swamp Thing are revealed.  Lying frozen in cryogenic chamber deep within the bowels of the Sunderland Corporation, the Swamp Thing's new adventures are about to begin as he learns what he truly is. Moore's initial run complemented with the detailed work of artists Steve Bissette and John Totleben, breathe new life into the Swamp Thing storylines.  The breathtaking and detailed work from Bissette is truly amazing here.  It's like every panel in the swamp is teeming with life, literally! This collection reprints issues 20 through 27 of the second volume of the original series. Issue 20 is now included as it wasn't previously before (the artist was Dan Day) in paperback editions.   

The initial stories portray the new Swamp Thing rediscovering himself after finally understanding, he or rather it, is all about.  After freeing the Swamp Thing from the confines of Sunderland Corp, Jason Woodrue aka The Floronic Man, enacts his deadly plan for a new Earth. One where humans and animals don't exist! The latter issues guest star Jason Blood aka Etrigan the Demon, as the Swamp Thing battles a supernatural threat.  Readers will be impressed by Moore's radical new interpretation of the character and these early adventures.  You can't help but pity the creature who thought he had chance to restore himself back to a human being.

Swamp Thing and Abby from issue 25 "The Sleep of Reason"

The Swamp Thing is one of those unique lasting characters for DC Comics spanning three decades. Accepting his fate and moving on with life in the Bayou without any self-pity epitomizes the creature's lasting human qualities.  The early issues of Alan Moore's run only hint at the magnitude of the Swamp Thing's adventures and self discovery.   This is where his new adventure begins.