As the world entered the 1970s and the Comics Code Authority begun to lose its influence of what comic publishing companies could and could not publish, DC was beginning to head down a darker road. With revolutionary stories and comics such as Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman/Detective Comics (both by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams), the mood of the stories were changing and they were become not necessarily darker, but more mature and somewhat realistic in their portrayal of villains. With comics and characters becoming just a tad darker, DC used titles such as House of Mystery and House of Secrets as testing grounds to explore moody territory which hadn’t been pioneered since the 1940s and early 1950s, thanks to the extremely limiting Comics Code Authority. This takes us nicely to Swamp Thing, a character created by DC in the early 1970s which was very popular (both at the time and in the 1980s when Alan Moore was the title’s writer). Len Wein was beginning to make a name for himself on titles such as The Phantom Stranger before working with horror artist Bernie Wrightson to create what could be one of the most important comic book characters ever, especially when you consider Moore’s run and the creation of Vertigo…
In the first of two reviews covering Len Wein’s run on Swamp Thing (vol 1), I will be reviewing:
Swamp Thing --- House of Secrets 92
Dark Genesis/The Man Who Wanted Forever/The Patchwork Man --- Swamp Thing (vol 1) 1-3
Monster on the Moors --- Swamp Thing (vol 1) 4
The Last of the Ravenwind Witches --- Swamp Thing (vol 1) 5
A Clockwork Horror --- Swamp Thing (vol 1) 6
While House of Secrets 92 was published in June/July 1971, Swamp Thing (vol 1) 1-6 was published bi-monthly from October/November 1972 to September/October 1973. All stories were written by Len Wein with art by Bernie Wrightson. I have read these
stories in the Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Omnibus. Lastly, I will be reviewing Wrightson’s art after the stories.
Swamp Thing --- Written by Len Wein with art by Bernie Wrightson
THE STORY
On the edge of the swamp, a strange green swamp creature finds a mansion. Meanwhile inside, Damian and his wife, Linda Olsen, celebrate their six-month wedding anniversary. However, Linda remembers her ex-husband, Alex Olsen, who worked as a scientist with Damian, but was killed in a dangerous experiment. Realising that Linda is thinking about Alex, Damian remembers that he never forgave Alex for marrying her and that he arranged the explosion which killed Alex, just so he could marry Linda. Then, Linda tells Damian that she is going to bed, making him think that she will eventually realise that he killed Alex. Damian then gets a hypodermic needle to try and kill Linda, but suddenly, the window smashes and the Swamp Thing appears, who is seemingly Alex. However, strangling Damian to death, Linda screams in fear at Swamp Thing, who tries to speak, but he can’t. Instead, in a depressed mood, he leaves Linda and the house and heads deeper into the swamp…
MY THOUGHTS
Strangely, this story doesn’t really feature Swamp Thing. At least, not the Alec Holland version of the character. However, it is a very important story since not only does it cause Swamp Thing to have his own title, but because it sets the tone for future stories. From the start, the mood of the story is already quite grim and mysterious, making it seem very different from other comics at the time. The story’s simple, yet compelling plot tells a tragic story of jealousy and turns Alex Olsen into Swamp Thing. The pacing of this short story is brilliant, since you know right from the start that Swamp Thing will attack the house and at first, you would believe that Swamp Thing is the villain. However, as the story progresses, you realise that Swamp Thing is a victim and Damian is the real villain, which I think is a great twist that leads up to an excellent ending. Speaking of which, the ending of this tale is flawless, with Swamp Thing killing Damian and trying to communicate with Linda, but of course, he can’t. Despite the fact that the story is just about ten pages, it doesn’t surprise me at all that this launched Swamp Thing’s own title.
