I had no interest in reading Swamp Thing comics until I read all the accolades Alan Moore received for this revival of the defunct storyline. This is not hype - this is one of the best comics I've read and well-deserved of praise.

This "Swamp Thing" is a must-read for serious comics fans. Alan Moore, in his signature style, takes the character development to a level of complexity that was unheard of in comics at the time. It's not better than The Watchmen, but it's almost as good.

In this set of tales, The Swamp Thing is not a man turned into a plant by accident like the original tale. The Swamp Thing is actually plant life that has generated itself from the memories of a man; it is trying to become a sentient being. The dilemma that the character faces is that despite his sentience, he can never be a man. This idea is explored in depth. Alan Moore raises the stakes further by showing the superheroes, miles above the earth, in a space station, powerless to solve the problem. I love this subtle dig at the "costumed heroes."

Before reading this book, I did not think it was possible for a comic to achieve the level of horror/fear catharsis that a good Hollywood horror film can produce. I have changed my mind after reading the frightening "Swamp Thing."

Alan Moore also contemplates the balance between environmentalism and industry - can man live without plants? If plants could destroy man, would they? Could they continue to exist? The story is not political, but it is mind-bending, and feels oddly timely today, almost 30 years after publication.

The artwork is strong - it reflects the comic style of the 80s which is simpler and lighter, with brighter colors and play with lettering. Younger comic readers will find it dated, but I loved it.

I bought this with no comic exposure other than a couple Invisibles trades, and that shot in the dark jump-started my love for comics. Alan Moore's series is almost perfect, I didn't like typical superheros at this point but the first five Swamp trades blew my mind and continue to remain the high watermark of comics to this day. Criminally overlooked, much better than Watchmen or V for Vendetta.

Along with the Invisibles and Preacher, this is a series everyone dabbling in comics or weird lit needs to own.

If you like Moore, if you like great artwork, if you want to read one of the best chapters in comic book history, read this run. One of the best colaborations ever in graphic storytelling. Reimagining the Swamp Thing is the best thing Alan Moore has ever done. For me, it's better than Watchmen, and I loved Watchmen, it realy is one of the best there is in the medium, but Swampy is truely something else...

...and then it came to pass Mr. Moore came and conquered sequential storytelling... The artwork hits the highs and lows so does the narration... Rest assured, it's highs mostly and that's creepy sweet. The Monkey King storyline didn't kick in deep, though left its chillness. Loose Ends and Anatomy Lesson are breathtaking. All I can scream is, I want Moore...

Ok, I bought this GN based on all the great reviews. The art work is not that great and the story telling is ok. It was bland and somewhat boring. I hate to knock anyone's work, so please realize this is just one reader's opinion. I do read a lot of graphic novels, especially those considered to be written for adults and this one just did not impress me at all. My biggest regret is that I bought the entire Swamp Thing run by Alan Moore and none of them have been that great. I had high hopes based on the reviews but have been very disappointed.

With Swamp Thing, Alan Moore, one of the most talented authors in comic book history, rewrote the rules. I picked this up 20 years ago and am still amazed. Steve Bissette and John Totleben are probably my favorite art team in the history of comics. This is close to their start, so it's a little rough around the edges, but still way above and beyond the vast majority of most illustrators out there. Steve drew the amazing layouts, destroying storyboard conventions, and John tightened the loose sketches up into works of art. This was hugely influential when it came out, and still a highlight of work in graphic storytelling to this day. Many people copied, but few could rival, Alan Moore's dark and serious style.
This may not be well received by the standard comic book crowd, but Alan Moore never wrote for that market share. Unfortunately, except for the cover none of John Totleben's amazing painted covers are included. DC really should put out a book of those. Moore and Totleben cooperated once again on Miracleman, another book with a dark edge that deconstructs superhero myths and is worth checking out.

What can I say. Decent graphics and a typical comic book story. Unlikely to satisfy adults. Again, OK, but hardly a revolutionary work of any kind.

In 1984 DC comics hired a relatively unknown British comic writer and gave him the assignment to write Swamp Thing. Moore was given basically free reign on the character since the title was slated to be cancelled anyway due to poor sales. But then a funny thing happened...Moore revamped the character and his origins and changed everything fans ever knew about him. Thus Swamp Thing was saved from the axe and would continue on for 12 more years. Moore's run on the title has gone onto become one of the most critically acclaimed in comic's history.

