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FutureFlash

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Journal Entries posted by FutureFlash

  1. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #8

    By FutureFlash,

    Okay back to the Swamp Thing read- a-thon!
     
    Swamp Thing #8
    Cover Impressions:
    Swampy and Liz are on a walk, in the background is skull shaped mountain...creepy.

     
     
    Swamp Thing #8 (December, 1982)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: Here's Looking At You, Kid
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yeates
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Same creative team as the previous issues.
    Issue Recap:
    This issues picks up after the sinking of the Haven. Swampy, Liz and Dennis all find that they are on an island that is recreating old movies such as King Kong, Casablanca, Citizen Kane and such. However the trio find that none of it is real, but the creation of six Vietnam vets who are later forced to reveal themselves. The six were the only survivors of the USS New Hampshire which sunk in the Caribbean.  All of them were exposed to a chemical in Vietnam called "Agent Blue" (I wonder if Sunderland was involved?) which gave them an ability to reshape matter as they desired.  Liz and their leader Cheeto then get into an argument about Vietnam which causes Cheeto to pull a gun and attempt to shoot Liz. However Swamp Thing pushes Cheeto, causing the the bullet to hit Reef one of the other survivors. With Cheeto loosing control of his powers the "island" begins to turn back into the New Hampshire causing it to sink. Reef quickly creates a helicopter which allows him to escape along with Liz, Dennis and Swamp Thing.
    Also we learn during the issue's interlude that Dr. Kay and Milton have tracked down Kathy and Feldner at an airport attempting to book a flight to Germany. Fledner attempts to warn Kay but is incinerated by Kathy.
    Remarks:
    Overall it was a decent story with Swamp Thing fighting the environment rather than a villain. It was a bit strange at the end how Reef made a helicopter for an escape, but they did not rescue Cheeto and the others, who are seen drowning at the end. Perhaps that reason will be reveled next issue.
    Pros:
    Interesting plot, but maybe it could have been tied into Sunderland a bit more. I can see them making Agent Blue after the whole mutated space herpes creature from the previous two issues.
    Cons:
    Strange choice just to let the vets just die and not rescue them. Kind of reminds me of issue 3 when Swampy just leaves the boy after the town is destroyed.
    Not much movement of the overall plot of the series with Kathy, Dr. Kay and Sunderland Corp.
    Grade: C+
  2. FutureFlash

    DC Presents #85

    By FutureFlash,

    Stumbled upon an issue I have been looking for...oddly no other Swamp Thing comics with it. Unfortunately it has a couple of small flaws to keep it out of the 9.6/9.8 range so won't be able to add it to my Moore Swamp Thing CGC run.
     

  3. FutureFlash
    Even though I have been focusing on collecting Moore's run, I did find a few Wein/Wrightson issues at a local Half-Price Books. No number 1 or 2 unfortunately, but I did pick up #9. What a great cover. I'm kind of kicking myself for not picking up the other issues now.

  4. FutureFlash

    Winter Reading List

    By FutureFlash,

    Wow I've really been slacking on my Swamp Thing journey. The good news is I'm still reading ol' Swampy, just started the Moore run this week and let me just say it has been fabulous. Not that I had any doubt in Moore to deliver.  I'll be back over the next couple of days to give a round up of the issues I've read. Meanwhile a pic of my stack of stuff to read over the next couple of months.

  5. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #7

    By FutureFlash,

    Swamp Thing #7
    Cover Impressions:
    Ahoy mates! We got a pirate cover...well a one eyed mutant pirate cosplay cover. As an added bonus, Liz is cosplaying Princess Leia as Jabba's slave or maybe one of Conan's babes...by Crom indeed. You really can't go wrong with either.
     

