Congratulations to Danilo Melo! Danilo was randomly selected from the giveaway post comments to win this fun batch of Swamp Thing collectibles. Thank you so much for everyone’s participation, it’s always fun to hear from… More
Alan Quah’s Hidden Swamp Thing
Dark Knights of Steel #1 – Alan Quah Midtown Comics Variant Cover
One of the smallest Swamp Thing appearances of 2021 almost escaped me. A fellow Swamp Thing fan on Instagram let me know that in November of 2021, Swamp Thing made his way onto this medieval, star studded cover by Alan Quah. I haven’t read the Dark Knights of Steel series yet, but I’m looking forward to.
This exclusive variant cover was produced by Midtown Comics. The collage of DC characters by Quah features more characters than I care to count. You’ll no doubt find your favorite DC character amongst the crowd. Swamp Thing is hard to spot, but he can be found above Wonder Woman, close to the book’s spine. Below is a detail.
Below is a detail from the back cover.
More Swamp Thing Style From ‘91
Another great Swamp Thing outfit was spotted on eBay and I couldn’t resist getting it. The shirt & shorts set from 1991 is a glorious addition to my ever-growing collection of Swampy clothing from the animated series era. Fun and varied merchandise was produced for the short lived, 5 episode Swamp Thing cartoon. But, a lot of the merchandise (except perhaps the action figure line) wasn’t highly sought after and wound up in store bargain bins. I was relieved to see that this set was in great shape, and it doesn’t look like it was worn much.
You may recognize the artwork on the shirt from the LCA stye guide, along with other apparel items I’ve shared in the past.
The artwork on the shorts made me laugh. Swamp Thing doesn’t appear to be happy on shorts.
Spin Master Swamp Thing Arrived
Last week the latest Swamp Thing toy figure from Spin Master arrived in the mail. It’s an interesting take on Swampy, looking similar to Doomsday. Like most Swamp Thing kids toys, he comes with a weapon. The toy set is called, Batman vs Swamp Thing – Armory Attack Batcycle. I’m not sure what the narrative is at Spin Master toys but it reminds me of the days when Swampy and Batman would go toe-to-toe in Gotham.
The back of the box features quite the showdown between the two characters.
I’ve not seen this particular Spin Master set in stores near me so I found one online. I hope you have been luck at your local stores.
Swamp Thing’s Sticker & The South
It’s been over a month since I’ve posted because life has been busy in the best way possible. I started a new job-which keeps me very busy-and our son turned one in July. His endless curiosity paired with a passion for tearing and tasting paper makes it difficult to read physical comics around him. But, I’m still keeping up with my favorites and have also been enjoying, Comics and the U.S. South by Qiana J. Whitted and Brannon Costello. More on that anthology after this cool illustration by John Gholson!
You probably recognizeJohn Gholson’s name from Holland Files. He has contributed to every issue. He is a huge Swamp Thing fan and is extremely talented. Earlier this week, John tagged me on Twitter with this illustration. I’m so grateful and touched by his words.
As if this week couldn’t get more Swamptastic, a Swamp Thing sticker arrived in the mail yesterday.
The 4” x 5” sticker was released in the early 90s, in conjunction with the short lived Swamp Thing animated series. I’m assuming the stickers would have been available in sticker vending machines. I was fan of the quarter slot sticker dispensers when I was a kid in the 80s. I loved the thick cardboard that sandwiched the sticker.
Another Swamp Thing related book that I’ve been enjoying lately is, Comics and the U.S. South (2012) by Qiana J. Whitted and Brannon Costello. Comics and the U.S. South provides an insightful exploration into how life and culture in the South is represented in comics. The book is filled with scholarly essays that are beautifully crafted. Whitted and Costello wield a vocabulary that sent me thumbing through the dictionary a couple times-which I find exciting.
My Jason Woodrue Chronology – Looking for Appearances
I’m writing an essay for the next issue of Holland Files. It explores Jason Woodrue’s history in relation to Alec Holland/Swamp Thing. My essay primarily focuses on how Woodrue could have effected Holland becoming Swamp Thing.
