Posts Tagged ‘Swamp Thing’
A Very DC Halloween (2019)
The DCU celebrated Halloween 2019 with a trade paperback of reprint material issued the previous two years entitled A Very DC Halloween.
The first half of the trade is pulled directly from DC House of Horror (2017).
Keith Giffen gives readers Bump in the Night with a retelling of Superman’s arrival on Earth. This time it doesn’t end well.
His next offering is a slasher tale featuring the ghost of Wonder Woman in Man’s World.
Another ghost story, Crazy for You, features Harley Quinn haunting a man into killing his wife.
The Last Laugh is more original as Giffen debates the yin and yang of vigilantism.
Blackest Day is a zombie apocalypse on Earth with plot by Giffen and script by Brian Keene.
Ronald Malfi scripts Giffen’s Stray Arrow with Green Arrow as a vigilante killer.
A Very DC Halloween (2019)
Two-Face is featured in Unmasked, a story by Giffen and Wrath James White.
Uttering Shazam takes the speaker to darker realms in The Possession of Billy Batson.
Swamp Thing stars in The Spread, as taken from Swamp Thing Halloween Horror Giant issue one. This Walmart exclusive was a 100-page special offered in 2018 with an original story followed by reprints from previous Halloween specials.
The remainder of this book is filled with stories from 2018’s Cursed Comics Cavalcade in the order they originally appeared, the first being Gorehound.
Batman saves the final girl who – spoiler – is really the killer.
Siren Song is a tale of myth and mystery starring Wonder Woman.
Alien zombies spoil Guy Gardner’s vacation in Life Sentence.
Demon Etrigan possesses a man a woman hires Jason Blood to find in Yellow Jack.
A ghost from the Phantom Zone haunts Lois and Clark in Strange Visitor.
The Monster in Me pits a doppelganger of Green Arrow against himself on a long, hot night.
Black Lightning and Katana get some love in Mercy Killing as they protect a young girl from a demon.
An unlikely pairing of Solomon Grundy and Robin share top billing in The Devil You Know. Professor Pyg threatens three runaway girls under the protection of Grundy.
Finally, Halloween Hayride is a simpler story showcasing Zatanna. The magic mistress plies her trade to stop an older brother from scaring his sister.
With this many stories to pick and choose from, there are plenty of tricks and treats.
Swamp Thing (1972) 2
Welcome to National Sewing Machine Day.
What tailors and seamstresses did by hand for centuries was brought into the pre-industrial age when Thomas Saint filed and received the first patent for the design of a sewing machine in 1790. While designed to sew leather on canvas, no actual machine has ever surfaced.
William Newton Wilson saw the English inventor’s designs in the London Patent Office. With a few deft drafts, he was able to produce a working model. It is on display at the London Science Museum.
Swamp Thing (1972) 2
John Greenough received the first American patent for the sewing machine in America, but it was Isaac Singer who developed what is more recognizably the modern sewing machine.
While taken for granted today, the sewing machine proved invaluable. Not only did it help with production of clothing thus dropping the price, it was also a major mover in the industrial revolution allowing sewing to be done in factories,
While a handful of visionaries are responsible for today’s machine laureate, our emcee is the work of two men. Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson created the Patchwork Man in Swamp Thing (1972) for issue two.
He only appeared in the final panel of the book, but was the thrust of the story for issue three.
Readers learned Gregori Arcane had been dismantled by a land mine. His mad scientist brother, Anton, gathered the pieces and sewed them back together. With science and sorcery, he was able to return life to Gregori.
A second Patchwork Man resides in the DCU. This one is Marine, Pvt. Elliot “Lucky” Taylor. He, too, was killed by a land mine, but was reconstructed by Doctor Mazursky and his team of surgeons and scientists in Project M. He became part of the experimental Army unit, the Creature Commandos.
His first appearance was in Weird War Tales (1971) issue 92 entitled The Creature Commandos.
While we know how the Patchwork Men came to be, we do not have the origins of National Sewing Machine Day.
Rather than worry about that, celebrate by sharing tips and tricks, post photos commemorating the day or hang out in your favorite sewing-related shop.
We might suggest you cobble together your own Patchwork Man suit for a little cosplay.
Just a suggestion.
Super Friends (1976) 28
Masquerade of Madness is a true Halloween story.
Super Friends (1976) 28
Published Oct. 25, 1979, E. Nelson Bridwell and Ramona Fradon craft some late Bronze Age cheesiness. Basically, werewolf Jimmy Olsen, Jayna and Zan end Felix Faust’s plans to defeat the Super Friends once and for all.
The Super Friends began as Saturday morning fodder for sugar-addled brains starved for a more kinetic version of their comic books. The original series premiered in 1973 after the Dynamic Duo tested on Scooby-Doo and Wonder Woman on the animated Brady Kids.