     
    Swamp Thing #7 (November, 1982)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: I Have Seen The Splintered Timbers Of A Hundred Shattered Hulls (This may be the longest title ever for a comic book)
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yeates
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Same creative team as the previous issues.
    Issue Recap:
    This issue continues the panic on the ship from the last issue as people are being turned into one eyed mutants. Dennis (still dressed as a donkey) and Liz (still dressed as Leia) make for a quick escape only to run into Dr. Kay, who suddenly decides to help them escape. He tells Dennis to pistol whip him to make it look convincing to his Sunderland bosses. Dennis gladly pistol whips Kay to the deck. Later Kay is seen fleeing in a boat with General Sunderland telling him that Liz is dead and the matter is over. Meanwhile Swampy finds the tentacle monster in the hold of the ship. The creature (which is very Cthulhu-esque) explains it is from the stars and it is sinking ships in the area for raw materials to rebuild its space ship. [Sea worthy ships apparently make good space ships.] It also tells Swampy that it was mutated by the Sunderland corporation dumping herpes  virus(yes herpes) into the water near its lair. After the villain telepathic monologue, it attempts to turn Swampy into one of its mutants. Swamp Thing escapes after some of his blood hurts the creature and makes it in recoil in pain. Afterwards Swamp Thing, Liz and Dennis meet up in the ships infirmary to plan how to defeat the creature. Dennis determines that what ever is slowly killing Swamp Thing also hurts the herpes mutated space creature. They then fashion a crude biological bomb, which Swamp Thing takes into the water with him to blow the creature up. Of course Swampy knew right where to go because of the mental connection they shared as the creature revealed its plan. After the bomb goes off, part of the space ship debris underwater strikes the Haven causing it to sink. We last see Swamp Thing washed up on an island with a dinosaur in the back ground. 
    Also in the issue Dr. Kay and the now suspicious Gen. Sunderland return to land. Kay calls his agent Milton and learns that Kathy's transformation has began and he knows where to find her. [oh-oh]
    Remarks:
    Well the herpes mutated Cthulhu-esque creature was basically a two issue villain of the week, it really didn't add to much to the story. Also a bit of plot hole, why did Kay bother to kidnap Liz and bring her to the Haven  (where Sunderland is waiting) only to help her and Dennis escape? Maybe I missed something? The cheesiest part of this issue is Swamp Thing knowing exactly where to find the creature to set the bomb off. But I guess they did mind meld a bit during the villain monologue. That easy solution would not make it in today's comics. Still an entertaining read overall.
    Pros:
    The mystery around Kay continues. Other than Swamp Thing he his my favorite character...is a good guy or his he bad guy. Not quite sure at this point.
    Cthulhu! Okay it was actually a herpes mutated space creature.
    Cons:
    Rather simplistic way to defeat what seems to be a rather powerful enemy who basically just a villain of the week. 
    Grade: C+
  6. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #6

    By FutureFlash,

    Back to the reviews after a busy weekend.
    Swamp Thing #6
    Cover Impressions:
    Swamp Thing fighting/entangled by tentacle creature on a ship. Swampy looks a bit concerned.
     

     
    Swamp Thing #6 (October, 1982)
    Cover Price: $.60 (All the issues up to this point have been .60 cents)
    Title: Sins on the Water
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yeates
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Same creative team as the previous issues.
    Issue Recap:
    This issues opens with a bit of recapping of the previous issues. Also of importance we find out the little girl's name is actually Kathy not Casey. In addition to finding out Kathy's real name, Dr. Barclay receives a medallion given  to him by her dying mother...who begs that they kill Kathy. A lot of people sure want Kathy/Casey dead. Afterwards Dr. Kay captures Liz via a lasso from a helicopter (yeah that happened) with the assistance of his henchman Milton.  Dr. Kay delivers Liz to the ship named Haven where all of the Sunderland executives are having a meeting at Dr. Kay's request. Soon Barclay and Swampy trail Liz to the Haven and smuggle themselves on board. Once on board and the ship is away, they split up to look for Liz. Swamp Thing in the lower decks runs afoul with the tentacle creature from cover. Meanwhile Barclay disguised as a donkey at the costume party aboard the ship finds Liz. However just as they are about to escape, they find the most people on board have been turned into one eyed creatures (assuming by the tentacle creature below decks) and are surrounded. 
    Remarks:
    Good issue over all. Just a minor quibble is the tentacle creature that just happens to stowaway before the ship leaves the dock. I'm not really clear on why it is there, perhaps the next issue will make it more clear. Or maybe it is just a monster of the week? Also of note Barclay discusses with Swamp Thing what could be killing him. The whole mysterious disease killing Swamp Thing sub plot finally gets a bit of traction.  
    Pros:
    More details about Kathy/Casey
    Dr. Kay seems to have his own agenda...what is with this guy?
    Cons:
    Random Tentacle Monster! Though is having a creepy tentacle monster that turns people into one eyed slaves in your story really a drawback?
    Grade: C+
  7. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #5

    By FutureFlash,

    Quarter of the way to the Moore run.
    Swamp Thing #5
    Cover Impressions:
    Swamp Thing, Liz and guy in a blue suit running and fighting a pack of pinkish looking humanoids. A creepy looking house in the background. Another solid cover.