This book reprints the first 7 issues of Moore's run from #21 - 27. Actually Moore took over one issue earlier but it was #21 that changed everything. In this issue, Swamp Thing, who was thought dead, has an autopsy performed on him by the Floronic Man who discovers that the creature has no human skeleton or organs...thus he is not, and never was Alec Holland as we had always thought. Instead, when Holland died, the swamp absorbed his memories and conferred them onto the creature that would become the Swamp Thing. We of course would later learn that Swamp Thing was actually a plant elemental and just the latest in a long line of such creatures. The Floronic Man would eat one of the tubers off Swamp Things body and go onto a psychedelic trip that would put him in touch...and control of all plant life on Earth. Swamp Thing would battle him over the course of issues 22 - 24.

Issue #25 was a landmark in that it introduced, although didn't name, one John Constantine, the Hellblazer. This would begin a three issue story arc where Swamp Thing battled a fear demon called the Monkey King with help from Etrigan. This book begins a marvelous run that for me culminates in issue #50. Great art throughout by Steve Bissette and John Totleben who came aboard on issue #21. A fantastic book!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

From a person who still hides her graphic novels for fear of being ridiculed...
Like others before me, my "introduction into the comic book realm" was through Neil Gaiman's masterpiece, Sandman. I entered timidly, head filled with images of butt-sculpting tights, superpowers, and, most importantly, barely-visible/highly groan-worthy plots. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Comic books aren't just for kids, ladies in gentlemen, and I was hooked. I had a friend from work recommend "Saga of the Swamp Thing", and couldn't help but think "Swamp Thing? How could that possibly be good?" The old stereotypes came back. But I gave it the benefit of the doubt, and I'm very glad I did!!! Please, throw aside all your preconceived notions of the cheesy superhero comic stereotype and prepare to be awed! Alan Moore has proven himself time and time again, showing that just because it's illustrated doesn't mean it's not art or literature. I would venture to say that Alan Moore's stories trump some the greatest modern authors, hands down. I was convinced of his sheer genius when I read the second graphic novel in the Swamp Thing series, and closed the cover feeling like I'd just been given a glimpse of God. Really, he is that good.
And you don't have to have the entire collection of X-Men in your basement to appreciate it. If people like Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman keep gracing our local Borders and Barnes & Noble with their talent, comic books might just start giving traditional novels a run for their money. If it weren't for the stereotype given to modern comics by their predecesors, people might take comics seriously and give authors like Alan Moore the credit they deserve.

Is Swamp Thing a hero, an anti hero, or even a superhero? It's a difficult question to answer, as this book, which collects some of the earlier issues of the 1980s reinvention of the character, as well as the beginning of Alan Moore's run on the book, portrays him less as a typical super powere heroic figure, and more of a sweet, occasionally heroic, but ultimately reclusive misunderstood monster. His battles with Woodrue, the Florinic Man, and the "Monkey King" are very enjoyable. The way he pounds away with ease and little hesitation at both an arrogant ancient demon and a monkey monster right out of the kind of nightmares that haunt you forever is satisfying and amusing at the same time.

The character of Swamp Thing I find very lovable, for some reason. =^_^= This book is all around great, and even if it gets off to a slow start, by the end you'll be jumping with enthusiasm for the next volume.

I've read Swamp Thing many years ago, read again now and the impression is the same: A great story written by one of the masters of comic books, Alan Moore.

Before Alan Moore crafted the genre-bending Watchmen, he was given complete free-reign to do as he wished with Swamp Thing. This first arc of Moore's legendary and revolutionary run on Swamp Thing showcases not only the writer re-defining horror comics, but comics in general. His re-invention of the character was like nothing ever seen before in the medium, and Saga of the Swamp Thing is absolutely essential. The first part of the TPB, entitled the Anatomy Lesson, reveals that the title character is in fact not Alec Holland, but a life form thinking that it is. As the story unfolds, Swampy returns to his home, and his run in's with the Floronic Man and a horrifying encounter with comic icon Jack Kirby's Demon, and there's even a cameo from the JLA. The art by Steve Bissette and John Tottleben gives this classic collection a look of it's own, and what follows finds Moore achieving the supreme brilliance that he is revered for in the comic world. The beginning of one of the most engrossing and horrifying sagas in comic history, this belongs in every comic fan's library.

