Swamp Thing 2: Family Tree

Comic Info

Swamp Thing (5) #10

Reprints Swamp Thing (5) #0, 8-11, and Annual #1 (June 2012-December 2012).  Swamp Thing is reborn and literally trying to find his roots as he adjusts to his new powers.  Unfortunately, the threat of the Rot is growing, and it could turn Alec’s love Abigail Arcane against him.  If Swamp Thing can stop Abigail from succumbing to the darkness inside of her, can he stop the return of his immortal enemy and emissary of the Rot Anton Arcane?

Written by Scott Snyder (with help from Scott Tuft on Swamp Thing (5) Annual #1), Swamp Thing Volume 2:  Family Tree serves as a lead in story to the big cross over series of Rotworld.  Following Swamp Thing Volume 1:  Raise Them Bones, Swamp Thing 2:  Family Tree is illustrated by Yanick Paquette, Marco Rudy, Becky Cloonan, Francesco Francavilla, Andy Belanger, and Kano.  Issue #10 of Swamp Thing (5) also has a nice homage to the original Swamp Thing (1) #10 (June 1974).

While Swamp Thing 1:  Raise Them Bones laid the groundwork for Swamp Thing and restored Alec Holland to Swamp Thing, this volume restores Holland’s nemesis Anton Arcane.  The series also continues to develop the story of the Rot which leads into the big Rotworld crossover series that goes through Animal Man and Swamp Thing (and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. to some extent).

Swamp Thing (5) #0

I wish the story at this point was a little more concrete and less fluid.  Swamp Thing never has been a very linear comic from way back in the Alan Moore days and I don’t really expect it to be, but I like Abby and I like Arcane and the Rot aspect of their background is taking some getting used to.  Swamp Thing (5) #0 (November 2012) does provide some more of Swamp Thing and Arcane’s past in regards to the Rot.

I also find it strange that it was decided to include Swamp Thing (5) Annual #1 (December 2012) in this collection since it takes place during Rotworld (but does house a story that is more tied to Abby’s family and her past with Alec).  It could be jarring to readers to be thrust into Rotworld when they haven’t really encountered it yet in the story.

Despite some minor criticisms, Swamp Thing continues to be a strong title in the New 52 and one of the ones I look forward to.  Swamp Thing 2:  Family Tree is a good continuation of the story and has Swamp Thing really establishing some strong “roots” for future storylines.  The Rotworld story has been a long time coming, and I look forward to see where it goes.  Swamp Thing Volume 2:  Family Tree is followed by Swamp Thing Volume 3:  Rotworld—The Green Kingdom.

Related Links:

Swamp Thing 1:  Raise Them Bones

Swamp Thing 3:  Rotworld—The Green Kingdom

Swamp Thing 4:  Seeder

Swamp Thing 5:  The Killing Field

Swamp Thing 6:  The Sureen

Swamp Thing 7:  Season’s End