I don’t want to cast any shade on Tom Yeates’s art, but compared with what’s inside the pages, this cover is kind of lacking.
See what I’m saying?
The beatific expression on Swampy’s face here is really lovely as he floats through the Green, truly at peace for once.
Meanwhile, a group of high school friends get drunk in a car. Cue the scary music.
These panels are nicely cinematic. The long shot of the final panel is perfect.
The tension mounts. Note the tiny sound effect in the final panel…
… which continues and gets louder as we see its source. On the next page, this kid gets killed too, but we don’t need to see that. Just know that Woodrue has begun his holy mission.
Swampy comes upon a “red” mind in the Green. It belongs to Woodrue, who, despite being an agent OF the Green, has murderous intent.
A bit about Abby’s history here as she wanders alone in the woods. Where exactly is she? Well…
She happens upon the lifeless body of the kid from a couple of pages ago.
And now, the plant life comes for her, animated by the will of Woodrue, even though he’s moved on.
Abby calls for Alec, the way she always has over the course of this series. She’s always been written as a damsel in distress.
Woodrue enters the town of LaCroix, not far away. He begins his vile work.
This bit is particularly inspired of Moore. First, the houses are sealed airtight.
Then the plants within, all connected to the Green, begin to produce oxygen at an accelerated rate, eventually producing an explosive effect.
In the Green, Swamp Thing is recollecting more and more of his memories.
His growing anger at Woodrue causes him to take action at last.
This sequence of panels is particularly inspired, as they transition from horizontal to vertical, just like…
Holy cats, this is gorgeous stuff.
A bit of awkwardness.
Meanwhile, this kid, who Woodrue allowed to escape the conflagration, has been taken in by a police station a few miles away. I’ll admit it: the text, culminating in the final paragraph, gave me chills.
The lifeless body of the dog always makes me feel bad.
He’s… kinda got a point.
This is where Alan Moore plays with Woodrue’s name. He’s on what he believes to be a holy crusade.
He is truly demonic in these shots.
I love that last panel. Feels very Showdown at OK Corral-like.
Join me on Monday for the wrap-up!
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