Swamp Fever

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 I was looking through my comic collection the other day when I came upon six trades collecting Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing from the 1980's. I took all of them off the shelf, browsed through them, and again realized that what I held in my hands were undoubtedly the greatest comics of all time (This invariably happens every time I reread the run).

Swampy has long been one of my favorite characters, and Moore my favorite writer, but I hadn't read these comics in years, and after all the stuff I've read since then I now find myself in a more informed state of mind to actually make this bold statement: Moore's run on the title should be heralded as the second coming in comics...not his WATCHMEN or Frank Miller's DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Swamp Thing was where it all began; not just my personal opinion, mind you, but also that of several knowledgeable swamp-obsessed comic book mates I've corresponded with during the last few decades.

Exactly how can I justify the greatness that literally oozes from the pages and the art of Totleben and Bisette (plus Wood's colors)? Easy !! Because the comic contains the following essential elements:

  1. Greatest Villian of all time: Anton Arcane, as written by Moore, not WEIN, who was good but not great.
  2. Greatest Horror stories of all time: A tie between "The Anatomy Lesson" and "A Time of Running" - Chilling stuff!
  3. Greatest Love story of all time: Swampy and Abigail Cable, in numerous issues...but especially in the famed plant sex issue!
  4. Greatest most atmospheric art for a horror comic: Check out Totleben's work on Miracleman too if you don't believe me!
  5. Most poignant story: "Pog," cute and terrifying rolled into one (My wife loves this story).

How many times did I read these books by now? Haven't a clue...but it's a lot! And I never tire of them, every issue is unique and reveals something new everytime I flip through it...Hell I'm gonna read some again right now! May Swamp Fever afflict all of you weirdos out there. I welcome it, gleefully.

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