I tell you all that to tell you this: I’m sharing my Woodrue chronology (that goes to 2017) below. I’m hoping that other Floronic Man fans will notice an appearance that I’ve missed and I can add it to my reading list. I’ve been rereading every Woodrue appearance to document in my essay, and I want to be sure I cover all my bases. Note: My essay focuses on Woodrue up to the late 80s (after Alan Moore’s redefined Swamp Thing). This is why I’ve stopped my Woodrue chronology at 2017… laziness. Enjoy, and thank you -John
The following list of appearances includes Jason Woodrue of New Earth & Earth Prime July 1962 – March 2017
Continue reading “My Jason Woodrue Chronology – Looking for Appearances”Exclusive Photos: Spin Master Swamp Thing Figure
Exclusive photos came my way earlier this week from a super-secret Swamp Thing corespondent and I’m excited to share them with you. Toyline, Spin Master is releasing a Swamp Thing figure in the future and the photos below will give you an idea of what it will look like.
Unfortunately, I’m not aware of a release date. It’s also unclear if the Swamp Thing figure will be available alone, or exclusively within the Batman Armory Attack Batcycle box set.
I’m not familiar with the Spin Master Universe, but Batman and Swamp Thing must not be friends. I thought the two hashed things out-for the most part-in Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing #53.
Swamp Thing appears to be wielding an axe.
The Sophisticated Moves Into Mature Territory in ’86, Letters From Kahn
A couple weeks ago, Stan Chu (a fellow collector from Toronto, Canada) contacted me to share some amazing letters that he’d found at his local comic shop. The first letter, intended for DC Comics freelancers, was written by-then President of DC-Jenette Kahn in1986. Amongst other things, her letter discusses the transition from the “Sophisticated Suspense” label on the Swamp Thing series to the introduction of the “For Mature Readers” label. Check it out below, and thanks again Stan!
DC Comics – Letter to Freelancers
Below, Kahn mentions Swamp Thing! After all, the wild success and craftsmanship put into the Swamp Thing series helped DC to distance themselves from the Comic Code. “Almost anything in a comic book is acceptable if appropriate to the characters, the storyline and the way the story is told.”
Beautiful Brian Bolland Art Book
Cover Story: The DC Comics Art of Brian Bolland (2011)
I’ve had this book on my ‘want list’ for a while and I finally picked it up while traveling through Omaha, Nebraska last week. I took the family to the Omaha zoo, but not without a stop at Krypton Comics. The store is covered, wall-to-wall, with awesome books, collectibles and games. I bought a couple Swamp Thing series 1 books as well, to be sure our muck-encrusted friend was represented.
The title page is a Bolland illustration that features some the more notable characters he has worked on. Naturally, Swamp Thing made the cut.
Below is a detail from the title page.
If you pick up a copy of this beautiful hardcover book, be sure to take off the dust jacket for these two amazing black and white reproductions.
Summer of 79, A Comics Journal Interview with Len Wein
Comics Journal #48 – Summer 1979
Last week, artist and fellow Swamp Thing fanatic, Jeff Gauntt let me know of a Swamp Thing sighting within Comics Journal magazine. Swamp Thing and a thorough interview with Len Wein can be found within this Super Summer Special!
“Interview with Len Wein, DC’s newest editor and one of comics’ most prolific writers!”
The interview begins with a deep dive into how Len Wein got his foot in the door of the comics industry. As most of you know, Len had a close relationship with Marv Wolfman and the two finally broke through with the help of Joe Orlando in 1968. The first series that Len wrote was, Hot Wheels for Charlton Press. Alex Toth was the artist for the Hot Wheels series at the time. But, Neal Adams, Ric Estrada and Dick Giordano also contributed to the series.
Swamp Thing made his way into the background of the feature interview illustration. Newsome depicts Swampy looking exceptionally toothy and tired.
Wein worked on numerous titles in his early years in comics and was published by Charlton, Gold Key, Skywald, DC and other smaller publications. He worked on Star Trek for Gold Key and, with help from his friend Marv Wolfman, revived Phantom Stranger for DC.
Wein didn’t start writing Phantom Stranger, regularly, until about 10 issues in. And, Wolfman barely contributed to the series. But, Len mentions that he was eagerly waiting in the wings. Wein’s talent, hard work and making himself available, proved to pay off immensely for the writer and creator throughout his career.