Story: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Dark Genesis/The Man Who Wanted Forever/The Patchwork Man --- Written by Len Wein with art by Bernie Wrightson
THE STORY
In the Louisiana Bayou, Swamp Thing finds an old, yet all-too familiar barn and his memories flood back to him. Some weeks before, Lieutenant Matt Cable drops Doctors Alec and Linda Holland at the old barn where they will be working on bio-restorative research. Some days later, there is a knock at the door and Alec opens it to find a man named Ferrett, who states that he is from a private organisation that wants to buy Alec’s bio-restorative formula. However, Alec tells Ferrett to leave, which they do, warning Alec that it will save him a lot of trouble if they buy the formula. Soon after, Matt Cable arrives and tells the Hollands that if Ferrett appears again, they should inform the patrol guard. Sometime later, Alec and Linda holland hear something scratching at their door. They go to investigate and find an old dog, who Linda grows very attached to. Reluctantly, Alec agrees with Linda to keep the dog but unknown to them, a radio transmitter has been planted into the dog’s head, allowing somebody who wants the Holland’s formula to be destroyed to listen in. Days later, Ferrett attempts to buy the formula off Alec again, but he doesn’t budge. Instead, Ferrett’s men knock him down and plant a bomb underneath the desk. After Ferrett and his men leave, Alex tries to defuse the bomb, but it is too late. On fire, Alex runs out of the barn and jumps into the swamp water, before vanishing. After the funeral, Linda returns to the barn with Matt. At the same time in the swamps, Alec Holland arises from the waters as Swamp Thing. He then finds the barn and waits outside for his killers to return. At the same time, Linda’s dog runs away and while Matt chases after it, he is knocked unconsciousness by an underling of a man named Bruno. Meanwhile, Ferrett enters the barn where Linda is and while Swamp Thing saves the dog from sinking in the swamp, he hears a gunshot. After saving the dog, Swamp Thing heads to the barn and finds Linda dead. In anger, Swamp Thing sees Ferrett escape in his car. Although they try to charge into Swamp Thing, he hits the front of it with force, before defeating Ferrett and his men. Afterwards, Matt appears and shoots Swamp Thing (but it has no effect), believing him to have killed Linda. As Swamp Thing walks away, he is being watched by a mysterious man from a tower…
After watching Ferrett and his men being taken away in ambulances, Swamp Thing walks away into the swamp, before being attacked by a group of monsters named the Un-Men, who have orders to capture Swamp Thing and send him to their master. Although Swamp Thing fights against the Un-Men, they manage to defeat and capture him. Matt then sees Swamp Thing being taken away by an airplane and he decides to follow. Meanwhile, the Un-Men take a tied-up Swamp Thing through some caves until they reach a tower on top of a mountain. Entering the tower, Swamp Thing breaks free and runs from the Un-Men. Then, just as the Un-Men capture Swamp Thing again, they are ordered to stop by their master, Arcane. Afterwards, Arcane explains to Swamp Thing that he is growing very old, but he has learnt the secret of immortality. Although he wants to use it on himself, he needs a younger body, which is why he created the Un-Men as experiments, but they failed. Arcane then tells Swamp Thing that he knows he was once Alec Holland and that he can make him human once again. Swamp Thing agrees to take part in Arcane’s tests, during which, (continued)
Arcane realises that Swamp Thing has no blood pressure, the respiration of a plant and is covered with roots which grow back, pleasing him. Meanwhile, Matt and his men clear out the barn and he learns that they have lost the airplane holding Swamp Thing. At the same time, Arcane prepares the ritual with Swamp Thing, telling him that he will have the body of Swamp Thing, while he will return to being Alec Holland. The two begin the ritual and it succeeds: Alec Holland returns. However, later on, Alec hears Arcane speak to his Un-Men, telling them that he will use the Swamp Thing’s body to unleash vengeance against those who live in a nearby village since they hated Arcane in his youth. Realising what he has taken part in, Alec then runs to find Arcane’s soul jar which was used in the ritual. Although Arcane tries to stop him, Alex smashes it, causing him to transform back to Swamp Thing and Arcane back to his normal self. Then, Swamp Thing chases after a fleeing Arcane while being attacked by the Un-Men. However, Arcane then accidently falls through an open window and plunges to his death, His Un-Men then follow and Swamp Thing walks through the tower, being watched by another strange monstrosity.,.
