Swamp Thing (Series 2) #36: “The Nuke-Face Papers, Part 2” Swamp Thing 35 was part 1 of The Nuke-Face Papers storyline. The book introduced the effects the Lombard Coal Mine (in Pennsylvania) had on the… More
Swamp Things in the Penthouse
Penthouse Comix #21 (April 1997)
Swamp Thing parody appearances have been known to pop-up in some of the most bizarre books and places. Take a look at those I’ve listed on the Parody page, here. There are quite a few fun ones.
Penthouse Comix #21 from 1997 might be the zestiest book in my Swamp Thing parody collection. Amongst the erotica, 2 Swamp Thing looking creatures made their way into “The Edge”, one of the stories within the book. It’s easy to dismiss the characters as not being Swampy but with the star studded lookalikes within the cast, one of them is bound to be Swampy.
Thor is in Asgard with a huge supporting cast. They’ve all gathered to participate in the Hundred Years Games. The Universes’ finest convene once a century to compete. Within the splash page below, you’ll find an assortment of your favorite characters. The Tick, R2D2, Vader, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Ralphie from A Christmas Story, Aladdin, and Darkseid are just a few you’ll spot.
The first Swamp Thing sighting is within the title page crowd. It just so happens, Swampy is standing next to ALF. Yep, ALF is eating a cat. Everyone is in attendance to try their hand in the Hundred Years Games. Continue reading “Swamp Things in the Penthouse”
More 90s Swamp Thing Sweatshirts
You’re not seeing double. These 2 Swamp Thing sweatshirts have the same design. Around 1990/1991 they were available in various sizes and colors. I wrote about the size 10-12 sweatshirt from 1991 a couple weeks ago, here.
As you can see, the turquoise background texture extends further than that of the sweatshirt released in ‘91. Continue reading “More 90s Swamp Thing Sweatshirts”
Luke Almond as Linda Ridge & Ultraman vs Swamp Thing
Art for Art Sake zine #1 – 2019 UK
This awesome Swamp Thing parody post comes by way of Luke Almond & the Zine Queens. The 12-page zine was released in 2019 and features a great homage to House of Secrets 92 on its cover. Luke Almond looks fantastic as Linda Ridge. Swamp Thing looks delightful as always on the cover of his first appearance. If you’d like to get your hands on issue #1 of Art for Arts Sake, visit Luke’s Etsy page, here.
Luke Almond & the Zine Queens, the Sheffield, UK based creative collective, created this fun, quirky and bizarre collection of illustrations, photography, design, collage and written content. The book features Swamp Thing, FishBats and reviews the “Swamp Thing” film from 1982 as well as Matt Berry’s album, “Television Themes.”
Not only does the zine have a killer cover by Luke Almond, he drew an awesome showdown between Swamp Thing & Ultraman. Mollie Bracey wrote the Swamp Thing vs Ultraman script that the image is paired with.
Swampy shows up a couple more times within the 1982 film review by John Roope. Luke Almond returns to create the Swamp Thing logo, opposite the review. The same logo can be seen on a button, below.
Continue reading “Luke Almond as Linda Ridge & Ultraman vs Swamp Thing”
New Zealand Honors Swamp Thing’s Birthday with Silver
Justice League Swamp Thing 1 oz Silver Proof – 2021
New Zealand is honoring Swamp Thing with this beautiful commemorative silver coin. Happy 50th Swampy!
Produced for Niue by the New Zealand Mint, this 1 oz, .999 fine Silver coin features Swamp Thing! Mintage was limited to 1,971 pieces in honor of his first appearance in House of Secrets #92, from ‘71. I’m curious to know why Bernie Wrightson’s Swamp Thing isn’t featured on the coin and packaging. It would have been fitting, but I’m thrilled just to see Swampy getting his moment in the spotlight… in coin form.
The coin features the artwork of Jesús Saíz. The artwork was originally published on Swamp Thing 25, in 2014. It comes in a protective display block with a numbered COA. The coin and packaging are sharp. It’s going to look great on display.
The back of the coin features Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Continue reading “New Zealand Honors Swamp Thing’s Birthday with Silver”
It’s a Mi Gran Aventura Sunday
It felt like a great day to pull out some of my Mexican, Mi Gran Adventura pocket books… so I did! These little beauties measure 14cm x 19.37cm, and were published by National Periodical Publications, Inc. The logo, EN can be seen in the corner of each book cover. It stands for Editorial Navaro, the imprint.
