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Thursday, 18 November 2021
LEN WEIN/KELLEY JONES SWAMP THING COVER GALLERY (UPDATED)...
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After finally reading the Moore Swamp Things just a month ago, I must say I don't much distinction between the two interpretations. Moore's version does set up the fact that Swampy becomes adept at making use of "The Green" to expand his powers, but I don't see that couldn't have been done with the original interpretation. I think Moore was interested in the relationship between Swampy and Abigail and making him primarily a plant and not a man does amp up the perverse nature of that coupling I guess. Since Wein edited the Moore stuff when he opted to do the changes he must have accepted them at the time and even says as much I think in a preface to one of the volumes. Wanting to get it back to his original visions suggests to me that he sees like I do and it doesn't really make much difference in the end.
ReplyDeleteWell, Moore made a point in emphasizing that Swampy WASN'T Holland so much as an echo of him, which I think is a significant change to the core of the character, but you're right in that Holland/Swampy could still have done all of Moore's 'green' stuff had Moore wanted that. However, Moore's idea of the Swamp Thing probably makes Swampy unique, as Alex Olsen was a transformed human, though I don't know about all of the other Swamp Things throughout history.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that Moore's change DID do was to alter the readers' (most of them anyway) concept of the character. It certainly did mine.
I had that first issue which I got in a pack of 4 comics for £1. Akthough I like Kelley Jones art I didn't think his style suited Swamp Thing
ReplyDeleteI've just finished re-reading them a few minutes ago, McS, and I found that I didn't mind the art, though I was originally disappointed that the series wasn't drawn by Bernie Wrightson when I first got it back in 2016. (Not sure whether he was still alive back then or not.)
ReplyDeleteFor better or worse, the Moore run was my introduction to - and comprises most of my experience of - the Swamp Thing. (There were, what, two 21st C. reboots prior to this 2016 version? Neither held my attention long) I would have to agree that Alan Moore's retcon wasn't entirely necessary for the whole plant elemental angle, but I think it made for some interesting character arcs, as 'Alec's' world falls apart, he lets go of his old hope of returning to humanity (literally burying the real Alec's remains) and builds a new identity and role for himself.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing I prefer about stories of superpowered people: how they react to their powers and circumstances. Questions about 'who can beat up who' and 'how many hectares of forest fire can X put out with one nostril' started to bore me years ago. Though I hasten to add that melodramatics bore me too, and I appreciate mighty feats as much as the next nerd.
Agreed with McScotty: I'm spoiled by Steve Bisette's(?) gnarly, disgustingly detailed style. Jones' Swamp Thing looks a bit too solid and smooth for my tastes.
I should really check out the original Len & Bernie run. I feel like my comics education isn't complete without it.
Oh, you really should check them out, WJB, they're excellent - and what I'd call the definitive Swamp Thing. Alfredo Alcala's run was good as well, but perhaps not quite as dark as Bernie Wrightson's. (He used to call himself Berni, but added an 'e' some years back.) I reckon you'd be able to get one of the reprint volumes (or the five issue reprint series from sometime in the '80s) without breaking the bank.
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