Exploring Arcane’s lab, Swamp Thing destroys some chemical vials in anger that he has returned to Swamp Thing. Suddenly, the floor begins to collapse and he falls. However, he is saved for a few seconds by a unique-looking creation by Arcane. But that isn’t enough, and Swamp Thing falls, before landing in some water. Meanwhile on a plane, Matt and the dog head to the village near Arcane’s tower, to avenge the deaths of Alec and Linda Holland. In the village, he meets Abigail Arcane. Meanwhile, Swamp Thing awakens and sees that the strange creature that tried to save him, which he names the Patchwork Man, has set the tower ablaze. As the tower explodes, Abigail tells Matt that her uncle lived there, but Matt tells that he must have died in the blast. At the same time, the Patchwork Man escapes from the burning tower and remembers that he was once Gregori Arcane, who was nearly killed in an ancient minefield behind Arcane’s tower. However, his brother Arcane recreated his destroyed body, turning him into a monster. Then, the Patchwork Man walks into Abigail and Matt. Quickly, the Patchwork Man knocks Matt unconscious, before picking up Abigail and running away with her, recognising her as his daughter. Crossing an old wooden bridge, the Patchwork Man is confronted by Swamp Thing, who tries to help Abigail. However, the Patchwork Man doesn’t understand and the two fight, ending when Matt and a large group of angry villagers appear with torches and shotguns (like Frankenstein, with guns and without pitchforks). Sensing that he and Swamp Thing are similar, the Patchwork Man destroys part of the bridge to fend off against the villagers, allowing Swamp Thing to escape. However, when Abigail attacks the Patchwork Man, who then prepares to retaliate, Swamp Thing intervenes, and the fight starts again. Suddenly, the ground collapses and Abigail manages to hold onto something. Together, Swamp Thing and the Patchwork Man save Abigail, but just before the Patchwork Man falls to his death, he stares at Abigail one last time and she recognises him as her father. In the end, Swamp Thing gives Abigail back to Matt and the two of them fly away on a plane to search for Swamp Thing. However, unknown to them, he is holding onto one of the plane’s wings.
MY THOUGHTS
To me, these first three issues of the series all link through to each other since the issues usually carry on where the previous issues ended. Not only that, but these first three issues deal with Alec Holland becoming Swamp Thing and coming to terms with it, while also meeting his arch foe, Arcane. First of all, the build up to Alec becoming Swamp Thing works very well not just because you know that something is going to happen, but also because you are introduced to Alec and Linda, two characters who are very realistic. Its established during the first issue that the couple aren’t boring, science-centred cardboard cut-outs. It also really helps that Len Wein is a great writer of dialogue, making the characters feel more like real people. These early stages of the story work incredibly well and scenes featuring Ferrett and his men put you on edge and you begin to slowly realise that something terrible is going to happen. And of course, it does. The scene in which Alec bursts into flames and leaps into the swamp water is a frightening scene, not just because we have been introduced to the (continued)
characters and were beginning to warm to them, but the scene is also aided massively by Wrightson’s art. Anyway, the rest of the first issue is excellent as Alec’s character, or now rather Swamp Thing, is explored. It is really tragic that in just the first issue, both Alec and Linda Holland die, yet it works very well due to the impressive efforts that Wein went to in order to make us believe that these characters could exist. As a character, Swamp Thing is incredible and very easy misjudged, which I think adds to the mood of the book, since he is often seen as a villain by others. The fight towards the end of issue one is also amazing, since