Above are issues #153, 155 and 158 of the Aguila series. “Aguila”, is an indicator of the size of the book. If I recall, Navaro released Mi Gran Aventura books in a couple different sizes.
I’m not a Mexican comics wiz/know-it-all, but the kind folks over at the Global Comic Safari are. Check out this link where they break down some of the Mexican Navaro formats.
Mi Gran Aventura #2-153, Serie Águila (June 1977)
This copy of #153 has seen better days but I’m thrilled just to have a copy in my collection. The book reprints, Swamp Thing #9 The Stalker From Beyond (April 1974) along with a backup story. The Stalker From Beyond was written by Len Wein. Bernie Wrightson handled the artwork.
Swamp Thing Sweatshirt… for Kids
Swamp Thing Youth/Kids Sweatshirt – 1991
This Swamp Thing sweatshirt is awesome. Sure I’ll never be able to fit into it, but a future model is in the works. The artwork featured on the front is seldom seen on Swampy apparel. A few different colors of the sweatshirt style exists and pop-up every so often on eBay or Etsy. It took me a little over 5 years to track this little shirt down. An example of the grey version of the sweatshirt can be seen here.
I love this and other promo art that was used on Swampy collectibles relating to the animated series. Like I’ve said in the past, the amount of Swamp Thing merchandise and collectibles produced for a 5 episode animated series is bananas. But, I sure do appreciate it all. Continue reading “Swamp Thing Sweatshirt… for Kids”
Black Orchid #17 Swamp Thing Promo Card
Black Orchid #17 (January 1995)
Unfortunately I won’t be writing about this Black Orchid story. Instead, I’m excited to share with you the fun promotional Swamp Thing trading card that was included within the book. It’s certainly not a Swamp Thing appearance but a fun promo collectible. I keep the book listed on my ads page so it’s often overlooked.
John Mueller was the artist in charge of depicting Alec Holland and Swampy for this card. You probably remember Mueller illustrating most of the covers in the 1994 Swamp Thing series. He created 9 Swampy covers in all. All of them were for the Morrison/Millar/Hester era of Swampy.
As part of a promotional campaign for the 1994 Vertigo trading cards by Skybox, this Swamp Thing card was featured as an insert in The Black Orchid #17. It’s a pretty fun addition to an already good comic (Black Orchid). The promo card number/identifier is SP1, which is indicated on the back of the card. John Constantine is featured on promo card SP2, and Sandman is on SP3. Continue reading “Black Orchid #17 Swamp Thing Promo Card”
1 Sign & a 3 Ring Binder
Two, one of a kind Swamp Thing items were given to me last week and I’m thrilled to share them with you. On the left is a 3 ring binder featuring artwork from the recent Swamp Thing series. The oversized Swamp Thing #1 cover on the right is printed on textured metal sheet stock. The Swamptastic items were the product of a test printing. Both were printed using the sublimation printing process (basically printing using a heat press and transfer paper). Since the test printing utilized unlicensed imagery, the fun items made their way into my collection, free of charge. The creator appreciated the results, how the inks worked with the materials and I’m thrilled they chose Swamp Thing as their subject matter.
The 11” x 15.5” metal sheet stock is coated with a cloth-like texture. The color is vibrant and the metal is thick. I’m excited to hang it on my wall. Below are some details.
In the photo above, you can see the texture that the image was printed on. It feels like heavily textured rice paper. I placed a couple quarters next to the sign to give you a sense of scale, below.
The 3 ring binder is made with black canvas and a white fabric that is able to be printed upon. It’s really cool and I’m looking forward to storing Swamp Thing collectibles in it.
The Gang is All Here in ’87 – Limited DC History Print
I’ve been meaning to post this beautiful 15″ x 30″ print for some time now. Rearranging the Swamp Thing room provided the perfect opportunity to do so.
Swamp Thing is looking pungent smelling, surrounded by some flies. Phantom Stranger doesn’t seem phased, but Martian Manhunter appears to be struggling.
The art jam was created in conjunction with a deluxe, hardcover-version of the History of the DC Universe book. It was included in the book as a gatefold. The eclectic crowd of DC characters were illustrated by some of the top artists and creators. The art was used to produce the 15″ x 30″ print that I’m holding in the photo above. DC distributed a postcard providing the opportunity to send away for the rolled poster. I was able to procure this limited, mail-away, 1 of 10,000 poster from my good friend John Nordstrom.
