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Swamp Thing and the SDCC

Published on August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

There were a number of notable Swamp Thing moments at San Diego Comic Con this year and I’m excited to share my findings. Although I didn’t attend, I was in touch with various folks that did and there were some fun sightings!

DC Comics Swamp Thing Experience
At SDCC, DC comics created an off-site event to promote its upcoming online streaming service and by all accounts, it wasn’t very informative. A mini maze, decorated to look like a swamp that included lush vegetation, props and cast members, acted as a fun teaser for the upcoming live-action Swamp Thing series. Below are some images sent to me by fellow Swamp Thing fan, Erica who was on location for the event.

The DC Experience provided some hype and excitement going forward into the launch of DC’s streaming service. It also put Swamp Thing into the limelight at one of the largest comics related conventions in the world. Doom Patrol, Teen Titans and Harley Quinn were also part of the DC experience. I’ve not seen any images from those specific attractions but look forward to more as images from the convention emerge.

Note: Yesterday, the website Geeks World Wide posted the following information relating to the Swamp Thing series. “production start is expected to begin on September 10th in Wilmington… Casting is well underway and we expect to start hearing announcements very soon.” click here to read more.
Although news has been slow to be released for a show that will be shooting in September, it will be extremely exciting to see developments as September approaches.

Injustice Swamp Thing Figure
Along with the DC Experience, a Swamp Thing collectible was unveiled at SDCC. Hiya Toys announced and displayed an Injustice Swamp Thing figure. Slated to be relaeased in the winter/spring of 2018/2019, the figure comes with a wooden club and additional hands. The 4″ action figure looks beautifully sculpted, and is an exciting new direction for Swamp Thing figures.

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Twixt Two Worlds 3

Published on July 29, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Twixt Two Worlds #3

Swamp Thing alum, Thomas Yeates released another installment of Twixt Two Worlds recently and I was excited to obtain a signed copy. The book features some of Yeates’ convention sketches commissioned by Dwayne Covey.

Swamp Thing kicks things off!
On the inside cover Swamp Thing does his best Clint’s Eastwood, looking contemplative and badass wearing this Spring’s freshest moss fashions.

Yeates and the convention sketch…

Yeates pays tribute to Bernie Wrightson, mentioning his great influence at an early stage in his artistic development. The image featured in the book inspired Thomas Yeates to work in a more bold/graphic manner in doing quick convention sketches.

Below are just a few of my favorite pages and characters from the book. Yeate’s ink and brush work is fantastic. A few pencil spreads are featured as well. I recommend picking the book up to see the rest of his amazing commission sketches. Signed copies may still be available. To order your copy, visit Bud’s Art Books.

Garbage Mag 1

Published on July 18, 2018July 29, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Garbage Mag 1 (1985)

I found this French entertainment magazine/fanzine a little over a year ago and am excited to finally share it with you. As you can see from the cover, the book is packed with awesome interviews and articles. I’m extremely pleased with the killer content. The book had a limited run of 1,500 copies.

The table of contents features an awesome Dave Stevens (The Rocketeer) Batman sketch.

The magazine houses a couple awesome Swamp Thing features, the first being “The Swamp Thing Report”. I’m as dismayed as you are, I’m still in the process of translating (from French to English) all of the content.

“The Swamp Thing Report” features some amazing sketches by Stephen Bissette and John Totleben.

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DC Comics Presents Annual 3

Published on July 11, 2018July 20, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

DC Comics Presents Annual 3 (1984)

Dick Giodarno delivers the Meanwhile section in the back of the book, along with a Spotlight on Swamp Thing! That’s right, we’ll be fast-forwarding through this entire Annual… for Swamp Thing.

Fellow Swamp Thing fan, Joe tipped me off on this great Swampy feature. An excerpt of Alan Moore’s, “This is the Place” appears in all its glory, below. You’ll probably recognize the title of the piece, printed within DC Sampler #2.
“This is the Place” is a Swamp Thing related, promo poem written by Alan Moore. The poem ran in various publications in the mid 80’s and was paired with an illustration by Stephen Bissette and John Totleben.

The above excerpt differs from the final, more succinct, published version. The excerpt helps to reinforce the tone and paints a vivid picture for what’s to come within Moore’s Swamp Thing series. It also reminds me of Nancy Collins’ amazing series; similar visuals, tone and subject matter. To listen to an audio reading of “This is the Place”, visit the Swampcast PodThing.

“You’ll see the return of Swamp Thing” – Jenette Kahn 1978

Published on June 27, 2018July 11, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Dynamic Classics 1 (1978)

This 44 page edition reprints, Batman “The Secret of the Waiting Graves” by Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano along with, Manhunter “The Himalayan Incident” by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson. All that tantalizing goodness aside, I snagged this book for the articles.

Following the DC Explosion of ’78-and the subsequent implosion-Jenette Kahn discusses the benefits of DC’s new 50¢ (25-page, no ads, no reprints) comic format. At the time, DC was pulling damage control due to poor sales, questionable choices and various sales and marketing variables. But, out of the chaos and mess following the DC Implosion, Mrs Kahn provides a nugget of excitement, below.

“You’ll see the return of Swamp Thing”

Despite Kahn’s optimism, Swamp Thing would not return to an ongoing series for another four years, in 1982. But, she perhaps was referring to Swamp Thing’s appearance seven months later within, DC Comics Presents #8 “The Sixty Deaths of Solomon Grundy” (April 1979). Following this Publishorial (circa Sept 1978) Swamp Thing appeared in only five books prior to Swamp Thing series 2: the aforementioned DC Comics Presents #8 “The Sixty Deaths of Solomon Grundy” (April 1979), Super Friends #28 “The Spacemen Who Stole Atlantis” (January 1980), Brave and the Bold #176 “The Delta Connection” (July 1981), From Swords Of Cerebus Vol 3 (1981), and Cerebus #25 “This Woman, This Thing” (March 1981). For further info on chronology, reference the various Appearance lists in the website navigation menu at the top of the webpage.

Along with the hope of more Swamp Thing to come provided within the Publishorial, a fan wrote into The DC Feature Page requesting the muck-encrusted mockery of a man!

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Swamp Thing sneaking into the covers Pt.2

Published on May 20, 2018May 28, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Cracked Monster Party 12 (1991)

On a recent trip to Minneapolis, MN, I visited some of the comic shops looking for Swamp Thing appearances. I’m always on the look out for Cracked Monster Party books-and find them extremely difficult to find- as well as comic industry magazines that might feature an article related to Swamp Thing.
I found this issue of Monster Party within a short-box full of Starlog Magazines. Before purchasing the book, I skimmed through it the best I could and noticed it was chock-full-of famous monsters from film and literature. I was sure Swamp Thing was hidden within the pages somewhere.

Well, he wasn’t. He was hiding on the cover the entire time. King Kong sweeps the election and tramples Swamp Thing in the process. Swampy doesn’t know what hit him.

Swamp Thing sneaking into the covers

Published on May 20, 2018May 22, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Comics Journal 115 (1987)

Thanks to friend and fellow Swamp Thing fan Rene, I was able to track down this great Swamp Thing appearance.

This issue of the Journal is stuffed with detailed info and insight into the infamous Fleisher v. Fantagraphics libel case, featuring Jim Shooter, Harlan Ellison, Gary Groth, Dean Mullaney and Joe Sacco.

I’m in it for the cover.

The jam-packed, star-studded, wraparound cover by the great Don Simpson includes Swamp Thing and Abigail! They’re apparently on scene for Shooter’s testimony.

Abigail looks concerned and tired.