"If there is truly a heaven, sweet Linda... I pray to God you're happy there... And there must be a heaven... because I know there is a hell... I'm living in that hell right now...!" We reach the end of the second season with "The Leviathan Conspiracy" wrapping up Len Wein's orignal run. Nestor Redondo supplies the art as Len Wein has revelations a…

"Home..? Who'd have ever thought that one day... I would call this dismal bog home..." Len Wein and Nestor Redondo explore the cursed, never ending life of Milo Mobius in this time travel adventure. It's a definite change of pace for Swamp Thing as we near the end of Len Wein's run. Reader: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Original Music: J…

"How long he has stood here, gazing sadly at the ruptured ruins of the mouldering barn that was once his private laboratory, he cannot remember-- nor would it truly matter if he did--" It's a changing of the guard as Nestor Redondo steps in to art duties after Bernie Wrightson had left. Returning guest Erik Hanson steps in as we assess Redondo's ar…

"For the screamng is loud and long and frightening --- and laced wth maniacal laughter that sends snakes skittering into the underbrush --- night-birds sailing off into an angry sky --- and, at last, the screaming stops!" The end of the Bernie Wrightson run is reached with Issue #10 of Swamp Thing. Paul Hermann of The Comic Binge comes on to discus…

"Don't play so high an' mighty with me, Cable. I'll bet there's something in your life you've felt exactly the same way about." This month, Ryan Lower from The Batman Book Club comes on the podcast to discuss "The Stalker from Beyond" by Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson, and Michael Wm. Kaluta. There's a lot to unpack in a still timely rumination on xeno…

"There wasn't any natural way to restore the mines... so my pappy... he started checking into unnatural ways... the occult... and the supernatural... Then one night... I guesss he thought he was ready... He gathered up all the mystic books as such he'd been collecting... and carried them into the mine... And that was the last anyone ever saw of my …

"This man...will just keep coming...until one of us...is dead...!" In a very special episode, legendary comics artist Kelley Jones comes on the podcast to discuss Swamp Thing #7 "The Night of the Bat" by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson where Swamp Thing journeys to Gotham and encounters Batman. It's a break from the usual format, perhaps becoming mor…

"'They are incapable of raising their hands against their neighbors.' Those were the little clockmaker's words. But their meaning is soon drowned out by the furious chatter of machine gun fire that echoes across the square." In this episode, Rob Veatch comes on to discuss Wein and Wrightson's "A Clockwork Horror" where Swamp Thing stumbles across o…

"You looked after me... when I needed help... Now it's my turn to look after you!" Samantha Kacho returns to the podcast to discuss issue #5 of the original Swamp Thing run entitled "The Last of the Ravenwind Witches!" Witchcraft, prejudice, Puritans, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and a host of other thoughts are discussed. Reader: Samantha Kacho Original M…

"Somhow, the fear-filled scream that drifts in from the bog is not totally unexpectedby those in the ancient manor -- but all heads turn at the sound just the same..." Jeremy Lloyd of Dark Tower Radio is a guest this month as we discuss Issue #4 "Monster on the Moors", Bernie Wrightson, werewolves, Stephen King, and CYCLE OF THE WEREWOLF. Reader: A…

"There wasn't much left of you, you realize -- I had to improvise my repairs from the materials at hand! Here -- I'll show you!" With issue #3 of Swamp Thing, Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson tell the story of The Patchwork Man and introduce Abigail Arcane to the saga. Guest Andy DiGenova of Holy Batcast comes on to discuss this historic issue. Reader…

"Forgive my manner of summoning you, my friend, but I could not chance your refusing my invitation! You see, I have a proposition to make you. A most unusual proposition, indeed!" With issue #2 of Swamp Thing, Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson introduce Anton Arcane and embue the book with an expressionistic look that would mark it until today. Guest E…

"They will be back... the ones that killed me... Ferrett and the others will be back... and I will be waiting!" Welcome to season 2 of Swamp Things which will be exploring the Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson run of Swamp Thing. Erik Hanson joins Robert to explore the Swamp thing #1 and the Dark Genesis of Swamp Thing.…

"Laissez les bontemps rouler. Please. For us. For all of us." We've reached the end of Alan Moore's run with issue 64 "Return of the Good Gumbo". Alan Moore is joined by Tom Yeates, Rick Veitch, and Stephen Bissette to bring closure and a decision about Swamp Thing's relationship with mankind. Erik Hanson comes on to discuss this finale. Reader: Er…

"Amongst the keels of rocks he thinks of her, and of the men who'd kept her from him... of a love too long unconsummated and unfinished wars." Swamp Thing returns to earth with a score to settle in Swamp Thing #63 titled "Loose Ends (Reprise)" courtesy of Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. Reader: Rob Veatch Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing N…

"I saw the gods in their 'final' conflicts, tearing their mythical worlds asunder in orgy after meaningless orgy of violence..." Justin Kowalski joins the podcast to discuss Swamp Thing #62 "Wavelength" which is crackling with the energy of a Jack Kirby book. Rick Veitch handles story and art in this issue, previewing his run to come. Reader: Rob V…

