Wednesday 5 December 2012

Swamp Thing #14

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Yanick Paquette

After reading Scott Snyder brilliant work on Swamp Thing Vol. 1: Raise Them Bones as well as his Batman series I decided to continue getting the Swamp Thing series starting last issue which began Swamp Things part in the Rotworld crossover (if you discount the Prelude).

Plot


The fight between Swamp Thing (Alec Holland), Poison Ivy and Deadman against the zombie Teen Titans continues but due to being so close to the Parliament of Trees Swamp Thing has the power of the Green on his side like never before turning into a giant Swamp Thing. After the battle Swamp Thing along with Deadman decides to defeat the Rot once and for all whilst Ivy protects the Parliament.


Review


This was a brilliant issue and I am loving both Swamp Thing more and more with each issue. Snyder also continues his amazingly high standard of writing and I love how he eases the reader into the issue by having the fight from the last issue continuing on page two, with the first page having Holland talking about a recurring nightmare. This means that people who have missed part one should be able to understand this issue easily. Snyder has also done a brilliant job at continuing to develop the character of Swamp Thing and his newish relationship with Ivy and Deadman. I also love that Holland is still thinking about Abby realising that his life isn't worth living without her.

Yanick Paquette continues to produce some of the best artwork I have ever seen on this issue and is brilliant at drawing all the different characters and scenery beautifully whilst keeping characteristics and uniqueness to the setting. I also enjoyed all the different styles of Swamp Thing throughout this issue and loved how on the first page and later in the issue we got to see a younger Swamp Thing in the Boy of Leaves. My favourite picture throughout the entire issue had to be the Giant Swamp Thing (pictured right) which was simply astonishing as due to his size there is a lot more room to show off even more detail than Paquette has previously shown on the character. I also loved the reaction on the Rot minions faces when they see this giant foot coming to squash them. Nathan Fairbairn has also continued to produce brilliant colours on this series and I still think they are the best colours to go with Paquette's art.

I loved seeing Swamp Thing getting help from the Parliament of Trees in this issue as it shows how much it means to rid the Rots influence from the world and that Swamp Thing is their last hope so they will help him anyway they can. I was happy to see that the Parliament have great faith in Holland, were other groups of higher beings like Guardians of the Universe for example would have no faith in their warrior and without them giving faith why should anyone else.


I was happy to see the continuation of Swamp Thing, Ivy and Deadman's fight against the zombie Teen Titans which I'd been looking forward to since the end of last issue. I did however feel that it was a bit short and would have liked to have seen it play out for a bit longer. I was happy to see that there was purpose in making the fight appear to be in the Titans favour because Swamp Thing to start of was weak and hoping to get through to any good that is left in the Titans to see if he can prevent killing them. I also loved when Swamp Thing realises he's at a lost cause trying to save the Titans and when the Parliament offer him more power he uses it wisely to defeat the Titans and the Rot minions.
 
I also loved the added side story showing a nightmare that is shared between a younger Holland as Boy of Leaves and Abby who both dream about going to the giant doors of of a castle before waking up. I liked this because it shows that Holland's feeling that Abby may still be alive might be true as they appear to have a huge spiritual connection to one another.

It was also nice to see some of the things that Swamp Thing created using his powers like turning himself big, having wings in a previous issue and creating a boat to cross a river in this issue. I also liked how Swamp Thing noted the drain this caused on his powers and that he would need to keep the remainder of his strength in case they needed to fight.

I was also very happy to see the return of not just Anton Arcane but William Arcane also. With their return this crossover should be even more interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing exactly what they have in store for Swamp Thing and anyone else who steps in their way.

Final Verdict


A brilliant continuation to the Rotworld story with great art, great story telling and great imagination. I would highly recommend both this and the previous issue in this crossover as it's shaping up to be one of the best crossovers of the year and I for one am really looking forward to see what happens next issue.

Rating: 5/5

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