Swamp Thing: Twin Branches - Review

Author: Maggie Stiefvater 

Genre: Graphic Novel

Format: Paperback

Pages: 199

I was excited for this one because while I who Swamp Thing was, and I've read a few cross-overs with him. However, I've never read any of the comics about the character. I don't know why I've never read them, one of my favorite old-school creature movies is Creature from the Black Lagoon. This is something I should correct in the coming new year. I mention that because I felt this would be a fun way to dip a toe into the Swamp Thing world seeing how this is an origin story. 

As a whole, I wasn't disappointed in this book as an origin story like it seems quite a few other people seemed to be. I really liked Stiefvater's writing style and Morgan Beem's artwork. I love when artists, for lack a better way to describe it, has for Mike Mignola kind of aesthetic. The art is rough and angular, but colorful as well. Personally, I like it, and I thought the color palette Beem chose worked perfectly with the story.

I understand that a lot of people were expecting less science and more action, but I like that we got the opposite. I felt like we got to know Al through his love of plants, and I didn't mind how science-heavy it was. Al was a mature botanist and he had a love of plants. It made sense that a lot of his narration included that love. He saw the world as a plant and that's how he explained his world. Did I have to Google a handful of things as I read, yup sure did. But, honestly, that doesn't bother me. It means the author deep dove into science to show us who Al was before he becomes the Swamp Thing. On top of the fact I learned something and seeing that is geared for younger readers, I like that gives them something to research along with the story.

Swamp Thing is a very common coming-of-age trope in the superhero genre. It's funny at times, at others times frustrating, but as an adult reading YA sometimes I have to roll my eyes at the ridiculousness. Because I was full of drama then too. I really liked the side characters of friends Al made, especially the teacher in the lab he was borrowing. I think they were pulling him out of his shell far better than his brother, but I do love the end pages where they stand up for each other. I think it's great.

My only real complaint is the cousins  I found the characters of the cousins annoying and really overly terrible. They didn't really fit into the story all that much. Personally, I think they could have not been in the book and no one would have noticed. The only purpose they serve was to introduce the bullies and sort of egg them on. Something I think Al's twin could have done on his own, or with only one cousin. Sitting here, I don't remember either of their names.

But as a whole, I really like the one. It was fun and a great way to introduce a lesser-known DC character. I'm glad I picked up finally to read, and I know the perfect home it where it can introduce other young readers to Al and his love of plants.

HAPPY READING!!