THIS WEEK: Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing – Feral Trees #1 is our main review, plus we look at The Nice House by the Sea #4 and the continuation of the new Long Halloween book.
Note: the review below contains spoilers. If you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/pass recommendation on the comics in question, check out the bottom of the article for our final verdict.
Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Mike Perkins
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing – Feral Trees #1 is an absolute gem of a story. Going in, I suspected it might be a pretty standard superhero team-up book. Instead, writer G.Willow Wilson and artist Mike Perkins give fans a really striking and memorable Swamp Thing story.
The comic starts with Ivy waking up to a call from the woods and going to investigate, which then leads to her running into The Swamp Thing. Both were called by the woods, and they begin to investigate why. They uncover a trail of bodies, and learn that The Green won’t listen to them.
Yet Ivy keeps having visions of a woman every time she touches a trees roots. The deeper Swamp Thing and Ivy go, the more members they find of the Parliament of Trees, each leaving a lesson for Ivy. I’m glad the story explores the doubts that Ivy has about the green, with Swamp Thing being blunt about her restraints and how she will always be tethered to a world of concrete and glass.
Ivy has a moment where she talks about her perception of the green, How she can’t unsee what she’s experienced, how human life is part of the green, even with all their destruction. They are an integral part in her eyes. Wilson skillfully balances deep, meaningful conversations between the characters with lighthearted, humorous moments, creating a comic that feels both deep and approachable.
Eventually our protagonists are drawn to a girl who is connected to the green like them. Her story involves abuse she faced from her father, and the hard life escaping that abuse. In dark moments she started using drugs to escape the pain she was feeling. In the end, she was thrown back out into the streets, and the only thing calling out to her, the only thing willing to protect her was The Green.
This leads to an ending with a genuine heartfelt moment between Ivy and Swamp Thing. This moment grows from their small journey and the lessons that Ivy learned. Wilson and Perkins last two pages stuck with me, leaving me with a profound feeling of melancholy and understanding.
In the end, Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing – Feral Trees transcends the typical superhero team-up, offering a deeply personal exploration of Ivy and Swamp Thing’s bond with nature and their complex relationship with humanity. Wilson and Perkins story captures the haunting beauty of The Green and the pain that often comes with growth. Ivy’s journey, her revelations, and her connection with the troubled girl create a powerful narrative about healing, acceptance, and the delicate balance between nature and humanity. This story is sure to become a cherished entry in the Swamp Thing canon.
I give it my highest recommendation.
Final Verdict: BUY.
The Round-Up
- James Tynion IV has an innate ability to tell stories that resonate emotionally. We pick up right where the last issue left off with The Nice House on the Sea #4, with a brief introduction from The Comedian, who expresses his disdain for how good Walter was at talking about himself. This prompts him to reminisce about a time when Walter invited him to a Broadway show, a ticket purchase that must have cost a fortune. For Walter, money is of no consequence as an alien being, but the play held much more significance than its face value. Within the play was Oliver, The Actor. At this point, fans are well aware that Oliver and Walter had a relationship that ended, leaving Walter unable to even look at Oliver.The scene unfolds in a stunning two-page spread drawn by Alvaro Martinez Bueno filled with a mix of colors — blue, green, orange, and red — by Jordie Bellaire, transitioning from the stage to the audience. This vibrant palette reflects the myriad emotions swirling in Walter’s mind, ultimately culminating in Walter telling The Comedian they need to leave. He has reached his limit, and as they head for the exit, Oliver and Walter make eye contact. Bueno’s art and use of color are phenomenal, making this one scene a standout moment in the comic. Walter is instantly recognizable, his large glasses and blank face silhouetted against the red of the exit sign, contrasting sharply with Oliver, illuminated like a deity in the spotlight.
They are like an angel and a devil dancing between shattered memories in the blink of an eye.
This moment pulls us back to the present, where Oliver grapples with the reality of Walter’s death at the lake house. His room is awash in purple as he solemnly sifts through their old photos together. The narrative then shifts to the lake house, where characters piece together the connection between Walter and Oliver, realizing that this was Walter’s plan all along—to one day “save” Oliver from the Sea House. However, they are acutely aware that they are on borrowed time, anticipating a visit from Max, the alien being in charge of the Sea House, which will expose Walter’s death and likely lead to their own demise.
This issue of The Nice House by The Sea deepens our understanding of Walter’s background, it makes us feel empathy for him while setting the stage for what’s to come in the following issues. With the Sea House now aware of other human houses, the story is gaining momentum. The clarity provided in this issue will make it easy for fans to connect the dots and break down the overarching story as we approach the final two issues. This issue was lettered by AndWorld Design.
Final Verdict: BUY
Once again Batman: The Last Halloween delivers in this new issue by industry Legends Jeph Loeb, Klaus Johnson, Dave Stewart and Richard Starkings. The comic opens with the death of Solomon Grundy as he is dumped into the ocean, chained and beaten. The comic then passes to Arkham Asylum where Bruce has taken Robin to experience the place for himself. It’s important to recognize Bruce’s intentions with Robin as he brings him there to see firsthand the evils in Gotham. It’s a great scene and reminder that at this point Robin is still very new to crime fighting.
As for Bruce he’s preoccupied beating the living daylight out of the Mad Hatter as he was responsible for Barbara Gordon’s kidnaping years prior. This is why Bruce thinks he must be involved somehow and is only broken out of his rage by Robin alerting him that Catwoman was receiving medical treatment inside.
Catwoman knows what’s coming and isn’t afraid to point it out to Bruce that she got shot on Halloween night, Thanksgiving was coming soon and the shooter used a .22 caliber bullet. Over hearing this it only confirms to Robin what he had already been speculating — this was really Holiday.
Having Loeb work alongside Janson continues to be an absolute treat. It still feels like the direction they were going in the first issue, keeping the gritty detective comic they wanted to create. The crazy ending to this issue is a daring jump, but it leaves us wondering what else they have in store for the rest of the book.
Final Verdict: BUY.
Once again Batman: The Last Halloween delivers in this new issue by industry Legends Jeph Loeb, Klaus Johnson, Dave Stewart and Richard Starkings. The comic opens with the death of Solomon Grundy as he is dumped into the ocean, chained and beaten. The comic then passes to Arkham Asylum where Bruce has taken Robin to experience the place for himself. It’s important to recognize Bruce’s intentions with Robin as he brings him there to see firsthand the evils in Gotham. It’s a great scene and reminder that at this point Robin is still very new to crime fighting.
Miss any of our earlier reviews? Check out our full archive!