     
     
    Swamp Thing #5 (September, 1982)
    Title: The Screams of Hungry Flesh
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yeates
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Same creative team as the previous issues.
    Plot:
    Issue 5, opens with Swamp Thing being transported to a Sunderland medical clinic at the request of Liz from the previous issue. Swamp Thing after a brief attempt to escape is subdued by the clinic guards. Meanwhile Liz is leaving Pineboro and discovers that her assistant producer Paul has already left without telling anybody of where he is going. Back at the clinic Swamp Thing awakens to find that his wounds have been healed by Dr. Barclay who says that he is a psychic healer. (However he still slowly dying since issue #1 due to some unknown cause.) Swamp Thing later escapes and finds the true source of his miraculous recovery, the Sunderland Corp is using empaths to draw the wounds into themselves.  As he fights his way out of the clinic, Swamp Thing finds both Dr. Barclay and Liz and they make a quick getaway. The issue ends with the empaths over running the facility and Dr. Kay escaping by using the guards to cover his escape. 
    Remarks:
    Another quick moving issue and a lot of revelations about the overall plot. First we find that Dr Kay is not dead from issue 2, he used the same method of using the Sunderland empaths to heal his burns. Dennis (Dr. Barclay) and Liz both find out that their employer Sunderland Corp is not exactly an ethical company and may have many sinister plots in motion.
    Pros:
    Revelations about the overall plot.
    Liz and Dennis are joining Team Swamp Thing.
    Cons:
    Issue felt a bit choppy in regards to pacing.
    Grade: C+
  8. FutureFlash

    Swamp Rising

    By FutureFlash,

    Hey all, I've enjoyed many fellow boardie's journals and I thought I would share my experience reading Swamp Thing (1982) for the first time. I plan to start at #1 and read up to at least #87. Basically the Pasko, Moore and Veitch runs. I've heard nothing but praise (obviously) for Moore's Swamp Thing, but I figured I would start with Pasko, because it is the beginning of the series.  Oddly I have found very little reviews of the Pasko issues, so not sure how it will be.  I could have started with House of Secrets #92 and the first Swamp Thing volume by Wein and Wrightson, however I own none of those issues at this time. Though I think there is a trade available, so perhaps a detour down the road a bit.
    A bit of background on me as a comic collector. I started seriously collecting comics in1985 with Transformers #1, from there I started to collect GI Joe. It didn't take to long and I was collecting a lot of superhero comics mostly of the Marvel variety. I did dabble here and there with DC Comics, mostly Batman and Justice League. Of course by that time Moore was already working on his landmark run on Swamp Thing, but to my 12 year-old self, It was a bit   and ignored it. Oddly I did read Watchmen as it was being released, I found it fascinating, literally the best series I had ever read and still is today. But I still never bothered reading his Swamp Thing. As the 90s started, I found myself getting more into DC comics with Death of Superman, Emerald Twilight, Terminal Velocity and Knightfall. I continued collecting comics (mostly DC) up until the end 1999. At that point I was out and was focused on other things.
    I returned to comic collecting in 2014  after being lured back into the hobby by the various superhero movies and of course The Walking Dead. Today I've been reading new stuff and old classic runs that I missed all those years ago. Lately I've been reading Superman from 1999-up to the new 52 (including Flash, JSA, JLA, LoSH and few others). I've also been reading the Sliver Age LoSH archive editions, Savage Sword of Conan, Byrne's Superman, Ostrander's Suicide Squad, DC War comics, Stormwatch/Authority/Planetary, Hellblazer and a bunch of Marvel stuff though Marvel Unlimited.
    As for why I want to start reading Swamp Thing, not really sure just a combination of things. I have just recently finished up Moore's Providence and had been deciding on reading another one of his other works that I missed like From Hell. But then a few weeks ago I read Batman #23 "The Brave and the Mold" by King. 

