Roots of the Swamp Thing

A Swamp Thing DIC Ad, Finally!

Published on February 27, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Animation Magazine #2 Vol. 6 (1992)
I finally found a DIC ad featuring Swamp Thing. The ad promotes DIC’s line of animated tv series from the early 90s. Swamp Thing the animated series was part of DIC’s lineup so Swampy made the roster within the ad.

For crossover appearance fanatics, Swampy is depicted with Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, New Kids, Hammer, Mario, Yoshi, Sonic, Evel Knievel, 3 Stooges, Inspector Gadget, Battle Toads, Toad Stool, Princess Peach and more!

Below is the cover of the magazine that the ad is featured in.

Swamp Thing has a new do, and pin

Published on February 21, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Fansets.com has a new Swamp Thing pin. The image says it all. Head on over and check it out, here. The proportions of Swampy makes him look kind of like a toddler. I really like his vine hair/spit curl.

The Comic Report Fanzine

Published on February 20, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

I bought this lot of Comic Report fanzines to finally obtain issue #2, which features Swamp Thing on the cover. The Canadian zine from 1976 is produced by Jeff Zinger but features a great deal of artwork from Dave Sim and Gene Day.

The Comic Report #2 – May 1976, cover by Dave Sim

The interior features an illustration by Vince Lavarello. I think it’s Swamp Thing but your guess is as good as mine.

Continue reading “The Comic Report Fanzine” →

Flash Facts… Swamp Facts

Published on February 18, 2021February 27, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

A couple weeks ago, Flash Facts was released and I was excited to purchase a copy for the Swamp Thing appearances. Swampy appears in 2 educational, scientific based stories.
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Swamp Thing’s first sighting comes in Chapter 3, “Facts of Life.” Amy Chu writes and Ile Gonzales handles the artwork.

In “Facts of Life”, Poison Ivy and her three sprouts Rose, Thorn and Hazel have a late night “field trip” to the Gotham Botanical Gardens. Their presence is detected by a security guard and they find themselves in a bit of trouble. 526F0DED-DBA7-4DD7-8302-256CB77F21E2

Swamp Thing to the rescue! Swampy shows up to teach a lesson about GMOs.

Facts of Life” is a really fun story, and you can’t go wrong when Poison Ivy & Swampy share a panel. Although… there was that one time in JLA: Created Equal #1 “The Fall” Elseworld (2000). Page 22 from the Elseword book is below. 903D51B6-D647-43D0-A17C-B7850B924D7A

Continue reading “Flash Facts… Swamp Facts” →

Swamp Thing Mego Style

Published on February 9, 2021February 21, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp Thing2 Comments

DC Comics Retro 8” Action Figure Series – 2020

In November of 2020, Figures Toy Company released this fantastic Mego inspired Swamp Thing figure. I picked one up when they became available and am finally getting around to sharing it on the site. Figures Toy Company did a terrific job with the figure and packaging. The design of the figure is inspired by Bissette/Totleben’s Swamp Thing, as indicated by the “1987” on the back of the packaging (see images below). The packaging design also feels of the era, with artwork inspired by Bissette/Totleben. Although, the packaging illustrations look more friendly/whimsical like the artwork used on Swamp Thing collectibles in the early 90s.

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The onesie suit looks great and is a fun way to show off Swampy’s texture in a simple way. The Rick Flair looking green fur is a bit cheesy but I really like it.

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The details in the head looks great! The figure is detailed and simplified in all the right places. Continue reading “Swamp Thing Mego Style” →

House of Secrets & The Swamp Thing Letters

Published on January 29, 2021February 20, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

These two issues of House of Secrets host some of the earliest fan letters lauding Swamp Thing’s debut appearance in House of Secrets #92 (1971). The cover of House of Secrets 95 (January 1972) was illustrated by Nick Cardy. The cover of issue 96 (March 1972) was illustrated by Bernie Wrightson.

House of Secrets 95 features more muck-monster love than 96. Fans fell quickly in love with Swamp Thing. Some fans were moved to tears.

Miss Henry & students at Carleton University are big fans of DC apparently. Her letter warms my heart.

The Swamp Thing love just keeps coming… Continue reading “House of Secrets & The Swamp Thing Letters” →

Creation Convention ‘82 Program

Published on January 21, 2021February 18, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Creation Convention ‘82 Program

This 14 page, 10 3/4″ x 7 1/4″ book features a 4 page interview with Caroline Munro, conducted by Adam Malin and sponsored by Caroline Munro Fan Club (Reading, PA). The program also contains artwork by various artists including Duval Sowers (cover), T. Furry, Thomas Yeates (Swamp Thing!), Dave Simons, Ernie Chan & Rudy Nebres. Below are some images I took of the program.

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The 1982 Creation Entertainment Convention Promo Program was produced by Adam Malin & Gary Berman.

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The Swamp Thing illustration by Thom Yeates is from Swamp Thing 1 (series 2), it’s also the reason I own this book.

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Direct Currents features DC Comics Presents #8

Published on January 11, 2021February 9, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp Thing1 Comment

Direct Currents – What’s News From DC for January ‘79 (Vol. 1, #10 November 1978)

I’ve been lucky enough to find a number of DC’s Direct Currents but never one this old. Apparently DC Currents was a folded mailer in 1978 before growing up into a zine/book, as you can see here. I was thrilled to track down this issue because it features Swamp Thing. It highlights DC Comics Presents #8 (1979) The Sixty Deaths of Solomon Grundy. It’s fun to see Alec is spelled, “Alex” in the write-up. Folded, the piece measures 4 3/4” x 7”. Unfolded, it measures 13 3/4” x 28”.

