Review: Poison Ivy/ Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Art: Mike Perkins
Colors: Mike Spicer
Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Poison Ivy and Swamp Thing hear a call from a Gotham forest crying out in pain. The pair investigate with a startling discovery for both.
Positives
Those who read Ram V’s work on Swamp Thing that began with Future State will know that Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer are a dream team for the character. The duo don’t disappoint with Poison Ivy/ Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1. They create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. It’s easy to feel the cold weather and claustrophobic encounters Ivy and Swampy find in the woods. At times, it’s clear that Perkins uses references for his faces. In this issue it intensifies the emotions he conveys, especially in some of Ivy’s more extreme moments. As always, Spicer finds colors that create a feeling or contribute to the atmosphere in unexpected ways.
I have to give credit to Wilson for not letting Harley Quinn intrude on this story. She appears in one panel, in complete silence, and that’s the best thing for her. Letting her loose would have ruined this story. (I mean, she ALWAYS ruins an issue for me), this story has such a serious and melancholic flavor she has no place in it. So, THANK YOU, for that!
Positives Cont’d
Wilson finds that sweet spot with Swamp Thing as a cerebral, thought provoking and challenging character that raises questions about the relationship between humankind and the natural world. Wilson creatively weaves Poison Ivy into this theme as she explores the differences in the way the two characters relate to the Green AND humanity. Wilson challenges Ivy. Through Swamp Thing’s observations Wilson forces Ivy to reevaluate her motivations and priorities. It’s a compelling conflict.
The ending is a real surprise. You just don’t see it coming. Ivy has the same reaction, while Swampy seemed to be able to sense it coming. While at first glance Feral Trees appears to be a horror story for the week of Halloween, but the setting in Winter utilizes the change of seasons and the differences in the seasons as a background theme. It definitely feels more “Winter” than classic spooky fall. It’s a pleasant switch up and the quality of the story and art makes you forget that this isn’t a Halloween comic.
Negatives
For a number of years, Poison Ivy has been portrayed as an anti-hero type, involved in eco-terrorism for a “greater good.” I find that I miss the villainous days of her character. While there is something compelling about Ivy as the eco-terrorist, her original depiction as a villain, maybe even a character who is a bit demented in her desire to eliminate humanity in order to save the planet still has validity.
Verdict
Poison Ivy/ Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1 is a great comic. The art is beautiful and the story is though provoking and touching as Wilson gets some exceptional deep character moments. While this issue may not be part of a larger story, it is a great read.
