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Title: Swamp Thing: The Curse by Alan Moore, Ron Randall ISBN: 1563896974 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: June, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67
Rating: 5
Summary: The Best of Swamp Thing
Comment: This collection reprints the best issues of Swamp Thing. For those not at all familier with the character, it is an excellently written and drawn comic about a good swamp monster battling evil (and is much better than that description makes it sound).
Notable in this third volume of the series, which reprints the beginning of the "American Gothic" story arc, is Moore's greater use of social critique, elevating these stories above mere entertaining, well-written horror stories. By combining fantastic horrors to such real-life horrors as racism and sexism, these stories are far more effective than any in the earlier collections at terrifying the reader.
In "American Gothic", Swamp Thing is sent scurrying to different parts of the U.S. by a manipulative figure (Jon Constantine) to battle all of the classic horror figures (vampires, werewolves, zombies, etc.), but each are handled in an absolutely brilliantly unique and new manner. For example, there is a whole town of vampires living underwater, completely shielded from the sun, in the process of, for the first time, living communally and cooperating to breed a second generation of vampires that are more powerful and horrific (the dedication of the vampires to family is contrasted by the dysfunctional families of the normal humans). The title story, "The Curse", is a unique Werewolf story, tying in the monthly transformation according to the phases of the moon to the menstrual cycle. The Curse was controversial due to its misinterpretation by illiterate readers as being a sexist comment on PMS when in reality it is an extremely feminist story condemning society for its male-driven fear and shunning of the feminine, and the subjugation of women into sexual objects or housewives.
The American Gothic story arc does not conclude in this issue (although the individual stories can be enjoyed on their own) so hopefully a volume 4 will follow.
By this point, Moore was also using word games in his text more frequently (read carefully) adding an extra level of enjoyment. This collection also contains the first appearance of Jon Constantine, and it is a period I miss. Here Constantine is a totally mysterious, manipulative character whose only real power is his mysteriously obtained knowledge and who always adds an element of dark humour (he is still a great character, but far less mysterious, and he now has magical skills, the extent of which appear to change from appearance to appearance).
This collection represents, if not Moore's best, then the best of Swamp Thing.
Rating: 4
Summary: Swamp Thing in Transition
Comment: Alan Moore, one of the legends of comics writers, made his mark on mainstream comics during his long run in the 1980s on the "Swamp Thing" title. His work on the title transformed it from a more-or-less straightforward superhero title into a mythic saga, unafraid to tackle adult topics and themes.
Originally, the Swamp Thing was a man killed in a lab accident in the Louisiana Swamps, somehow resurrected as a living plant, who battled the usual assortment of villains. Moore's Swamp Thing became a plant elemental, an aspect of a worldwide, Gaian web of plant life called The Green. Moore emphasized Swamp Thing's continued connection to humanity by giving him a human lover, Abigail, and a quest for self-knowledge that Joseph Campbell would have recognized instantly.
DC Comics is republishing Moore's work on Swamp Thing under their Vertigo imprint, as a series of collected graphic novels. This is the third in the series, and probably won't make much sense without having read the first two. It continues the changes in Swamp Thing's character and brings new complexity to the plot and themes of the Swamp Thing's story.
It says a great deal for Moore that even his minor characters can take on a life of their own. In one of the issues reprinted here, Moore and the artists created legendary Vertigo character John Constantine, as a mysterious young Englishman (revealed later as a magician, although that's not explicitly stated in this book) who travels the world, knows a great deal about the Swamp Thing, and is willing to share that knowledge for a price. Constantine proved so popular that DC Comics later made him the star of his own long-running comic book, called "Hellblazer."
Fans of "Hellblazer" will find Constantine's introduction most amusing in retrospect, both for his appearance and his attitude. As originally drawn, Constantine looks a great deal like Sting in the "Synchronicity" days, and his character lacks the blood-bought wisdom and ghosts of his failures that are the hallmark of the later series.
Constantine's appearance signals the start of one of Moore's longest and most mythic sagas, as a Lovecraftian evil arises to challenge all Creation. Only hints of the tale to come appear here, but the introduction itself is worth the price of admission.
If you've never read Moore's work before, start with "V For Vendetta" or "Watchmen," which are self-contained stories (and masterpieces.) If you know Moore's work, but not on the "Swamp Thing" title, start with "Saga of the Swamp Thing" and buy all three collected editions currently in print, including this one. These are classics, and worth the price.
Note: As of the time I wrote this review, Amazon.com listed Moore, Rick Veitch, and Ron Randall as "creators" of this book. Moore was sole writer of these comics when they were first published, but he worked with many artists, some of whom aren't properly credited here.
Rating: 5
Summary: The birth of a legend
Comment: The third volume in the Alan Moore Swamp Thing collection, this one may not be the best, but it's certainly one of the more memorable. The stories are amazing, as can be expected, but the true star of this graphic novel isn't the creature in the Louisiana swamps, but a chain-smoking, trench coat-clad Brit with a sharp wit by the name of John Constantine.
Who would have thought that a simple request of a character who looked like Sting would have birthed perhaps the most important character of the entire Vertigo line of comics from DC? Probably no one. But there's certainly something magical about his scenes in this trade, which can't be denied from any "Hellblazer" or "Swamp Thing" fan. At the very least, it gives us wonderful stories with that kind of addictive pace that only makes us want to read more. Perhaps rummaging through the back issues at your local comic shop would be a good idea after this read, if you can't wait until the next volume to be published.
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Title: Swamp Thing: A Murder of Crows by Alan Moore, John Totleben, Stephen Bissette ISBN: 1563897199 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: September, 2001 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Swamp Thing: Love and Death by Alan Moore, Kc Carlson ISBN: 0930289544 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Saga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, John Totleben, Barry Marx ISBN: 0930289226 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: July, 2000 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Swamp Thing: Earth to Earth by Alan Moore, Rich Veitch, John Totleben, Alfredo Alcala, Rick Veitch ISBN: 1563898047 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: April, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, David Lloyd, Steve Moore ISBN: 0930289528 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: April, 1995 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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