Swamp Thing: Arcane #23.1 Review
“The Patchwork History”
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Charles Soule
Art: Jesus Saiz
Colors: Matthew Wilson
Letters: Travis Lanham
Covers: Jesus Saiz
Review by Scott Keys
I’ll be the first one to admit that of all the Villains Month titles out, this one wasn’t initially very high on my priority list. I’m much more a “capes and cowls” kinda guy that’s just now venturing into the “darker” realms of the new DCU. I’ll also be the first one to admit that this was by far one of the BEST Villains Month books!
Charles Soule is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. He is also one of the writers that, if I see his name on a book, I’ll give it a try, even without knowing what the book is about. He’s that good! Soule’s writing in this issue was superb! I had little prior knowledge of Arcane, and Soule did a great job of filling in those blanks and even making him a somewhat sympathetic character. He’s “bad” because he thinks he’s doing “good.” I really liked how he was playing “cat & mouse” with his niece, and loved the ending, literally giving him a backdoor way back into the mainstream world. Of course, Soule’s writing is beautifully (or is that eerily?) complemented by Jesus Saiz on art. I’ve loved his style since his Manhunter days (loved that book, you should go check it out if you haven’t already). Saiz’s style just lends itself so well to the arcane nature of the story (yes, that pun was intentional). His clean lines and creepy detail add so much to Soule’s story!
Swamp Thing: Arcane #23.1 was quite a pleasant (or was that disturbing?) surprise, I’m really glad I gave this book a try! It just solidifies the fact that I’m gonna read Soule’s run on Swamp Thing, and the fact that he’s one of my favorite current writers! In my opinion, Soule and Saiz gave the readers the best of the Villains Month titles & I hope to see more from this amazing team of creators!
Art: 5 / 5
Story: 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5
Scott Keys is a father, Butler University grad, pharmacist, and full-time comic nerd. You can follow his adventures around the spinner-rack and his Incoherent Comic Book Ramblings on:
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