Author: Roots of the Swamp Thing

USD OLLI Presentation: Lunch with Swamp Thing

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Last month I was contacted by the University of South Dakota’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. They were interested in my Swamp Thing collection and thought it would be fun if I presented to their program attendees in February. I’m always game to talk about my obsession for muck monsters, organizing, documenting and collecting so I joined them on zoom during lunch yesterday. It made my day and we had a lot of fun. If you missed the live zoom presentation, you’re in luck. It was recorded. My presentation can be viewed on YouTube below:

Thank you so much, Thea and Stacey of USD’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program. I had a blast presenting and connecting with so many wonderful people. If you’d like to learn more about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program and get involved, please visit their website here: OLLI

Incase you didnt yet get your fill of Swamp Thing in the video above, a new (to me) t-shirt arrived in the mail this week. The shirt was produced exclusively for a Loot Crate bundle back in April 2022. Unfortunately I was unable to find the artist’s name whose illustration is on the shirt. I would like to give them credit. Below are photos.

Below is a Loot Crate promotional photo.

As always, thank you for stopping by. -John

30 Years Since Superman Kicked The Bucket

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The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special One-Shot – January 2023
Funeral for a Friend variant cover C by Ivan Reis & Danny Miki

Receiving this great variant cover in the mail today reminded me of when DC killed Superman. I was 12 at the time and I recall the excitement of the event at my local comic shop. I also remember a great deal of disappointment. The death of Superman event was a turnoff when I was a kid. I didn’t read another DC book until getting into Swamp Thing in the early 2000s. I know it sounds a bit dramatic but I’m not a fan of Superman because of the death event. Regardless of how great a Superman story is, I still see the character as a logo for DC, and I don’t put much stock into his storylines.
I tell you that none sense to tell you that, Swamp Thing is on this 30th anniversary cover amongst a whole lot of DC characters and I had to get a copy!

Below is a detail of Swamp Thing from the cover.

The 2023 anniversary one-shot variant cover is an homage to Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding‘s poster that was included with the Memorial Collector’s Edition of Superman 75 (1992). The black polybagged comic (below left) came with a trading card, poster, stamps, Daily Planet Obituary & black armband (below right).

Below is the poster that inspired the The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special.

Like the 2023 variant cover, Swamp Thing was also featured amongst the group of DC mourners. He can be seen near the border.

New Shirt for a New Year

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Happy New Year! To ring in 2023 I’m sharing this fantastic shirt by Giant Size VR. The shirt arrived yesterday just in time for the New Year celebration. Giant Size VR is almost sold out of the shirts so be sure to check them out. Below are some images of the t-shirt I ordered but the design is also available in long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts.

Front:

Back:

Front detail, below. The green monotone image on the front of the shirt is by John Totleben. The artwork was originally published in the Vertigo Gallery of Dreams and Nightmares (1995). Totleben’s painting was featured on page 19 of the book. The Swamp Thing painting was done in 1995. I’ve included an image of Totleben’s original painting under the photo of the shirt detail.

Back detail, below.

Continue reading “New Shirt for a New Year” →

Day #24: Bat Snowmobile or Snow Batmobile?

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It’s Christmas Eve and the final day for our 2022 Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar. We’d like to thank everyone who’s been along for the ride. It’s been a wild month of daily posts and calendar reveals.

The calendar housed a mixed bag of toys and accessories but overall they’ve been entertaining. Later in this post I provide a report card for the Fisher Price Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar.

The 1200 cc, 150 horsepower beauty above was behind door #24 and it’s featured on the calendar box top. Batman’s snowmobile is a really fun addition to the figure set. It’s the largest item and the only vehicle in the calendar. Most of the calendar figures fit on the snowmobile.
On day #20, Ryan let me know that the Batman disk found behind door #20 could be launched using other imaginext weapons. Unfortunately the snowmobile is not able to fire coins. Instead, it resembles Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstrat guitar and that’s fun too.

Continue reading “Day #24: Bat Snowmobile or Snow Batmobile?” →

Day #23: Santa’s Christmas Sword, No Santa

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I was hoping that the Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar would end with a bang. I thought doors 23 & 24 would hold some really fun items. I still have hope for door #24.

Need a blue knife in your life? Perhaps blue swords for your horde?
Nothing says Merry Christmas like a blue sword. The handle of the sword reminds me of a cane, which makes me wonder why the Penguin isn’t included in the calendar.

Our son was not thrilled at first, but…

His sinister side emerged. He began to plot.

We think he sharpened the edge and is hiding it up his sleeve like a shiv.
That was a joke. I hope my corny sarcasm shines through. At no point is our son playing with dangerous toys. Photos are staged and taken in a safe manor. Speaking of safe, we hope everyone has a safe travel experience during the holidays. We spent most of yesterday at the airport until leaving for home in sporadic whiteout conditions. Our flight was canceled and our airport closed due to a blizzard. It’s -38 Fahrenheit (wind chill included) today. It looks like we’ll be staying home this Christmas. Today would have been our son’s first airplane ride and he would have met his cousins in South Carolina for the first time. But, it’s easy to stay positive being safe at home and a future trip is already in the works.

Additional sword info: The sword was originally released with the Winter Warrior Santa imaginext figure, pictured below. In looking up info about the sword, I also found that the robe/head piece from day #14 was part of the Warrior Santa figure set as well.

