Monster In My Pocket 4 (1991) Farewell Swamp Beast. You lasted only four issues but we love you just the same. Last month I wrote about Monster In My Pocket #3, which features a Swamp… More
“You’ll see the return of Swamp Thing” – Jenette Kahn 1978
Dynamic Classics 1 (1978)
This 44 page edition reprints, Batman “The Secret of the Waiting Graves” by Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano along with, Manhunter “The Himalayan Incident” by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson. All that tantalizing goodness aside, I snagged this book for the articles.
Following the DC Explosion of ’78-and the subsequent implosion-Jenette Kahn discusses the benefits of DC’s new 50¢ (25-page, no ads, no reprints) comic format. At the time, DC was pulling damage control due to poor sales, questionable choices and various sales and marketing variables. But, out of the chaos and mess following the DC Implosion, Mrs Kahn provides a nugget of excitement, below.
“You’ll see the return of Swamp Thing”
Despite Kahn’s optimism, Swamp Thing would not return to an ongoing series for another four years, in 1982. But, she perhaps was referring to Swamp Thing’s appearance seven months later within, DC Comics Presents #8 “The Sixty Deaths of Solomon Grundy” (April 1979). Following this Publishorial (circa Sept 1978) Swamp Thing appeared in only five books prior to Swamp Thing series 2: the aforementioned DC Comics Presents #8 “The Sixty Deaths of Solomon Grundy” (April 1979), Super Friends #28 “The Spacemen Who Stole Atlantis” (January 1980), Brave and the Bold #176 “The Delta Connection” (July 1981), From Swords Of Cerebus Vol 3 (1981), and Cerebus #25 “This Woman, This Thing” (March 1981). For further info on chronology, reference the various Appearance lists in the website navigation menu at the top of the webpage.
Along with the hope of more Swamp Thing to come provided within the Publishorial, a fan wrote into The DC Feature Page requesting the muck-encrusted mockery of a man!
Continue reading ““You’ll see the return of Swamp Thing” – Jenette Kahn 1978″
Monster in My Pocket 3
Monster in My Pocket 3 (1991)
Script: Dwayne McDuffie
Art: Gil Kane
This fantastic Swamp Thing parody is made possible by the miniature monsters of childrens toy fame, Monster in My Pocket. Don’t let the Man-Thing looking face tendrils fool ya, Swamp Beast has similar powers to Swamp Thing.
The comic series follows a group of pocket-sized monsters, mixing-it-up within a life-sized world where the smallest of items could prove perilous. The Monster in My Pocket franchise was vast, involving comic books, trading cards, books, toys, boardgame, video game, an animated special, music, clothing and much more. The Monster in My Pocket series only lasted for 4 issues.
Among the various monsters within the Monsters in My Pocket toy line, Swamp Beast is the muck-monster that carries the torch for those that came before him; The Heap, Swamp Thing, Man-Thing, etc. or you could think of Swamp Beast as a no-good, rotten, rip-off. Below is Swamp Beast’s bio. You’ll notice some similarities with our Swampy.
“His origin is shrouded in mystery, but some say he was once human. Swamp Beast is known to be the protector and personification of all slimy things on earth. His preferred environment is the swamps, but he can show up anywhere there is slime. Swamp Beast is composed entirely of slime and has total control of all things slimy. He can change the shape and size of his body or construct and control multiple copies of himself. He also smells pretty bad.”
Chapter 3 “Swamp Beast” is the muck-man’s time to shine. We get to see Swamp Beast flex his muscle and use his powers.
Like the bio, his moment of realization echoes the abilities of Swamp Thing.
Swamp Beast summons and harnesses the power of the slime, he multiplies to confuse and trap the dinosaur. he’s looking a lot like Swampy.
Each issue in the series features a centerfold poster-much like a checklist-of MIMP characters.
Nuke-Face pt.1
Swamp Thing 35 (1985)
“The Nuke-Face Papers: Part 1 of 2”
“Everybody left Blossomville in the end…” but some folks, like Bob, take a piece of the town with them wherever they go.
This seemingly simple, part 1 of 2, is a relevant character development point for Swamp Thing. Sure he’s been a helpful hand in the past but in this issue, he feels compelled to be proactive toward the nature related disaster lurking around the corner. Tapped into the earth/Green, Swamp Thing dreams he’s in Blossomville, PA. He asses the damage and weeps at the amount of destruction. This more eco-friendly/in-tune character trait is something that Moore (and others down the line) develop and nurture. In this issue, Swamp Thing is called to action and his connection to the earth, as being second nature, begins to blossom.
Continue reading “Nuke-Face pt.1”
Love in the time of tubers
Swamp Thing 34 (1985)
“Rite of Spring”
This issue is amongst my favorites, solidifing my love for introspective, character-building Swamp Thing stories that take place in Houma. It paints a wonderful picture of what life could be like for the lumbering plant monster. Could a muck-man find a partner and live a normal life? Moore, Totleben, Bissette (and the rest) deliver a world where such a scenario exists; if only for a moment.
