Swamp Thing Battle for the Bayou Board Game – 1991 Last weekend I had company over and decided to unleash the Swamp Thing board game. It’s always a blast to play and easy to learn.… More
The DC Universe by Len Wein
The DC Universe by Len Wein – 2019
The DC Universe by Len Wein was released last month and I had to get a hold of it to see what great Swamp Thing goodness is inside. The book collects 23 of Len’s greatest stories including the last Swamp Thing book he wrote, Swamp Thing Winter Special #1. As you’re aware, Len created Swamp Thing along with Bernie Wrightson and Joe Orlando in 1971. In December of 2017, Len’s last Swamp Thing story was published following his sudden passing on September 10 of 2017.
The book collects Len’s stories throughout his career, from 1968 to one of the last stories he wrote. The book includes, Teen Titans #18, Phantom Stranger #20-24, Justice League of America #100-102, Action Comics #419-420, 422-423, 425-426, 429, 432, DC Comics Presents #27-29, Justice League of America 80-Page Giant #2, DC Retroactive: Green Lantern—The ‘80s: Big Betrayal #1 and Swamp Thing Winter Special #1.
Below are a few pages from within the book.
DC Direct Swamp Thing Figures
DC Direct Swamp Thing Action Figure – 1999
Once, it seemed he was an unthinking monster, a bizarre combination of scientist Alec Holland and the swamp itself. Now, the truth is clear: the Swamp Thing is an earth elemental- a being of vast power whose role as guardian of all plant life sets him forever above and apart from the human race.
Based on the sculpt of William Paquet and inspired by Michael Zulli’s original Swampy design, this 6 3/4” action figure casts a long shadow. It’s tough to find a better looking Swamp Thing action figure. The figure came with optional rosebush attachments to replace the hands. Although the figure has various points of articulation, the options for posing are quite limited.
The figure was styled after a similar statue, released in 1996. See details of the statue here.
Spanish Bootleg del Pantano
Super Monstruos – Spain 1992
El Monstruo del Pantano figure
I was really hoping to come up with a fun title for this post, riffing on Dylan’s song, “Spanish Boots of Leather” but that took too long and now it’s not funny, but… check out this sweet Spanish bootleg Swamp Thing figure. The Silver Surfer looking Monstruo was produced by Comansi/Yolanda Toys. I was excited to find the figure along with its packaging and product card.
Foil packaging
Figure front
The figure looks quite similar to one of Bernie Wrightson’s more obscure renderings of Swamp Thing.
The illustration on the right was published on the cover of Australian edition, Swamp Monster #2 in 1981. It’s interesting to see similarities between the two.
Continue reading “Spanish Bootleg del Pantano”
Spyfall Swamp Card
Spyfall, the new DC card game is now at your local gaming shop! I procured this great promo card on eBay, but Swampy is indeed in the game as a location/environment card. Gotham City, The Bat Cave and The Swamp are just a few of the fun DCU locations you can put into play during the Spyfall game.
I’ve not played the game but here’s a great blurb on how it all goes down.
Based on the social party game Spyfall, DC Spyfall is an easy-to-learn party game that features bluffing, suspicion, probing questions, and clever answers. At the start of each round, players receive a secret card informing them of the group’s location — one of twenty unique DC locations, including Arkham Asylum, the Daily Planet, the Hall of Justice, and S.T.A.R. Labs — except for one player who receives the Joker card instead. The Joker doesn’t know where he is, but if he can figure out his location before his cover is blown, he wins the round!
back of Spyfall card
Glittering Muck Man
Last year Blast Bolt released their Justice League Dark Swamp Thing enamel pin and I’m finally catching-up on posting it. It’s well crafted and extremely fun to have amongst the other enamel pins that have come out of the past year.
The pin measures 2.25″ in all its glory. The green, slimy swamp water is filled with glitter and the scene is reminiscent of Swamp Thing 9 (series 1). Get a hold of this fun enamel pin at BlastBolt.com!
Backing card
Avec la Creature du Marais!
Spectral – French Pocketbooks
These two French pocketbooks look similar but are indeed different. The Spectral Album on the left is twice the size of the Spectral Bimestriel (bimonthly) on the right. Both books contain many of the same collected horror stories, along with Swamp Thing #33, “Abandoned Houses”, but the larger Album houses the Swamp Thing Annual #2. Let’s jump in…
Spectral Bimestriel (Bimonthly) 14 (1987)
This 80-page, French pocketbook edition was produced by French publisher Aredit (formerly Artima) in conjunction with Eclipse Comics. The book reprints Swamp Thing #33 “Abandoned Houses” along with other mystical, horror stories. To read details about “Abandoned Houses”, see my previous post of the original issue.
Other stories within the book include, “Zatanna the Magician” from Adventure Comics #413 (December, 1971) by Swamp Thing co-creator Len Wein. Gray Morrow takes care of visuals.
Continue reading “Avec la Creature du Marais!”
Holland Files 3
I took some time off from the site for the holidays and to finish Holland Files #3. I’m excited to get envelopes stuffed and the books in your hands. It’s another excellent collection of art and articles by Swamp Thing fans like you. Among the contributors, Stephen Bissette was kind enough to send me 18 sketches to use as I please. Writer, Joe Bongiorno caught-up with Nancy Collins for a very insightful/intriguing interview, and Holland Files regular, Rich Handley presents the history of John Constantine, pre-Swamp Thing. I’m honored to see Holland Files enter its third year. Thank you all again for your support and patience. I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to a new year. If you would like to order Holland Files 3, 2 and/or 1, contact me at HollandFilesZine@gmail.com.
Regards,
John