I wish Santa was in this calendar, but since only 8 characters are included, here is the lineup. Flash, Riddler, Cyborg, Batman, Captain Cold, Batgirl, Green Lantern and Swamp Thing. Tune in tomorrow for the last door before Christmas!

Door #22 is a Flash Staff

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It’s December 22nd and it’s time to open door #22 of the Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar. Swamp Thing arrived behind door #21 yesterday and I’m not sure anything can top that kind of excitement.

When our son opened door #22, I was thrilled to see what looked like a Swamp Thing accessory.

Swamp Thing looks really great holding the staff but it was originally produced for the imaginext DC Super Friends Flash & Reverse Flash figure set in 2017.

As you can see from the image below, Flash and hsalF have battle staffs. It seems that imaginext created a green staff for 2022 Christmas battles.

Continue reading “Door #22 is a Flash Staff” →

#21 Giveaway Day – Swampy Arrived

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Oh joyous day! Swamp Thing has arrived and today is more exciting than Christmas. It’s also time to announce the winner of the Swamp Thing Christmas giveaway! Thank you everyone who entered the giveaway and those who visit this site. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share in my Swamp Thing fandom with you. It’s also been an honor to get to know so many of you outside of the website.

Swamp Thing looks great and I’m excited that the exclusive Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar figure finally arrived! It looks like a coat of Kelly green paint and multi-colored lights were applied to the original Swamp Thing imaginext figure from 2018. The lights are not on a string, but painted along the roots of the figure.

Below is a side by side photo of the 2018 figure vs. the 2022 Christmas version.

Continue reading “#21 Giveaway Day – Swampy Arrived” →

Door #20 Might Be A Dud

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After yesterday’s surprise in the bathtub we were excited to push through and open door #20. Well, door #20 provided a gold Batman coin and we’re not sure what to do with it.

After the initial excitement that comes with a surprise wore off…

We were left scratching our heads. What is the Batman coin used for? The scene was dramatic as you can see.

My wife and son looked at the box for clues. They thought they found a lead but it was a Goldfish cracker crumb stuck to the box. Of course he ate it.

Continue reading “Door #20 Might Be A Dud” →

It All Started as Good Clean Fun

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Door #19 of the Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar was opened this evening and everyone was thrilled to see Cyborg. Paired with his hockey stick, he’s ready to play a game and kick ass (based on a number of weapons that are included in the calendar). Like I said in a previous post, I’m not sure why the calendar characters are coming together. I don’t believe a Christmas party was in the works based on the box art but a party is what’s happening at our house.

The party at our house would have been fully photo documented but it got out of control. The party spilled into the bathtub. All of the Imaginext DC Super Friends Calendar figures were invited and my son was thrilled. That lasted for about 20 minutes. The DC Super Friends were then visited by a turd and the bathtub was evacuated.

All of the figures have been disinfected thoroughly and are in good spirits. Just not the kind of spirit you’d typically expect around Christmas. Thank you for stopping by. We’ll see you tomorrow.

Day #18: Swamp Thing’s Still Missing

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It’s December 18th and the Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar yields another accessory.
Today, door #18 is for Batgirl.

The blue grappling hook gun looks like a weapon and I’m not sure why Batgirl would need it when battling in a field. Assuming the illustration on the box relates to why she has it, what’s she going to grapple to/with?

Continue reading “Day #18: Swamp Thing’s Still Missing” →

The 17th is for Slalom

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It wouldn’t be Winter without cold weather and the season wouldn’t be complete without outdoor activities in the snow. Cue the snowboard!

The Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar has delivered fun toys all month and today’s door #17 was no exception. Our son has been hitting the slopes with the Riddler and there’s no stopping them.

Continue reading “The 17th is for Slalom” →

Not the Green I Wanted, but the Green We Needed

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And the Spirit Award goes to, Green Lantern! Jessica Cruz has been put through the ringer this afternoon but her Christmas cheer and willingness to go on endless adventures with our son has been an heroic effort. Schools and Daycares were closed due to snow storms today and Green Lantern was the perfect winter companion this afternoon.
She has teeth marks all over her and is covered in slobber.

Welcome back to another Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar reveal. It’s the 16th day/door of December and everyone is holding strong with posting everyday. It’s truly a family effort and I appreciate my wife’s help very much. As you can see from the image above, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz was behind door #16. Of all the figures Green Lantern has been our son’s favorite figure to play with.

Continue reading “Not the Green I Wanted, but the Green We Needed” →

Captain Cold is on a Roll

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So far Captain Cold has the most accessories in this Imaginext DC Super Friends Advent Calendar. Last night he made his debut in a Christmas robe. On December 3rd, the Captain’s great big snowball dropped. Tonight’s accessory is stone cold. So much so that our son wore his new snow pants and boots in preparation.

Today’s door #15 features a rubber, snap-on accessory. It makes for a fun addition to the play set, allowing you to make figures look like they’ve been blasted by a freeze gun and encased in ice. The accessory looks like a penis at certain angles.

I like how the narrative from the box top illustration plays out when the accessory is applied to the Flash. It’s as if Captain Cold finally hit Flash with his freeze gun.

Thank you for stopping by for another calendar reveal. I hope everyone is doing well and staying warm this winter (or cool for those in the southern hemisphere). If you celebrate a holiday other than Christmas, or even if you don’t celebrate a holiday at all, I hope you all have a wonderful time with family and loved ones this season. We’ll see you tomorrow!