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A review by storyorc
Saga of the Swamp Thing, Book 2 by Stephen R. Bissette, John Totleben, Alan Moore
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Recommended for monsterfuckers, hippies, and Sandman fans (due to cameos of pre-Gaiman Cain and Abel, and a trip to hell that feels like a blueprint for Dream's).
The Cables' marital drama is the least interesting storyline so I was happy to see it shrivel up in this volume in a way that triggered an adventurous, Dantean quest beyond the veil, as well as some developments in the bond between the main two. I can even tolerate Etrigan returning to speak in rhyme some more as long as it pisses off demons too.
The self-contained issues in this volume cultivate a poignant, often beautiful, melancholy that befits a swamp. ST's attempts to make peace with the loss of his identity as Alec Holland are handled so patiently that it feels like real grief. Even the issue with Pikmin-like aliens hoping to make a home in the swamp became a curiosity rather than annoying filler. The level of respect for what are, quite frankly, ridiculous characters on the surface feels revolutionary. It recalls how the original Universal monster films were often more tragedy than horror. And yet, it is not without a gentle, healing hope! This bittersweet, slice-of-life storytelling would do well adapted to the screen by Miyazaki or Shinkai.
Abby could use a flaw or two and less of the male gaze but ST's own gentle giant routine spares her childlike brightness and naivety from being too out of place.
The Cables' marital drama is the least interesting storyline so I was happy to see it shrivel up in this volume in a way that triggered an adventurous, Dantean quest beyond the veil, as well as some developments in the bond between the main two. I can even tolerate Etrigan returning to speak in rhyme some more as long as it pisses off demons too.
The self-contained issues in this volume cultivate a poignant, often beautiful, melancholy that befits a swamp. ST's attempts to make peace with the loss of his identity as Alec Holland are handled so patiently that it feels like real grief. Even the issue with Pikmin-like aliens hoping to make a home in the swamp became a curiosity rather than annoying filler. The level of respect for what are, quite frankly, ridiculous characters on the surface feels revolutionary. It recalls how the original Universal monster films were often more tragedy than horror. And yet, it is not without a gentle, healing hope! This bittersweet, slice-of-life storytelling would do well adapted to the screen by Miyazaki or Shinkai.
Abby could use a flaw or two and less of the male gaze but ST's own gentle giant routine spares her childlike brightness and naivety from being too out of place.