Graphic Novel BookClub 2016:

I didn't go into this one expecting much, honestly. I love some of Snyder, but not everything, and I've heard way too much about the everything that has gone badly all over the place in 52. This one wasn't one I chose for the group, but I am glad I had the chance to read it. I found it a good beginning chapter, though if I'd been reading it month-by-month, issue-by-issue, I admit I would have found it slower.

I am curious about what happens in the next GN/Chapter, which is just about the one best thing I can say (or end up not saying) about the books we try in this group. 1 ( )

Didn't like the "But I don't want superpowers" back and forth between Alec and The Green but the story was interesting and William is just freaky (in cool, horror sort of way). I'll read more if hubby happens to bring more home or if I find back issues on sale but Swamp Thing isn't a must continue for me. ( )

This is my first swamp thing outside of random appearances in crossover events and I have to say the setup for the story is pretty damn epic. Life versus rot. The fundamental forces, with avatars. In love. I mean, how sweet is that?

Romeo and Juliette can suck it.

This is the kind of romance I can dig!

Oh, fantastically gruesome art, too. Blown away. ( )

Swamp thing is often seen as a subpar title, but I have found that there is a hidden gem in vol 1 of the new 52. I seriously am hooked and can't believe I wasn't reading this series at the beginning of the relaunch. I never thought I could feel anything for Swamp Thing but I found myself hooked pretty early on in this trade. I had an emotional involvement in the character and his choices along with what was happening to his world. 5/5 stars Highly recommend you pick it up and try reading it! It's definitely nothing like what I expected. ( )

Alec Holland struggles to accept his destiny as the avatar of the Green and in doing so Parliament of tress burns. He, finally, becomes what he despised, Swamp Thing, and is able to fight off the Rot.

I remember this being so much better. Snyder uses the made up flash back sequence a lot where a character recalls something from their past and how it was always in their destiny to be who they currently are. It’s tiredsome. It’s also overly wordy and I multiple times I had trouble following the flow of the comic due to its experimental layouts. I have no feel for any of the characters except a few traits and I still do not care for them. The thing I do appreciate though is the world building but I felt that Lemire executed it a lot better making each region (Rot, Red, green) possible enemies or villains of everything else. Snyder makes it seem where the Red is irrelevant and the fight is mostly between the green and the Rot.

Best:
-the coloring is clean and I like the art in some areas
-the horrifying designs are great
-the avatar of the green being defeated

Bad:
-layouts
-overly wordy
-lack of characterization
-too long to get things going ( )