It was rechristened as The All-New Super Friends Hour from 1977-78. Further name changes included Challenge of the Super Friends from ’78 to ’79, The World’s Greatest Super Friends ’79 to ’80 with a return to simply Super Friends from 1980 to 1983.
Hanna-Barbera finished out its run with Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show from 1984 to 1985 and, finally, The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, 1985-86.
While loosely based on the Justice League of America comic book, Super Friends did not translate into a comic book itself until 1975. Even that relied heavily on the JLA. Super Friends began as part of the Limited Collector’s Edition (C-41) series, reprinting JLA issues 36 and 61 with Bridwell penning a bridging tale to bind the stories together. Alex Toth provided pencils.
DC finally greenlit a Super Friends comic book series in 1976. The title ran till 1981. The comic complimented the cartoon rather than rely on JLA continuity.
Not sure if this is a trick or treat, but if you happen across it in a back-issue bin, enjoy some past history.
Young Monsters in Love
As a long-time horror fan and one who still appreciates the Universal fore-fathers, Young Monsters in Love promised a tantalizing twist to the 2018 Valentine’s Day.
Kelley Jones’ depiction of Swamp Thing planting a big, wet one on the Frankenstein monster’s bride while the cobbled creation looks on, set the mood.
This 80-page anthology is a mixed bag. Ten stories ranging from tale tellers James Robinson to Paul Dini with art by the aforementioned Mr. Jones, Guiseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, Stephanie Hans, Javier Fernandez, Mirko Colak, Nic Klein, Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Razer Irving, John McCrea and Guillem March.
Young Monsters in Love
Jones is the perfect choice to render the opening Man-Bat story, worthy of a read. Skip the Frankenstein monster’s tale for Solomon Grundy’s as Superman passes along some words of wisdom to Superboy.
Too bad Raven’s – of Teen Titans – story isn’t more like Edgar Poe’s.
Dini does Deadman – gotta love alliteration – proud keeping Boston Brand from spinning in his grave.
Swamp Thing is represented by Russell and Frazer with a flowery tale. Pun intended.
The book is rounded out with some mediocre stories. Maybe the most memorable is the Mallah and Brain taboo romance.
The torrid torch the two carry deals with their dissimilar species, but same sex attraction.
Like the allure of any solicitation, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Don’t take my opinion, try it for yourself.
Swamp Thing Halloween Horror
DC Comic’s latest tome of terror compliments the undressing trees, bite in the air and darkness that descends earlier.
The Swamp Thing Halloween Horror features 100 pages of retold Halloween stories culled from previous specials and stand-alone ongoing series. Mostly. The first story is an original from scribe Brian Azzarello and penciler Greg Capullo entitled “Hollow.” This Halloween there are more to fear than just snakes and alligators.
Dan Didio’s “The Pumpkin Sinister” is the first of three stories lifted from The DC Infinite Halloween Special (2007). Blue Devil and Enchantress become honorary members of the Peanut’s gang in the homage to Linus’ obsession with the Great Pumpkin.
Swamp Thing Halloween Horror
The second of the lifts from the 2007 special is “Taert Ro Kcirt.” Paul Dini turns more than the letters around with Zatana. A happy Halloween is spoiled for trick or treaters causing the mistress of magic to reverse roles.
“Strange Cargo” is the final retread from 2007. Poison Ivy spins a yarn of Superman v. Zombies.
“The Ballad of Jonathan Crane” is a reboot of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with the Scarecrow playing himself – or, his alter ego. This one was pulled from the DC Halloween Special (2008).
Aquaman and Etrigan the Demon form an unlikely alliance in “Night Gods.” Together they tackle a Cthulhu clone and his army of darkness called forth from those claimed by the sea throughout the millennia. The story originally appeared in The Brave and the Bold (2007).
Batman (1940) 237 is an October favorite appearing in other specials. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Rutherford, VT, was a destination for comic book creators and fans during Halloween. Eventually the annual parade became peppered with floats and costumes representing both Marvel and DC’s stable of colorful heroes and villains. “Night of the Reaper” immortalizes some of the magic as a backdrop for murder and the Holocaust remembered.
Finally, Swamp Thing returns in this reprint from House of Secrets 92 featuring his muck-covered origin.
The special is an exclusive offered through Wal-Mart as part of the department store’s team up with DC.
Swamp Thing (1985) 88 (unpublished)
Morning was to land Swamp Thing at Calvary during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as the swan song for writer Rich Veitch on the title.
Leading to what has become one of the most controversial stories – both on and off page – in comicdom’s history, Swamp Thing was catapulted through time meeting with various characters in DC’s past era comic books. Included were Sgt. Rock, Enemy Ace and Bat Lash. In issue 87, Swamp Thing met King Arthur in Camelot where he was to make one final leap in time to find the Holy Grail.
