Review- SWAMP THING VOL. 7: SEASON'S END

SWAMP THING VOL. 7: SEASON'S END (DC, First Printing, 2016; Softcover)

Collects Swamp Thing #35-40, Swamp Thing Annual #3, and Swamp Thing: Futures End #1 (cover dates November, 2014- May, 2015)

Writer: Charles Soule

Artists: Jesus Saiz, Javier Pina, Ryan Browne, David Bullock, Carmen Carnero, and Yanick Pacquette

Colorists: Matt Hollingsworth, June Chung, Nathan Fairbarn, Jose Villarrubia, and Matthew Wilson

This is the end of the road for The New 52 incarnation of the Swamp Thing. While bits and pieces of this run have flown in the face of the continuity established before, this is by and large faithful to the original Len Wein run filtered through Alan Moore's run.

Alan Moore introduced the concept of the Swamp Thing as part the avatar of The Green. Over the course of this series we have been introduced to The Red (the animal kingdom), The Rot (decay), and The Grey (mushrooms and fungi). Now we meet the kingdom of The Machine, initially comprised of A Calculus, B Calculus, C Calculus, and their apparent leader among supposed equals, Omega Calculus.

SPOILERS from here on out. You have been warned!

The Machine decide that they should acquire an avatar after being soundly defeated by the Swamp Thing. The Machine are constantly learning and evolving, so they choose Lady Weeds to become their avatar. The Machine renames her the even more ridiculously named Machine Queen, and The Calculus becomes the Rithm. The Rithm seeks to manage all life on Earth in order to make it run more efficiently. So all of the various kingdoms form alliances and wage war against one another. I won't go into the outcome, as even spoiler tags won't make me ruin the whole thing for you.

This has been an enjoyable series but I am not picking up the Rebirth Swamp Thing series. I love Len Wein's writing and would like to see what he has cooked up all of these years later but I just can't get into Kelley Jones' artwork. I am content to walk away from the character for now. The ending of this series could be read as an end of the character...just like Alan Moore's run.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone-

Paper stock: Glossy coated stock.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Thick laminated cardstock.

Review- BATMAN VOL. 2: THE CITY OF OWLS

BATMAN VOL. 2: THE CITY OF OWLS (DC, First Printing, 2013; Hardcover)

Collects Batman #8-12 and Batman Annual #1 (cover dates June- October, 2012)

Writers: Scott Snyder with James Tynion

Artists: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, Rafael Albuquerque, Jason Fabok, Becky Cloonan, Andy Clarke, and Sandu Florea

Colorists: FCO Plascencia, Dave McCaig, Peter Steigerwald, and Natahan Fairbairn

It should come as no surprise to readers of my blog that my tastes skew toward vintage material. That's why I enjoy reading comic books with my son. He's 10 and prefers modern comics, DC over Marvel, although he seems to love both universes. We checked this out from the library and read it together, one issue per night before bed.

I was completely blown away by the quality of the writing in the core series. The Annual seems like a throwaway to me. The whole Court Of Owls being a longstanding enemy to generations of the Wayne family was an interesting angle, but I do have a gripe about it. Why are all of the interesting concepts presented as some form of ret-con (retroactive continuity, where something is inserted into the backstory while generally going against what has been previously established)? Why can't something exciting be new? If the Court Of Owls were presented as something that popped up here and now, with the now being the ground floor, would this have been less enjoyable? My gut says no.

My son's review: It was good, full on great spectacular. Just a little too much swearing. My favorite parts are where he fights his brother in the Owl suit. (Note: My son believes that Lincoln March was indeed the second Wayne child, given the lack of concrete evidence to the contrary despite what Bruce Wayne uncovered.) Once it got into the action it never let down. He gives it a 4 out of 5.

