First off, I’d like to thank everyone for participating in the Halloween giveaway this year. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to list your favorite halloween/horror films. I’ve compiled an amazing list of movies… More
Halloween Giveaway
Halloween is around the corner and I’m getting excited for all the treats. I’m also excited to giveaway a Swamp Thing DVD to one lucky person. The DVD is a Halloween Walmart release. The really cool monochromatic slipcover contains the recent (tragically cut short) live action series. The DVD does not feature any new material. I believe the Halloween slipcovers replaced the original slipcovers (seen later in post). Walmart basically slapped some really cool lipstick on my favorite pig and called it Halloween. But, its a really cool slipcover. the details are awesome. I’m a mark for this kind of stuff. And now you can have one too!
How to get the Halloween DVD:
Answer this question in the comments section below. What is your favorite Halloween and/or Horror movie? We’re looking for movies to watch while handing out candy and working on Holland Files 6! One person will be chosen at random and the results will be announced next weekend, Saturday, October 16th. I’ll post the results here on rootsoftheswampthing.com as well as on social media.
My local Walmart didn’t carry this great Halloween release (slipcover modification), but I was lucky to receive these two DVDs from fellow Swamp Thing fan, Adam. And thanks to Adam, I can give one of them away. I’ll be sending the one on the left to one lucky person next weekend.
Below are images of the back of the slipcover and the DVD within.
Continue reading “Halloween Giveaway”Comic Book Who’s Who – 1994
Hero Illustrated (a popular comics magazine from the ‘90s) released, “Comic Book Who’s Who” in August of 1994. The book was part of the magazine’s, Hero Special Edition releases. It features 50 profiles of the most popular heroes and villains in comics. Naturally, Swamp Thing made his way into the book and that’s why I’m sharing it with you.
The table of contents provides a list of all 50 characters. It’s great that characters outside of DC and Marvel are represented.
Swamp Thing’s profile is on page 74. I’ve enlarged the information so you can read it, below.
The bio indicates that Alec Holland’s first appearance was in House of Secrets #92. Alec Holland didn’t appear on the scene until 1972, within Swamp Thing #1. Alex Olsen appeared in House of Secrets #92 in 1971.
Swampy’s bio lists Len Wein as the creator of Swamp Thing. Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson and Joe Orlando created Swamp Thing in 1971.
Below, it’s mentioned that “Linda died in the blast.” Linda Holland was killed in Swamp Thing #1 (1972) but she did not die in an explosion. Swamp Thing finds her body on the floor of the reconstructed, secret laboratory barn. It’s not clear how Linda died but Ferrett is holding a gun on page 18 as he enters the lab to kill Linda. Continue reading “Comic Book Who’s Who – 1994”
Claude’s Swampy Bust & Woodrue’s Hairdo
The extremely talented and generous, Claude Jordan sent me this amazing 3D printed bust a couple months ago and I’m excited to share photos. The head is 6 inches tall and is very detailed. Following Claude’s Instagram feed has inspired me to get a 3D printer (word is that Santa may be bringing me one). Take the time to check out his work, he produces fun creations.
Another great, recent acquisition was one of Jerry Serpe’s color guides to Super-Team Family #14 (1978), page 25. The page features Floronic Man. He’s another one of my favorite characters and I hope to own an original page with him on it. Until then, this color guide will do just fine. Serpe’s colors are painted over the work of, Arvell Jones (penciler) and Romeo Tanghal (inker)
Floronic Man made his way into this issue as a member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains. On the page, he’s depicted with Gorilla Grodd, Star Sapphire and Jean Loring. Continue reading “Claude’s Swampy Bust & Woodrue’s Hairdo”
Cinefantastique No 2/3 & the Swamp Thing Bust
Cinefantastique No 2/3 Vol 12 – April 1982
This “Special Double Issue” contains a giant-sized Swamp Thing (the feature film) article by Michael Kaplan. I recently bought a copy because the book was referenced in a 1982 Wooley’s Auction Gallery catalog. It’s nice to find another Swampy appearance in Cinefantastique. Articles featuring Swamp Thing can be found within issues, No 4 Vol 11, No 4 Vol 12, and I’m always on the lookout for more.
As you can imagine, this special double issue contains a ton of Conan film material. If you’re interested in the Conan content, I’m sorry. Below I’ve provide all the Swamp Thing goodness this book has to offer. I enlarged the images so you can hopefully read the article it in its entirety.
Special Effects artist (now Bigfoot researcher), Bill (William) Munns is the focus of much of the article and I was excited to dig into it. I interviewed Bill for Holland Files #1 and he expressed that he didn’t enjoy working on the film. But, he did have many memories to share. He dealt with budget cuts, unrealistic alteration requests and deadlines. These and other production troubles came to a crescendo with Munns standing in as lead villain, the Anton Arcane monster. We’ve all heard the rumors about how hard it was to work on the film. With this article, we get some insight!
