Read the full essay on Comic Book Herald: www.comicbookherald.com/swamp-thing-american-gothic-the-dark-heart-of-a-nation-uncovered/ Watch my previous Swamp Thing videos here: The Existential Horror of The Anatomy Lesson: ua-cam.com/video/VfwP60UknKs/v-deo.html How Love and Death Changed DC Comics: ua-cam.com/video/QElFGqYeNto/v-deo.html Rite of Spring - Lovers in a Dying World: ua-cam.com/video/XF0FRiupk88/v-deo.html
I’m going to say something that might be a hot take: I think Moore’s run on Swamp Thing is the best thing he’s done in comics. Nothing against Watchmen and V for Vendetta (they’re great), but I just love all the creativity the series brought on as well as many of its existential themes and horrors. It’s not flawless (as you excellently point out), but I very much enjoy Saga of the Swamp Thing as one of my favorite comic runs. Thank you Matt for giving me so much more appreciation to Swamp Thing in this ongoing video series. Can’t wait for the next one!
I’d definitely rank it above Watchmen and V, it’s such a complex and varied series that lets him and his collaborators explore so many ideas. Hard to beat that.
It's definitely up there, crazy to think something of such high quality was just a regular comic coming out monthly, it only cost 30p to (English money)
It's my personal fave of Moore's too, hands down. But Watchmen is his masterpiece in the classical definition of the word: a piece of art that incorporates all the techniques the art student has previously learned.
Snapper Reviews I agree! Ironically I think Moore’s work with licensed characters, swamp thing, miracleman, are better on a technical level than any of his work where he has more creative freedom. His pacing and story structures was tighter when he had deadlines and page limits maybe. And it seems like his writing is just sharper when he’s responding to a preexisting comic world rather than building his own, if that makes sense. Could be that he was just younger at the time he wrote Swamp Thing too.
I adore the original colors, Tatjana wood was a very underrated talent in the industry (she also colored Grant Morrison's animal man). Especially looking at issue #34, the more realistic recolled pages take away from the psychedelic art in the original. I did read them first in the original colors though, and haven't done a full read through of the recollored book
Is it only me, or does it seem like Alan Moore's Swamp Thing is when he is equal parts the most nihilistic and optimistic when it comes to life? Either way, great video Matt, can't wait for whats next! Stay safe my dude!
@@JTR_3 Agreed. But so can alot of aspects we as society deem as negative. If it floats your boat and you don't use your belief in nihilism to do harm to others, then power to ya :)
Oh man. This was a great video, but I get the feeling people might not get the full impact of the Great Evil. Throughout the run, numerous characters were stepping into that darkness determined to stop it, and being thrown out. No matter how determined or how powerful they were, they kept clashing against the thing and losing. It's why it was such a big deal when Swamp Thing eventually shambled on in, and unlike the more 'powerful' characters whose philosophies and mindsets caused them to fail, Swamp Thing's lack of ego and lack of 'fire' regarding this evil creature meant that it couldn't meet him with any equal force. It just had to stop and think about what he was thinking. And then let him walk out on his own power. Man it was awesome.
Great comment. You put into word so well how I felt after watching this video. I don't think it was fair or accurate for it to be said Moore's conclusion felt lacking to the person who made this video. I feel Moore was making a statement about evil being something we decide inside us to deal with either correctly or incorrectly in doing the right thing or the wrong thing. The influence of evil in our world will always tempt us to do something bad but we shamble on to try to do the right thing. I also don't believe it's fair to put the burden of somehow having Swamp Thing specifically resolve things like the evils of racism in the world. I feel that naturally racism ultimately a product of evil unchecked by good and I feel that was Moore's point for us to see and understand. It is up to us to each individually to fight and resist evil influence over an over even if we fail we should shamble on an try to resist evil over and over.
Truly great stuff, man! Your Swamp Thing videos have always been among my favorites, and it's nice to see them still going strong. Your eloquence and utter emotional sincerity never ceases to inspire me. Never stop being you!
Incredible work, Matt! Swamp Thing never fails to blind side my with its commentary on societal issues, and stories that go beyond the plane of reality. Such a fantastical trip. This arc linking characters inspired by The Heap is so hype. I love it.
Amazing as always, Matt. Thanks for constantly sharing your incredible video essays and thoughts on these works in this way. Truly unlike anything else comic fans have on this platform. You’re one of a kind, man.
Coming from someone who fell in love with Moore's work on this book, read it as it was coming out, and could recite lines your quoted from having reread them repeatedly, I certainly appreciate the love you show the legendary work on this book. Watchmen is the book most associate with him, but this and Miracleman I feel are the titles where he got to fully explore concepts and ideas to conclusion with his vision fully intact, with no revision or misinterpretation. I disagree with the notion that the ending of American Gothic takes away from the horrors Moore covers early on, but I understand we're looking at this from different lenses. The fact that you even give this work some much needed attention is proof enough of your appreciation for the work.