The initial script had been approved and artist Michael Zulli had most of the artwork completed when DC’s President Jenette Kahn cancelled the issue. Many reasons abound, most centered on the backlash of Martin Scorsese’s recent Last Temptation of Christ, Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses and even Madonna’s much maligned Pepsi ad shilled to the tune of Like a Prayer.
While his audience was small – compared to flagship characters like Batman and Superman – rights had been sold for a Swamp Thing cartoon to air the following year as well as a licensed likeness toy line. Tim Burton’s first Batman movie was also on the horizon and Kahn wanted smooth sailing.
All speculation.
The fact is Veitch was so incensed he left the DC fold. According to interviews during and after the fall out, Veitch’s contract was about to end and he had planned to leave Swamp Thing after the story arc ended. But, he was to continue working for the company on other projects.
Prior to his popular Sandman, Neil Gaiman had been tapped to add a few stories, but in a show of solidarity he declined the title.
While the script has never been officially released, the artwork was on display at the Words and Pictures museum in Boston for a time.
A copy of the script and completed art can be viewed thanks to comics blog 20th Century Danny Boy.
DC Holiday Special 2017
DC Holiday Special 2017
With 2017 history it’s time to be thankful DC remembered fans with a stocking stuffer holiday special.
The tales make up a worthy Tannenbaum tome as Jeff Limire bookends the seasonal sandwich of stories with Bibbo championing Superman and his deeds throughout the year to a doubting Clark Kent with John Constantine tossing in his two pence worth.
The meat of the book belongs to Sgt. Rock, the Atomic Knights, Flash (both Barry and Wally), Green Arrow and Black Canary, Deathstroke, Swamp Thing and Wonder Woman. Denny O’Neil returns for a haunting Batman yarn that warms no hearts.
“The Silent Night of the Batman” is the encore. Reprinted from Batman 218, “The Silent Night…” was the 1960s decade closer for Caped Crusader. Easily the best story of the book and has oft been reprinted capturing hearts again in the Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus, Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams (Vol. 2), Batman: The Joker’s Revenge trade paperback, Christmas With the Super Heroes (1988), Limited Collector’s Edition C-43 and Showcase Presents Batman trade paperback (Vol. 5).
Not the best for a good year, but a good way to start a new one.
Deck the Swamp Thing
DC’s 2011 Holiday card. Artwork by Sean Galloway.
Swamp Thing (1985) 115
Nancy Collins serves up the legend of Papa Noel for the French descendants of the original River Parishes of Louisiana as Christmas fair.
For those with deep roots Joyeux Noel” and “Frohliche Weihnacten.”
Swamp Thing (1985) 115
Marvel Super Hero Squad (2011) 10
Halloween is meant to be fun.
A little scary, but fun.
And, fun is what Marvel Super Hero Squad issue 10 is all about.
Marvel Super Hero Squad began as a toy line for the younger Marvelite. It branched into an animated series and various comic book lines over the years, all designed to sell the licensed likenesses.
Marvel Super Hero Squad (2011) 10
But, enough about the commercial side.
Marvel Super Hero Squad issue 10 celebrates Halloween with a majority of the Marvel U population. In the first part of the book, Whomsoever Knows Fear…! Dr. Doom sends M.O.D.O.K, Crimson Dynamo, the Toad, Whirlwind and the Abomination after a meteor fractal – whatever that is – on Halloween eve.
To combat the evil doers, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Thor, Hulk, Reptil and Falcon, all representing Marvel’s 1970s horror serials, Tomb of Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Living Mummy (Supernatural Thrillers), Werewolf by Night and Brother Voodoo (Strange Tales), respectively; set off the thwart the evil doers.
The Man-Thing rounds out the creepy comics representatives of years gone past by helping the heroes. His aid does not go unrewarded as a bag of candy is currency enough for the exchange of the fallen fractal – whatever that is.
Next up is Halloween Party at the Baxter Building!
Host Reed Richards discovers a party crasher amidst the invited guests, but doesn’t know which costumed reveler it could be. The quartet make their rounds talking to the party goers trying to discover the imposter.
Attendees include Thor as Little Red Riding Hood, a carryover from the previous story; Tigra and She-Hulk celebrating some of the Alice in Wonderland cast; Ant-Man and Wasp as salt and pepper shakers, Captain America as Uncle Sam, various X-Men as members of the Wizard of Oz, etc.
Finally, the FF discover M.O.D.O.K to be the floating jack-O-lantern who is literally booted from the party.
Back at Castle Doom, the deed holder is having his fun scaring the kids knocking on his door seeking candy. Until, he finds a mini-version of himself. Delighted with the adoration, he gives the trick-or-treater the rest of his candy and invites him to return next year.
Mini-Doom is reveled to be the Mole Man.
Yeah, Marvel Super Hero Squad is designed for ages seven to 14, but this seasonal story is too cute not to recognize. The plot is simplistic, but there are a few cookies tossed to the Marvel faithful of all ages.