Review: ‘The Swamp Thing’ #13 Delivers More Existential Excitement

After all the madness of the past few issues its good to see a moment of tranquility and tenderness open up this issue of The Swamp Thing by Ram V, Mike Perkins, Mile Spicer and Aditya Bidikar. But, this is comics, so you know even this moment won’t last. In this moment, however, we learn of Levi’s thinking behind his recent hibernation, and his return to humanity all beautifully scripted by Ram V. His writing, as I have alluded to before, lifts this comic into the realms of a classic in the making. Something, as a reader, I can see happening with each and every issue, which is a rarity. It is often only through the lens of time that we can say this for many a comic book run, but with this sixteen issue saga it would take a philistine not to recognise the place this is already making for itself amongst the greatest of comic book runs. A classic in the making that has the artwork to match too. Perkins brings his all into each and every page, whether its the more organic details of the foliage and fauna a comic like this demands, or the more industrial duality on display here too, as the new Parliament of Gears emerges as the dual opposite to everything the Green represents.

Along for the ride is The Authority’s Jack Hawksmoor as he and swampy meet up in the motor city, Detroit, an apt backdrop for this story to play out upon. And a macabre, living factory churning out on its production line a never-ending array of mechanics monstrosities. And none more monsters than the fleshy, mechanical hybrid towering over Levi and Jack in this dark, brooding factory made all the darker wit some deft colour work by Mike Spicer.

Meanwhile, the radioactive character of Trinity, introduced last issue, becomes aware of her existence, albeit unaware of her deadly touch. Like a modern day Frankenstein’s monster, a newborn unaware that to all who see her she is but a miserable wretch.

All this alone would be more than enough to fill a normal comic from cover to cover. But, this is no ordinary comic and so Ram V has even more up his sleeve, and Perkins dazzles even more with the urning or each page. The scene in which Levi speaks with the Parliament of Trees are most effective indeed and once more showcases Perkins unconventional page layouts that draw you in and demand the eye lingers on the luscious details.

Another highly satisfactory issue that offers the reader excitement and existentialism in equal measure. And out now from DC Comics