The book begins at Terrebonne Parish General Hospital. We’re caught up on Matt Cable’s condition alongside Abby. Perhaps she was expecting it. His body was broken after the accident, then held together by Arcane’s forces. Moore writes the most beautiful words…
What happened to Cable is tragic but he put Abby through Hell and back. Abby wants a try at a normal life. She returns to the swamp to be with Alec.
Alec, Brujería, Kali Ma and Me
Hellblazer 22 (2018)
I was pleasantly surprised to see a Swamp Thing appearance in Hellblazer earlier this month. Although it was a flashback panel, Swamp Thing is seen in all his glory fighting against the Brujería. It’s quite an Indiana Jones moment for all involved.
See ST 48 cover for similar imagery.
This flashback comes by way of Negral the demon, who is-yet again-seeking revenge on John Constantine. He explains John’s past influence on demon related encounters.
John works in the dirtiest and most divisive scenarios he can find and a clean, cartoonish Hellblazer book doesn’t quite feel at home, or right by the characters involved. It’s like the aesthetic downplays the dire situation of John and the cast of hellish characters. It’s only one of the various reasons why I’ve stopped reading the current Hellblazer series. It’s had its lumps and plot twists, but not for the better. I hope the title will once again hold the weight it used to. I’ve been pondering the current Hellblazer series in relation to Swamp Thing not having an on-going series. I’m entertained in thinking that Swamp Thing is more relevant and gaining more momentum in not having his own series. When we see Swamp Thing pop-up in books he’s the saving grace to such characters as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman (ref. New 52–current day). Swamp Thing is acting as a guiding force and go-to for catastrophic as well as internal/personal struggles. You can’t beat that. And I understand that Hellblazer/Constantine was never intended to be that kind of a book/character but he would perhaps have a more poignant existence if not in an on-going series.
The plot threads that seemed exciting within this series have fallen away, unresolved and the plot that remains leaves Constantine sidestepping antagonists (like demonic mob-families), one after another. It’s as if Constantine is in a fight simulator, and rather than the character being developed, he’s just rolling with the punches. I really hope for more for the character. He’s extremely fun, versatile and a strength to the DCU.
Swamp Thing sneaking into the covers Pt.3
Cracked Monster Party! #7 (1989)
In another installment of “sneaking into the covers”, Cracked’s Sylvester P Smythe gets the ‘ol Swamp Thing treatment on the backside.
Back cover:
This fantastic parody of Swamp Thing has been eluding me for over 5 years. When out of town or visiting friends, I’d always take time to ask comic shops if they had any Monster Party books. The typical answer was, “no”. I’ve kept many a friend waiting an inappropriately long time, digging through old long boxes stuffed with magazines like Starlog, Mad, Cracked, Fantastic Films, Famous Monsters of Filmland, Eerie, Fangoria, etc; looking for this book. It’s a thrill to finally find it.
front cover:
Ricansruction: Rebuilding Puerto Rico
Ricansruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico (2018)
Not having an on-going series isn’t slowing Swamp Thing down. This week, Greg Capullo announced he has been working on Justice League Dark variant covers and he hopes to start working on a Swamp Thing book as soon as he and Scott Snyder wrap up their work on Batman. A slew of appearances are headed our way in the coming months as well! Swamp Thing will make an appearance in Justice League, Justice League Dark, Scooby-Doo Team-up, and many others! Be sure to reference the Swamp Thing Pull List for all the latest releases.
Now, on to Ricanstruction!
This beautiful comic anthology is filled with heart warming stories of team-work and perseverance, from Puerto Rico’s past and toward its future in recovery. Comic book author Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez spearheaded the anthology to help the ongoing recovery and humanitarian efforts. All proceeds benefit Puerto Rico’s rebuilding process.
Throughout the book, La Borinqueña (the featured character from Miranda-Rodriguez) teams-up with a ton of DC Superheroes to save the island of Puerto Rico after being devastated by hurricane Maria. Miranda-Rodriquez has said, “La Borinqueña was created to raise awareness of the effects of climate change and how it would affect Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.”
This thick anthology is filled with beautiful artwork and stories and includes stars such as comic author Gabby Rivera, actress Rosario Dawson, novelist Esmerelda Santiago, and MANY more. You won’t want to miss getting a copy of this!
And another little perk… Swamp Thing appears in two stories! Let’s dig in.
“Metamorphosis”
The Puerto Rican rainforest has been through a lot since hurricane Maria devastated the island’s landscape. The last thing the forest needs now is Solomon Grundy trouncing around.
That’s where Metamorpho and La Borinqueña step in! La Borinqueña reminds Metamorpho that in battling Grundy, the fragile eco-system needs to be protected. The frogs-indigenous to only the Puerto Rican rainforest-are the source of vital medicine. Grundy must be contained while keeping the surrounding environment protected. This calls for a little ingenuity.
Metamorpho calls on a friend to help detain Grundy… and it’s Swamp Thing!
Continue reading “Ricansruction: Rebuilding Puerto Rico”