    That I got me to thinking hey maybe I should read Moore's Swamp Thing...which of course were John Constantine gets his start.  So on to the reading of Swamp Thing! Hope you all enjoy a Swamp Thing newbie's thoughts on the series.
  9. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #2

    By FutureFlash,

    Issue #2
    Cover Impressions:
    Ugh...my eyes are burning. Seriously this has to be one of the worst comic book covers of all time.

     
    Swamp Thing #2 (June, 1982)
    Title: Something to Live For
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yeates
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Same crew as last issue.
    Plot:
    This issue continues from the last issue with Swamp Thing fighting the town mob protecting Casey. Meanwhile Doctor Kay and Mr.G plot to get Swamp Thing by kidnapping Casey, which Kay is able to do while Swampy is busy fighting the mob. Afterwards Swamp Thing is captured by Kay spraying a defoliant from a crop dusting airplane. Swamp Thing wakes up a prisoner of Mr G who identifies himself as Grasp (he says that is not his real name of course!) who wants the Biorestorative formula.  Grasp threatens to run Swampy through a saw blade if he does not give up the formula. Swamp Thing escapes the saw and knocks out Grasp then quickly leaves to rescue Casey, who in the meantime has managed to disable the German Dr. Kay. As the pair flees into a cave system, they are pursed by Grasp wielding a laser gun, who then falls to his presumable death. Swamp Thing and Casey hitch a ride on a train and head west.
    Remarks:
    Another solid issue (minus the cover). We find out that Kay and Grasp are the villains, they want to use the Biorestorative formula to enrich the Sunderland Corporation and will employ any means necessary to get it. More horror elements in this issue such as threatening to kill Casey (again), almost cutting Swamp Thing in half with a saw,  Grasp having robotic hands under his gloves, and Doctor Kay burning up in an inferno only to walk out at the end of the issue with his skin melting off. So Kay isn't dead does that mean Grasp survived the fall? After all he does have some robotic parts, maybe he is cyborg?
    Grade: B-
  10. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #9

    By FutureFlash,

    Swamp Thing #9
    Cover Impressions:
    Looks like Dr. Kay is going to cap Swampy. Kathy is a pillar of flame and Feldner looks like a mummy after getting set on fire by Kathy in the previous issue.
     

     
    Swamp Thing #9 (January, 1983)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: Prelude to Holocaust
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Jan Duursema/Tom Mandrake (Cover: Yates)
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    First artist tag out of the series. Yates still provides the cover.
    Issue Recap:
    This issue picks up with Dennis, Liz, Swamp Thing and Reef flying the mentally created helicopter back to the US. However the wounded Reef dies and causing the helicopter to crash. Meanwhile Dr. Kay and Milton discuss Kathy's maturation into a woman and her growing power after burning Feldner to a crisp. In the background Grasp is spying on them and reports back to Gen. Sunderland who tasks him with killing both Kay and Swamp Thing. Kay then takes Feldner to a Sunderland facility to restore his health.
    Later Liz, Dennis and Swamp Thing return to the Dennis's clinic to search for Feldner. However they find it abandoned but they do find some secret files that reveal the Dr Kay is really and ex-Nazi named Helmut Kripptimann. Soon afterwards Dr. Kay and Milton show up to capture them. Milton begins to use his psychic powers to cause Swampy to mutate and entangle both Liz and Dennis. The issue ends with Dr. Kay offering to team up, to which Dennis replies "go to hell."
    Remarks:
    This issue gets back on track with the Kathy/Dr. Kay/Sunderland plot. These early issues have been at there best when following that story-line. Though I'm not to sure I like Dr. Kay much anymore since he is an ex-Nazi. Perhaps next issue will explain things a bit more.
    Pros:
    Back to the main plot of the book.
    Cons:
    A lot of jumping around locations which was a bit confusing. Grade: B
  11. FutureFlash
    Been a while, just been crazy busy at work and Summer activities. When you live in Minnesota you have to take advantage of time outdoors in the Summer. The good news is, I have finished up the rest of the Pasko run and ready to start Moore, can't wait. But first I am going to finish up the rest of the reviews of Pasko's run. 
    Also picked up my own Swamp Thing!

