Swamp Thing #33 Review

Written by: Charles Soule
Art by: Javier Pina
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 3, 2014

Blah, Blah, Green

Last issue ended a cool side story with Aquaman with Lady Weeds attacking Swamp Thing.  Yes, it was nothing more than symbolic, but that didn't stop Alec from getting symbolically pissed off.  Actually, he's really pissed off.  No symbolism needed.



Lady Weeds has a point, though.  Alec yanked her out of the Green, out of her Heaven.  Then he pretty much destroyed that Heaven by murdering the Parliament.  However, The Wolf has a plan.  In fact, he has had a plan all along and it's scope is only just now becoming seen.  Part of the plan included Swamp Thing going off to help the Green.  He quickly learns that the damaged Green may just be the least of his problems.

Charles Soule has changed so much during his run on Swamp Thing, but what I've enjoyed most is the growing cast of side characters. The Wolf has been my favorite kind of villain.  Smiling at Swamp Thing while working against him in the shadows.  This issue is the start of something huge and seeing what Wolf and Weeds want to accomplish makes everything bigger.  Then the book ends with a cliffhanger that is only good because of how well Soule has made these side characters come to life.

I'll give this issue props for being a good jumping on point.  Charles Soule is so good at letting new readers feel right at home every couple of issues and this is one of them.  However, this month is a bit word heavy and full of exposition.  I usually like everything that Soule writes, but this issue seemed to drag a bit.

Javier Pina does a decent job filling in for Jesus Saiz with some really nice big pages.  however, when things quiet down and get small (which this issue does a bunch),  the art isn't as impressive.  I know Jesus Saiz is a hard act to follow, but readers of this book just expect more.

Bits and Pieces:  

Swamp Thing #33 is a transition issue between the last arc and something even bigger and darker.  Because of this, it's heavy on dialogue and exposition and Javier Pina's art is good, but not great.  If you want to jump into the awesomeness of Swamp Thing, this is as good a time as any, just know this isn't the best issue Soule has given us.

7.5/10