Holland Runs From His Legacy

Swamp Thing #1 Review

Okay, I get it now. Scott Snyder isn't a real person. He's some super intelligent, sentient computer where you put in a concept, a few variables and out pops a brilliant story. This is the only explanation that I can muster to wrap my head around his recent, flawless track record. And if that wasn't clear enough for you, I'll state it bluntly: Swamp Thing #1 is fantastic.

I'll be honest with you, my history with Swamp Thing doesn't run as deep as I wish it did. I've read bits and pieces of Alan Moore's seminal run, but that's about it. I know of the character, his origin and some of the trials and tribulations he's been through. Roll credits. That's why I was really excited to crack into Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette's Swamp Thing #1. I wanted to see if it truly felt like an entry point for new readers. Cheerfully, I can report it does.

If you consider yourself a fan of Scott Snyder's writing, then you're probably aware of how he loves to frame his stories through metaphor-heavy narration to give added context to situations. Snyder uses the same approach right from the get-go with Swamp Thing #1, penning a beautiful monologue from the point of view of Alec Holland as he remembers back on his younger days helping out at his father's flower shop. This fantastic monologue is then juxtaposed with haunting images of creatures such as birds, bats and fish dropping dead. It's a fantastic way to start this series that sets a dark tone that never quite dissipates. But then again, this is a Scott Snyder comic, did you expect sunshine and rainbows?

Swamp Thing #1 also presents an intriguing mystery to grab the attention of readers. Alec Holland having the ability to remember the memories of Swamp Thing is a nice spin that should provide plenty of twists and turns for this series down the road. Snyder peppers in just enough in this first issue to have us eating out of his hand.

As much as I loved the story of Swamp Thing #1, I think the real star here is the artwork of Yanick Paquette. I mean, holy crap. Paquette proved himself a great artist with his work on Batman, Inc., but he's taken it to a new level with Swamp Thing. He was born to drawn animals dying and plants uprising. And I mean that in the best, most flattering way possible. Paquette also goes above and beyond with page layouts here in Swamp Thing #1. Nearly every page in this book is worthy of being turned into a poster. For my dollar, Paquette has drawn the most visually pleasing book of the New 52 thus far.

So, Swamp Thing #1 is a book full of win. Just buy it, you won't regret it one bit. Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette have delivered a fantastically written, beautifully drawn opening chapter to usher in Swamp Thing's return to the brave, new DCU. Who's pumped to see where this goes from here? This guy.