Swamp Thing #28 Review

It seems like Swamp Thing's status quo never stays consistent for long before there's another major shake-up at hand. Last issue saw him destroy the Parliament of Trees and take on the full power of the Green for himself. Not only that, but three former Avatars have been reborn in human form, giving Alec three new companions to babysit as he deals with more pressing matters.

One of the reasons I find Red Lanterns the most enjoyable of the various Green Lantern books now is Soule's willingness to spice up the series with a healthy dose of humor. Maybe that element isn't as pronounced in Swamp Thing, but it definitely comes into play with this issue. Seeing Alec lead his companions through the crowded streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras offers a welcome respite from the darker moments in the series. And it quickly helps endear readers to these newly transformed cast members

But the majority of this issue involves Swamp Thing hunting down Capucine and trying to learn her story. With the memory of Soule's masterful Villains Month issue still fresh, I was eager to see him delve into another character's tragic backstory. And this issue doesn't disappoint. Capucine relays a sad tale of an ordinary girl in 11th Century France being granted great power and cursed with a 1000 year existence and an endless cycle of bloodshed. Not only is this material well crafted, it allows the book to veer into unique territory, more straightforward fantasy than supernatural drama for a change.

Though Swamp Thing routinely bounced between artists, the series has maintained an impressively cohesive visual tone throughout Soule's run. Javier Pina picks up where Jesus Saiz left off last month. Pina is deftly able to follow Soule's eclectic narrative, conveying the comedic and fantastical elements equally well. And Matthew Wilson's rich colors do their part to bring this unusual world to life.

Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

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