Articles – Page 2

Twixt Two Worlds 3

Published on July 29, 2018August 31, 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.
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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.
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Yeates and the convention sketch…
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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.
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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, 2018August 24, 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.

Swamp Thing is in a heap of monsters

Published on April 26, 2018May 20, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

A.C.B.A. Sketchbook 1973

the A.C.B.A. Sketchbook is a 36 page art portfolio, published by the Academy of Comic Book Artists. It features prints by some of the greatest artists in comics.

Cover interior

The portfolio was edited by Neal Adams, Doug Murray, and the rest of the Academy to promote the work of Academy members.

I’ve been looking for the 1973 A.C.B.A. Sketchbook for a number of years and finally stumbled upon the portfolio last week. I’d heard of a Swamp Thing sketch within but wasn’t certain. After finding the portfolio, I’m happy to report that Jim Starlin created an awesome Swamp Thing illustration… with room for a pig-pile of sorts.

Within the monster pile is, Man-Thing, Swamp Thing, Beast, Thing and Hulk.

Along with this sketch, the ACBA Sketchbook is filled with art by premiere artists. I’ve selected some of my favorites (below) but my selections don’t do the portfolio justice. This 25 page collection is truly stunning. The portfolio includes work by, Neal Adams, Sergio Aragones, Bob Brown, Frank Brunner, Sal Buscema, Howard Chaykin, Dave Cockrum, Gene Colan, Reed Crandall, Frank Frazetta, Stan Goldberg, Billy Graham, Harper, Larry Ive, Michael Kaluta, Alan Kupperberg, S. Lentin, Al Milgrom, Gray Morrow, Don Perlin, John Romita, Mike Royer, Syd Shores, Joe Sinnott, Jim Starlin, Jim Steranko, Stillwell, Tony Tallarico, Herb Trimpe, Wallace Wood, and more.
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DC and LCA Entertainment Style Guide

Published on April 22, 2018November 12, 2019 by Roots of the Swamp Thing3 Comments

DC and LCA Entertainment Style Guide (August 1990)

This beautiful, original style guide arrived in the mail yesterday and I’m extremely excited to share this rare gem with you. For those unfamiliar, a style guide exists to assist in maintaining a consist aesthetic within a brand. It usually comes in the form of a multi-page booklet, filled with dos and don’ts relating to logo usage, color palette, how a character should be portrayed, tone, etc. Basically, it’s a rule book to help you stay within the lines while branding and producing merchandise.

This style guide is housed within the Swamp Thing binder that you may have seen me write about or up for auction on ebay. The binder is filled with marketing/promotional/branded material and examples. Many of the illustrations within the style guide have been featured on the various collectibles that spawned from the animated TV series. You’ll probably recognize a lot of the illustrations from the Swamp Thing action figure packaging, board game, slippers, chalk, and various other Swamp Thing collectibles from the early 1990’s. There is so much to see, so I’m going to dive right in. I’ve included every page within the style guide so you won’t miss out on all its glory.

Binder front cover:
1 Cover

Section One – Introduction
Each section divider features a pattern of Swamp Thing icons; below.
2 Page 1
1 Covera

Pattern detail:
the little icon within the divider page pattern can be found on the packaging of a few Swamp Thing collectibles and can be found as a puffy sticker.
2 Page 1b

The Introduction kicks off with a Swamp Thing origin comic. I can’t say I’d ever seen this abridged origin until the binder arrived in the mail yesterday. It’s a departure from the origin we are accustomed to in comics, but very entertaining.
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Dr. Holland has just perfected his bio-restorative formula in his secret, government lab, deep in the Swamps of Louisiana. It seems safe to assume, this strip helps fill-in the origin story gaps of the Swamp Thing animated series. This strip would be fun to see, played-out, prior to the notable animated series intro/theme song. Here, Arcane is the one who plants the bomb in Holland’s lab and he’s come for the formula.
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After the explosion, Arcane salvages what little formula remains after the blast and turns his devoted, unruly henchmen into Un-Men. In typical fashion, Dr Holland’s fiery body crashes into the nearby swamp.
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In this strip, Arcane and the Un-Men are hot on Swamp Thing’s trail to obtain every drop of formula they can from Dr. Holland’s remains. They didn’t bargain on finding something much greater! …Swamp Thing
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Mediascene ’75 Wrightson Interview

Published on April 19, 2018April 26, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Mediascene 16 (November/December 1975)

Last week I shared Historia de los Comics 33 (1982) which featured an excerpt from an interview with Berni Wrightson in 1975. I looked back into my archive of Swamp Thing related articles and pulled Mediascene 16, the publication that originally featured the interview. I snapped a number pictures from the excellent interview by Don McGregor. I think you’ll love reading Bernie’s answers as much as I did. It’s terribly unfortunate that Bernie passed on last year but reading these interviews is a nice reminder of how special he was, and all that he left us.

The second section of the newspaper format magazine/fanzine features a large b/w Wrightson illustration, below.

The article is amazing and was touching to revisit. It features a few Swamp Thing mentions and Bernie talks about his feelings toward the character.

He is looking quite dapper and dramatic in the interview spread.

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Watching the Watchmen

Published on April 12, 2018April 25, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Watching the Watchmen (2008)

Watchmen is a fun series but I purchased this book for Dave Gibbons’ work on Swamp Thing.

In this comprehensive hardcover, Dave Gibbons discusses his path into comics, as well as his work with Swamp Thing co-creator Len Wein.

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Historia de los Comics 33

Published on April 11, 2018April 25, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Historia de los Comics 33 (1982)

The Spanish magazine provides a glimpse into the history of comics, including profiles of some of comics greatest artists. This issue highlights Swamp Thing and features a portion of Swamp Thing 2, The Man Who Wanted Forever. The reprinted story is translated and recolored.

Bernie Wrightson’s profile:

Below, I attempted to translate the featured Wrightson interview:
“In the horror stories that I draw, the characters perish more to real people than Kirby characters, or that of much of the publications of Marvel. Many of the Marvel magazines present superheros, the local means that the type that hits is super strong and, what is equally important, the one that receives the blow is also super strong, is able to endure it. It is as if two brick walls hit each other. What I want to say is that there is a lot of action and fights and dazzling lights and vigorous lines. I prefer the cause and the effect. I prefer that each action has an equal and opposite reaction, which means that if someone hits your head, your brain falls to the ground. and you die bleeding.
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Gateways 13

Published on April 11, 2018April 25, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Gateways 13 (March 1989)

I came across this great role playing game magazine a little while back and was thrilled to find an insightful Swamp Thing article within.

Along with the Swampy related article, there are a number great RPG related articles and game scenarios, as well as awesome reader-submitted illustrations like the one below.

Forces of the Night: Dark Fantasy Returns to the DC Universe by Vincent Cocolini.

I’ve tried to provide large enough photos so that you can read the majority of the article as well. Cocolini provides a thorough recap of Swamp Thing’s history, as well as peripheral characters such as John Constantine, Black Orchid, Sandman, etc.

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Fusion 9

Published on February 16, 2018February 27, 2018 by Roots of the Swamp ThingLeave a comment

Fusion #9 (February 1987)

This awesome, little fanzine arrived in the mail from the UK last week and I’m excited to share it with you. The fanzine doesn’t have many pages but the one’s there are filled with great comic content. I purchased the book for the awesome Swamp Thing illustration on the cover.

Hugh Campbell is responsible for this cool, little, UK fanzine. Below is his editorial within the book.

Fan art is what I love most about fanzines. No matter how crude or refined they are, it’s awesome to see fans create art for their favorite characters.