...and after reading Swamp Thing, I remembered how a friend of mine, comic store owner said that Gaiman, beggining his career, was trying to write like Alan Moore (compare Preludes and Nocturnes' atmosphere and art to this book's).

This book contains suspense, splatter, weird villans and psychedelic but imaginative rewrite of Swampy's origin. Artwork fits the story, but let's admit it, this book has more historical significance today, because it opened door to writers like Gaiman, Ellis, Ennis, Morrison and preceded Vertigo line of comics.

If you are looking for Alan Moore's best work, I'd have to say it is Watchmen.

If you are looking for original and extremely well written comic, try Sandman: Brief Lives

or

if you are looking for well written AND well illustrated comic try Maxx, first two trades.

Ok, lets get this straight...a comic book has to be good at 2 things...story and art. If you just want a good story, read a novel, if you want art, buy a painting. A comic book should be both. The artwork in this is horrible. I know there are different types and styles of artwork, and im fine with that ( ie. Dark Knight by Frank Miller...very different style, but you can still tell its well done for what it is). This is just plain bad. The artist Stephen Bissette needs to find another job. The story itself is just mediocre. Im a comic book fan and horror fan, but this just does not cut it. Amazed people rate it so highly, when compared to Dark Knight, Watchman, Sandman and others. ( PS . .this artwork reminds me of first few issues of Sandman book...ALSO horrible art, although great story at least).

This first volume collects the first seven chapters of Alan Moore's highly acclaimed helming of the 'Swamp Thing,' series. Groundbreaking for its evocative bending of the horror genre in a major-label comic series, this collection of 'Swamp Thing,' chapters is not to be missed by anyone interested in comics as a legit form of narrative storytelling.

While Vol. 1 isn't the strongest in terms of story-punch and raw emotion, it certainly is required reading, in order to appreciate the full arc of this 30+ chapter series. While the strongest chapters do take place in later volumes this initial volume does offer oodles of horrific goodness not to mention some intriguing layout design in its panels. Definitely not to be missed!

Despite representing only a sixth of Alan Moore's famous run (#21-27), this trade paperback offers two complete story arcs and can be seen as a self-contained work. The first four issues feature a new look at Swamp Thing's nature through an autopsy done by the Floronic Man, Jason Woodrue, and the far-reaching consequences of the latter's discovery; issues 25-27 resurrect Jack Kirby's Demon in an intense exploration of fear. The 'new origin', far from nullyfying all that went on before, enables the reader to experience Swamp Thing and his world differently. Whereas Len Wein and Berni Wrightson's work on the character - collected in the excellent 'Dark Genesis' trade paperback - could be read as a reflection on the link between body and soul, Alec Holland being fully conscious but trapped in a bodily prison, Moore's rather deals with the link between two realms, human and vegetal. It thus keeps the tension and duality of the former but sends it in a personal and intriguing direction. These stories are not only conceptually ravishing, but also visually: ingenious and beautiful page constructions are far too numerous to mention, from the brilliant title pages to the dreams scattered throughout the work. From the first page to the last, this is a very atmospheric and evocative book.

This trade collects issues 21-27 of Alan Moore's heralded run on Swamp Thing, which he took over way back in 1983. (Issue 20, which was actually Moore's first issue wasn't collected, which is a shame.)

Simply put, this first ST collection is magnificient: some of Moore's best writing ever. Moore re-invents Swamp Thing and then delivers the goods with some of his strongest plots ever. (Jack Kirby's Demon as a guest-star is particulary strong.) Bissette and Totleben's artwork is also equally beautiful and horrific.

DC has since collected the rest of Moore's run on ST (28-63 and ST annual #2). While good, the rest of the series doesn't hold up quite as strong. The American Gothic storyline for ex., is interesting, but (to me) it simply doesn't have the impact of these early issues. Also, the romance between ST and Abby just isn't believable...But that doesn't matter, these early issues still hold up quite well-20 years haven't diminished their impact.