it’s the first time we, or anybody else, are witness to the extraordinary powers of Swamp Thing. Sure, its never really explained how Alec transformed into Swamp Thing, but I think the lack of a purely Gardner Fox-like and scientific explanation really wouldn’t have worked well, especially since the genre of the title is generally horror. This vagueness behind Swamp Thing has always been present, even when Alan Moore altered the character’s origins in Swamp Thing (vol 2) 21. Yet, it works because it adds a good sense of mystery. Anyway, Matt Cable’s character begins to develop here as he begins his quest to search for Swamp Thing to kill him, since he believes that he killed Alec and Linda Holland, creating a good ongoing story. Its also worth mentioning the dog which seems to follow either Swamp Thing or Matt around. Honestly, I don’t really know why he is present, but I think by Swamp Thing (vol 1) 7, you’ll actually realise how important the dog was, but more on that next time. Out of the first three issues, the second one is easily my favourite, since it has something which I think the first issue lacked: a great villain. The villains like Ferrett and his men really aren’t anything special, but Arcane certainly is. What makes Arcane great early on in the second issue is the fact that while he is clearly a villain, he is actually quite well-mannered and even kind to Swamp Thing. However, as the story goes on, Arcane’s plans are revealed and once Swamp Thing destroys the soul jar, Arcane really detests Swamp Thing. Despite the very simple plot, it is still one of, and might be my favourite issue of all of Wein’s run, simply because the story builds up to an excellent climax. The Un-Men creatures are very startling, and they really highlight how well Bernie Wrightson is suited to the title. Not only that, but it begins to construct a view for us that makes us believe that Arcane really isn’t the nice old man which he pretends to be. The ending of the second part is also amazing, with Arcane seemingly falling to his death, but just by his already large presence in Swamp Thing’s life, you just know he will return soon, wanting vengeance against Swamp Thing. Also, the ending of the second issue featuring the Patchwork Man is also brilliantly teases the forthcoming issue. In many respects, Arcane is sort of the villain of the third issue. Why? Mainly because he was the one who turned his brother into the Patchwork Man, a creature that is actually very similar to Swamp Thing and Wein plays with that very well throughout the story. The destruction of Arcane’s tower introduces to the Patchwork Man and I think as a character, he is excellent. He only appears in this issue, yet his impact is everlasting, especially on Abigail Arcane. Speaking of whom, this is her first appearance in the title, and she is quite important, mainly for being kidnapped by the Patchwork Man. She also lives in the village that her uncle Arcane wanted to destroy and she doesn’t try to hide the fact that her surname is Arcane, making me wonder the details of why Arcane wanted to destroy the village in the second issue. Anyhow, this last part of the story is essentially Swamp Thing hunting down Abigail and fighting against the Patchwork Man. This issue works very well since it shows to other people that despite looking like a monster, Swamp Thing and even the Patchwork Man are good people and it’s the abominations which they have physically become which makes them hated. The ending of the story also begins a change in the way that Swamp Thing is perceived by people, since he saves Abigail and gives her back to Matt. However, that plot line still continues for a while yet and you can already begin to see the changes within it. These first three issues of the title introduce us to Swamp Thing and his character brilliantly. Wein’s stories are excellent and use the horror genre massively to their advantage. In fact, Wein adds something unique to every character and creates a realistic cast with a lot of potential.
