Swamp Thing #28 Review

Written by: Charles Soule
Art by: Javier Pina
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 7, 2014

Saved by Poor Dental Hygiene

Since taking over Swamp Thing, Charles Soule has shaken things up.  The Seeder has come and gone and last issue Alec destroyed the Parliament of Trees.  He has sole control over the Green and things couldn't be better, right?  Well, that wouldn't be fun, now would it?

Swamp Thing #28 starts out as just that.  Fun.  Alec has returned to Earth as the Avatar of the Green, but he's brought some friends along for the ride.  Three former Avatars have returned with him, but in human form.  You know what that means?  Road Trip!  Yep, it's Mardi Gras time and it's pretty hilarious.  Charles Soule has recieved kudos for the humor he brings to Red Lanterns and we see it here.  Swamp Thing babysitting these three is bound to be a great time for issues to come.

All is not fun, games, beads and vomiting, though.  Things slow down in the second half with the origin story of Capucine.  I loved Soule's Arcane origin story during Villain's Month so I was really looking forward to this.  I was not disappointed.  The tragic story of how she became a ruthless warrior damned with a thousand years of fighting and death was heart breaking.  Moreover, who she is damned to serve is great and sets up a future conflict I can't wait to see.  Fans of Demon Knights should take notice.

The only problem I have is that the pacing between the stories was a bit off.  I was in full fun road trip mode and then the brakes slammed and we a got slow, tragic origin story.  Both could have served well for an entire issue so I guess I can just be happy I got such bang for my buck.

This month we get artist Javier Pina's take on the Avatar and I was impressed.  I was wary at first, but any fear I had disappeared pretty quick.  Though it's not as detailed as Jesus Saiz,  I liked the clean, easy to follow style.  Plus, Swamp Thing at Mardi Gras looked awesome.

Bits and Pieces:

Swamp Thing #28 mixes humor and tragedy and though the pacing was a bit off, both stories set up the book for a great future.   Charles Soule is on a roll and as usual I can't wait for next issue.

8.5/10