Review- SWAMP THING VOL. 2: FAMILY TREE

SWAMP THING VOL. 2: FAMILY TREE (DC, 2013; Softcover)

Collects Swamp Thing Nos. 0, 8-11 and Swamp Thing Annual No. 1 (cover dates June- December, 2012)

Writers: Scott Snyder with Scott Tuft

Artists: Yanick Paquette, Marco Rudy, Francesco Francavilla, Kano, and others

Colorists: Nathan Fairbarn, Val Staples, and others

I am really digging this re-imagining/ reboot of the Swamp Thing. In this version, the Parliament of Trees are in an age old war against The Rot. The Swamp Thing has always been their champion, and this time it ended up being Alec Holland. Anton Arcane, an adversary from the original series, seems to have been given a much larger role as The Rot's main weapon against the “green”, or the Swamp Thing. Things come to a head when The Rot turn Abigail Arcane into Sethe and pit her against the Swamp Thing.

Issue 0 is the umpteenth take on the character's origin. Kano's brilliant artwork make things very easy on the eyes. The artwork and coloring is passed off baton-like, often within the same issue. There is a remarkably consistent appearance and quality maintained in spite of this. 

DC really needs to think through how they collect their comic books into trade paperbacks. A shining example of this is in Annual No. 1, which takes place after the Rotworld crossover slated to be collected in volume 3. A plotline is revealed here, with the death of (SPOILER) Abigail Arcane (END SPOILER). Those of us who follow this book via collected editions will be disappointed to have the rug ripped out from under us. The story in the Annual features a horrid ret-con/ re-imagining of how Alec Holland and Abigail Arcane first met. It's a weak spot in an otherwise stellar book.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.25 out of 5.

The OCD zone- DC has upped the quality of their trade paperbacks. I'm happy.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. This book has wonderful, thick coated stock paper which is perfect for modern material with computer coloring.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Glued binding is par for the course for softcovers. Calm down.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Thick, waxlike coating on the cardstock cover will help to ensure a lifetime of reading enjoyment.

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