John Totleben and Stephen Bissette provided the Swamp Thing illustration.
Continue reading “The Gang is All Here in ’87 – Limited DC History Print”
The Reorganizing Turned Into a Slideshow
I’ve been rearranging the Swamp Thing room this week. It’s a work in progress, and currently a mess, but I’m feeling better about how my books are being stored. For a while I had some books in spinner racks. I didn’t like how the metal left indentations on some of the books. Long story short, here’s a progress photo and a video of some plant monster comics. Along with collecting everything Swamp Thing, I have quite the collection of books that feature plant and swamp monsters. 
I snapped photos of a stack of plant/swampy monster covers and made a slideshow, below. If you have some favorite plant monster covers let me know in the comments. Some of my favorites involve tree monsters. I also enjoy the many covers featuring Superman tangling with vines. Being one of the strongest aliens on the planet, he sure does get tripped-up by plant vines.
The Swamp Thing 1-4 Review
The Swamp Thing – 2021
I held off on reading this new Swamp Thing series because I wanted to enjoy reading the first four issues in one sitting. I also expected the first few books to be light in content, stringing me along with one vague cliffhanger after another. I was absolutely wrong in having that opinion/preconception. I loved the first book so much that I paused reading so that I could jot down some initial thoughts regarding how great it is. Mike Perkins illustrates an amazing world for Swamp Thing.
Ram V’s writing feels much smarter and smoother than most stories being written today. I’m really enjoying his pacing. His story telling isn’t heavy with exposition. He drops you into an intense, mysterious scenario that you unravel along with the characters, Swamp Thing/Levi Kamei. Perhaps it’s how the characters are written, or Ram V’s timing, but the story feels like a classic episode of the Twilight Zone. I was effortlessly drawn into this new Swamp Thing world.
Ram V does a fantastic job of introducing various plot threads. Whether through dreams, flashbacks or while Swampy spontaneously regenerates, Ram V keeps the story moving by presenting multiple vignettes. This style of storytelling makes the reader feel as if they are getting a rich, multifaceted story within each single issue. Rich storytelling is why I enjoy the Alan Moore series so much. It feels like you’re getting more per issue, like Mike Perkins and Ram V’s series. Continue reading “The Swamp Thing 1-4 Review”
The Swamp Thing 6,000 Followers Giveaway
Happy World Environment Day everyone! I hope you all are doing well. I’m excited to announce the winners of the rootsoftheswampthing.com 6,000 Followers Giveaway. Over 130 people participated in the Giveaway and I’m so thankful for your fun responses. I encourage you to read fellow Swamp Thing fans discussing their favorite Swampy books/appearances, here.
The entries were selected at random as you can see in the video above.
1st place Winner of a box of Swamp Thing collectibles is: Ryan Spahr
2nd Place Winner of 2 issues of Holland Files Fanzine is: capeversesam
3rd Place Winner of 2 issues of Holland Files Fanzine is: Alan (Doom Wizard)
Below are their entries for the giveaway. You can read all of the entries, here.
Thank you so much for visiting the site and for following my Instagram account. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Holland Files, the Swamp Thing fanzine, email me at hollandfileszine@gmail.com
Swamp Thing Giveaway!
This week we celebrated Swamp Thing’s 50th birthday by hosting a virtual birthday party. Next week I’ll be continuing the festivities by holding a great big Swamp Thing giveaway!
As a thank you to all those who visit this site and its corresponding social media avenues, I’ll be giving one lucky person a great big care package of Swamp Thing goodness. The giveaway will include Swamp Thing comics, Holland Files fanzines, Swamp Thing collectibles, a Swamp Thing Fanclub mug and more! To spread the cheer, 2 other lucky people will be randomly selected to receive copies of the Holland Files Swamp Thing fanzine.
How do you enter to win all this Swamptastic stuff? All you need to do is comment on this post. Let me know your favorite story/book that Swamp Thing has appeared in. I’ll be picking the 3 winners Saturday, June 5th on World Environment Day. Be sure to visit this site next Saturday for the list of winners. Thank you so much for swinging by and I can’t wait to read your fun answers. Swamp Thing has a long history of fantastic appearances to draw from.
