THE SWAMP THING #4 REVIEW

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Alec Holland, DC Comics, Horror, Mike Perkins, Mike Spicer, Poison Ivy, Ram V, Suicide Squad, Swamp Thing, Swamp Thing #4, Swamp Thing #4 Review, The Swamp Thing, The Swamp Thing #4

The Swamp Thing #4

Review by Paul Bowler.

Finding themselves still trapped in the realm of the Green, Levi’s and Jennifer’s psychedelic voyage continues in The Swamp Thing #4 as DC Comics ten-part maxi-series from writer Ram V and artist Mike Perkins delves further into Levi Kamei’s origins as the new Swamp Thing.

It is with Swamp Thing #4 that writer Ram V finally begins to hint at the events surrounding Levi’s  transformation into Swamp Thing and what happened on his trip to India to visit his dying father. Separated after the MRI scan Levi underwent to better understand his mysterious transformations into the Swamp Thing, Jenifer’s journey through the darker depths of the Green with the Floronic Man begin to take a sinister turn, while as Swamp Thing, Levi receives some unexpected help from a former avatar of the Green, Alec Holland. After the bizarre interactions with the dual aspects of Poison Ivy last issue, Levi gains far greater insight into the Green with Holland’s guidance, with his role as the new Swamp Thing, along with the cause of the contagion ravaging the Green, and the uncanny schism in which it entwines Levi’s origin as the new avatar of the Green all beginning to fall into place. Ram V cultivates an intricate balance of plot and dialogue throughout the issue. The meeting between Levi and Alec Holland is a masterclass in writing, and the revelations it brings will have you hanging on every word.

Likewise, the gorgeous artwork by Mike Perkins and luscious colors by Mike Spicer are every bit as enchanting as the narrative. We are treated to some truly spectacular vistas as Levi and Jenifer explore the Green, encountering denizens that prove to be both friend and foe, along with startling depictions of the magical and terrifying power which Swamp Thing must learn to embrace lest this seed of contagion spread to our world. This veritable tour de force of wonder and horror Perkins and Spicer craft is absolutely spellbinding, its peppered with memories from across the ages, glimmers of Levi’s past become juxtaposed with the pollination of life and consciousness, and there’s even an epic face-off with the proto-myth of first avatar which Swamp Thing has to confront as well to obtain his evergreen Nirvana. 

My Green Amaranthine Part 2 sows seeds of knowledge and foresight as Levi’s quest of self discovery comes full circle. Not everything in this issue is quite as it seems either as reality, memory and myth collide as one. Poison Ivy’s role this issue, though fleeting, is still crucial to the plot. There’s a reckoning with an old foe as well, and Jennifer’s frightening first encounter with Alex as Swamp Thing leaves Levi pondering over the terrible cost it might have on their friendship. There’s also an atmospheric coda to round off the issue that sets the stage for the two-part crossover event between Swamp Thing and Suicide Squad in August. This maxi-seres continues to go from strength to strength. With the brilliant writing and scripting from Ram V and the incredible art by Mike Perkins, Swamp Thing #4 is another enthralling chapter in this new era of Swamp Thing!

Publisher DC Comics

Writer Ram V / Artist Mike Perkins

Colorist Mike Spicer / Letterer Aditya Bidikar

Cover Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer

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About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

Publisher Image Comics

Writer Tod McFarlane

Art Carlo Barber / Colors Jay David Ramos & Andrew Dalhouse

Lettering Tom Orzechowski

Cover Artists Tod McFarlane, Bjorn Barends, Tonton Revolver

Swamp Thing #5 Review

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Alec Holland, Chris Sotomayor, comics, DC Comics, Deadman, Horror, Kelly Jones, Len Wein, Matt Cable, Michelle Madsen, Nanda Parbat, Phantom Stranger, Swamp Thing, Swamp Thing #5, Swamp Thing #5 review, The Hand of Fatima, The New 52, the Parliament of the Trees, The Spectre

Swamp Thing #5

Review by Paul Bowler

Tricked into giving up the power of the Swamp Thing by his friend turned foe, Matt Cable, Alec Holland must now embark on a perilous journey to Nanda Parbat to undo the horror unleashed after reclaiming his humanity. Now that Matt Cable is the Swamp Thing, the emerald apocalypse will soon be unleashed. Alec Holland must undo this dark magic, and a surprise appearance from Deadman might help him do just that…

Swamp Thing #5 continues the all new 6 part mini-series written by co-creator and legendary writer Len Wein and featuring the stunning artwork of Kelly Jones, Swamp Thing has been a gloriously dark and mesmerising horror adventure. The sinister brooding tone of the early issues has now become a frenetic supernatural race against time, with the power mad Matt Cable now transformed by The Hand of Fatima into Swamp Thing, and sending the tendrils of his influence out across the world from his throne of thorns in Houma, Louisiana. Having consigned the former Swamp Thing Alec Holland to his doom in the very depths of the earth itself, it seems that nothing can now prevent this dark Swamp Thing’s heinous scheme to rule the world.

Len Wein weaves an intricate series of spellbinding developments into this fantastic issue. The full scope the new Swamp Thing’s warped designs are truly chilling, Len Wein elevates this new slant on the body-swap scenario to a whole new level with this issue, and sprinkles it with magic and powerful supernatural cameos with every twist and turn of the plot. This is brilliant stuff, Alec Holland’s mission is set out before him in a way that ultimately leads to a potential solution to prevent the apocalypse, and we get a plethora of horror tropes, all skilfully intermingled within the wider context of the DC Universe itself, supernatural shanghais punctuate the narrative, there’s a welcome guest appearance from Deadman, together with one or two other acquaintances of Swamp Thing along the way too, and there’s even a fun Scooby-Doo reference as well.

I’m a huge fan of Kelly Jones’ artwork, and this issue looks every bit as incredible as the previous issues in this mini-series. The evil Matt Cable / Swamp Thing looks suitably hideous and menacing, and the way his powers reach out across the globe are well realized. It is Alec Holland’s quest where Kelly Jones really excels in this issue: from the audience with the Parliament of the Trees, to the uncanny transportation from cornfield to the mountainous frozen heights of Nanda Parbat, every scene flows seamless into the next, and we are treated to a wonderful interlude with Deadman as well that turns out to be just one of the many highlights in this issue. Colorist Michelle Madsen’s distinctive blend of tone and shades are absolutely captivating, the dark gothic atmosphere of this mini-series has been beautifully heightened by Madsen’s colors, Deadman in particular looks awesome, and the scenes in the Himalayas are vivid and gloriously realized.

Swamp Thing #5 delivers one further surprise before the closing moments, with a detour to a very familiar city… I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this mini-series, Len Wein, Kelly Jones, and Michelle Madsen are a dream team for this book as far as I’m concerned, every issue has been a ghoulish delight, oozing atmosphere, horror, and the macabre with sumptuous ease, and the covers by Kelly Jones and Chris Sotomayor have been stunning. With its brilliant story by Len Wein and incredible art by Kelly Jones Swamp Thing #5 now sets everything up for a thrilling showdown as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Publisher: DC Comics / Writer: Len Wein / Artist: Kelly Jones

Colorist: Michelle Madsen / Letterer: Rob Leigh

Cover: Kelly Jones & Chris Sotomayor

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