Story: 9.5/10
Art: 10/10
Monster on the Moors --- Written by Len Wein with art by Bernie Wrightson
THE STORY
Waking up, Swamp Thing witnesses the crashed plane which he used as transportation. He then hides as a horse and carriage arrive, driven by Angus and Jenna, who rescue the unconsciousness passengers of Abigail and Matt, along with the pilot and take them back to their mansion. Inside, Matt awakens and explains that they were travelling through a rough storm and two of their engines were busted. Then, Matt and the pilot noticed a strange runway and they head down to land, before they crashed. Outside, Swamp Thing watches the conversation and reminds himself that there was no runway, but just a string of lights and he used his own body as a brake, saving everyone on board. In the mansion, the pilot insists that he heads out and looks at his plane. However, when he heads out, he is hunted and killed by a dark wolf-like creature. The others go to investigate, and Angus explains that this strange beast has been stalking the land for quite some time, but it is only now that it has killed a man. Later in the mansion, Matt hears some strange scratching at the door. Although they go to investigate, expecting the worst, they find that it is the dog. The next morning, while preparing to leave the house, Matt and Abigail are introduced to Ian Mac Cobb, the son of Angus and Jenna. Then, Angus appears and tells Matt and Abigail that their horse has gone missing, meaning they are stranded. At sunset, Matt’s dog begins growling, causing Matt and Abigail to investigate outside. However, they find the wolf-creature again. Although Matt fires bullets into the creature, it has no effect. Suddenly, Swamp Thing appears and fights the creature. But he is quickly defeated. Back in the mansion, Matt and Abigail are given sherry by Angus and Jenna. However, it is poisoned and they both fall unconscious. Later, Matt wakes up and finds that he has been tied up, along with Ian. Jenna explains that they are going to cure Ian’s mysterious disease with a total blood transfusion. Although Ian protests, Jenna explains that they put the lights out on the moors to get the attention of planes, giving them more bodies to attempt a blood transfusion on. Suddenly, Ian breaks free and begins to scream about his curse, before he grows hairier and wolf-life, transforming into the werewolf that stalks the moors. Just as the werewolf prepares to attack, Swamp Thing arrives and the two fight. However, it is all over when Jenna tries to save her son from a chandelier being thrown at him by Swamp Thing. But Jenna is thrown out of the way her son is impaled to death. In the end, Abigail tries to convince Matt that Swamp Thing is actually their ally, but Matt still believes that he killed Alec and Linda Holland.
MY THOUGHTS
After tackling a deformed monster in Swamp Thing (vol 1) 3, Wein moves onto the next creature which usually finds its way in the horror genre: the werewolf. Plainly
put, this story is flawless. Once again, Wein uses the genre to his advantage, Wrightson delivers some great and excellent art, the atmosphere of the story is chilling, the characters unique to this story are mysterious and the main story is incredibly intense. Right from the start, you know the main characters are in for a dangerous ride. Starting with the plane crash, the story evolves into a mysterious werewolf stalking the moors and his parents trying to save their son from the curse. The presence of the werewolf adds so much drama to the story and it is aided so much by Wrightson’s fantastic depiction of it, which I have to say looks genuinely frightening in many panels. This adds so much menace to the villain of the story. However, the real shocking aspect of this story is that the werewolf isn’t really the villain. His parents, Angus and Jenna, are actually very cunning and clever, since they are the ones who brought Matt and Abigail to their mansion in order to conduct a blood transfusion. This adds to the dark feel of this story and feels very much like something you’d expect to watch in an old 1940s horror movie. Of course, Swamp Thing arrives to save the day by fighting against the werewolf, but by the end, you realise that he doesn’t want to be the werewolf and when he is impaled, he accepts his death, realising that the only way out of being a werewolf is death. Like I said before, the main highlight of this story is its atmosphere, which feels incredibly chilly, tense and spooky. Its one of those which is very hard to talk or write about. Swamp Thing (vol 1) 4 is an experience, one which when you get invested deeply into the story, you understand the characters so much better and it easily ends up being one of the greatest stories by Wein and Wrightson of the whole run.
