Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Trees works perfectly as a one-off horror story, and if this is a classic creature feature, it has a cold open that works well as a “pre-credits” scare. We are prepared. Readers don’t have to be caught up with the current goings-on of Poison Ivy or Swamp Thing to appreciate the main plot and heartbreaking character interactions throughout. But it pays to have a working knowledge of these characters, as the questions this book asks of them enrich the story and add new layers of pathos for both stars. In this issue, Ivy reveals just how far she’s willing to go in her crusade against humanity (which includes Harley Quinn, the love of her life, after all) and whether she’s truly with humanity. We must ask ourselves again whether we can become one. green.
Meanwhile, the story is full of exceptional callbacks to the old Swamp Thing comics, including the appearance of supporting characters we haven’t seen in decades. Screenwriter G. Willow Wilson says that without bogging down the story with too much exposition, she provides enough exposition to make the reader feel that these reappearances are more than just fan service. you’re doing a great job. Things move fast here, with philosophical debates and emotionally charged speeches taking place in an ever-changing and frightening environment. A chilling standout moment is when Ivy interrupts her train of thought to ask Swamp Thing why the sky disappeared.
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The horror elements are brought to vivid life by one of my favorite comics penciler and colorist duos. This one-shot showcases the exquisite work of Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer, who collaborated to stunning effect on Swamp Thing, a series that felt like the second coming of Vertigo long before the series’ revival was announced. The art team will reunite. There’s some bloody violence here, but it never lingers in an exploitative way. We see enough information to know that these trees mean business. Also, the contrasting hues of the ground and the undergrowth teeming with corpses are enough to make your stomach drop without resorting to blood and guts.
This issue includes everything from the terrifying tendrils that grow through the forest’s victims to Harley’s own key to Ivy’s location, sitting cozily on a plate on her bedside table. It’s full of little details that make it great. Character acting and body language carry emotional weight in many of the dialogue exchanges and flashbacks that draw the story towards its conclusion. I’ll admit I choked up during Ivy’s meltdown towards the end of the book.
Perkins could be drawing Swamp Thing in his sleep at this point, but he’s definitely not coasting here. This issue features multiple green avatars, providing fun updates to classic characters and even a slightly different vibe from Swampy himself. Swamp Thing’s body contains interesting earthy tones, like leaves wilted in the cold, which gives the creature an interesting palette.
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Speaking of which, I’ll admit that I’m a little conflicted by the characterization of Swamp Thing here, especially as a reader who’s loved Swamp Thing for decades at this point. Wilson gives him some dry kicks, which fit well with the jarring energy of the first half of the book. Swamp Thing and Ivy are in a strange land, which builds tension in a strangely interesting way when the usually inscrutable elementals crack wise. It also shows how this issue embraces the fluidity of DC Comics continuity, managing to overcome everything thrown at it by writers like Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Nancy Collins, Scott Snyder, Ram V, and many others. I also like that it gives us a glimpse of Swamp Thing. The character appears with a decades-long story and perspective beyond, retaining the knowledge of all of Green’s previous avatars.
However, this perspective makes the characters a little colder. This is definitely necessary to make the contrast between Ivy and Swampy clearer and to further explore the thematic elements at the heart of this story, but also to change Swamp Thing’s moral compass (which he has at this point). case) may be called into question. . Some of his coldness surprised me, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t serve the story in a compelling way, especially compared to Ivy’s passionate reactions. Does Swamp Thing really always put green first, or is this the same character who has generally held all life sacred? Is he truly unmoved by the story’s heartbreaking finale, or is he playing up his stoicism to reinforce a lesson like “tough love” to Ivy?
These are questions I’ll be thinking about for a while, and while the characterization isn’t exactly how I normally view this character, it still feels completely justified within the story Wilson has crafted. Masu. Ivy and Swamp Thing are definitely two sides of the same coin. A human woman who senses and bleeds plant life but cannot completely turn her back on her attachment to humans, and a plant who pretends to be male when it suits her. If you like either or both of these characters, you owe it to yourself to seek out Feral Trees. These are charming portraits perfect for the spooky season.
Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Wild Tree #1 Review: Bittersweet Harvest
Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Wild Tree #1
“Feral Trees” offers readers a fascinating character study and a solid one-shot horror story, making it worth seeking out during spooky season.
Gorgeous artwork with creepy horror visuals, heartbreaking character acting, and a refreshing take on classic Swamp Thing supporting characters
It contrasts Ivy and Swamp Thing in an interesting way and says a lot about both characters.
A treasure trove of surprises for longtime Swamp Thing fans
Works well as a standalone story, but deepens both characters in essential ways