    Now on to the review of issues #14 and #15. Both issues are written by Dan Mishkin and the Art by Bo and Scott Hampton.
    Cover Impressions:
    Yates covers.

     
    Swamp Thing #14 and #15 (June and July, 1983)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: Crystal Visions and Shattered Dreams/Empires Made Out of Sands
    Credits:
    Writer-Dan Mishkin
    Art-Bo and Scott Hampton (Cover: Yates)
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Also of note: The Phantom Stranger backups have been dropped as of issue #14. But the Phantom Stranger appears in both issues.
    Issue Recap:
    Issue 14 starts out with Swamp Thing finishing his rejuvenation in the  swamp where he was turned into Swamp Thing. Now being completely healed, he decides that he wants to be left alone for a bit before rejoining Liz, Dennis and Dr. Kay. Meanwhile a scientist named Nat Broder and his wife Sally are experimenting with computer chips (where Nat has made his fortune), however the experiment goes wrong and Nat is killed during the experiment. The company then decides to cover it up and dumps Nat's body out in the swamp. However Nat is not dead and has transformed into a crystal type of creature, anything he touches also turn in crystal. Soon Swamp Thing encounters Nat and the two battle ending with Swamp Thing defeated and turned into crystal. 
    Issue 15 continues on from issue 14. Swamp Thing now back Broder Electronics is able to free himself. Once again Swampy and Nat battle but Swamp Thing is unable to defeat him. However Sally (with guidance from the Phantom Stranger) knows how to defeat Nat and plays an organ at the right frequency shattering him.  The issue ends with Swamp Thing saying his good-byes to Sally and moving on to and the Phantom Stranger reminiscing over the events over the last two issues.
    Remarks:
    Over all the two issues were okay. To me they were just two average fill in issues with guest creators. I'm not sure any of it will have any significance down the road.  
    Grade: C
  12. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #13

    By FutureFlash,

    Sorry for the delay.
    Swamp Thing #13
    Cover Impressions:
    Another good Yeats cover. Swamp Thing is hailing Hydra? Is Swamp Thing also a secret member of Hydra?

     
    Swamp Thing #13 (May, 1983)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: Lambs to The Slaughter
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yates (Cover: Yates)
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Issue Recap:
    Swamp Thing and company have been teleported to Berchtesgaden, West Germany (or just Germany nowadays). Berchtesgaden has been turned into a vast castle to serve as Kathy's lair as she completes her transformation into the herald of the beast. The first part of the issue focuses on recapping each casts members history and fears (all influenced by Kathy). Swamp Thing and Dennis find Kathy and learn her plans to summon the beast and to use Grasp as the prophet to gather a large army and send the world into armageddon. She then tells them that the golem will soon find Liz (for she now wears the locket) and will kill her. Swamp Thing and Dennis rush off to save Liz from the golem. During the battle Swampy grabs the locket and blasts golem into dust. He realizes that he know has some Kathy's telekinesis powers now that he has her locket. 
    Meanwhile Grasp is about to kill Dr. Kay on the parapets of the castle. Soon afterward they are joined by Kathy and Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing (now with telekinesis) and Kathy (who is now a fly headed demon) begin to battle. Grasp (now turning into a demon) gloats to Dr. Kay as he is about kick Kay from the wall. Swampy thinking quickly uses his telekinesis to freeze Grasp and Kay then seizes the opportunity to throw Grasp off the wall killing him. Swamp Thing then blasts Kathy with telekinesis apparently killing her.
    It is finally over and the world is safe from the rampaging forces of satan. The issue ends with Dennis curing Swamp Thing of his illness (also rejuvenating back in Louisiana) and Sunderland Corp., redoubling their efforts to kill Swamp Thing.
    Remarks:
    Overall another solid issue and a great ending to a year long plot. Though I think the Swamp Thing dying from a mysterious disease sub-plot was not really necessary, most issues it wasn't even mentioned and never really felt that Swampy was in any danger. Maybe Pasko was originally going to make the illness a bigger plot of the book? 
    Grade: B
  13. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #12

    By FutureFlash,

    Swamp Thing #12
    Cover Impressions:
    Looks like Swampy is ready to toss Liz off the bridge.