Back (folded)

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Front (folded)

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Side 1 (unfolded)

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Side 2 (unfolded) Continue reading “Direct Currents features DC Comics Presents #8” →

Kenner Swamp Thing Playsets & Vehicles

Published on January 6, 2021January 29, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

I shared the Kenner Swamp Thing toy line last week and am now excited to share the Playset & Vehicles. Every great action figure line needs them!

Kenner Swamp Thing Transducer Playset with Mutated Insect Figure – 1990

Although Arcane is not include, the Mutated Insect Figure is. This fun playset allows you to “transform” figures into the Insect Un-Men.

Below are pictures of the packaging.

Continue reading “Kenner Swamp Thing Playsets & Vehicles” →

A Handsome Graph 2010-2020

Published on December 31, 2020January 21, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

I’m burning the midnight oil editing Holland Files #5. My New Years break started today and what’s more fun than staying up late, editing, and putting together a handsome graph representing every Swamp Thing appearance from 2010 to 2020. I omitted variant covers, non-visual/mention only and trade paperbacks. Seemed like the right thing to do. I’m going to get back to editing but feel free to extrapolate what you wish from the graph. It’s pretty fun looking. I’m going to throw together a graph later this weekend spanning 1971-2020.

Until I get the 1971-2020 graph together, enjoy this other timeline I made.

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The Kenner Figures

Published on December 28, 2020January 11, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Kenner Swamp Thing Action Figures, 1990-1991

Like so many of the fun, memorable Swamp Thing collectibles from the early ’90s, this toy line was released in conjunction with the short lived Swamp Thing animated TV series. For better or for worse, the five episode cartoon ,much like the recent series of 2019, wasn’t given the chance to spread its wings. But, that didn’t deter the powers that be. Thanks to all the fine folks at DC, LCA, Kenner, Noteworthy, etc. for marketing the living hell out of it. The toy line outshined the animated series so much so that many fans don’t realize there was a Swamp Thing cartoon. I’ve met a number of fellow Swampy fans who enjoy sharing fond memories of growing up with these action figures. In this post I’ll be sharing the action figures. Next post, I’ll share all of the vehicles!

Snare Arm Swamp Thing – Starting things off, the original Swampy action figure! Sure it only comes with that weird looking trap you’re not sure what to do with, but it’s the fun figure we’ve grown to love. I consider it to be the classic Swamp Thing figure. It was rumored, and since proven wrong, that this figure was intended to be part of the Super Powers action figure toy line.

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Bio-Glow Swamp Thing – The figure wielding the most weapons is Bio-Glow Swampy. Don’t be fooled by his charming glow in the dark features, this figure is equipped with an axe and mace. I really like this design. The cactus texture is a really fun addition.
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Snap Up Swamp Thing – Snap Up Swampy is a fun concept but rarely would Swamp Thing need to play dead or need to hide as a pile of logs. When not playing dead, Snap Up Swamp Thing enjoys log bazookas. Continue reading “The Kenner Figures” →

Holland Files 5

Published on December 20, 2020January 6, 2021 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

It’s that time of year again. Holland Files #5 will be shipping a little later than usual but it will help usher in a better, new year. I’m excited and grateful for the talented group of contributors. Yanick Paquette, Phil Hester and Álvaro Martínez are only a few of the talented illustrators featured in Holland Files #5.
Books are expected to ship by the end of January. Email hollandfileszine@gmail.com to order your copy.

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I was thrilled to see Yanick’s post on facebook, screenshot below

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An Original Hindi Swamp Thing Story

Published on December 17, 2020December 31, 2020 by Roots of the Swamp Thing2 Comments

Fort Comics Digest #27 – India (circa 1995)

The title translates to, Churning of the Ocean. It’s an original Swamp Thing story written by Mahesh Dutt Sharma and illustrated by Baney Singh Rathod. I am absolutely thrilled to share this book with you. It’s rare to find an original, published Swamp Thing story outside of what DC permits, but they do exist. The few that I’ve come across are within the Indonesian trading cards: Manusia Rawa #1 & #2, and the Animated Series origin story within the DC/LCA Entertainment Style Guide. The latter wasn’t published for public consumption and the Manusia Rawa stories were not sanctioned by DC Comics. I’m guessing, Churning of the Ocean wasn’t sanctioned either.

It took some years but I was finally able to find a copy of this book a couple weeks ago. The pocket-sized comic hails from India and it contains an original Swamp Thing story in Hindi! Until now, I don’t believe it’s been available translated into english. Fellow Swamp Thing fanatic, Rich Handley assisted in getting the book translated. If not for Rich, I’d just be sharing photos of pages from the book. Because I’m mildly obsessed with our favorite muck-man, I photoshopped each page and placed the english translation so you can read along.

Notes: As the book progresses names of certain characters are abbreviated to acronyms to save space. I apologize for the poor angles of many of the images/panels. I did not wan’t to compromise the condition of the book/flatten spreads for better photographs.

To view a .PDF file of the original Hindi book: Click Here
To view a .PDF file of the translated book: Click Here

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In this book Swamp Thing is called, Deva Shakti. The translation I was given is, “Powerful God” or “God Power.” The character differs from Swamp Thing in a couple ways, as you will find in this story. The title page above reminded me of Martin Pasko’s monster from Saga of the Swamp Thing #4. Although the monster isn’t all that similar to Pasko’s, later on in the story you will find Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcala’s wonderful work has been mimicked. Continue reading “An Original Hindi Swamp Thing Story” →