SWAMP THING #21. “THE MURDER POET”.
This is a very intriguing issue, but I am finding all of the “the new 52″ swamp-thing comics interesting anyway! I am glad that DC have brought back swamp-thing in such a big way because he deserves to be up there with superman and co’, he has earned it just by being such a powerful character, representing all of nature and it’s wonders and harnessing it’s strength and wisdom.
THE STORY:
A Latin-speaking female warrior named Capucine approaches swamp-thing to request his protection, as she was promised it 800 years ago! Swamp-thing needs more information before he can help her and in the middle of their talk gets his head blown off, by 1 of 2 hunters who are there to kill the girl, well it doesn’t take her long to beat them to it and subsequently she is put into a cage of toughened vines by our slimy, green re-generated hero, so he can confide in “the green” to learn more of this girl and her requests of him. He is taken back in time to witness the protection of 2 people, -it hasn’t been specified exactly who they are, I can only assume that 1 of them is capucine?- they are being burnt alive for being witches when the green steps in to protect them as promised, as they had invoked some sort of sacred rite. Swamp thing does not yet help Capucine as he is forced to change direction as an enemy named “Seeder” has already tried to kill him, but he promises her that he will be back. This issue ends in the highlands of Scotland, making for an intriguing finish to the comic, and what appears to be an interesting start to the next journey of swamp-thing.
THE WRITING, LETTERING AND SFX:
Charles Soule is a very talented writer. He has created a language that truly represents “the green” and all of it’s wisdom, a language that swamp-thing is fluent in, even above the green itself. The use of Latin is also a nice touch and works harmoniously well with the over-all mood, further representing the forces of nature within! There are some clever, and slightly amusing moments. The use of language also separates the characters giving them individual character and personality.
I feel that the sfx could have been much, much bolder and even used more frequently as there are panels in this issue begging for there use, in order to make them all the more real and explosive. The lettering is on point and doesn’t look generic in the slightest, the bold lettering is used effectively as it has not been over-used at all, and the speech bubbles are original and unique to “swamp-thing”. The timing is fluent and draws in the reader, the only qualm I really have is with the abrupt shift from present to past, and this could have been explained a little better too as I was confused as to who exactly was being burnt by the witch-hunters…
THE ART:
Jesus Saiz -cool name by the way!- is the artist and has done nice job in general, his best work in this comic are the-green inspired panels, which really help to define a swamp-thing comic, the vines and plant matter are used to separate the panels when swamp-thing is in the-green and it’s a beautiful touch. The colourist Matthew Wilson deserves a lot of praise too, as he has inked this comic so realistically, the sky is peach, pink, orange, from the setting sun, as is the reflection on the swampy waters giving the whole world a very real depth. He uses a lot of greens in many different tones and shades and in a nut shell he has managed to capture the most earthly of moods, he is the perfect colourist for the job.
By DYLAN BUTCHER. 
Charles Soule Jesus Saiz Matthew Wilson
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