    Swamp Thing #12 (April, 1983)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: And Yet It Lives
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yates (Cover: Yates)
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Issue Recap:
    This is issue picks up right after the end of last issue with Swamp Thing and the Golem battling. Swampy turns the Golem "off" by erasing one of the Herbrew letters word for 'life' by turning it into the Herbrew word for "dead". Afterwards realizing the Golem attacked Swampy due to Kathy's amulet, Dr Kay puts it on the Golem and reanimates it to track Kathy. Shortly thereafter the Golem finds Kathy and the battle begins. The battle is fierce but in the end Swamp Thing kills Kathy. However also dead are Milton and Dr. Kay's other operatives.
    Back at the hotel, Dennis and Liz are researching Swamp Thing's disease when Grasp shows up holding them at gun point. However it is a ruse and Grasp allows Dennis to strike him which he figures the two will then flee to Swamp Thing. And Grasp is correct, that is exactly what Liz and Dennis do. They catch up to Swamp Thing just after the battle (with Grasp following them). Dennis tells Swamp Thing that they have cure. However Dr. Kay tells them they must wait as they need to find the missing Golem before it cause any damage. The group then sets off in search of the Golem.
    Of course Kathy is not really dead her spirit leaves her dead body and goes after Swamp Thing and co. Does nobody double check to make sure the villain is dead? Soon Kathy's spirit catches up to the group as they drive down the road and posses Liz. During the confusion the car crashes on the icy mountain road. Grasp is nearby ready to ambush the party but is unable to take a shot due to fact he wants to confirm his kill. The now possessed Liz threatens the party but Kathy finds Swamp Thing a much better target for possession. However Swamp Thing is able to resist the possession and casts Kathy out. The now enraged Kathy bathes everybody nearby (including Grasp) in a white light. Everybody then finds themselves in a medieval looking castle ending the issue.
    Remarks:
    I have really enjoyed the last couple of issues. The blurb at the end of this issue looks like it will be the finale for the Kathy story-line...hope it is good.
    Grade: B
  14. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #11

    By FutureFlash,

    Still rolling along...
    Swamp Thing #11
    Cover Impressions:
    Swamp Thing vs The Golem, nuff said!
     

     
    Swamp Thing #11 (March, 1983)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: Heart of Stone, Feat of Clay
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yates (Cover: Yates)
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Back to the original crew.
    Issue Recap:
    This issue begins with a couple page recap of the series up till now. Dr. Kay also revels more of his background and not only was he a holocaust survivor, he also collaborated with the Germans as a Kapo while imprisoned at Dachau. Still not liking Dr. Kay's explanation,  Dennis punches Kay and they begin a fisticuff. Afterwards Dennis and Liz leave to return to the hotel, where they research Swamp Thing's disease that is slowly killing him. Dr. Kay, Milton and the rest of Kay's agents begin to create a Golem to stop Kathy.
    Meanwhile Kathy acquires the Pendulum of von Ruhnstedt. Shortly thereafter the Golem finds Kathy, which she easily dispatches with her increased power from the Pendulum. Swampy joins the battle against Kathy and he to is defeated. Milton is able to repair the Golem, but Kathy flees before the battle can be rejoined. However with Kathy gone, the Golem goes berserk and attacks Swamp Thing due to Kathy's locket that he wears. 
    Remarks:
    Well the battle between the Golem and Swamp Thing didn't really happen due to issue ending. I'm guessing the that will be in the next issue.  The  only thing I thought was a bit dumb was Dennis and Liz with a microscope at the hotel room researching the disease. Kinda strange that somebody would haul lab equipment to Europe with them in my opinion. Overall another solid issue.
    Grade: B
  15. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #10

    By FutureFlash,

    Half way to Moore!
    Swamp Thing #10
    Cover Impressions:
    Swamp Thing is entangling Liz and Dennis....as seen at the end of last issue. Kind of a blah cover.
     