"and finally he decides that yes, it's blasphemy, of course it's blasphemy..and suggests it anyway." Chris Clow comes on the podcast to discuss one of the weirdest team ups ever between Swamp Thing and the Green Lantern Medphyll in Swamp Thing #61 "All Flesh is Grass" by Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. Reader: Sean Gerber of MCU Fan Show Original Music…

"He was beautiful. He was other. He was of my flesh." A brand new format and a particularly experimental issue #60 entitled "Loving the Alien" greeted readers of Swamp Thing in 1987. Alan Moore and John Totleben stretch what comics could do in the issue. And Robert and guest Nat Almirall are here to discuss all the implications. Reader: Robert Rein…

"Why eons of torment shan't begin to settle that debt. I'm told you're still accumulating interest!" Stephen Bissette, aided by artists Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcala, take the reins in Swamp Thing #59 titled "Reunion". Rob Veatch revisits the podcast to discuss the issue. Reader: Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network…

We Terrans may not be much on the eight basic strategies of aerial inertia tactics but we are complete bastards." Chris Clow joins to discuss Swamp Thing #58 entitled "Exiles" as Swamp Thing and Adam Strange team up to save Rann courtesy of Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. That is if Swamp Thing can survive an attack by Thanagarians first. Readers: Gabe…

"Why can't these people ever handle their own problems?" Chris Clow guests on the podcast to discuss Swamp Thing #57 entitled "Mysteries in Space" as Swamp Thing gets whisked off to Rann and the world of Adam Strange courtesy of Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. Readers: Gabe and Alice Hakvaag Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: N…

"Everything is blue." Swamp Thing lives in Swamp Thing #56 entitled "My Blue Heaven". But, the new life Swamp Thing finds himself in has hidden dangers and traps. Is he in heaven, hell, or purgatory? Robert is joined by Rob Veatch to discuss the dangers of loneliness in the latest episode. Reader: Reynaldo Gusmundo Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of…

"If you wear black, then kindly irritating strangers will touch your arm consolingly and inform you that the world keeps turning." A funeral is held in Swamp Thing #55 entitled "Earth to Earth". It's a common occurrence in life, but uncommon in comic books. Robert is joined by Samantha Kacho to discuss the latest issue, funerals, and grief in gener…

"All we have in common is the horror in our lives." Abby is left to pick up the pieces of her life and Liz Treymayne's in Swamp Thing #54 titled "The Flowers of Romance". Alan Moore and Rick Veitch delve deep into grief and toxic masculinity in a story that's years ahead of the #MeToo movement. Robert is joined by Samantha Kacho to discuss the late…

"The war is won. Gotham just hasn't realized it yet" We conclude the double sized Swamp Thing #53 entitled "The Garden of Earthly Delights" as Swamp Thing's siege of Gotham concludes in an unexpected manner. Robert is joined by Cody Lang to discuss the conclusion of a story months in the making. Readers: Justin Kowalski, Tom Mays, and Brittany Lots…

"Can we talk?" We kick off our discussion of the double sized Swamp Thing #53 entitled "The Garden of Earthly Delights" as Batman battles Swamp Thing who has turned Gotham into a literal urban jungle. It's the year of The Dark Knight Returns and Robert is joined by Cody Lang to discuss this seminal showdown. Readers: Justin Kowalski, Tom Mays, and …

"You can shoot the animals in the forest but you cannot shoot the forest." The podcast returns as Swamp Thing arrives in Gotham to free Abby in issue 52 entitled "Natural Consequences". Robert is joined by Dr. Cody Lang to discuss it. Readers: Justin Kowalski, Tom Mays, and Brittany Lotshaw Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo…

In Memoriam: John BierlyBy Robert Reineke

"Besides, I've got this really ace joke I've been dying to tell you..."How do you baffle a vegetable?" American Gothic is over, but the return to Abby and normality is not to be in Issue 51 of Swamp Thing entitled "Home Free" care of Moore, Veitch, and Alcala. John and Robert have much to say about this down to Earth issue. Readers: Justin Kowalski…

"Then will you answer my question? Little thing, will you tell me the purpose of evil?" At last we reach the end of American Gothic courtesy of Moore, Bissette, Totleben, Veitch, and Mandrake. John and Robert have much to say about this epic conclusion. Readers: John Bierly and Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Lo…

"The man who started me upon this dark trail promised me answers... But the answers seem black and unbearable" At last we reach the end of American Gothic courtesy of Moore, Bissette, Totleben, Veitch, and Mandrake. John and Robert have much to say about this epic conclusion. Readers: John Bierly and Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of…

"The war shall burn white-hot, and should we fall.. then madness without end shall claim us all." In Swamp Thing #49, the bird has flown and Constantine and Swamp Thing gather allies for a final confrontation between good and evil. Robert and John have a lot to discuss about the latest from Moore, Woch, and Alcala. Readers: John Bierly and Robert R…

