SWAMP THING 1989 #3 (DC COMICS)
The end is near for Swamp Thing!
After the abrupt cancellation of his 1988 series, the final chapters are being releases. Fans have seen Swamp Thing travel through historic times arriving at the beginning of time. Once there, a difficult choice has to be made. All life may not be ready for the consequences.
SWAMP THING 1989 #3 by Rick Veitch, Tom Mandrake ,Trish Mulvihill, & Todd Klein (DC COMICS) delivers its’ pen ultimate chapter.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what unfolds here.
SWAMP THING 1989 #3 by Rick Veitch, Tom Mandrake ,Trish Mulvihill, & Todd Klein (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Veitch dances through a few storylines while quietly pushing them into one final destination. Delivering on the devious nature of Constantine, the writing stages him on a path to assist in stopping Hell on Earth (literally). This clashes with the sinister proposal coming from Arcane. His conversation with Negral sparks a chance to harm Swamp Thing in a personal fashion. Knowing that Abby is due any minute to bear his child, the words are chilling in the attempt to stop this event from occurring.
Readers watch as Swamp Thing has his own struggles at the beginning of time. His interaction with “The Source Wall” offers him a painful way back. The writing shows the difficult decision made with tragic results. It hits on a few different levels what Swamp Thing fails in accomplishing, but all is not completely lost. This adds more weight to the final act. Knowing what is about to occur, the key players look to be poised for one proper final showdown.
read last issue’s review!
Mandrake and Mulvihill tap into each characters’ strongest traits for this chapter. Seeing Constantine work his con with Jim Corrigan before moving events to the crisis at hand. Swap Thing opens up at the Source with a strong two page spread. This interaction is heightened by Mulvihill’s coloring. It gives the time a spaceous feel before the choice is made for Swamp Thing’s fate. The mood is a strong contrast from Arcane’s dark surroundings.
The full shot of Hell launches the plea to Negral with sinister intentions. This mood carries over to a quick interlude to Darkseid and Metron. It provides a sound break before sending events back to Swamp Thing’s dangerous plan to return home. The scenes show the toll taken on the Green Guardian. Readers watch as the painful journey leads into hopelessness or so it seems. It compliments the final pages. All roads look to forge together as the final full page sets everything into a downward spiral.
FINAL GRADE: 8.4
The long road back takes a heavy toll on Swamp Thing as time is not on his side. Veitch stages events to crash together for the finale. The art weaves the darkness surrounding events by balancing some hopeful panels. Brace for a huge impact forthcoming.
Let me know your thoughts on SWAMP THING 1989 #3 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
