Super Powers 6 (1987) O Monstro Pântano Swamp Thing comes by way of Brazil, in this awesome pocketbook edition. The 80-page beauty collects issues 29-31 of Alan Moore’s run. The collected stories highlight the Anton/Abby… More
Get Out The Vote
Standing up for what you believe in isn’t always easy, but voting is.
Tuesday, November 6th is quickly approaching and it’s an important day to raise your voice. The United States Mid-Term Election gives you the power to decide who represents you, who affects your life. It’s an important time to improve upon the course and quality of your country. Those who are running for office are merely applying for a job, and you’re the one doing the hiring. Call “bullshit” when you see/hear it. Hold them accountable when they aren’t representing you, who put them in office. This Mid-Term Election is going to be extremely close, down to the wire in many instances and it’s more important than ever to make your vote count when it’s neck-and-neck.
what You Get
A powerful voice. By voting, you affect the balance of your government; how bills are passed, laws are established and the overall quality of your government. You’re able to directly affect the US Chambers of Congress (number of House and Senate Representative seats) as well as affecting those who represent you on a local level; You’re Governor, Attorney General, State Representatives, municipal leaders, mayors and more. This election holds the power to balance Congress, creating a more unified/thorough voice for your country.
What are the stakes? What’s up for grabs?
Federal offices up for election are members of the United States Congress, including all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 33/34 of the 100 seats within the United States Senate.
Also, 34 of the 50 states elect their governors to four-year terms during midterm elections. Many states also elect officers to their state legislatures in midterm years. There are also elections held at the municipal level. On the ballot are many mayors, other local public offices, and numerous citizen initiatives.
In summation, this provides you numerous opportunities to see an impact based on your vote.
Tuesday, November 6th is a powerful day and a lot is at stake. Voter turnout determines the outcome; that’s you, me and everyone we know. Please join me in taking to the polls and voting for what you believe in. Progress and political movement doesn’t occur overnight but the more you show up to make your voice and vote count, progress is made much quicker.
Use this resource to find your local polling location and where you need to be.
The Comic Book Trivia Quiz
The Comic Book Trivia Quiz (1977)
This week I’m in Cleveland, and with every trip, a thorough exploration into the local comic shops is a must. Being the birthplace of Superman creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, as well as the great Harvey Pekar, my hopes are high for Cleveland’s comics scene.
While visiting Imaginary Worlds Comics in Cleveland Heights, I stumbled upon a great comics trivia book from ‘77. The giant, 192-page book is jam packed with comics trivia, representing various eras of comic book history. And, the best part of it all, it features Swamp Thing related trivia! I had a feeling it would since Michael Uslan co-created the book. For those unfamiliar, Uslan is a huge Swamp Thing fan and has produced the bulk of DC television and movies.
Prior to this book referencing Swamp Thing, the first instance of Swamp Thing being incorporated in trivia/games was two years earlier in Limited Collectors’ Edition: Christmas with the Super-Heroes DC Treasury Edition (1975)
Sure, it took 109 pages into the book to find our muck-encrusted friend but there he is, within the “We’re Looking for People Who Like to Draw!” match game. The objective of the game is to match artists with their notable characters. Berni Wrightson and Swampy made the cut, naturally.
A few pages further into the book, Swamp Thing is seen again within, “Colorful Characters”; another word matching game. He’s described as, “Muddy brown with green highlights”.
The third and final game, with mention of Swamp Thing, comes by way of “Who’s Putting Words in My Mouth”. The game pairs comic writers with the characters they’re best associated with. The great, Len Wein can be found toward the bottom of column one.
Back cover
Kyle Hotz’s Crud Kid
Spook House 2 #1 (2018)
Halloween is quickly approaching and it’s nice to have great stories to heighten the season. With all the spooky books that have been coming out, it’s clear that Kyle Hotz has been taking the Swamp Thing flag and running with it. Earlier this month, Hotz teamed up with Tim Seeley to deliver “The Spread”, a terrifying short story within Cursed Comics Cavalcade #1. In this issue of the second volume of Spook House, Eric Powell & Kyle Hotz pay homage to Len Wein & Bernie Wrightson in the form of “The Crud Kid”!
“Dedicated with respect and admiration to the memories of Bernie Wrightson and Len Wein”
“The Crud Kid” is a short story exploring the origins of a Swamp Thing parody character. Tom always daydreams of his favorite place in the world and every second of the day, he wants to return to the swamp.
Through a series of unfortunate events, Tom finds himself running through the swamp to save his hide. He comes upon an old cabin inhabited by a witch. Trying to find safety, Tom breaks through the witches door. The witch puts a curse on him.
Like Alec Holland, Tom seeks to find relief from the pain, running to the waters of the murky swamp. And, much like Alec Holland, Tom emerges from the swamp…
a muck encrusted mockery of a… child.
But unlike Alec, Tom couldn’t be happier.
I’d like to think he lives happily ever after.
Doug Mahnke’s Winter Special
My local comic shop, Rainbow Comics, Cards and Collectibles had comics vet, Doug Mahnke stop in the store for a book signing. Unfortunately I was not able to attend but my friend-–and Rainbow Comics manager–John Nordstrom asked Doug to draw Swamp Thing for me. It was a huge surprise to see the sketch when I picked up my weekly books. I almost didn’t notice his sketch on the inside cover (Swamp Thing Winter Special), it blended in perfectly.
Swampy Production Pages
Fellow collector, Robert Barbieri was kind enough to pass these pages along to me. The production pages were used for Swamp Thing 5 (1973) “The Last of the Ravenwind Witches”. Based on the coloring style, the acetate production transparencies were most likely used for a trade paperback. I’m unsure which tpb or the year they were created but am really excited to add them to the collection.
Used during the print production process, the two transparent sheets house the text bubbles and final artwork. I photographed the sheets on a white comic backing-board for clarity sake. To see the sheets interacting, view this video.
Swamp Thing Garbage Pail Kids
Last we saw Swamp Thing on a Garbage Pail Kids card was in 2014. Now he’s back, amongst the “Oh The Horror-ible 80s Sci-Fi” series of sticker trading cards. Swampy is represented by, Swamp Bing & Sammy Swamp. Sammy Swamp appears to be some sort of booger variant card. Look for the cards in stores.
Card 1a: Swamp Bing
Card 1b: Sammy Swamp
Starlog 48 – Casting ‘81 Swamp Thing
Starlog 48 (1981)
As you know, I love Swamp Thing articles and ads, big and small alike. This instance being the latter, Starlog Magazine delivers another Swamp Thing mention. This time, a brief statement regarding the feature film from 1981.
Across the science-fiction universe and deep within the Star-Studded Notes portion of the magazine, Swamp Thing producers Avco Embassy make a key casting announcement.