Excellent analysis! I've recently been reading this run and have been enormously impressed. I too felt that the shift into a more universal idea of good vs evil was a detriment in the story, but in really loved how Swamp Thing's consciousness grew and expanded throughout this story. Excellent video!
I would love to see you do a video on how time works in comics/the “status quo”. You could start with how the Marvel Universe aged with us up until the birth of Franklin Richards and how, since then, Marvel has been on a sliding timeline. A lot of potential there for a video 💜
Very refreshing and great that you cited Baldwin in his commentary about America rather than Race which he's mostly cited. He had fantastic insights on both but it's good to see Black academics being cited in different topics than the usual.
The Bogeyman issue (44) is a very important issue. It inspired Neil Gaiman to write the Cereal Convention in Sandman. Hell it may be the direct reason why Gaiman created the Corinthian!?! Both characters are shown killing in first person and then there's the eye thing. The Bogeyman remembers every eye color of everyone of his victims and the Corinthian collects eyes. And of course for those who have read the Doll House arc you should remember that the Family Man was supposed to be the guest of honor at the convention but he was busy with John Constantine in Hellblazer. So this one single issue is responsible for multiple lore in other comic series.
Nicely done. It's been a while since I read through this run, but all those loving close-ups of Jon Totleben's impossibly intricate inking was such a lovely reminder of why I got into the business in the first place. By the way, back in the early 90s when I was breaking into the field, I had a lovely conversation with Karen Berger, who corrected my pronunciation of John Constantine's name. As an Englishman, he's pronounce it "tyne" like the fork, not "teen," because of the english language vowel shift. That's why they pronounce it that way in The Sandman. Though if you asked Alan Moore with his thick Northhampton accent, he's probably say it rhymes with "coin."
Matt i love all your videos but your swamp thing videos are by far the videos ive rewatched the most...this 1 is just as amazing as the previous swamp thing vids
Excellent video! I love the classic Moore's run on Swamp Thing, and remains one of my favorite comics of all time even today. It has a lot of philosofical content that is very resonant and relevant even today. Also, the art is top-notch and incredibly beautiful.
I feel more disappointed with Moore as time goes on. Saga Of The Swamp Thing is still one of his high points. Ditto Watchmen. But he lost himself to that darkness he wrote of in American Gothic, seeded in bitterness.
Awesome vid, this is my favourite comic series of all time, I've alway felt a little dissapointed by the end of American Gothic but I never really thought too much about why and I think the fact that it falls short poltically is what is the main flaw. I think the arc has merit as I think the storytelling is superb throughout but it felt like Moore conforming to superhero tropes of climactic battles rather than questioning them like he normally does.
Yeeeah, the Brujeria were definitely cookie-cutter B villains that did a lot to undermine what had come before. In keeping with American Gothic's horror trope themes, I think Moore was trying for an original spin on witches. It just didn't work. Neither does going from societal evil to some cosmic "it'll all work out in the end" conclusion. Al Ewing's Immortal Hulk run is a direct rejection of that mindset.
I think there are seeds of a good idea in there if it went far enough. It got me thinking about an order of witches that, little by little, is taken over by men, and turned to worshiping pure destruction, abandoning the other side. Of course, you'd still have to grapple with the idea of America's dark history coming from central American native mysticism. That's a deeply problematic notion. But it was the 80s. Even Alan Moore, immersed as he was in pop culture, wasn't immune to toxic cliches. I'm sure if you asked him now, he'd disavow the hell out of that whole plot line.
I’m glad I subscribed to this channel. Your videos are excellent, both entertaining and informative. That’s something a LOT of UA-cam channels can’t do.👍🏻
You know, when you pointed out how Swamp Thing takes such a largely passive role in this arc, I finally figured out why that seemed so familiar when I was reading it: basically, for large parts of American Gothic, Swamp Thing essentially is being written like Marvel's Man-Thing, but without the limitations of being unable to to muse, contemplate and think on his own.
good vid man.. being a swamp thing fan close 40 years now, always nice to see him get some love that he deserves but constantly overlooked or just plain forgotten about. got alittle bettter the last few years but thats from the show and bandwagoners. But this was great and brought back some good memories of reading 3/4 of the moore run with my grandfather in exchange for him to introduce to denise the menace (U.K) to me cuz at the time his calling my cartoon denise the menace an imposter and not the real thing.. unfortunaly his opinion changed on swamp thing after viewing the wes craven movie... but ihave those memories leading up.. and thanks for bring ing them back with this vid. That Moore run was special for a few reasons
Hey, do, I'm a recent subscriber and I love your work! Your videos on comics really open my eyes to certain details/themes that I may have missed. If I may suggest a recommendation for a future video, could you do something on Alan Moore's Miracleman? It's constantly overlooked and I think it's one of Moore's best pieces, personally. (But please don't make it about the copyright war surrounding it, that's all anyone seems to say about it!)
