Roots of the Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing’s Metal 2

Published on September 20, 2017September 20, 2017 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Dark Nights: Metal 2 (2017)

Like most of Swampy’s recent appearances, this one is fleeting and seemingly random, but very cool! JR Jr even drew a variant cover featuring Swamp Thing (above).

The Parliament of Trees was referenced in the prelude to Dark Nights: Metal and we didn’t have to wait long to see Swamp Thing within this, issue 2!

For those unfamiliar with the Metal series, Batman is in search of a powerful, ancient, other-worldly metal substance and he’s found himself in a, ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ scenario. The planet is at risk and all hands are on deck. Some DCU Heroes aim to stop Batman from finding the metal that could destroy mankind and who knows what else. Those allied with Batman are doing all they can to assist him in finding the metal, to destroy what lies behind it. It’s a little convoluted but I’m on board and am enjoying the series so far.

Batman is being tracked by the JLA within the Amazon Rainforest.
Sound familiar? That’s right, it’s home to the Parliament of Trees! It appears, Batman and his crew of helpers have lured the JLA into the Amazon and they’re in for a surprise!

prepare for “the terrible Green beat-down”!

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Swamp Thing: The Gortons Fisherman

Published on September 20, 2017 by Roots of the Swamp Thing1 Comment

Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special 1 (2017)
Harley Quinn & Friends in… Somewhere That’s Green

Within Harley’s Anniversary issue lies a short story featuring Swamp Thing. This story is bonkers in the best way! I stopped a few times to laugh and ask, “what the hell is going on?”. I waited a week to write about it, hoping folks have had a chance to check it out. If you haven’t yet, please notice spoilers await.

I’ve not heard much chat about this appearances from fellow muck maniacs. It’s an extremely fun and flippant Swampy appearance that seems fitting, in light of his recent, random appearances (comics as well as film). I’m thinking it may fall in the ol’ parody category.

New York is in a panic, bracing for impact as hurricane Jenny approaches. Harley and Ivy are cool as cucumbers, while the locals are shedding their humanity.

Harley and Ivy navigate through the pre-storm chaos to the produce section.

Speaking of cool cucumbers, Swampy doesn’t spring from produce stands enough. More of that would be great.

Swampy’s come for Dr Isley, looking to take her within the Green to assist in stopping hurricane Jenny. I bet he’s thinking, “with our powers… combined… we can… pull a Captain Planet… maneuver!”
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Harlan Ellis weighs in on Swamp Thing

Published on September 17, 2017 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Miriad 6 (Winter 1981)

This Canadian sifi magazine is the newest addition to my collection. It’s filled with great quotes from the film’s producers, Michael Ulsan and Benjamin Melniker, Swamp Thing co-creator Len Wein, as well as noted writer, Harlan Ellison!

After hearing of Len’s passing last weekend, Ellison’s praise for Bernie, Len & Joe ring out. A beautiful honor to the men who opened up the world to me; not only within the books they crafted but in my day to day. I have a laundry list of reasons why their creation has improved my life. At the top of the list is my experiences with you all; being able to share my passion with fellow Swamp Thing fans from around the world.

The article was written prior to Durock assuming the role of Swamp Thing, leaving Dick without credit as playing Swampy. As most of you know, Durock replaced Ray Wise after looking much better as the title character.

Author and publisher of Miriad, Kevin Davies provides an abbreviated yet concise history of Swamp Thing, from creation leading up to the feature film. I pulled some of my favorite quotes and insightful bits.

Davies analyzes significant differences between the comic and film adaptation.

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Farewell Len

Published on September 10, 2017September 10, 2017 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

earlier today, Len Wein passed on. There is so much to say about his greatness and contributions to comics, literature and culture; but I’m having a difficult time wrapping my brain around his abrupt passing. I don’t think I can put words together to do Len the justice his greatness deserves. It’s a sad day and Len will be greatly missed. He and Bernie opened up a world to me that changed my life, and has allowed me to express myself on this site, and meet all of you.

thank you, Len

Textured Swampy Sharpener

Published on August 27, 2017September 20, 2017 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Swamp Thing Pencil Sharpener – Textured Variant (1991)

I have the other two variants-sealed, on card- but this illusive booger finally made it’s way into my collection today!
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Along with the pencil toppers and stampers, the sharpeners also feature little angry Swamp Thing busts.
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There’s something morbid and cannibalistic about this piece
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DC Bombshells 33

Published on August 17, 2017September 17, 2017 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

I’m having a tough time keeping the ST pull list updated with all of the recent Swamp Thing appearances. Not a bad problem to have for us muck maniacs. This week, DC’s Bombshells, “The Seige of Leningrad” came to a conclusion. Numerous plot points were woven together and written quite beautifully. From the strife and termoil within the storyline grew an uplifting message. Since I’ve only been reading the issues that feature Swamp Thing and Poison Ivy, I’m looking forward to circling back and fill in the gaps of what I’ve been missing out on.

I’m happy to announce, that after 3 issues of single panel appearances, Swamp Thing has been upgraded to multi-panel status! When I started reading the book last night, I did think that this first page could surely be the only panel he’d appear in; still wrestling with those damn tanks.

“Swamp Thing, the most reliable Nazi ass-kicking character in the DCUs! Tanks? No problem. Villains? Gulp…” Yes! Swamp Thing gets to eat someone in this issue!

If you have not read this book and plan to do so, there be spoilers ahead, matey.

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Batman and Harley Quinn

Published on August 16, 2017September 10, 2017 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

This movie is Swamp Thing Easter egg heaven! I was so excited by all the references that I’ve rewatched the move twice already. To top it off, my other two favorite characters, Poison Ivy and Floronic Man are the featured villains! My blinders were on for this one. It would take a whole lot for me to dislike the movie.

Critics and fans will no doubt be miffed by aspects of this film. Zany and unorthodox are descriptors that popped in my head as I watched. It’s surprisingly sexual, violent, funny, and the language -I’d consider to be- for adults. The movie is filled with goofy, whimsical non-sequiturs that feel surreal at times, like something out of Twin Peaks. For these reasons, and so much more, is why I enjoyed this movie so much. Bruce Timm and the creative team present a fun adventure surround by beautiful animation and fun characters. It isn’t quite the world we know from the Batman animated series, but it’s familiar enough that it feels like home.

The intro sequence is really fun. It was animated by Nate Theis, a college classmate of mine.

The skinny: Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue have teamed up to save the earth. Their dangerous and unorthodox plan involves synthesizing Alec Holland’s bio-restorative formula and unleashing it upon earth. But first, they’ll need to find the formula. As Jason Woodrue and Pamela Isley leave a wake of destruction, Batman and Nightwing join the case. The two crime fighters need help tracking down Ivy, and no one knows Ivy better than Harley Quinn!

The movie opens at S.T.A.R. Labs. Woodrue wastes no time in killing the security guards while Ivy scours the Lab’s database for information on Holland’s groundbreaking work in the field of Biology.

Within minutes of the film starting, Alec Holland is revealed! S.T.A.R. Labs has the lowdown on Alec and Linda. The case files are retrieved by Ivy and later explained by Batman at the scene of the crime.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead
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