"You are amongst your enemies. You are in a place of long and cruel death. The Brujeria welcomes you, Senor Constantine." At long last, Constantine and Swamp Thing confront the ancient evil behind American Gothic in Swamp Thing #48 "A Murder of Crows" courtesy of Moore and Totleben. Things don't go as planned. Reader: John Bierly Original Music: Ji…

"Where is evil in all the wood?" Robert and John, along with Swamp Thing, ponder the riddle of the Parliament of Trees in Swamp thing #47, by Moore, Woch, and Randall. Reader: Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail EndsBy Robert Reineke & John Bierly

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times, and it was all of them at once. It was the end... and in the end, there were not words enough to encompass it." With issue 46 of Swamp Thing entitled "Revelations" Swamp Thing and Constantine face the end of the world as they know it. And John and Robert are feeling fine. Reader: Justin Kowalski…

"Bang. Bang. Bang. The sound of hammers must never stop." The Winchester Mystery House provides the inspiration for Swamp Thing #45. Alan Moore and Stan Woch provide the words and pictures. Robert and John have a lot to discuss regarding both ghosts and gun violence in America. Reader: Rob Veatch of Batman on Film Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of …

"How can they call me callous when I remember every single pair of eyes?" Swamp Thing #44, by Moore, Bissette, Randall, and Totleben, explores America's fascination with serial killers. And keeping score. John and Robert have a lot to say on the subject. Reader: Rob Veatch of Batman on Film Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo…

"There's no need. There's no need for all this fear." In Swamp Thing #43 entitled Windfall, a fallen yam from Swamp Thing provides a window on his world and into the souls of those who consume it courtesy of Alan Moore, Stan Woch, and Ron Randall. Robert and John offer their insights on this issue which was nominated for major awards. Reader: Nat A…

"That which is buried is not gone. That which is planted will grow." In Swamp Thing #42 the violence of slavery and its continued memory and trauma are the subject. John and Robert do their best to discuss these topics. Also there are zombies. Reader: Antoinette Gulley Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Wher…

"What do the dead people talk about and which voices are the loudest?" In Swamp Thing #41, Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and Alfredo Alcala tackle the legacy of slavery. So, of course there's a lot to discuss. Robert and John are joined by guest Antoinette Gulley to tackle this issue and all the topics it raises. Reader: Antoinette Gulley Original …

"The Muzak system hums "Moon River" beneath its breath and she wonders briefly why women's lives should be punctuated with blood." American Gothic continues and John and Robert are joined by Samantha Kacho to discuss Swamp Thing #40 entitled "The Curse" by Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben. Reader: Angela Fabbrini Original Music: Jim …

"The most powerful creature on the planet has gone mad." Robert and John discuss DC Comics Presents #85 entitled "The Jungle Line" courtesy of Moore, Veitch, and Williamson where Swamp Thing must save Superman from a fatal Kryptonian infection. Reader: Chris Clow Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the …

"This is their neighborhood and I have come to deliver a blow from which it will not recover." John and Robert discuss Swamp Thing #39 entitled "Fish Story" courtesy of Moore, Bissette, and Totleben in the latest episode. And things get really big and epic, typical of a fish story. Reader: Samantha Kacho Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playin…

"There... now we're both in over our heads." American Gothic begins as Swamp Thing journeys to Rosewood, IL, the home of a community of underwater vampires. And home and community are terms that are not taken lightly. Robert and John have a lot to discuss in regards to The Saga of the Swamp Thing #38 by Alan Moore, Stan Woch, and John Totleben. Rea…

"I'm a nasty piece of work, chief. Ask anybody." John Constantine makes his first memorable appearance as John and Robert discuss The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 courtesy of Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, and John Totleben. Readers: Megan Labelle and Mark Eldridge with John Bierly Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall o…

"Heads up, America... here I come!" Robert and John deal with The Saga of the Swamp Thing #36 entitled "The Nukeface Papers, Part Two" this episode courtesy of Moore, Bissette, and Totleben. NPR describes this section of the series as "A cerebral meditation on the state of the American soul." and we have reasons to agree. Readers: Robert Reineke & …

"I'm entitled! I'm an American citizen." John and Robert join Swamp Thing in discovering the man behind those words, Nukeface, in the latest episode exploring The Saga of the Swamp Thing #35 by Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben. Readers: John Bierly and Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Alm…

"Spring came and everything in the world woke up." Robert and John discuss a very intimate communal journey between Abigail and Swamp Thing in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #34 courtesy of Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben. Reader: John Bierly Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tai…

"Mysteries are wonders that you can ponder and share. Secrets are a burden to carry alone!" John and Robert follow Abigail as she meets some familiar caretakers in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #33 courtesy of Alan Moore and Ron Randall. Readers: Samantha Kacho, John Bierly, and Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Log…

"Trifles. Trifles light as air." The swamp has some familiar looking alien visitors in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #32 entitled "Pog". What's the resident "florrifying mosstrosity" to make of them? Robert and John take a look at the work of Alan Moore and Shawn McManus and come away very surprised. Reader: John Bierly Original Music: Jim Laczkowski…