This was an enjoyable read, even more so because it was free through my local library. I like reading comics with my son that I normally wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. I get to see things differently through his eyes. I do not give him my opinions about things in terms of a critique while we are reading, nor do I instill any of my biases or tastes about comics into him. I prefer for him to mold his own opinions and tastes, and I like seeing how he interprets and enjoys things whether I agree with him or not. 10 is a good age for comics. I remember when I was 10 every single comic that I read was Earth-shakingly important, and those very comics formed the foundation of my opinion about what comics should be and remain favorites to this day. I won't shit on his opinion of new comics, nor will I do anything to dissuade his budding love of the medium. Even if he moves beyond comics I have instilled a love of reading into him which he will have for the rest of his life.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The OCD zone

Paper stock: Thick glossy stock.

Binding: Perfect bound (read: glued). This is a library copy, and it is fascinating to see just how durable these books really are. Most of my books are read once, if that, and yet this book has been read countless times by hands less careful than mine. Maybe when I die I'll leave my collection to a library if my kids don't want it.

Dustjacket and Hardback cover notes: This is a library copy, and the dustjacket has a Brodart sleeve which is taped to the hardback. I cannot comment on them since I couldn't inspect them. 

Review- TRINITY OF SIN- THE PHANTOM STRANGER VOL. 3: THE CRACK IN CREATION

TRINITY OF SIN- THE PHANTOM STRANGER VOL. 3: THE CRACK IN CREATION (DC, 2015; Softcover)

Collects Trinity Of Sin:The Phantom Stranger #12-22 and Trinity Of Sin:The Phantom Stranger- Future's End #1 (cover dates December, 2013- October, 2014)

Writers: J.M. DeMatteis, Len Wein, and Dan Didio

Artists: Fernando Blanco, Norman Keith Breyfogle, Diego Olmos, Cliff Richards, and Miguel Angel Sepulveda

Colorists: Brad Anderson and Gabriel A. Etlaeb

I have enjoyed this series for the most part...until now. Things seem to slow to a crawl, with the plot becoming an overly wordy holding pattern until it hits the Future's End crossover, which I didn't read. While the following issue after that does a brief dialogue style recap of what happened, a Marvel-style text recap page placed between those issues would have helped smooth things out. As it is I had to go back and double check to make sure that I didn't miss anything the night before. The writing is mostly solid and the artwork is serviceable. 

Once we get past that things get really good. The series cancellation was announced and so DeMatteis sought to wrap things up and go out with a bang. Who else should The Phantom Stranger face but the very “Presence” who has been guiding both he and the New 52 version of The Spectre (featured here as well)? We get as close as a happy ending as Judas Iscariot can get. While I am sad to see this series end I will be happy to save my money, so...thanks, DC?

Junk Food For Thought rating: 3.75 out of 5.

The OCD zone- One can't argue the bang for the buck that you get with this book, 12 issues for $19.99 MSRP. Nice.

Paper stock: Good weight glossy coated stock.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Laminated cardstock cover.

Review- SWAMP THING VOL. 5: THE KILLING FIELD

SWAMP THING VOL. 5: THE KILLING FIELD (DC, 2014; Softcover)

Collects Swamp Thing #24-27 and Swamp Thing Annual #2 (cover dates December, 2013- March, 2014)

Writer: Charles Soule

Artists: Jesus Saiz, Javier Pina, Andrei Bressan, and Kano

Colorists: Matthew Wilson and Kano

The battle to be the Avatar of The Green is on. The Swamp Thing once again takes on Seeder, although his identity is revealed to be SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS!!! TURN BACK NOW!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!! Jason Woodrue, a/k/a The Floronic Man from Alan Moore's infamous run. This is yet another New 52 continuity clusterf*ck that will have to be dealt with if the forthcoming Convergence crossover yanks this rebooted continuity into the pre- and/or post- Crisis continuities. My God DC sucks.

If this reboot wasn't so preoccupied trying to continually discard what went on before and just focused on moving the character forward then this story would have been a lot cooler. Instead, we have a decent story with decent artwork that won't matter in a few months.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 3.75 out of 5.

The OCD zone-

Paper stock: Fair weight coated stock with a slight sheen.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover notes: Thick waxlike lamination. 

