Swampthing #5 And Animal Man #5

It was a bold and risk taking move when DC Comics decided to reboot its entire line of comics and launch its New 52 titles. Overall, I’ve enjoyed each title. Of course I have my favorites and two of those favorites are Animal Man and Swampthing.


I predict that these two titles are shaping up to be the cornerstones on which the rest of the new DC Universe will build its entire line of comics on. Here’s why.


Without going into a lot of detail, the core of the books consists of the Red and Green. Animal represents the Red, or flesh, and Alec Holland (Swampthing) represents the Green. An uneasy alliance consists between the forces of the Red and Green. Both plants and animals have contented themselves with coexisting peacefully. All that is about to change as the Rot seeks to destroy both the Red and Green.


Animal Man’s daughter, Maxine, is the nexus by which the Red exists. Abby Holland’s younger brother is the agent of the Rot. Swampthing is the agent of the Green.


Events in both titles pit the Rot against the Red and Green inevitably forcing the agents of the Red and Green to band together to stop the Rot. But will they be in time and can long -held prejudices on the part of the Red and Green be put aside in order to save both?


Issues five of both titles lead into the inevitable confrontation of the Red and Green with the Rot. Look for the sparks to fly as both Animal Man and Swampthing combine their respective powers in order to defeat the Rot, if possible.


Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman and Steve Pugh have returned Animal Man to his prime with their chilling stories and art while Swampthing’s creative team of Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette reintroduce the Parliament of the Trees and the essence of the plant who believes it is a man.