I was excited to see Michael Uslan’s name in the beginning of the article. I don’t think a DC movie or tv show has been made without him being involved. I knew Uslan was a producer on the first Swamp Thing film but I didn’t know he led the second unit during filming. I’ve been trying to get an interview with him for a number of years. He’s a big Swamp Thing fan.
Continue reading “Cinefantastique No 2/3 & the Swamp Thing Bust”
Wooley’s and the Swamp Thing Bust
Wooley’s Auction Gallery Magazine – circa 1982
Wooley’s Auction Gallery used to produce paperback catalogs to accompany their auctions. The books were typically filled with original comic book art, film props, comic books, etc. This issue caught my eye because the back cover features a familiar looking Swamp Thing bust.
Below is the back cover. It features THE Swamp Thing bust by Bill Munns. I acquired the bust from a fellow Swamp Thing fan in 2016. I wrote all about it, here. It’s a thrill to find this auction magazine with even more details about the bust.
Below are some photos from the inside of the auction catalog.
The Nuke-Face Papers, Part 2
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 environment by dumping toxic waste. A former mine employee named, Bob took to drinking the toxic waste as if it were alcohol. He was given the nickname Nuke-Face. He’s made his way down to Louisiana, destroying everyone he comes in contact with. Unfortunately Swamp Thing was one of the last to see Bob. At the beginning of Swamp Thing 36, we find Swamp Thing in rough shape.
Dreaming of Abby, Swamp Thing rots away the whole night and into the following day. The effects of Bob’s toxic waste has him struggling for his life.
Abby finds Swamp Thing and is terrified by the sight of him rotting away. He tells her that he plans to rebuild another body before dying but isn’t sure how long it will take, or if they’ll ever see each other again.
Wallace Monroe is being haunted by his past. The role he played in the Lombard Coal Mine dumping in Pennsylvania and elsewhere has caught up with him and it’s destroying his life and family. He hears children chanting the familiar name, Nuke Face. The kids back in Pennsylvania did the same thing. Continue reading “The Nuke-Face Papers, Part 2”
DC Through the 80’s
DC Through the 80’s – The Experiments: A Storied Survey of the Decade that Changed Comics Forever
This installment of DC Through the 80’s was released last month and I was eager to get my hands on the 504 page hardcover. I love editions that collect various DC stories (see DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest circa 1980), and this book includes fun insight into the stories and what was happening at DC Comics at the time of their release. DC Through the 80’s sheds light on the creative choices, business decisions, and industry environment of the era. DC was allowing artists and writers to make bold choices in their craft/trade and the results provided some of the best comics ever created. From the cover alone, you know you are in for a treat. This book is the follow up to, DC Through the 80s: The End of Eras which was released in 2020. You can find a copy here.
Swamp Thing appears in two stories within this edition. He kicks off the Vertigo section of the book with, Swamp Thing #40 “The Curse” from 1985. The Moore, Bissette, Totleben story was part of the wildly engaging and inspired story arc, An American Gothic.
In his book, Writing for Comics (2003) Alan Moore discussed Swamp Thing issue #40: “This story was about the difficulties endured by women in masculine societies, using the common taboo of menstruation as the central motif. The plot concerned a young married woman moving into a new home built upon the site of an old Indian lodge and finding herself possessed by the dominating spirit that still resided there, turning her into a werewolf.” Even though issue #40 of Swamp Thing is overlooked/underrated by many, it’s an excellent example of the inspired level of thought going into the comics being made. These were not run of the mill stories involving caped crusaders, but rich tales with themes involving cultural history, relationships, and what it means to be human.
The second story within DC Through the 80’s – The Experiments to feature Swamp Thing is Wolfman & Perez’s, “History of the DC Universe – Book Two.” Swamp Thing is featured on the cover within the word, “the” as well as within the story.
Swamp Things in Space
Ancient Astronauts #7 (Vol 4) August 1978
This fantastic swipe/homage to Bernie Wrightson’s House of Secrets 92 was published in 1978 but was brought to my attention last week. It was like a hidden treasure within Swamp Thing’s history. Unlike House of Secrets 92 where Swamp Thing lurked behind Linda Ridge, this illustration features two Swamp Thing space men! I wonder if Louise Simonson knows about this tribute to her likeness.
The Swampy appearance can be found within Ancient Astronauts #7. I was fortunate enough to find a copy on EBay. I did have to purchase a lot of 8 issues of Ancient Astronauts to obtain the Swamp Thing sighting in #7 but it was well worth it.
The Swampy appearance comes by way of an article about aliens and skin complexion. It’s a random yet delightful sight. This magazine is full of bizarre and funny articles. I’m not sure if all of the content is meant to be funny. Below is the spread for, “Beware of Strange Skin Blemishes.” I believe the House of Secrets 92 homage was illustrated by either, Gene Day or Clifford Spencer. Gene Day illustrated a number of pieces of art throughout this magazine but he typically signed his work.
The above Swamp Thing astronauts sighting reminded me of another spacey scenario involving Swampy. If you were reading Batman in 2014, you may have come across this awesome Swamp Thing preview in the back of Batman #33.
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.