     
    Swamp Thing #10 (February, 1983)
    Cover Price: $.60
    Title: Number of the Beast
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yates/John Totleben (Cover: Yates)
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Totleben joining Swamp Thing for the first time as the inker.
    Issue Recap:
    Continuing on from the previous issue, Dr. Kay (Kripptmann) continues to plead with Liz, Dennis and Swamp Thing to join him in stopping Kathy. Who is on her way to West Germany (ah the good old cold war) to obtain the Pendulum of Ernst von Rhunstedt, which will transform her into the Herald of the Beast (as in the Beast from the Bible). Dr. Kay then tells Swamp Thing that if he helps defeat Kathy, Kay will tell him why Sunderland (and the US Government) is trying to kill him. Swampy reluctantly agrees along with Liz and Dennis.
    Later the team arrives in Munich and learns the location of the Pendulum is at Dachau the infamous concentration camp. At Dachau they find Kathy and who is summoning the spirit of von Rhunstedt causing flashbacks and apparitions of the horrors of the camp during WW II. Kathy learns that the Pendulum is located in Berchtesgaden and quickly leaves the heroes. After Kathy leaves the apparitions begin to fade and the team learns that Dr. Kay is no Nazi but a former inmate of Dachau.
    Also in this issue Grasp and Gen. Sunderland continue to track the team to West Germany. Grasp then flies to Munich to kill Swamp Thing and Dr. Kay.
    Remarks:
    Another solid issue. We learn that Kathy is trying to become the Herald of the Beast and unleash him into the world. Pretty good use of horror in this issue with the creepy images of Dachau during WWII. I'm looking forward to see where this all going.
    Pros:
     Finding out that Dr. Kay may actually be a sort of good guy, rather than a Nazi.
    Dennis and Liz almost have a love connection in Munich...but is spoiled by the ravings of Feldner about Kathy.
    Swamp Thing is shipped to Munich in a crate...no respect for the title lead.
    Cons:
    Nothing
    Grade: B
  16. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #4

    By FutureFlash,

    Swamp Thing #4
    Cover Impressions:
    Looks like Swampy is having a throw-down with a demon of some sort surrounded by pictures of children. Nice cover.

     
     
    Swamp Thing #4 (August, 1982)
    Title: In The White Room
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yeates
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Still the same crew as last issue.
    Plot:
    This issue opens with Liz, her associate producer Paul Feldner and Sheriff Bingham (who has the most annoying accent ever) are discussing the case of the child murder in Pineboro. Meanwhile Swamp Thing arrives in town riding in the back of a watermelon truck (yes a watermelon truck). Of course the child killer is none other than the local kids show host Uncle Barney, who we find out is possessed by a demon, who then departs Barney's body to posses Paul Feldner. Swamp Thing continues to search for Casey in town, wondering why he is so drawn to the child, shorty thereafter he discovers Paul attempting to kidnap Casey. The now demon possessed Paul tells Casey they are not so different. Maybe all those town people back in Carolina were right about Casey? Swamp Thing and Paul then battle for Casey, which Swampy loses as Paul kicks him off a bridge. Later Swamp Thing tracks Casey to a slaughter house where Paul is about to carve Casey up with a meat cleaver. Round 2, Paul and Swampy begin another fight ending with Swamp Thing skewered on a meat hook. Paul then gloats how he is about to kill Casey with Swamp Thing watching, in desperation Swamp Thing offers the demon to posses him if he will spare Casey. The demon agrees and begins to posses Swampy just as he hits the lever to send the meat hook rack (with the now possessed Swamp Thing) into the freezer. The issue ends with Liz and the Sheriff finding Paul (who remembers nothing), a now comatose Swamp Thing and Casey is still missing. Liz arranges Swampy moved to a private medical facility.
    Remarks:
    Story-wise things are back on track after the vampire issue. We find out maybe Casey isn't so innocent after all. This issue had a lot of action with Swamp Thing and the demon battling each other. However Swamp Thing got the worse of it, he was kicked off a bridge, nearly sliced in half with a meat cleaver and skewered on a meat hook. He was only able to defeat the demon by tricking him at the end. I think for a horror comic Swamp Thing does its job well. I am actually surprised some of these early issues were comic code approved back then...demonic possession and child killing is fairly mature themes.
    Pros:
    Swamp Thing and a demon throw-down.
    If you like horror style comics, this one has it.
    Cons:
    Liz's side plot trying to get her show on the air in the Pineboro market is a snooze fest.
    The sheriff's accent is terrible.
    Grade: B-
  17. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #3

    By FutureFlash,

    Swamp Thing #3
    Issue #3
    Cover Impressions:
    Decent cover, looks like Swamp Thing is fighting vampire hobos on a train?

