Swamp Thing #34 Review

Written by: Charles Soule
Art by: Javier Pina
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 6, 2014

The Big Green

Last issue of Swamp Thing ended with a pretty gruesome cliffhanger.  Brother Jonah witnessed the hideously transformed Wolf and all he got was a slash to the stomach.  That would make an awful t-shirt, but it had me anticipating this book.  Jonah's such a good guy and he just had his first "fun" in almost a century only to be left in a puddle of his own blood.  Is it curtains for Jonah or is this all part of Lady Weed's plan?

Such a cutie!

With the Futures End event coming next month, most books are tying up stories and Swamp Thing is no exception.  I have to confess, I'm growing a little tired of the Lady Weeds and Wolf story.  It's odd because I've praised Charles Soule for focusing on Swamp Thing's growing cast, but I'm to the point where I want more Swamp Thing.  Well, my wish seems to be granted because this issue brings an end to the story and we get a little Swamp Thing...

As Lady Weeds and Blood Monster Wolf wreak havoc in New Orleans, Swamp Thing tries to save Jonah.  In the end he does, just not the way you'd expect.  It's a pretty nice scene for anyone who grew to like Jonah.  He's such a good guy.

Back in New Orleans, Weeds and Wolf are causing so much trouble, you'd think they are trying to get a certain Avatar's attention.  The plan works and it's go time.  Wolf and Swamp Thing go at it, but everything is according to Lady Weed's plan.  She has kidnapped the Sureen and will force him to make her the Avatar.  Seriously, if this book features Lady Weeds as Swamp Thing, I'm out.



Luckily, the issue ends with Alec Holland still Swamp Thing, but wait to you see who saves the day and who is left in a crumpled heap. Karma's a bitch.  Then Charles Soule throws a cool cliffhanger to make the two month wait that much worse.

Overall, this was a good ending to the arc.  Soule has thinned the cast and sets up a cliffhanger to get the focus of the book where it should be.  I hope that's the last we see of Lady Weeds and the Wolf because I thought they wore out their welcome issues ago.

Javier Pina does an okay job on art this month.  The fight scene between Swamp Thing and the Wolf was done well, but other times the panels had an unfinished look.  Plus, I would have liked a bit more detail when it came to the Wolf's transformed Blood Monster look.

Bits and Pieces:

I have grown tired of the Wolf and Lady Weeds so it was nice to see Soule wrap things up this month.  It's an added bonus that he did it in a satisfying way.  In the end, the bad guys get their just deserts and Swamp Thing is back in the spotlight.

7.9/10