Rating: 4/5 – It’s back to the Bayou for Alec Holland.
by guest reviewer Kevyn Knox.
Len Wein. Alan Moore. Mark Millar. Brian K. Vaughn. Scott Snyder. These are some rather big writing shoes for relatively new Swamp Thing writer Charles Soule to have to fill. Now granted, it’s probably going to be rather difficult to surpass some of these iconic writers (and practically impossible to do so in Moore’s case – c’mon), but if his work on the title so far is any indication, then things are definitely looking up, not just for Soule, but for his big green vegetative avatar as well.
Picking up after the intense and quite spectacular battle for the Green, the destruction of the Parliament of Trees, and Holland becoming the sole Avatar of the Green, Swamp Thing finds himself back in the Bayou with this new, stand-alone, fresh start issue. After the dark of the previous story arc, this issue even lets Swamp Thing have a little fun. Well, sort of. He does get to attend Mardi Gras after all. We also get a fun battle between Holland’s born again Avatar and Capucine in the Salt Flats. You’ll love how Swamp Thing gets around there not being any plant life there.
We also (finally) get a true back story on the mysterious Capucine, and the appearance of a long time DC favorite is more than hinted at. Ooh, can we say foreshadowing? It’s going to be back to business for Swamp Thing next month, as a fresh new story arc begins, but here we get loose ends being tied up and future battles being hinted at. And a good issue it is. The writing, of course, is superb, as Soule has been since he came on board the title. The art, by Javier Pina (last seen doing the artistic duties on Swamp Thing Annual #2) blends together nicely a classic, old school style with a fresh modern twist.
Soule definitely has his plate full with his writing duties. As one of the busiest guys in the bullpen, Soule is the current writer for not only Swamp Thing, but also DC titles Red Lanterns and Superman/Wonder Woman, as well as Marvel titles Thunderbolts and the upcoming She-Hulk, and also Letter 44 over at Oni Press. It’s a wonder he can keep up with it all, let alone make it all work. So far, he is making them all work – and that includes Swamp Thing #28. There’s a reason this title has been awarded so many accolades. Perhaps this isn’t the best issue we’ve seen, but it sure is fun.
Swamp Thing #28 helps wrap up all those loose bits floating around at the end of the Battle for the Green and gives Alec Holland some so-called breathing room in a fun stand-alone issue. The issue also works as a stepping stone to the next arc, as well as hinting around at certain things that will inevitably and ultimately become a veritable thorn in the new Avatar’s green, moss-covered side. I know that I, for one, am excited to see what Soule does with this iconic character in the future.
Reviewed by: Kevyn Knox
(kevynknox@gmail.com) www.allthingskevyn.com
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