Review- SWAMP THING VOL. 4: SEEDER

SWAMP THING VOL. 4: SEEDER (DC, 2014; Softcover)

Collects Swamp Thing Nos. 19-23, 23.1 (cover dates June- November, 2013)

Writer: Charles Soule

Artists: Kano, Jesus Saiz, Alvardo Lopez, and David Lapham

Colorist: Matthew Wilson

So the Swamp Thing is now Alec Holland, or Alec Holland is the Swamp Thing, and now there is no Alec Holland or only the Swamp Thing or something like that. Heck if I can make heads or tails of DC's “continuity” these days. Let's just say that The Green communicating Swamp Thing from Alan Moore's run is sort of almost here and go forward.

Swamp Thing encounters Superman for the first time while locking horns with the Scarecrow. You may be asking yourself, Hey wait a minute, hasn't Swamp Thing met Superman a hundred times before or something?, and the answer would be yes. You see, this is the “New 52” the reboot that does and does not contradict DC's already nonsensical, incoherent continuity. DC fans always say Who gives one whit about continuity so long as you get a good story? These same people collect variants and think that 3D covers are cool.

Swamp Thing's main foe this time out is Seeder, a guy who can somehow tap into The Green and create unnatural plant life. While he does things with what seem like the best of intentions, things go wrong each and every time that he uses his power because he is upsetting the balance. We also get treated to a new rebooted yet stale and tired feeling John Constantine. I will admit that I have never been a fan of him, not even when Alan Moore introduced him. He was a plot device and nothing more. Nowadays he is a fan favorite. Go figure.

I still enjoyed this, in spite of all of these gripes. The artwork makes the continuity clusterfuck much easier to handle, and the writing is solid in spite of said rebooted/ret-conned continuity. I still have a soft spot for Swamp Thing and will continue reading so long as the quality is there...just don't ask me which of the 52,000,000 Earths this is.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

Buy SWAMP THING VOL. 4: SEEDER TP at InStockTrades!

The OCD zone- Nothing unusual to report here, folks.

DVD-style Extras included in this book: Seeder designs by Kano. (1 page)

Capucine designs by Jesus Saiz. (2 pages)

Issue #20 pencils by Kano. (2 pages)

Issue #21 pencils by Jesus Saiz. (1 page)

Cover sketches by Guillem March. (2 pages)

Paper rating: 4.5 out of 5. Decent weight glossy coated stock.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Nice thick waxlike lamination. 

Review- SWAMP THING VOL. 3: ROTWORLD- THE GREEN KINGDOM

SWAMP THING VOL. 3: ROTWORLD- THE GREEN KINGDOM (DC, 2013; Softcover)

Collects Swamp Thing Nos. 12-18 and Animal Man Nos. 12, 17 (cover dates October, 2012- May, 2013)

Writers: Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire

Artists: Yanick Paquette, Steve Pugh, Marco Rudy, Andrew Belanger, Dan Green, Andy Owens, Timothy Green II, and Joseph Silver

Colorists: Lovern Kindzierski, Val Staples, Nathan Fairbairn, Lee Loughridge, and Tony Avina

The New 52 version of Swamp Thing remains a gruesome re-imagining and redefining of the Swamp Thing mythos, and for my money, it works. While some of these concepts (i.e. Swamp Thing being the avatar of The Green) were laid out in Alan Moore's 1980s run, this run is turned on its head with Abigail Arcane being a part of The Rot. Her father, Anton Arcane, is the avatar of The Rot, ramping up his status as the Swamp thing's arch nemesis.

The first issue in this book is the Animal Man Rotworld Prologue issue, #12. As the third volume in this series and the first issue that I can recall ever encountering Animal Man in, it serves as a piss poor introduction to the character. No context or explanation of any kind is given, as if readers are expected to know who he is and what he does. Mind you, I am a hardcore comic fan who reads upward of 1,000 comic books a year, and I was lost with the introduction of this character within the confines of this series. Assuming that fans know who every character is detrimental to the mythological mainstream buyers that allegedly scoop up New 52 books. Animal Man is the champion of The Red, something not laid out until the second Animal Man issue (#17) collected later in this book.

