Swamp Thing (USA) di Scott Snyder

[Azrael]

SWAMP THING #16
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
On sale JANUARY 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• "ROTWORLD: THE GREEN KINGDOM" races toward its epic conclusion!
• It's Swamp Thing vs. Rotmonster as Superman as Arcane's ultimate plan is revealed!
• What sacrifice must Swamp Thing make to cleanse the Earth of the Rot?
• And what secret did Batman leave behind in the ruins of Gotham City?

[Fra]

letto il 13..
in generale ho sempre preferito animal man, ma il primo capitolo di rotworld se lo aggiudica swamp thing!
paquette poi mi sembra sempre più bravo.. incredibile, peccato sia così lento..

[Azrael]

Preview: SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1

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[Green Hankey]

A Wes piace la Cloonan e ha ragione 

[Azrael]

It turns out the first time Alec Holland and Abby Arcane met wasn't really the first time. What? Check out the glorious tale by Snyder, Tuft and Cloonan.
The Good
There's nothing better than a "lost story" adding new elements to characters. It's a tricky execution that can result in a trite story or, if we're lucky, a wonderful new development. Long time fans of SWAMP THING know there is a lot of history between Alec Holland and Abby Arcane. In reading this new series, I've actually felt a little saddened for newer readers not being fully aware at the level of history they shared. This issue sets out to show some of that connection as well as giving long time readers a moment in time they never knew existed.

Being a flashback, it gives the perfect opportunity for a second collaboration between Scott Snyder and Becky Cloonan. She does a remarkable job in depicting a story set in the past, before Holland became Swamp Thing.

Of course Snyder is also joined by another collaborator, Scott Tuft. The story gives us the first meeting between Alec and Anton Arcane, who readers should know has been causing major problems in the current Rotworld story. Cloonan's visuals are amazing. The first time you see Abby, you know why Alec fell for her. The page where they shake hands is absolutely brilliant. The banter the two have is priceless. This is before all the changes and adventures. It's innocent, playful and something that should be cherished in a memory. Then how come Alec or Abby don't recall this moment? That's the twist. You'll have to read to find out what the whole story is and its connection to Rotworld.

The Bad
Nothing bad here. Even though it was oversized, I wish it could have been a longer story.

The Verdict
Think you know everything about Alec Holland and Abby Arcane? Think again. Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft and Becky Cloonan give us a great "lost story" that makes sense and is fascinating to read. Knowing how deeply their past is rooted is what makes them and the 'universe' they reside in that much better. We may be in the midst of the Rotworld story but this has a clear connection yet also stands alone as a great annual-type story. Annuals should be able to stand on their own and seeing this story from the past was a great choice to be featured here. Cloonan does an amazing job bringing the the characters to life and leaves you craving for more.

5/5

CVine

[Azrael]

I like that DC Comics brought back its Annuals to help fill the schedule for a 5-week month, like "Swamp Thing Annual" #1 by Scott Snyder, Scott Tuft, Becky Cloonan, Andrew Belanger and Karl Kerschl. Telling the previously untold first meeting between Alec Holland and Abby Arcane is a perfect use of the Annual format.

Written by Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft, the book opens and closes with a framing device drawn by Belanger and Kerschl set in the midst of next week's "Swamp Thing" #14. Snyder and Tuft quickly set up the idea that Alec met Abby earlier than he remembers, and in the blink of an eye we're whisked into the main story. This framing device works well; it establishes "Swamp Thing Annual" #1 as part of the ongoing story, but at the same time for readers who might have just jumped on board it is short enough that it's not the focus of the comic. Clocking in at only five pages total, it still gives plenty of space for the main attraction.

At first, that story actually felt a little underwhelming. Detailing the arrival of Alec in the Carpathian Mountains, it feels so by-the-book and predictable that even Alec himself is commenting on the sequence of events as he's brought to Arcane's castle. Fortunately, Snyder and Tuft quickly push into the meat of the story, as Alec heads out on his own to investigate a new type of flower and finally meets Abby. From that point on, the comic is fun and attention-grabbing. The strange bloom raises all sorts of alarms for the reader but even then its properties end up being a bit of a surprise, which is nice. All in all, the story ends up moving briskly, provides a reasonable explanation for why Alec and Abby don't know each other later on, and gives us another glimpse into the power of Anton Arcane and why both he and the Rot are such dangerous foes.

It's Cloonan's art that I think people might remember the most, though, and I'm good with that. Her second collaboration with Snyder (the first being "Batman" #12), the comic looks great. Don't let Cloonan's open, clean style trick you into thinking that she can't pack the detail into her pages. The interiors of Arcane's castle show that to not be true, with flagstones, wood grain, tapestries and ornately carved bannisters being just a few of the background details. Her foregrounds are pretty special too, mind you. I love the half-page image of Alec surrounded by the strange new flowers; with their thick twisting vines and the delicate purple hues (thanks to colorist Nathan Fairbairn), it's an eye-catching image. Of course, Cloonan makes Abby's first appearance here memorable as well; she's beautiful while remaining well-composed. Then again, well-composed should be a familiar adjective when describing Cloonan's art. Even something as simple as a woman giving a silent cry to Alec is paced perfectly, with the zooming in on her mouth and throat both effective and creepy.

"Swamp Thing Annual" #1 is a great way to get through the dreaded fifth week of the month. It adds a new piece to the overall story being told in "Swamp Thing" and it also stands on its own rather well to boot. This is the perfect way to use the Annual format.

