New 52 Review – “Swamp Thing #1”

Another former Vertigo star is being relaunched this week. This is the last of the week one reviews. Join us for week two tomorrow night!

General Information

Title: Swamp Thing #1

Author: Scott Snyder

Illustrator(s): Yanick Paquette (art) and Nathan Fairbairn (colours)

Cover Date: November 2011

Cover Price: $2.99

Buy the digital edition.

Premise

Alec Holland is back from the dead, and is having a hard time adjusting to his new status quo.

High Point

There’s a definite shared universe feel here, but not one that in any way obscures the enjoyment of this title in isolation.

Low Point

Um… isn’t this title supposed to be about the Swamp Thing?

The Scores

This is one of those rare titles about the superhuman who desperately wants to be normal. It feels original in that regard, particularly with this character’s history. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork has been honed for the main character, and the backgrounds look great, but the main cameo is inconsistent. I give it 4 out of 6.

The story is well told, but it takes a while to really get started. If you don’t read the last four pages, you really have no compelling reason to believe this character’s story isn’t over yet. I give it 4 out of 6.

The characterization of Alec Holland is well done. This is a guy trying to live with a tortured past that’s not even his, and that comes through clearly. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response builds nicely. I’m interested in the unusual psychology here more so than the mystery he’ll need to solve. I give it 4 out of 6.

The flow is smooth, which is pretty much a given in a story with this much conversation. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, this is an interesting option. It’s not the kind of book I’m looking to pick up at the moment, but I can see why others might love it. I give it 4 out of 6.

In total, Swamp Thing #1 receives 32 out of 42.

The New 52

Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:

  1. Action Comics
  2. All-Star Western
  3. Animal Man
  4. Aquaman
  5. Batgirl
  6. Batman
  7. Batman and Robin
  8. Batman: The Dark Knight
  9. Batwing
  10. Batwoman
  11. Birds of Prey
  12. Blackhawks
  13. Blue Beetle
  14. Captain Atom
  15. Catwoman
  16. DC Universe Presents
  17. Deathstroke
  18. Demon Knights
  19. Detective Comics
  20. The Flash
  21. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
  22. The Fury of Firestorm
  23. Green Arrow
  24. Green Lantern
  25. Green Lantern Corps
  26. Green Lantern: New Guardians
  27. Grifter
  28. Hawk and Dove
  29. I, Vampire
  30. Justice League
  31. Justice League Dark
  32. Justice League International
  33. Legion Lost
  34. Legion of Super-Heroes
  35. Men of War
  36. Mister Terrific
  37. Nightwing
  38. O.M.A.C.
  39. Red Hood and the Outlaws
  40. Red Lanterns
  41. Resurrection Man
  42. The Savage Hawkman
  43. Static Shock
  44. Stormwatch
  45. Suicide Squad
  46. Superboy
  47. Supergirl
  48. Superman
  49. Swamp Thing
  50. Teen Titans
  51. Voodoo
  52. Wonder Woman

2 replies on “New 52 Review – “Swamp Thing #1””

  1. I know you’re doing a lot of these reviews and don’t necessarily have the time to give each one an in-depth treatment, but this review tells me very little about the title.

    • That’s partly because I still don’t know what the title will be like in the long term. The first 15 pages or so are a conversation between Alec Holland and Superman, with Alec trying to cope with coming back to life. Then he has a nightmare, and it ends with a splash page that feels like it comes right before the page that makes the title’s direction clear.

Comments are closed.