Animal Man and Swamp Thing form a tenuous balancing act with The Rot, a sort of natural check and balance that Anton Arcane is trying to upset. Animal Man and Swamp Thing journey to The Rot, with Swamp Thing leaving a vine grown from his body acting a tether to our world. While in the realm of The Rot, the vine gets cut by Anton Arcane, leaving them stranded and searching for a way back home.

When Swamp Thing comes to, he finds that The Rot has taken over the world in his absence, even co-opting every superhero into twisted Rot-version of themselves. This all seems tired and tedious, as it has happened so many times across so many series over the years. Some of these versions, like Batman and Man-Bat, play an important role, while others just seem to be added scenery to give this crossover some sort of universe-shaking merit. I tend to roll my eyes at this sort of thing.

Those complaints aside, this was a fairly enjoyable read with absolutely gorgeous artwork and coloring. This series can be downright gruesome, with the Horror elements ramped up and the more philosophical nature of the Alan Moore run taking a backseat to more visceral imagery. If you can take this series as it's own thing then you will enjoy it. I am suffering from crossover and event fatigue, but this one was thankfully contained to two titles. I have discovered that Animal Man is the other side of the coin to this series, but I won't be checking it out. I have too many irons in the fire as it is.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Some of the caption boxes are swallowed by the gutter, albeit slightly. I would think that DC would take the gutter spacing on their collected editions into consideration when doing page layouts in their periodical comic books, since nearly everything is compiled into a hardcover or trade paperback several months after the completion of every arc.

DVD-style Extras included in this book: Cover sketches and designs (1 page).

Swamp Thing #12 and Animal Man #12 combined covers by Yanick Paquette, Steve Pugh, and Nathan Fairbairn (2 pages).

Swamp Thing #17 and Animal Man #17 combined covers by Yanick Paquette, Steve Pugh, and Nathan Fairbairn (2 pages).

Character sketches by Yanick Paquette (1 page).

Paper rating: 4.5 out of 5. DC now uses better paper in their collected editions of modern material than Marvel does. This has a nice weight glossy coated stock which is optimal for material with computer coloring.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Nice weight cardstock cover with a thick lamination. My copy had a manufacturing defect, an air bubble trapped in the finish. DC now uses the same weight cardstock cover that Marvel used to use, making DC's trade paperbacks of modern material superior to Marvel's.

Buy SWAMP THING VOL. 3: ROTWORLD- THE GREEN KINGDOM TP at InStockTrades!

Review- TRINITY OF SIN- THE PHANTOM STRANGER VOL. 1: A STRANGER AMONG US

TRINITY OF SIN- THE PHANTOM STRANGER VOL. 1: A STRANGER AMONG US (DC, 2013; Softcover)

Collects The Phantom Stranger Nos. 0-5 (cover dates November, 2012- April, 2013)

Writer: Dan Didio and J.M.Dematteis (Nos. 4 and 5)

Artists: Brent Anderson (Penciler) and Philip Tan, Rob Hunter, and Scott Hanna (inkers)

Colorists: Ulises Arreola and Jeromy Cox

Like all of these New 52 DC titles, this is equal parts reboot and jumping on point for new and/or lapsed readers. No knowledge of any previous Phantom Stranger stories are necessary for you to understand and enjoy this book. I am not an expert on the character but am very familiar with the Bronze Age stuff. I've read both Showcase Presents phone books and a handful of other appearances, more then enough for me to have a firm grasp on the concept. This reboot almost answers the question of who and what the Phantom Stranger really is. The only thing missing is bold lettering with the name Judas on it. That's right, the Phantom Stranger is basically the same guy who betrayed Jesus Christ and is now trying to atone for his sins, answering to “The Voice”. 

I kind of liked the more ambiguous, strongly hinted at but never really revealed origin that the character had before. This version is spelled out a little too clearly for my tastes. That said, I really enjoyed this book. How could I not? Veteran creators Dan Didio and Brent Anderson heap development on top of development. In the course of this first arc we see the New 52 debut of The Spectre and The Question, as well as Terence Thirteen. In the original series Doctor Thirteen was known as The Ghost Breaker, a skeptic who was always locking horns with The Phantom Stranger, trying to debunk him with science. It was an ongoing thing back then. This version of Terence Thirteen is firmly in The Phantom Stranger's corner, with The Ghost Breaker being an ancestor of his. Again, I prefer the original incarnation. 