Much like Jack The Ripper for Robert Bloch, Frankenstein was a lifelong obsession for Wrightson. His final work, Frankenstein Alive, Alive! with Steve Niles (and posthumous assist from Kelley Jones), is a testament to that.
Hell yes, though Ostrander may well have been inspired by Moore's American Gothic arc. Not enough people talk about Ostrander and Mandrake's run on the Spectre, arguably THE best take on the character ever. A more modern version of this sort of delving is Al Ewing's Immortal Hulk run.
Yeah it felt like none of the societal issues dealt with were necessary evils. It seemed like they were avoidable and rampant and far too great in comparison to the light
Yknow I’ve heard people say marvel does cosmic better than dc but by FAR dc does magic a MILLION times better marvel always finds a way to make their magic sound like science
I think that I can somewhat defend the use of the seemingly-simplistic Brujeria as the climax approaches. If we are looking at the sometimes-corrupt underpinnings of the US, then it doesn't take much to think that someone of sinister bent could use the worst of colonial and New World excesses to build themselves an ignorant bubble wherein they grow in power but have the most blood-simple of goals and become exceedingly small but impossibly dangerous. In short, the Brujeria likely used anger and resentment against the ravaging of native cultures to keep from being exposed or destroyed. Like modern politicians, particularly a certain set of them, they endlessly deflect onto other targets for those they cannot keep in line through fear and manipulation or violence. They get away with being as one-dimensional and vile as they are by always pointing to another 'villain' and that keeps those in the know from moving against them, as they are perceived as a necessary evil, even if they are just as bad /worse as any Conquistador or corporation. I hope this notion helps.
I pretty much love every single issue of American Gothic, they're some of my favorites: The Curse, Fish Story, Southern Change, Ghost Dance... I just don't think they work as an arc, and Moore's attempt to tie them all together doesn't really work.
Hmmmm,a woman's mensuration that does turned her into a werewolf .I had an ex girlfriend who always go through that process. I barely escape with my life.
Whoa whoa, hold the phone. It's ConstanTEEN. Why? Because he's English, and that's how we English pronounce English. It's our language - it's the Americans who ruined it ;)
American gothic has a spiritual sequel called Providence. Alan Moore at his best impression of cosmic nihilism in America under the disguise of repression.
Really? I thought the latter part of American Gothic was just getting high on his own bullshit on how much he hates the world while claiming moral superiority for being "better". The resemblance to his Question analog Rorschach in Watchmen is likely no coincidence.
@@johnathonhaney8291 You took the wrong message then. Specifically Watchmen. Rorschach is the type of character that Alan Moore hates with a passion (unable to cope with change, a racist, a sexist, and also a chauvinist, running away from his problems if the death of the comedian did not happen). He is a hack writer, (writing for the sake of writing, using rape as plot device) but damn if there are not major kernel of truths in his writing. American Gothic exposes the good and the bad of society and one person alone cannot change the world (takes time, hard work, luck and money). He also makes fun of himself a lot (Tom Strong, Promethea, league of extraordinary gentlemen, top 10). Frankly, if superhero comic book readers are so mad about Alan Moore why not read comics outside of DC and Marvel? Because they crave nostalgia(nostalgia is also manipulative when it comes to entertainment).
@@hix299 As somebody who treasures Matt Grendel's Grendel, Guy Davis' The Marquis, Kurt Busiek's Astro City and prowls various other odd corners of comics, don't ever presume to speak to me of nostalgia. Nostalgia, at its core, is a lie, a dead thing that still smells sweet. Folks who crave what was unthinkingly (see anti-SJW crowd) can't wrap their heads around that a) it was the product of a specific time and place and b) said time and place is gone, never to return. Stuff like Neonomicon tells me Moore fell into that trap.