     
     
    Swamp Thing #3 (July, 1982)
    Title: A Town Has Turned To Blood
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Art-Tom Yeates
    Editor-Len Wein
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Letterer-John Costanza
    Still the same crew as last issue.
    Plot:
    Swamp Thing and Casey are on a westbound train in Illinois, when they are attacked by a group of vampires [Vampire Hobos, yes! No, they are just punk emo town kid vampires.].  During the struggle Swamp thing is thrown from train without Casey. Later Swamp Thing joins forces with the only four remaining people ( a man named Larry, his son Steven, Larry's sister Hillary and her son Bob) in town to fight the vampires. The group splits up, Larry takes his son to blow the dam which will flood the town killing the vampires by immersing them in running water.  Meanwhile Swamp Thing, Hillary and her son fight the vampires in town and tragically Hillary is turned into a vampire. Swamp Thing later stakes her through the heart to save Bob. Swampy then rescues Bob from the flooding and then continues on his way (without Bob) to find Casey. This issue also introduces Liz Treymane who is an investigative reporter and the author of the book about Swamp Thing (which was shown in issue #1) in Pineboro, Arkansas  investigating a child murder on the loose in the area.
    Remarks:
    The vampires felt more like scary monster of the week rather than any real usefulness of the overall ongoing plot of the series. However it was a pretty gruesome issue, Larry sacrificing himself and his son to destroy the dam. Bob's mother was turned into a vampire and of course Swamp Thing killed her right in front of her son. Also to add insult to the pain of losing his family, Swamp Thing leaves Bob behind in the now destroyed town. Kind of a jerk move Swampy, leaving a kid all alone to fend for himself. Sure maybe he just assumed the other town folk would come back and take care of Bob. Would you move back to a destroyed town that may be infested with vampires?
    Grade: C+
     
  18. FutureFlash

    Swamp Thing #`1

    By FutureFlash,

    Okay here we go, Issue #1.
    Cover Impressions:
    Striking blue background. Swamp Thing (and a little girl) surrounded by a literal torch bearing mob...looks promising. And as a bonus it is a Collector's Issue, how could one go wrong buying this off the rack.

     
    Swamp Thing #1 (May, 1982)
    Title: What Peace There May Be In Silence
    Credits:
    Writer-Martin Pasko
    Never read much of Pasko's work other than a few issues of his late 70s Superman books, which he has several to his credit. I did look up Pasko on the Web, he has been around
    along time, got his start in comics by being a frequent letter writer and then later hired by DC. After Swamp Thing he mostly worked in television and animation.

    Art-Tom Yeates
    I know Yates from his work on the Dark Horse Busiek Conan run, solid stuff. So I imagine the art for Swamp Thing will be good as well.   
    Editor-Len Wein
    Yep I have heard of him
    Colorist-Tatjana Wood
    Not overly familiar with Wood other than she was the colorist for Camelot 3000 and Wally Wood's wife. She also was the colorist for many DC titles from the 70s into the 80s.
    Letterer-John Costanza
    I know his work from DC War Titles, Conan, Kirby New Gods, Dark Knight Returns, Camelot 3000, LoSH, Wonder Woman, Sandman Mystery Theater and
    many others. Pretty impressive resume.
    Overall the initial creators on Swamp Thing are a pretty solid crew. This bodes well for Swampy and me!
    Thoughts on the issue:
    Pretty solid first issue. Starts with a good recap of Swamp Thing's origin. I assume all of this happened in Vol 1 and House of Secrets. I was bit surprised to find the story set in the swamps of North Carolina, I thought Swamp Thing was set the bayou of Louisiana?  Also in this issue, Swampy rescues a mute girl named Casey, from her crazy Father who just killed her Mother and is about to kill her. By the end of the issue the whole town gets whipped into angry mob and introduces the reader to mysterious men named Mr. Kay and Mr. G. Both villains I assume...no capes to be found however. Certainly not a traditional super hero comic right out of the gate. And of course we learn at the very end that Swamp Thing may be dying...all that in 17 pages. That would be about 6 issues in today's comics.
    Also I find it pretty gruesome for 1982, Swamp Thing gets blasted with a shot gun and gets his hand severed. Also a little girl is almost murdered by her Father for being a witch. Dark stuff indeed.
    Grade: B