On page 77 of the lengthy interview, Swamp Thing is finally brought up. I was surprised to read that Wolfman thought Wein was a better writer on Phantom Stranger
Swamp Thing appears again on page 78 of the book. The illustration is by Mitch O’Connell. The page also features insightful info regarding Wein & Wrightson’s creative process while making Swamp Thing.
Swamp Thing’s Spring, So Far
This Spring has been fun for Swamp Thing fans. The current, The Swamp Thing series reintroduced Tefé Holland in this month’s issue. And-as Im sure you’ve already heard-Perkins and Ram V’s series was extended to 16 issues. I greatly anticipate the delayed Swamp Thing Green Hell #2 (rescheduled to release May 17th), but having Tefé back in the title is helping me forget all about it. The Swamp Thing #11 is beautifully drawn. Below is the cover to this month’s issue #11.
Speaking of the recent Swampy series: I received this beautiful Mike Perkins page last week. It’s page #9 from The Swamp Thing #9 (2022). And it features numerous instances of Swamp Thing.
Some of the images on the various monitors look inspired by past Swamp Thing books.
Let’s give a hand to the brainchild of this Cranius pin
Two wonderful Swamp Thing things came my way this week and I’m excited to share them with you. First, I received this amazing Cranius pin in the mail. The enamel pin is a dream come true. I’ve always wanted more Cranius collectibles, and the leader of the Un-Men only has a handful to speak of.
Note: A Cranius figure was included with the 2011 Mattel DC Universe Swamp Thing – San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Action Figure. A Cranius figure was also included with DC Icons Swamp Thing Dark Genesis Figure, in 2017. Also in 2017, Mike Komoda sculpted a Cranius statue that was used as an exclusive piece for Sideshow Collectible’s Swamp Thing statue.
The latest Cranius action figure was produced by custom figure fabricator, Dr Anton Arcane. He produced a glow-in-the-dark Cranius figure! Now, more about this amazing pin!
This beautiful enamel pin was produced by Lords of Nostalgia, and is the brainchild of Casey McKenna. It was sculpted by Joe Sanchez. Brennan Freemantle inked the backing card and Emily McKenna handled the colors. The pin has a limited run of 50 and can be purchased at Lord of Nostalgia’s Etsy page.
Along with the Cranius pin arriving this week: actor, writer and director, Macon Blair posted this photo on Twitter today.
Swamp Thing Figures Giveaway Results!
Thank you to everyone who left a comment for the giveaway. I loved reading your responses and am excited to announce the winners of the McFarlane Swamp Thing figures.
The first comment chosen at random was from Brandon Jernigan. Brandon answered the following question, What character would you cast yourself as, in any film or tv show starring Swamp Thing?
The second comment chosen at random was from Bill Stewart. Bill stumbled upon the bonus entry page, and answered the question, Who is your favorite writer (other than Alan Moore) to work on the Swamp Thing comic book?
Thank you for visiting rootsoftheswampthing.com and participating in the giveaway. Stay tuned for more fun giveaways in the near future.
Dossier Negro – Spanish Collected Edition
Dossier Negro was a Spanish comic magazine published between 1968 and 1988. The series featured original stories but for the most part, it collected and reprinted horror comics. Swamp Thing appeared in Dossier Negro issue #207 in 1987. I’ve been on the hunt for issue #207 for a number of years but this edition is the closest I’ve come to obtaining it. This book collects issues 204-207 and was published in 1988.
The last and best comic in this book, as you can see from the image below, features a painting by Bernie Wrightson. The cover of Dossier Negro Issue #207 may look familiar because it first appeared on the wrap-around cover of issue #1 of DC’s Roots of the Swamp Thing-a five-issue limited comic series that reprinted the first 10 issues of Len Wein & Berni Wrightson’s classic first Swampy series.
Oddly enough, Dossier Negro #207 does not reprint Wein & Wrightson’s work, but features the seminal sotry, ”Anatomy Lesson” by Moore, Totleben & Bissette. Below are photos from the interior.
Continue reading “Dossier Negro – Spanish Collected Edition”
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