Story: 10/10
Art: 10/10
The Last of the Ravenwind Witches --- Written by Len Wein with art by Bernie Wrightson
THE STORY
After travelling across the moors, Swamp Thing finds the lost horse and carriage and travels to a dock, where he attempts to disguise himself on board a boat. However, he is quickly found out and he jumps off the boat, before being attacked by the sea’s large and deadly waves. Later, a woman and her brother are being hunted in a forest and they decide to hide in some caves. Inside, Swamp Thing appears and sees visions of Linda, before returning to the real world. The woman reveals that she is named Rebecca Raven-Wind and that she is being hunted for seemingly being a witch by a man named Gideon. Together, Swamp Thing travels with Rebecca and her “simple” brother before they come across a group of villagers. Although Swamp Thing manages to fight against several of them, he isn’t strong enough and he falls from a mountain. Rebecca and her brother Timothy are captured by Gideon and the villagers and she is put on trial. Gideon explains to the villagers that years ago, an ancestor of Rebecca cursed an ancestor of Gideon that in the future, one of his descendants will have one leg. Then, Gideon reveals that his son has been born with one leg, causing the villagers to scream and shout at Rebecca, calling her a witch. Meanwhile, Swamp Thing awakens from the bottom of the mountain and heads into the village, where he rescues Timothy from other children who are bullying him. Then, just as Rebecca is being burnt at the stake, Swamp Thing arrives with Timothy and takes out the (continued)
villagers, before rescuing Rebecca. Then, as Gideon attempts to capture Rebecca again for witchcraft, she suddenly uses her strange and mysterious powers to cause a tremendous storm. Afterwards, a huge number of flowers appear, and Rebecca explains to Swamp Thing that the powers she used don’t belong to her, but Timothy. Then, Rebecca and Timothy thank Swamp Thing and say their farewells to him. Meanwhile in New England, a somehow alive Alec and Linda Holland watch the moon rise.
MY THOUGHTS
Once again, after exploring monsters and werewolves, Wein moves onto the next supernatural and fictional being of the horror genre: witches! However, there is of course some real-life truth to witchcraft, which is that people have been accused of practising it, as opposed to monsters and werewolves. This story touches on that, with Rebecca Raven-Wind and her brother Timothy being hunted by Gideon and some villagers who believe that she is a witch. Again, this story is good. It might lack the creepy and darker tone which the previous stories had, but it still works very well because it features another character being misjudged while also depicting the paranoia that those who burned witches centuries ago clearly had. That being said, Rebecca does have some powers and so does her brother. How? Well, its never really explained how Rebecca can shoot lightning bolts out of her hands and how Timothy can grow flowers. But what I do like is how Swamp Thing grows closer to these characters and treats them like friends. In fact, this is something I should have mentioned earlier. Alec Holland is a good kind person and even as Swamp Thing, despite his terrifying brute strength and appearance, he is still the same character and I think that works well. Its similar to Boston Brand in many ways, since before he died, he was just cruel and he was like that as Deadman, but as time went on, he became kinder and more understanding. My only real criticism of this story is that it feels rather empty, particularly in the middle. I think it would have been great if Wein added more plot and background around Rebecca and her brother, since their mystery is never really explained.
Story: 8.5/10
Art: 10/10
A Clockwork Horror --- Written by Len Wein with art by Bernie Wrightson
THE STORY
In Matt Cable’s office, he is told that the government has taken him off the Alex and Linda Holland case, with the reason being that he is too personally involved in it. In
anger, Matt continues and pledges to find Swamp Thing. In the mountains of Vermont, Swamp Thing falls out the back of a truck and falls down the mountain, only to be met by Linda Holland. He faints. Meanwhile nearby, Matt and Abigail head on a new mission to investigate a once-deserted mining town that has sprung back to life. However, as the dog is present, a mysterious foe from the Conclave can listen in to their conversation. At the same time, Swamp Thing is awoken by Alec and Linda Holland. Completely confused, Alec and Linda take Swamp Thing into the town to meet with Mayor Klochmann, who built the town. Afterwards, the Mayor heads out for a speech and he tells Swamp Thing that the public are without sin and that they were built to be like that. Later, the Mayor explains to Swamp Thing that the people of the town were built after the people on obituary columns and that they were built with the inability to fight, with the purpose to share friendship and love. Meanwhile, Matt and Abigail arrive in the town and learn of its strangeness. At the same time, Swamp Thing speaks with Linda and the two grow closer. However, Swamp Thing resists when he realises that she is simply a robot. Meanwhile, a helicopter arrives in the town and some strange agents and a robot arrive, wanting to make use of Mayor Klochmann’s knowledge. They then explain that they are from the Conclave and that they have come to take Matt and Abigail away. However, after Matt and Abigail are taken away, the robots of Alec and Linda are killed by the agents. In anger, Swamp Thing fights against the Conclave and their robot. But, after defeating the robot, the robot villagers turn on Swamp Thing, believing him to be a danger. However, when they try to fire their guns at him, the Mayor gets in the way and sacrifices himself to save Swamp Thing. This causes the robots to freeze, before exploding into a steaming pile of rubble. Three hours after leaving the town, Swamp Thing begins his search for Matt and Abigail by heading into Gotham City.
