Roots of the Swamp Thing

Harley Quinn 64

Published on August 15, 2019August 15, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Harley Quinn 64 (2019)

Even though Swamp Thing and the Justice League Dark are busy battling forces of evil in their own title, they’ve found time to make an appearance in the new Harley Quinn 64.

The quirky and beautifully written story focuses on Harley Quinn reading to her mother who is in intensive care, battling cancer. In the imaginative story, Harley eludes Lex Luthor as he tries to convince her to join his villainous cause. Unfortunately, Lex has an offer Harley can’t refuse.

Lex is wrapped up in his Year of the Villain mission. In keeping her distance, Harley jumps from story to story, trying to focus on reading to her sick mother. While story jumping, Harley pops-in on The Justice League Dark who are in the midst of their own adventure.

While visiting Rocky Point Beach, Swamp Thing and the JLD investigate the case of Captain Cutler’s Ghost! The team is depicted as various members of the Scooby-Doo crew. This parody provides a fun connection to when we found out that Shaggy was Chester Williams’ nephew.

It’s a brief, zany, one-page cameo for the JLD.
Zatanna plays the part of Daphne, Wonder Woman is Velma, Man-Bat is Fred, Detective Chimp plays the part of Scooby, and Swamp Thing is Shaggy.

I’m excited to see how this plot turns out for Harley in future issues. The subject matter and what’s at stake for Harley and her mother is quite intriguing.

Poison Ivy fans will be excited to hear that Ivy make an appearance in this issue as well!

SDCC Exclusive Swamp Thing Poster

Published on August 1, 2019August 1, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

2019 SDCC Exclusive Swamp Thing Poster

Fellow Swamp Thing fanatic, Erica attended San Diego Comic Con last week and sent me one of the treasures she acquired! I’m so grateful for Erica’s generosity and to add the poster to my collection! Artwork by Cliff Cramp

The poster measures 18” x 24” and is printed on thick, quality paper. Along with the SDCC Swamp Thing bag, the poster promotes the current Swamp Thing show available on the DC Universe streaming platform.

Pixel Elixir‘s Return of Swamp Thing Collection

Published on July 29, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Pixel Elixir‘s Return of Swamp Thing Collection is out now and if you’re one of the first 50 customers, you get this limited print signed by TROST director, Jim Wynorski!

A few months ago, Pixel Elixir asked me to send them ideas for pins relating to The Return of Swamp Thing film. I provided a laundry list of fun scenes and characters from the film that I thought would make for fun enamel pins. They decided upon the classic Swamp Thing scene where he gives the kids a thumbs-up. I’m extremely proud that they asked for my thoughts and am even more excited to have received the pin and print last week.

Back of card

Visit Pixel Elixir to get the goods!

2019 SDCC Swamp Thing Tote

Published on July 25, 2019August 15, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

2019 SDCC Exclusive Swamp Thing Tote/Backpack

San Diego Comic Con was last week and and I was fortunate enough to obtain a couple exclusive Swamp Thing items. This large bag measures 19″ x 23″ x 4.5″. I can only imagine the amount of awesome loot you could fill this with. The front of the bag features Swamp Thing, promoting the current tv series on the DC Universe streaming service.

Front of tote/backpack
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Detail
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The back of the tote/backpack features a 2019 SDCC graphic with Warner Bros straps. Next week, I’ll be posting the 2019 SDCC Swamp Thing poster.
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Wild Animals 1 (1982)

Published on July 19, 2019August 1, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Wild Animals 1 (1982)

I stumbled upon this book a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised to find a Swamp Thing parody within it. It’s also interesting that the illustration that features the Swamp Thing parody was originally printed in The Buyer’s Guide for Comic Fandom #184 in May, 27 1977.

Clark the Collector is celebrating the popularity of Funny Animal books when he hears a No-Luck Duck sobbing. When asked why he is crying, the duck goes on to tell them about his failed career in comics. One of those failed attempts was Barnyard Bog!

Based on No-Luck Duck’s account, “Barnyard Bog lasted 5 issues before cancellation” and it is not spoken of again within the Clark the Collector and the No-Luck Duck comic strip.
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Normalman 7

Published on July 17, 2019July 29, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp Thing1 Comment

Normalman 7 (1985)
Who Killed Sgt. Fluffy This Time?

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Jim Valentino‘s creator-owned super-hero parody chronicles the trials and tribulations of, normalman, a normal man living in a wacky world of superheroes.

“Meanwhile, in the toidy-toid century…” role is being called.
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This series is full of parody superhero and comic strip characters from all over (DC, Marvel, Vertigo, Aardvark, your local newspaper, etc.). Of the 12 issues in the normalman series, Swamp Thing made the roster in only one. If you read quickly you might even miss him.
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This comic is ideal for those moments when you’re pondering, “did Swamp Thing ever appear in/with your favorite character here?”
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…Charlie Brown, Kermit the Frog, Popeye, Beatle Bailey, Alfred E Neuman, Spider-Man, Darth… the list of characters in this book is endless. It’s an honor to see our favorite muck-monster.

Classic Swamp Monsters

Published on June 19, 2019July 25, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Swamp Monsters – Classic Monsters of Pre-Code Horror Comics (2019)

The much anticipated, Swamp Monsters came out last week and it’s full of stuff you love! I can only assume, as you’re on a swamp monster website. The book reprints a whole bunch of classic, pre-code swamp monster stories-the type of monsters that paved the way for creatures like Swamp Thing and Man-Thing. The book also includes Swamp Thing sketches!

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Swamp monster fan and alum/vet, Stephen R. Bissette provides a fantastic introduction for the book, examining his love and history with swamp monsters.
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I can’t recommend this book enough. For those in love with cryptids and swamp monsters, it’s a fun, inspired history lesson of sorts. The book collects the following swamp monster stories.

Swamp Monster from, Weird Mysteries #5 – June 1953
The Frogman from, Forbidden Worlds #29 – May 1954
Beast of the Bayous from, The Hand of Fate #24 – August 1954
The Swamp Horror from, Beware #3 – May 1953
It Won’t Come Back Until Midnight from, Web of Mystery #16 – December 1952
Demons of the Swamp from, Mysteries #3 – September 1953
The Evil Eye from, Adventures into the Unknown #39 – January 1953
Bayou Vengeance from, The Unseen #6 – September 1952
The Winged Spectres of Dismal Swamp from, The Beyond #8 – January 1952
Creatures of the Swamp from, Chamber of Chills Magazine #22 – August 1951
Nightmare Flight from, Baffling Mysteries #10 – September 1952
I Am A Thing from, Out of the Night #12 – October 1953
Dead Woman’s Swamp from, Crime Mysteries #12 – March 1954
Bride of the Swamp from, Forbidden Worlds #33 – September 1954
Swamp Terror! from, Strange Mysteries #2 – November 1951

Below are some of my favorite pages.
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