I was just a junior high school comic book freak when Alan Moore took over the writing duties on the Swamp Thing series. I can clearly remember that even back then the comics world was abuzz with the incredible new realms that Moore and his collaborators were opening up. In an unusual fashion, this new ground was broken on a tired old series, as the Swamp Thing title was moribund and probably headed for cancellation. It's quite surprising that Moore was given free rein to completely reinvent this established character, and in the process he both proved himself as one of the strongest writers in the field, and sent the comics world in new and darker directions that are still being felt today.

Moore makes use of the best methods of horror writing, and the stupendous artwork of Stephen Bissette and John Totleben accentuate the dark feel of the storylines and send the Swamp Thing series to new heights of terror. Much credit should be given to colorist Tatjana Wood as well. In this volume, check out the artists' very groundbreaking (for the time) use of frames, placement, and coloring to accentuate the psychological horror of the story. One of my favorite examples of this can be found on page 27 here, with the accented focus on the crazed eye of the villain Floronic Man. In fact, this initial volume highlights Moore's intentional connection with the standard comic universe as well, with creative reintroductions of both Floronic Man and Etrigan (Jack Kirby's Demon), who had both been little heard from previously, plus a cameo appearance by the Justice League of America.

This early in Moore's run, the gutwrenching plotlines were still building up steam, and the subsequent volumes of this series really deliver the goods. The most haunting and rewarding installments here are the trilogy that are listed as Books Five through Seven (or Swamp Thing 25-27 in their original form), which feature disturbing turns by troubled kids with connections to the dark side. This graphic novel series from DC constitutes some of the most tremendous works of art and writing in comics history, and this first volume easily shows what all the fuss was about. Whether you're new or re-experiencing the best original comics of your past, prepare to be blown away.

This book is Alan Moore's breakthrough. This book gave him the solid base of fans that follow him regardless of what he does. I've been an Alan Moore fan for years but never read his Swamp Thing stories mostly because I didn't like Swamp Thing. Well, I do now.

Alan Moore, when he wrote this, was still forming the threads that follow through most of his work. You can see his continual cleverness as he seemlessly reworks the Swamp Thing into something else, reinvents him in the first issue.

Steve Bissette is so perfect for this work. There's a real creepiness to the whole book, the art is perfectly in tune with the whole process.

This is Alan Moore's storytelling at its roots and worth it completely. It's amazing that there's still 30 some odd issues to read.

This is where it all begins. When the first story in this collection ("The Anatomy Lesson") was published, the industry and fandom was completely blown away. Alan Moore took a throw-away character (the Swamp Thing) and a forgotten villain (Jason Woodrue, the Floronic Man) and founded an entire genre of comics that had been long forgotten (or at least neglected) since the 50s or so.

DC's Vertigo line, the Sandman series, and very likely, Watchmen all would have likely never happened without the series of comics reprinted here. There is some truly frightening material in here that is unlike most comic fare aimed at younger readers (or at least sanitized for younger minds), but the writing was revolutionary for its time and holds up well today. The artwork maintains the high standards of excellence Moore establishes. The partnership of Alan Moore and Stephen Bissette is one of those magical pairings that occurs so infrequently in comic history (I compare it to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby on the Fantastic Four, Chris Claremont and John Byrne on X-Men, and Marv Wolfman and George Perez on Teen Titans). This is truly a treasure to add to your collection.

This is billed as a horror comic. It is scary, but it resists characterization. The oddest thing about this book is that it takes place within the DC universe. Yes, the tone is VERY dark, and VERY bad things happen--but then there's Superman hanging around in the background...weird. The story begins with a minor DC villain-The Floronic Man. He brings Swamp Thing "back from the dead" and then begins doing things far worse than he ever did against the Justice League. It is (literally) the DC universe in Hell.

As is Alan Moore's style, he takes over a character and completely re-defines him. Like Miracleman, we find out that Swamp Thing isn't exactly what he thought he was. The art is first-rate-much better than today's standards...subtler, more expertly drawn, with none of those annoying, PhotoShop embellishments. It is a beautiful, fast, disturbing read from start to finish. You'll never look at a swordfish the same way again...

Truly one of the best TPB's I read in a LONG time. This one reprints #21-27 of the Alan Moore run on Saga of the Swamp Thing. It starts of with one of the best issues in the trade and then after a minor backfall with #22 (it's not bad, just less than #21) it keeps on getting better and better with the coming of Abby,Jason Blood and Swamp Thing himself mixing in more. Especially the last three issues are for the fans of better horror-comics. I think every comic-reader who's mind isn't stuck on just superheroes can enjoy him/herself greatly with this one.

