Orlion reviewed Saga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore
Review of 'Saga of the Swamp Thing' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I was very surprised, in a pleasant way, by this volume of Swamp Thing. I've talked about the issues I've had with the newer Swamp Thing in a past review: the unbelievable interplay of Swamp Thing with the rest of the DC Universe, the overbearing prose, and the somewhat ridiculous horror. Alan Moore, in the beginning of his run for The Saga of the Swamp Thing, avoids all of these problems... even the overbearing prose! I mean, he's Alan Moore, the overbearing prose is kinda his thing, but here it is completely subservient to the plot and horror of the story arcs and helps move things at a good pace.
And when something happens that threatens the entire world? The Justice League is immediately informed and we see them deliberate on why they can't do anything because it's too late and how they got to that point. And here's the …
I was very surprised, in a pleasant way, by this volume of Swamp Thing. I've talked about the issues I've had with the newer Swamp Thing in a past review: the unbelievable interplay of Swamp Thing with the rest of the DC Universe, the overbearing prose, and the somewhat ridiculous horror. Alan Moore, in the beginning of his run for The Saga of the Swamp Thing, avoids all of these problems... even the overbearing prose! I mean, he's Alan Moore, the overbearing prose is kinda his thing, but here it is completely subservient to the plot and horror of the story arcs and helps move things at a good pace.
And when something happens that threatens the entire world? The Justice League is immediately informed and we see them deliberate on why they can't do anything because it's too late and how they got to that point. And here's the key: succinctly and believably (at least as believeable as a comic about a Swamp Thing can be, any way). Their part also seems organic to the story, not tacked on to attract new readers.
There are some mild complaints with the character of Jason Blood and his demon alter-ego. That seems somewhat rushed, but it is small complaint and the action still centered on the main characters and the resolution of that particular arc did not depend on his intervention.
Though it is no Man-Thing, this Swamp Thing volume was entertaining and I can all ready start to see why it is so highly regarded.