MY THOUGHTS
This one here is the first story of the run which I don’t really like that much. Don’t get me wrong, I think the introduction of this story and the end of the last issue is perfect and mysterious, with Alec and Linda Holland returning. I also like numerous aspects surrounding their characters, like how Swamp Thing grows closer towards Linda, before realising that she is a robot. I also really like the presence of an overarching story, one which isn’t Matt chasing Swamp Thing. Instead, the Conclave reveal themselves for the first time and capture Matt and Abigail, teasing the next few issues. All that is great, but its just the main story…
What the hell is this? Now, I know that Wein wanted to introduce something new, just as he had in the previous five issues, However, this one just doesn’t work. Gothic horror elements and beings such as witches, werewolves and monsters all work in a horror title such as Swamp Thing. But what doesn’t really work is more science fiction elements like robots, androids and aliens (although Swamp Thing (vol 1) 9 is an exception). From the start, I didn’t mind the idea of the town mysteriously appearing, since it adds some mystery. But, when the Mayor is introduced like a pantomime character and the Conclave robot, it loses what made Swamp Thing a unique title and character for its time. It is a horror comic and it works best that way. Its way the title was eventually cancelled under Gerry Conway later. The more the title loses its unique stance in the horror genre, the chances are the less great it will be. Luckily, this issue is just a one off and the rest of the Wein run is horror-based, as all the stuff to do with the robots and the Mayor just simply aren’t suited the title, even if Wrightson’s art makes them look great.
Story: 4/10
Art: 10/10
THE ART BY BERNIE WRIGHTSON
I really couldn’t think of an artist better suited to something like Swamp Thing than Bernie Wrightson. Seriously, his art adds so much to Wein’s already excellent stories, adding so much atmosphere, intensity and drama to the finished comic. For starters, his sense of storytelling is brilliantly unique, incredibly dramatic and takes full advantage of the darker and more horror-based plots which Wein was so intent on delivering. Wrightson’s sense of lighting is flawless, adding so much to so many different scenes. His portrayal of the Swamp Thing is incredibly menacing, yet human, transforming him into an excellent three-dimensional character which you feel sorry for. The stories that feature in these issues work so well with Wrightson’s dimly lit art, especially characters such as the Patchwork Man (Swamp Thing (vol 1) 3) and most definitely the werewolf (Swamp Thing (vol 1) 4), a character which I think looks legitimately terrifying in so many panels. All in all, Wrightson adds so much more atmosphere to the stories, menace to the villains and empathy for these realistic characters which Len Wein has created excellently. Without Bernie Wrightson, Swamp Thing wouldn’t exist, let alone have the impressive and brilliant impact that it leaves on readers such as myself.
VERDICT
Overall, Swamp Thing: Dark Genesis, or the first half of Wein’s revolutionary run, is simply excellent. With the exception of Swamp Thing (vol 1) 6, all the stories are brilliantly written and use the horror genre to its advantage. Wein’s grasp of character is clearly very strong and stable, explaining why so many characters like Swamp Thing, Matt, Abigail and Arcane are so memorable. Of course, the title would certainly not be this great without Bernie Wrightson, who’s art is utterly flawless and reflects Wein’s unique writing style better than pretty much any other artist can. And better yet, it doesn’t end here. We are only half-way through what I consider to be one of the greatest comic book runs ever.
Stories: 8.5/10
Art: 10/10
Next Week: Swamp Thing: The Man Who Would Not Die (Swamp Thing (vol 1) 7-13). Written by Len Wein with art by Bernie Wrightson and Nestor Redondo. Expected by 12/07/2020.
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