This is a collection of Alan Moore's first Swamp Thing stories, and are amongst the first comics to be published for adult readers by a major comics publisher. The stories do lack the sophistication and literary merit of Moore's best works. And, of course, Moore's ingenious reinterpretation of the character's history will mean nothing to those who had not been fans of Swamp Thing before Moore took over, but unlike most collections of comics about a popular character, this is irrelevant. These stories work well on their own as brilliant entries into the horror genre and can be enjoyed by readers of such authors as Clive Barker.

The illustrations by such artists as Steve Bissette, John Totleben and Rick Veitch are still masterpieces and remain superior to most of the artists who are popular today. Unfortunately, the art in this collection suffers from changes in printing techniques since the stories' original publication, leaving the colours a bit too bright and garish in contrast to the moody story and artwork. However, it is difficult and expensive to get the originals so this is something one can live with.

It's still pretty darn good. Just the fact that I could find a story about the Swamp Thing enjoyable is pretty amazing but Moore pulled it off. I wasn't even that disturbed by the appearance of other caped-crusaders.

Here's what I didn't like: 1) That the plot line was kind of separated into 2 shorter 'themes'. 2) A thread started at the end that is not concluded in the book. 3) A monster that feeds on fear is just not all that original anymore.

But remember even with all that I gave it 4 stars.

Alan Moore used his break into the American market to take a third-tier monster book and triple its sales within a year.

How did he do it? By chucking all conventions and expectations. His first issue in this volume, "The Anatomy Lesson" (reprinted from Saga of the Swamp Thing #21), gives Swampy an entirely new origin and background, and outlines Moore's plans for the character; a complete dissection and rebuilding, from the ground up.

In successive issues, Moore continues to defy expectation, with his poetic method of writing becoming the reference point for everyone who wanted to prove to their buddies that comics "weren't just for kids". Coupled with the wonderful artwork, this volume should earn a place on even the most discriminating of bookshelves.

Granted, Saga lacks the the sheer genius of Watchmen, the power of V for Vendetta, or the disturbing atmosphere of From Hell, but its a smorgasbord of Moore, with attributes and positive characteristics entirely unique unto itself.

If only the rest of his run would be collected as well...

When Alan Moore came to DC to write SWAMP THING, he had already made a name for himself in England with 2000 AD and his early works, including "V For Vendetta," "The Ballad of Halo Jones," "Marvelman" (later renamed "Miracleman" when published here in the States), and more. But it was his legendary work on the SWAMP THING series that broke him into the big time and made the name "Alan Moore" synonymous with "genius" amongst conic book fans.

SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING is a reprint of Moore's first story arc of the series (issues #20 through 27), the groundbreaking series that shook the entire comics industry. This was the first mainstream series to defy the archaic, outdated Comics Code (Marvel had done it earlier with Spider-man's drug issues, but this was the first series to abandon the Code completely); it was the first step towards "serious" mainstream comic books that catered more towards adults (and gave birth to DC's "Vertigo" line); it took an old has-been DC character that no one knew what to do with and breathed new life into him; and it also gave us a pair of wicked stories that are a sheer delight to read. Swamp Thing discovers his "true" origin in the saga of "The Anatomy Lesson," and he meets a horror from beyond death in "The Monkey King," while encountering several "minor" DC characters who had never been cast in the way they appeared in this series. (Moore's virtual re-writing of Etrigan the Demon sparked a new interest in the character, leading him to several spin-off books of his own.) And we mustn't forget the fantastic, haunting, beautiful, terrifying artowork of Steve Bissette and John Totleben, who made the pages fairly glow with life, as they turned the "swamp" world of the Swamp Thing into an eerie, beautiful, mysterious realm where life and death hide in every pool, waiting to spring out at you.

This book comprises the first half of an unforgettale comic book saga, laying the groundwork for a horrific tale that would cliax with a journey into Hell itself. When paired with the second reprint volume of the saga, "Love and Death," SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING shines as an early example of the genius of Alan Moore, the man who nearly single-handledly took the genre of mainstream comic books and turned it into a "serious" literary art form.

Alan moore at his finest! He took a stupid monster book and turned it into one of the greatest comics of all time!