Daily Archives: 22 December 2011

Moore brings Swamp Thing fully into the regular DC Universe here, sporting not just Gotham’s finest but also a Lex Luthor cameo. It’s wordless and only one panel, but Veitch and Alcala’s Lex is definitive for the comics. He’s bald and clearly disturbed. Sadly, their Batman panel (closing the issue) isn’t good. Odd jaw on him.

This issue expands Swampy’s powers too; maybe Moore knew they’d look more impressive in a city than in the swamp or on the plains of the afterlife. It’s imaginative and stunning.

Not the mention there’s the great scene with Swamp Thing reuniting with Abby. Moore’s able to include action, but also their quiet character moments, but also the turmoil Abby’s been through.

But what I can’t figure out is why DC didn’t get Moore to write Batman comics. He clearly gets it (his Gordon and Bullock are great).

It’s a really smart popcorn comic.

From the first page, it’s clear Veitch and Alcala’s take on Swamp Thing is going to be a little different. Veitch is far less lyrical about Swampy’s appearance. He now looks like a mix of Wrightson and Bissette.

This issue kicks off the “Abby in Gotham” arc and Moore moves really fast through her side of the story. While he did previously establish Swamp Thing and Abby do not tend to see each other during the week… it doesn’t seem feasible here. Abby’s going through the American legal system at a rapid pace and Swamp Thing’s battle for Heaven didn’t seem particularly lengthy. It’s as though Moore got confused between the monthly publishing pace of the series and the comics’ present actions.

Nitpicking aside, it’s good. It’s like Moore wanted to give the readers a more traditional story, maybe a “thank you” for sticking with him through the headier material.