Swamp Thing 7 - 8
Missing Links

 

"Nice!  Really, really great comic read."  Okay, I know that may seem like a summary that lacks depth, but it was my first impression following the comic read this time out.  Leaving a Swamp Thing comic with a smile is a real treat for me.  

 

Why?  History.  Twenty years of history to be exact...

 

I feel like I've been following the green-bean's exploits for much of my life.  Considering he first came on the scene in 1972 and I arrived in the late 60's, I guess you could say I've spent a lot of time reading about him in one form or another.  I first hooked up with the bog monster in a serious way in May of 1984, just a couple months after the kick-off of the Alan Moore run.  Oh sure I had read an issue or two prior to that, but Alan Moore redefined comics for me through Swamp Thing and the Watchmen.  

 

I was there reading when Constantine first came on the scene manipulating the plant elemental for information and still remember laughing at his joke of "how do you keep a swamp elemental in suspense?"  Sure, Batman had been pulling that same trick with Commissioner Gordan for years, but Constantine just seemed to do it with more style.  Basically, I was a Constantine fan from that day forward but this review doesn't hinge on a fallen cigarette, but rather a swamp god reduced wonderfully back to a bog monster.

 

This new series untangles the twisted ribbon of recent Swamp Thing mythos and sums it all up in a logical approach that is as good as anything we've seen from the green giant (and the green giant's writers) in several years.  Is this series as good as the Alan Moore years?  Give me a break... What could be... Alan Moore is a god... Seriously though, it is extremely good and a welcome return to Swamp Thing stories of years past.  It's well thought out in the Alan Moore style of storytelling, creepy enough to harken back to the Berni Wrightson era and a great, great read.

 

The current story, Missing Links, carries on after the recent battle with Swamp Thing's daughter, Tefe.  This time out we take a look at the elemental through the eyes of Cryptozoologist Coleman Wadsworth.  We follow him as he wanders the swamps in search of the next urban legend styled monster to detail in his books and for his employer.  Wadsworth works for a creep by the name of Ramhoff who's rich and hunts monsters to literally stuff and fill his rec room.  From there, the story walks us down a path of psychological horrors for Alec Holland, a bit of fallen angel fun (not the usual one), a bit of perspective on Swamp Thing's family and some general creepy fun.  The opening death of a Yeti will catch your attention and hold you as the tale begins its course.

 

One weakness here might be the entrance of a new reader into the title with issue 7.  Though it would look like a great jumping on point, there are parts relating to Tefe and Alec that you really need to know what's taking place to follow.  Alec's tortured, trapped consciousness and Tefe's hunt for her father may mystify those who haven't seen the last few issues.  Know this going in, do a bit of back reading and you'll really enjoy this tale.

Writer Will Pfeifer is a guest scribe and I enjoyed his work here enough that I will follow his writing in other arenas.  Did you know that he's also a contributing scribe to the Rockford Registar Star [link to info]?  I like his pace, perspective and style and I will certainly be there for his upcoming Blood of the Demon series [link to info] with John Byrne.

 

One point I can't miss is stating how much I liked the ominous return of Arcane, the eternal nemesis of the Swamp Thing.  It's great to see him back in a regular way.  Arcane has literally been to hell and back and looks it as we catch up with him.  Teaming him with the fallen angel Dekker brings in biblical elements that can only enhance the series.  I understand an upcoming storyline features an Arcane love story. Should be a fun ride.

 

Swamp Thing remains one of the corner stones of the Vertigo line.  It may not always feel like it, but It was there at the beginning and deserves the quality treatment it's receiving today.  In summary, do yourself a favor and add this to your local comic store's pull list.  You'll thank yourself for taking the time and investing a couple bucks each month.

 

Scale of 1 to 10 ... Missing Links - Chaos: 8
December 6, 2004