And Then I Read SWAMPMEN (CBC#6)

Cover by Frank Cho, Swamp Thing © DC Comics.

Editor Jon B. Cooke worked on this thick volume (with tiny type) for about ten years, and as with all his work, it’s thoroughly detailed and well-researched. The bulk of it is interviews that ask the right questions. In trying for a comprehensive look at swamp creatures that walk like men, Jon dove into areas that don’t interest me, so I didn’t read about The Heap, The Glob, The Bog-Beast and others, but I enjoyed reading about Man-Thing and Swamp Thing. The latter creature gets the most coverage due to illuminating interviews with Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson, Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, Rick Veitch and John Totleben. If you ever wanted to know more on that subject, you’re likely to find it here. Lots of rare art and photos are within as well. Man-Thing is a comic I never read until I lettered it not long ago (the final Man-Thing story by Steve Gerber), and the coverage on it here is equally excellent: interviews with Steve Gerber, Val Mayerik, Mike Ploog and Jim Mooney. Well done.

Recommended.