Swamp Thing Vol. 1: Raise Them Bones Author: Visit Amazon's Scott Snyder Page | Language: English | ISBN:
1401234623 | Format: EPUB
Swamp Thing Vol. 1: Raise Them Bones Description
From Booklist
Any writer tackling DC Comics’ popular Swamp Thing character has to work in the sizable shadow of superstar scripter Alan Moore, who in 1984 transformed a title on the verge of cancellation into one of the most critically lauded comics of the decade. This latest interpretation, part of the company’s New 52 relaunch, is among the better post-Moore renditions. As it begins, Alec Holland is living a mundane life, possessing only vaguely troubling memories of his earlier existence as the Swamp Thing. This attempt at normalcy ends abruptly when Holland is compelled to once again transform into the plant-monster to defend the Green—the essence of all plant life on Earth—from the Rot, the force of decay that threatens the entire planet. Swamp Thing has always walked the line between comics’ horror and superhero genres. Snyder, best-known for American Vampire and his recent work on Batman, tips the balance firmly toward the former (a cameo by Superman notwithstanding), aided by Paquette’s intricate art, which is lush and grotesque at once. --Gordon Flagg
Review
"Amazingly dense, smart and literate." - MTV Geek
"A thoughtful, well-executed new take on a great character." - Publishers Weekly
"We have a winner...it's wonderful." - Time Out Chicago
"Gorgeous." - The Onion AV Club
"Just buy it, you won't regret it one bit. Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette have delivered a fantastically written, beautifully drawn opening chapter to usher in Swamp Thing's return to the brave, new DCU." - IGN
"Snyder has made a career of writing scripts that appeal to people that aren't sold on the brightly colored world of comic books, so expect SWAMP THING to do the same." - Complex Magazine
See all Editorial Reviews
- Series: Swamp Thing
- Paperback: 168 pages
- Publisher: DC Comics (August 28, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1401234623
- ISBN-13: 978-1401234621
- Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.7 x 0.2 inches
- Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Since I can remember, I've read some of Alan Moore's run on the character Swamp Thing, but not enough to really know the inner workings of Alec Holland/Swamp Thing. So for the New DC 52, Swamp Thing was on my list of titles I wanted to try out and further expand upon. But I mostly gave it a shot because Scott Snyder's name was on it, what with him being the hot writer that he is lately. Added to the list, was Yanick Paquette doing art duties. So I decided to start fresh with this new take on an old horror legend with little expectations. And behold: this is one of the best comics out of the New 52.
SWAMP THING VOL 1: RAISE THEM BONES collects issues #1-7 and begins with a dark omen happened. Superman goes around the world to question botanist Alec Holland, back from the dead (thanks to Brightest Day Aftermath The Search For Swamp Thing #3 Ardian Syaf Cover). Superman questions Alec on the omen, but Alec only wants to live life and be left alone, but he keeps having memories of his time as Swamp Thing and nothing else. Alec then gets visited by the previous Swamp Thing and informs Alec of the dark omen: The Rot is coming. An evil, decaying element of death that will find its human host and make hell on the world. "The Green", which the earth element Swamp Thing represents, wants Alec to be the new Swamp Thing and fight against The Rot. But Alec doesn't want to be Swamp Thing. But the charms of a woman (I won't spoil who it is), who knows Alec wants to help him fight off The Rot, might just change his mind.
I am a big Swamp Thing fan going back to 1984 when Alan Moore took over the series. I was so enthralled with the character that I went back and read the original 1972 series by Len Wein and the legendary artist Bernie Wrightson. Wein has nowhere near the skills of Moore but the series was fun and creative and had a style all its own. Of all the New 52 titles Scott Snyder’s Swamp Thing seems to be the most consistently highly rated but I just have never loved Snyder’s work as much as the reviews do. IGN gave issues one, two and five scores of 9.5 and issue seven a perfect 10; so is it really one of the great series of our age as the scores seem to imply?
I remain confused as to what the New 52 is. Is it a complete reboot? Is it a rearrangement thanks to the events of Flashpoint? Do all the comics exist in the same universe? Issue 1 opens with Alec Holland as a human but with memories of being Swamp Thing as if these events occurred in a parallel universe. Abigail Arcane is now a bad ass biker chick with short hair and a shotgun yet she somehow realizes that she also existed as the classic long haired Abby. Say what you will about empowering women and whatnot I really don’t like the new Abigail. The old Abby may have been a damsel in distress but at least she felt real and what normal human wouldn’t be somewhat helpless in the world of Swamp Thing.
When Alan Moore left the series I quickly gave up on it but I had already become a little bored of the esoteric writing particularly the Parliament of Trees, a plot device which was carried on by future writers. Snyder really focusses on my least favorite parts of the Swamp Thing universe such as the tension of the Green and the Red.
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