The Classics - The Saga of the Swamp Thing #21

The fact of the matter is, I've never been much of a fan of horror. At least not as it has been traditionally represented in comics or movies.

That's because, with rare exceptions, there hasn't been anything really horrific about them. Instead of trying to induce fear or terror, movies and comics instead settle for simply grossing the audience out.

There's a big difference, with the main thing being that grossing someone out is pretty easy. Chop off a limb, have someone die in a horrible fashion and you get a reaction from the audience. But there's no real art involved - it's the equivalent of jumping out unexpectedly and yelling "Boo!"

And that's why this comic series stands head and shoulders above the imitators. Swamp Thing was already a good horror concept, courtesy of original creators Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson.

The comic tells the story of a man who is transformed into a hideous monster in a scientific accident, and struggles to regain his humanity. Lots of potential there, and Wein and Wrightson had a great run on the comic.

But it wasn't until this issue by writer Alan Moore and artists Steven Bissette and John Totleben that readers got a real taste of horror.

In the often-overlooked previous issue (Moore's first), something shocking happens - the Swamp Thing is killed. For real.

This issue is given over to the examination of the title character's corpse, and the discovery that everything we knew about the character was wrong. But where those kinds of plot twists are usually handled badly, here we have an intelligent and science-based explanation that makes perfect sense and in no way cheats the reader. It also does nothing to invalidate those earlier issues, and in no sense is it a "reboot."

It's one of those wonderful stories where you read along and it's the equivalent of the sun rising in the morning and dispersing the gloom. The world seems much bigger and full of possibilities. An absolutely amazing reading experience.

Moore's script is perfectly matched by the detailed, dramatic and often horrific art by Bissette and Totleben. The work is astounding, with incredible layouts, breaking all the rules, yet telling the story with a clean, intense voice.

It was just the beginning of a powerful run on this series by the creative team, and just a hint of the groundbreaking work yet to come.

There are numerous points in the history of comics where everything changed. This is one of them. I can't recommend this series highly enough.

Even if you don't like horror.

Grade: A+