4/5

CBR

[Azrael]

Preview: Swamp Thing #14

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[Azrael]

Deadman and Poison Ivy continue to provide guidance to Alec Holland as the titular character attempts to discern the hows and whys of the world he finds in "Swamp Thing" #14. However, Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette bring much more to the table as they provide more insight into the lifelong bond between Abigail Arcane and Alec Holland in a story threaded throughout this issue.

From the haunting opening page (just a week too late for Halloween spookiness) to the apparently triumphant foe on the cliffhanger final page, this issue presents a compilation of beautifully disturbing imagery from Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn that illustrates the incredible unpredictability of "Rotworld." Plants and decay are the two driving forces of this installment in "Swamp Thing" #14 and the artistic duo manage to liven up those notions with intricate panel borders and carefully connected coloring. Fairbairn's range of greens is as descriptive to the Grove and the power of Swamp Thing as any imagery drawn by Paquette or words written by Snyder.

Not that either creator is slacking in this issue -- Paquette brings his considerable talent to bear once more, giving fans a triumphant, fist-pumping moment early in the issue as Swamp Thing puts his foot down on the Rot-infested heroes and civilians. Literally. Paquette's knack for detail is almost overwhelming, especially given the dynamic scene changes throughout this issue.

Snyder's choice to layer the story of "Rotworld" over and through tales of days past is an interesting one. Through the days past we get more insight into Abby, a character who clearly still has a major role to play in the development of Alec Holland, the Rot and the Green. Snyder balances the two adventures nicely, giving Abby enough prominence and personality to clearly handle the problems she faces. No costume, no powers, just simple willpower and intelligence. Through those decisions, it feels as though Snyder is giving Abby more development and growth than Alec at this point in the series.

"Rotworld" is in full swing. This is only the second chapter of the Swamp Thing side of the saga, but so much groundwork has been provided for the story that it feels more established. A large portion of that is due to the fact that Snyder threads through characters and concepts from his entire run and beyond. The final page of this issue is proof of that. "Rotworld" is familiar and creepy, unexpected and exciting.

4/5

CBR

[Azrael]

SWAMP THING #17
Written by SCOTT SNYDER and JEFF LEMIRE
Art by MARCO RUDY
Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE with STEVE PUGH
On sale FEBRUARY 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• The epic finale of "ROTWORLD" continues from this month's ANIMAL MAN #17!
• What will it cost our heroes to stop this apocalypse from happening? The answer will blow your mind.

[Azrael]

Preview: Swamp Thing #15

[Azrael]

Rotworld continues as Swamp Thing tries to make his way towards Gotham. What are the chances he'll like what he finds there?
The Good
Rotworld has given us a chance to see a dark and twisted version of the DC Universe. Things go from bad to worse as Swamp Thing and Deadman try to make their way to Gotham. Swamp Thing is convinced Abby is still alive, despite being told my many that she died a year ago (Swamp Thing somehow ended up a year into the future when chasing after Anton Arcane).

The nice thing about stories like this is anything goes. Because the world has gone to hell, it's possible for Scott Snyder to warp and twist the world and characters. You won't know who might show up or who will survive. The way the story flips back to the present adds to the suspense of the story as you await for each layer to unfold. You want to hope for the best but because this is Snyder writing, we know the worst (for the characters) could be waiting around every corner.

The anticipation builds as Swamp Thing gets closer to Gotham. You might think you know where the story is going but of course Snyder is going to throw in some twists to catch you off guard.

The scenes of devastation are pretty cool. Marco Rudy manages to toss in little Easter Eggs for this decimated DC Universe. Each time you see something or someone familar, you can't help but want to know more about what happened right before Swamp Thing arrived.

The Bad
As much as I'm enjoying the story and seeing the different results of the Rot's victory, there are moments it feels it's dragging on a tiny bit. It feels like Swamp Thing and Deadman have been on this journey for a while. We see on the cover that Swamp Thing is going to arrive in Gotham but it doesn't happen until the final pages.

I really dig Marco Rudy's art but it's more about the character design/concept for those inflicted by the Rot and Anton Arcane as well. They're supposed to be creepy as hell but with the colors in a printed form, they don't completely come across that way. I get a more Toxic Avenger vibe than something truly scary.

The Verdict
Things are not looking good for Swamp Thing. Actually, things aren't looking too good for the entire DC Universe. In the midst of the Roworld story arc, it looks as if everything is pretty much lost. Swamp Thing now has to make his way to Gotham but that won't be an easy trek. Flashbacks to seeing what Abby's fate may be is interesting but you have to wonder how that will come together with Swamp Thing's portion. The art and little glimpses of other parts of the DCU are great but those affected by the Rot just don't work for me. It's a problem I've had from the first time we saw them in the series. Don't try to guess how the issue will end because Scott Snyder doesn't do what you might think. Next issue is bound to get even crazier.

4/5

CVine

[Green Lantern]

  che figata l'ultimo numero! 

Spiacente, ma non sei autorizzato a visualizzare il contenuto degli spoiler.

[Fra]

A quanto pare Scott lascia la Serie, seguite la News nel Web

[Azrael]

SWAMP THING #18
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
On sale MARCH 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• Don't miss the heartbreaking epilogue to "ROTWORLD."
• Swamp Thing makes the ultimate sacrifice in an attempt save the world from the Rot!
• This issue marks the end of life as Swamp Thing knows it!

[emmeemmeesse]

A quanto pare Scott lascia la Serie, seguite la News nel Web

Letto...per scrivere quella caxxata di Man of Steel che, parliamoci chiaro, sarà qualcosa tipo Arrow per traghettare i lettori al film e viceversa.