sonofatreus's review against another edition
4.0
There's one issue in this volume that stands out tonally but otherwise a good book. Arcane is super creepy and the volume, as a whole, fleshes out Swamp Thing's story and background well. Great art, good story.
throatsprockets's review against another edition
4.0
Rereading this for the first time in about twenty years, it’s interesting how heavily it cribs from Moore’s own Marvelman story from shortly beforehand. The whole Arcane storyline is particularly indebted to the end of the Kid Marvelman story, though obviously it’s toned down from that.
thefool0's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
Much better than the first book - filled in some gaps in the story.
However, the POG story was a piece of trash. It would have been fine in another universe, but what the fudge was it doing in Swamp Thing? Blech.
Also, the last story was weird. Listening to someone's nature-fueled acid trip is kind of like listening to someone's disjointed dream. Not terribly interesting, although the art was beautiful. It would have been better without the text.
However, the POG story was a piece of trash. It would have been fine in another universe, but what the fudge was it doing in Swamp Thing? Blech.
Also, the last story was weird. Listening to someone's nature-fueled acid trip is kind of like listening to someone's disjointed dream. Not terribly interesting, although the art was beautiful. It would have been better without the text.
kandicez's review against another edition
5.0
The first volume was Moore setting up his character as a "Moore" character. Layered, powerful, emotional and above all real. It matters not a wit that Alec has become swamp slime, flora and fauna. In Moore's hands he is a human being with real emotions and drives. I loved this!
There was wide variety in the type of tale told here. I have no idea how much input Moore had as to which illustrator/inker did which issues, but whoever made those decisions made the correct ones! The story arc that imitated Pogo was sweet and fun to read, but still managed to convey the darkness of the swamp, the bleakness of what we are doing to our world. Every day.
The stories with cameos from other comics were also fun. I haven't read all of them, but those that I was familiar with were done correctly. I recognized not only their figures, colors, outfits, but their personalities and quirks. Kudos to not only Moore but the illustrators. So much of comics is told in the panels, NOT the balloons that people who don't really study the art work are missing a lot.
I've already dived into volume 3.
There was wide variety in the type of tale told here. I have no idea how much input Moore had as to which illustrator/inker did which issues, but whoever made those decisions made the correct ones! The story arc that imitated Pogo was sweet and fun to read, but still managed to convey the darkness of the swamp, the bleakness of what we are doing to our world. Every day.
The stories with cameos from other comics were also fun. I haven't read all of them, but those that I was familiar with were done correctly. I recognized not only their figures, colors, outfits, but their personalities and quirks. Kudos to not only Moore but the illustrators. So much of comics is told in the panels, NOT the balloons that people who don't really study the art work are missing a lot.
I've already dived into volume 3.
6pminhell's review against another edition
4.0
Further developing the ideas that made the first volume great, Alan Moore takes volume 2 to even darker places as well as unexpectedly light ones. Just skip the weird pog crossover issue.
cesspool_princess's review against another edition
4.0
Alright, all that I said about the first volume still applies here but there were some one shot chapters that I felt weren't as up to par like the alien one. Anton Arcane also was built up so much and I think we got some rly interesting stuff about death/ decay's relationship with life and flourishing. Even so, AA isn't my favorite idk why. The trip through Hell w Etrigan was sick though. Also loved the psychedelic "sex scene" just v v visually stunning. Speaking of visuals anytime we get spreads of the natural world, plants and insects its just so striking ugh. There were however certain chapters where I felt the illustration quality randomly dropped. This was also the only one that I read the scan of instead of the physical which I'm sure also rly affected things. Anyway I liked this one a lot but ultimately I think its my least favorite. Even though the stakes are raised here I just think there is a lot that will be done much much better later on.
robbiesbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
janedoelish's review against another edition
5.0
This is the volume where Alan Moore's genius truly starts to shine, delivering a psychedelic extravaganza that might easily alienate mainstream comic fans.