Review: The Swamp Thing #7

by Matthew Lloyd
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Review: The Swamp Thing #7
The Swamp Thing 7 DC Comics News[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]


Writer: Ram V
Art: Mike Perkins
Colors:  Mike Spicer
Letters: Aditya Bidikar


Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

 

Summary

The Nightmare Nurse entreats Levi to let her heal him thus severing his connection to the green while the rest of the Suicide Squad is mostly lost in the swamp.

Positives

Just when it seemed like The Swamp Thing was going to have a hard time finding its way back to the plotlines set forth in issue #1, Ram V lets The Swamp Thing #7 flesh out the story of his father and brother.  As this is a ten issue series things had to start bending back around and this development comes at a perfect time.  Inside the story, V has Levi recall the past events in India with his father and brother as he inspired by the memories he’s getting from the trees.  This method keeps the story focused on Levi’s perceptions and connections to the Green as the Swamp Thing and it truly sings!  We never forget that Levi is experiencing life in a different way than he did before his connection with the Green was established.

DC Comics News The Swamp Thing 7

Nightmare Nurse (Asa) attempts to get Levi to give up so the Suicide Squad can take him in.  She approaches things as a healer, and this too maintains the theme of perception and how she sells it to Levi.  Of course he doesn’t give in, but there seems to be an interesting bond with Asa as she tries to coerce him.  She seems to understand the connection and sees the burden it carries.

DC Comics News The Swamp Thing 7

Positives Cont’d

The art by Mike Perkins and colors by Mike Spicer are once again absolutely gorgeous.  There’s no denying this combination is something special.  The double splash page sets the tone perfectly as it is both beautiful and haunting.  Perkins does his part with a classically haunting silhouette while Spicer’s colors perfectly set the mood.  The splash also sets the reader up for the two aspects of the story and blends them effectively.

The Swamp Thing 7 DC Comics News

Negatives

The only aspect of this issue that causes pause is the inclusion of the Suicide Squad.  Unfortunately, these past two issues feel like a promotional appearance for the recently released film, The Suicide Squad.  Thankfully, Asa’s role in this issue has a deeper resonance with the story that makes it work much better than expected.

Hopefully, another plot thread from the first issue will return soon, the Pale Wanderer.  While the series has been great, one can’t help but wonder what the Wanderer will mean for Levi when they finally come into contact.

The Swamp Thing 7 DC Comics News

Verdict

If you’re picking up The Swamp Thing #7, it’s clear you’re not going anywhere.  Somewhat surprisingly, this issue is also not a bad place for a new reader to jump on.  If you weren’t sure about The Swamp Thing, this issue does a good job of recapping where things are while also giving an interesting look at Levi’s character.  Of course you should go back and get all the issues, but this isn’t a bad place to jump in to one DC”s best series.

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