Swamp Thing

Talking about Professional comics for a moment, instead of web comics, I have just started reading the 2nd Swamp Thing series, known as The Saga Of The Swamp Thing. This is the one that was written (mostly) by Alan Moore, who is most famous for The Watchmen. Moore didn't take over Swamp Thing until issue #20, and Swamp Thing didn't really become famous until Moore took it over... and it's easy to see why.

I wasn't a big fan of Watchmen (Except for Rorschach) but this thing in incredible. I would put it right up there with Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

It's hard to believe that a comic about a walking heap of swamp mess could be as thought provoking, touching, or suspenseful as this comic is. Let me set you straight. This comic was not intended for children. It has a little warning right on the cover stating "Suggested For Mature Readers". (Or at least most of them did) But it's not just because the content sometimes involved sex and nudity. I really can't see many kids WANTING to read this. The story would be too boring to their young minds, unable to comprehend the complexity of what's going on.

This comic was published under the DC name brand and was later moved to DC's Vertigo name brand after it was established. But this was clearly a Vertigo title all along. Characters that old school DC fans will be familiar with appear in it here and there. Swamp Thing, Deadman, The Phantom Stranger, and Etrigan seem to make a favored team... But characters fans of Neil Gaiman's Sandman will recognize show up as well.

I will give a slight word of warning to anyone who may be interested in this comic though. As much as I love it, it can get a little weird at times. Weird as in Alan Moore must have been dropping acid when he wrote it then decided to share with the artists... But only at times. Although I would recommend skipping #78, unless you WANT to see one of the most bizarre and awkward sexual moments in comic book history. The kind that makes you go, "Why did I read that...?"

And after peaking your interest like that you will probably shoot me if I end it there and leave you wondering, won't you? Long and short of it... Swamp Thing's girlfriend gets him pregnant and he gives birth to himself. No really...