It's funny - some people "get it" and some don't.
Charles Soule is a smart cat, and his grasp of Swamp Thing storytelling is just getting better and better.
This issue is part of DC's "Future's End" stories, which left me trepidatious to say the least - most of both DC and Marvel's "event series" are usually messy junk, with even junkier tie-in-stories. Not here - this is an excellent issue that has a mission, much like the one Swampy is on within, to deliver a final solid punch to one long standing Swamp Thing storyline, and I LOVED it. The last page/panel of this book is goddamned gorgeous, and you can feel it's link all the way back to "Rite of Spring" from Swampy's #34 in the '80s - arguably the single most beautiful story of Swamp Thing's incredible history.
This was one of the few Futures End one-shots
to read like a natural extension of the main series. It's so nice to
have a writer who obviously cares, and to see Charles Soule building
connections to
both that issue and the recent Annuals #2 and #3 - everything is
coming together as we build up the conflict between Swamp Thing and
the Machine Kingdom and moves toward what is presumably the climax of
Soule's run. It's shaping up to be the most solid and memorable
storyline since the series began in the New 52.
The Machines make for an excellent addition to Swamp Thing's growing rogues gallery, and Soule gives the mechanical creations a
distinctive voice and tone so that they both fit in naturally with the
concepts of the Green, Red, Rt, etc. and also feel like a wholly unique
faction. None of this feels forced or derivative - the two elements so many other writers just couldn't get around.
Jesuz Saiz does a great job of bringing the Machine Kingdom to life.
Their clean, elegant, orderly designs(iSwampThing) clash with the organic power of our hero and his allies. He brings a great sense of mood and
emotion to every page in addition to the impressive level of detail - very stylish artist, without being too showy.
Again, the art and story mesh perfectly, and I'll never tire of Saiz's
amazing visuals - honestly the best Swamp Thing has looked since
Bissette and Tottleben. He does a great job of bringing the Machine
Kingdom to life - with their clean, elegant, orderly designs clashing
nicely with the organic beauty of
Swamp Thing and his world. Saiz brings a great sense of mood and
emotion to every page in addition to the impressive level of detail.
I
do miss the fog/mist of '80s Swampy, but that's just nitpicking really. Maybe he just needs to go deeper into the swamp.
This issue also finds Soule tackling the long-awaited reunion
between Swamp Thing and Abigail Arcane. It's a mature and heartfelt acceptance of two lovers doomed by fate and
circumstance to remain forever apart. It feels worthy of the best stories it took to get to this point and Soule does a great job of
capturing their emotional bond and the sadness that comes from their
newfound distance. The book takes on a new
level of emotional resonance in embracing it's own tragic history. Swamp Thing met Abigail Arcane in 1972 - that's a long time, and this is a beautiful end.
This mix of fantastical adventure with very
grounded human drama gives Swamp Thing its true appeal, and it's
something Charles Soule is really good at. I'll miss him a lot when he leaves, but I'll wish him well and thank him.
You should be reading this book.
AC