In spite of those two major changes, I really enjoyed this. The Phantom Stranger as Judas riff is an interesting one, as he has to continually betray people for the greater good as dictated by The Voice. In this version of the character his necklace is made up of the coins that he got paid for betraying Jesus, and every time he makes amends one of those coins falls off. I'm on board for Volume 2

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- The Trinity of Sin branding of this book is a detriment to the series. I believe that it will dissuade, not persuade, a casual buyer into picking up the book. Then again, are there any casual Phantom Stranger fans out there?

Paper rating: 4.5 out of 5. Nice weight glossy coated stock.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Glued binding.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Excellent quality fully laminated cardstock cover.

Buy TRINITY OF SIN- THE PHANTOM STRANGER VOL. 1: A STRANGER AMONG US TP at InStockTrades!

Review- DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS VOL. 1: DEADMAN & CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN

DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS VOL. 1: DEADMAN & CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN (DC, 2012; Softcover)

Collects DC Universe Presents Nos. 1-8 (cover dates November, 2011- June, 2012)

Writers: Paul Jenkins (Deadman), Dan DiDio and Jerry Ordway (Challengers of the Unknown)

Artists: Bernard Chang (Deadman) and Jerry Ordway (Challengers of the Unknown)

This is my third foray into DC's New 52, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. I am familiar with Deadman, less so with the Challengers of the Unknown. It was interesting to compare and contrast these soft reboots since I am knowledgeable about one and not the other. (I recently picked up both Challengers of the Unknown Archives but Godzilla knows when I'll get around to reading them.)

Deadman's origin makes more sense here than the original Silver Age version, although it lacks the energy and spontaneity. It also lacks Neal Adams. Ha! Paul Jenkins does a solid enough revision, ironing out details while almost completely ignoring the whole League of Assassins aspect to his original origin. It was a bit silly in all honesty. Boston Brand's identity gets far less use here than it did in the original series, and he also seems less alienated and less mentally unstable because of that.

One huge difference in the story is that Rama Kushna assigns Deadman people to possess and live their life until he learns his lesson and is allowed to move on as opposed to him randomly possessing people while trying to find his killer. Something isn't kosher with this arrangement, and it is here that we find out what this new Deadman is really made of. Bernard Chang's artwork is very good but I find the soft color palette strips it of its energy.

Like I stated above, I own both Archives of Challengers of the Unknown and look forward to reading them someday. For this portion of the books (issues 6-8) we get former DC head honcho Dan DiDio collaborating with DC stalwart Jerry Ordway. I've always been a fan of Ordway's but thought that he was semi-retired. The truth is that he recently went public with the fact that while he has been under exclusive contract with DC, DC has chosen not to give him any work, which means that he starves. If DC doesn't want him they should cut him loose. I'm sure that Marvel would love to have an artist who can draw in the classic comic book vein on staff.

The Challengers are a reality show, and these “Unknowns” journey to the Himalayas for their new season. One of their team members, Clay, has a talisman which opens up a hidden city in the mountains. Without giving any more away, they end up finding out what makes all of this mystical stuff tick. There's so much potential with this creative team, but so far there's been no further issues solicited with these characters in them. My knowledge of the original series is pretty much non-existent, but I'm pretty sure that it wasn't a reality show that brought them together. Purists are probably outraged by this reboot, but as a new fan reading a new-to-me concept, it worked, and worked well.

I hope to see more New 52 Deadman and Challengers of the Unknown in the future.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4.25 out of 5.

The OCD zone- DC has recently upped the quality of their trade paperbacks, which I will cover in greater detail below.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. This book has a decent weight coated stock paper which is perfect for material with modern computer coloring.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Like nearly all softcovers, this has glued binding. Calm down.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. DC has been using the same laminated cardstock covers that Marvel has since they launched the New 52 line of trades.

Buy DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS VOL. 1: DEADMAN & CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN at InStockTrades!