Fandom Files Reading List: Swamp Thing
All throughout November, guest writers will be weighing in on fandom, specifically guest writers who identify strongly with characters, teams, or franchises online. Each piece will feature a personal look at why a writer gravitates to a character, what keeps their interest, and — most importantly — a set of reading recommendations for folks looking to better understand that character.
Today, long-time Twitter friend of the site @InnsmouthTide writes about this favorite character, Swamp Thing…
The local grocery store I passed when I walked home from school no longer filled its spinner rack with comics. As a kid, this meant the hobby, for me, was over; or at least on temporary hiatus. Over the decades I’d pick up an occasional trade, and sometime later I had decided to play catch up. Sandman, Preacher, Punisher MAX. I’d been missing out. I began to read lists of best graphic novels and comics and again and again an odd standout: Saga of the Swamp Thing.
No, not me. I’m a serious and grown man. I’d had a Swamp Thing figure with retractable hand as a kid and remember the USA original series playing on days I was sick from school. Still, there it sat. A comic book about a plant monster amongst giants like Watchmen and Arkham Asylum. Surely, there must be a mistake. I’ll admit, it’s the byline that sold me. The first trade arrived a few days later. As a lifelong horror fan, I was hooked. The evocative art by Bissette, Totleben, Veicht and Wood drew me in to Moore’s meticulously macabre masterpiece. I went back to read the original ten issues by Wein and Wrightson. I’ve since collected every issue of to bear the character’s name.
Swamp Thing’s journey, a creature who thought he was a man to an avatar for a primal force who would be a hero is absolutely thrilling. There are quiet issues of family dynamics, mythological tales (Why he say ‘knock on wood’), a hostile takeover of Gotham and cosmic level encounters resolved thoughtfully. Taking the journey to read the issues that I was once reluctant to and wrote off as a silly comic book helped me open my mind to other great works of with an open mind despite about how preposterous the premise might be.
Swamp Thing Reading Recommendations
If you’re looking to take the dive into my favorite muck encrusted mockery of man, I’d recommend the original 10 issues by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. Wrightson is a true master and many recurring characters and ideas have their foundations laid here. Alan Moore’s run consisting of issues 19-64 are some of the best comic books reading experiences I’ve ever had. Nancy Collins’ run was recently collected in omnibus and was never been in a collected volume. She’s got a great take on Southern Gothic literature and a return to the roots of Swamp Thing to great effect. If you’re looking to turn things to 11, Scott Snyder’s run for the new 52 shakes up the status quo and really shows off Anton Arcane, the perennial villain, to great effect. -@InnsmouthTide
Check out the full Fandom Files Reading List!
Check our our past reading lists: The Quarantine Reading List and The Extra Eisners Reading List!