I wish DC would use Swamp Thing a lot more instead of Injustice and the DC animated Movies. Or give him his own animated movie and not just like a 3 minute bit
"...and despite the horrors of american gothic specifically commenting on the United States societal issues, Moore chooses to blame these supernatural ills on a group with no real connection to the country." Well, te saga's title is American Gothic". South America is part of America, you know? Just like North America. America is not just USA. ;)
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Us humans are and well continue to be the greatest and biggest existential threat to this planet smh our species is finished
Read the full essay on Comic Book Herald: www.comicbookherald.com/swamp-thing-american-gothic-the-dark-heart-of-a-nation-uncovered/
Watch my previous Swamp Thing videos here:
The Existential Horror of The Anatomy Lesson: ua-cam.com/video/VfwP60UknKs/v-deo.html
How Love and Death Changed DC Comics: ua-cam.com/video/QElFGqYeNto/v-deo.html
Rite of Spring - Lovers in a Dying World: ua-cam.com/video/XF0FRiupk88/v-deo.html
okay ;)
@MattDraper you should do a video on Invincible by Robert Kirkman. Would love to hear your thoughts on the series.
Nice can you do a video about The Spectre and his powers?
I’m going to say something that might be a hot take: I think Moore’s run on Swamp Thing is the best thing he’s done in comics. Nothing against Watchmen and V for Vendetta (they’re great), but I just love all the creativity the series brought on as well as many of its existential themes and horrors. It’s not flawless (as you excellently point out), but I very much enjoy Saga of the Swamp Thing as one of my favorite comic runs. Thank you Matt for giving me so much more appreciation to Swamp Thing in this ongoing video series. Can’t wait for the next one!
I’d definitely rank it above Watchmen and V, it’s such a complex and varied series that lets him and his collaborators explore so many ideas. Hard to beat that.
It's definitely up there, crazy to think something of such high quality was just a regular comic coming out monthly, it only cost 30p to (English money)
It's my personal fave of Moore's too, hands down. But Watchmen is his masterpiece in the classical definition of the word: a piece of art that incorporates all the techniques the art student has previously learned.
From Hell is Alan Moore's masterpiece with Promethea being a very close 2nd
Snapper Reviews I agree! Ironically I think Moore’s work with licensed characters, swamp thing, miracleman, are better on a technical level than any of his work where he has more creative freedom. His pacing and story structures was tighter when he had deadlines and page limits maybe. And it seems like his writing is just sharper when he’s responding to a preexisting comic world rather than building his own, if that makes sense. Could be that he was just younger at the time he wrote Swamp Thing too.
I’m just glad to find someone else who cares about Moore’s Swamp Thing as much as I do
However one feels personally about the storytelling in this arc, you have to admit the artwork is quite stunning
I adore the original colors, Tatjana wood was a very underrated talent in the industry (she also colored Grant Morrison's animal man). Especially looking at issue #34, the more realistic recolled pages take away from the psychedelic art in the original. I did read them first in the original colors though, and haven't done a full read through of the recollored book
_"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY SWAMP?!"_
The highs on alan Moore's swamp thing overshadow any low.
Agreed,even though he hates the stuff he created now.
I think your channel officially has the best videos when it comes to in-depth comic book analysis. Keep up the good work!
Thanks! Although there are a lot of awesome ones out there!
@@MattDraper ,Agreed. Your videos are really a joy to watch.
Is it only me, or does it seem like Alan Moore's Swamp Thing is when he is equal parts the most nihilistic and optimistic when it comes to life? Either way, great video Matt, can't wait for whats next! Stay safe my dude!
Hunter Chamberlain nihilism can be the most optimistic philosophy when considering it in a certain way.
@@JTR_3 Agreed. But so can alot of aspects we as society deem as negative. If it floats your boat and you don't use your belief in nihilism to do harm to others, then power to ya :)
@@JTR_3 Optimistic only in its naivete. It makes the basic mistake of assuming the world is a simpler place than it actually is.
Nihilism is optimistic in the sense that no meaning can be a great foundation to create your own values regardless.
@@Ashguy733 Which is bullshit...it assumes that the individual will never have to interact with a society that says otherwise. That's a bad bet.
Oh man. This was a great video, but I get the feeling people might not get the full impact of the Great Evil. Throughout the run, numerous characters were stepping into that darkness determined to stop it, and being thrown out. No matter how determined or how powerful they were, they kept clashing against the thing and losing.
It's why it was such a big deal when Swamp Thing eventually shambled on in, and unlike the more 'powerful' characters whose philosophies and mindsets caused them to fail, Swamp Thing's lack of ego and lack of 'fire' regarding this evil creature meant that it couldn't meet him with any equal force. It just had to stop and think about what he was thinking. And then let him walk out on his own power.
Man it was awesome.
Great comment. You put into word so well how I felt after watching this video. I don't think it was fair or accurate for it to be said Moore's conclusion felt lacking to the person who made this video. I feel Moore was making a statement about evil being something we decide inside us to deal with either correctly or incorrectly in doing the right thing or the wrong thing. The influence of evil in our world will always tempt us to do something bad but we shamble on to try to do the right thing. I also don't believe it's fair to put the burden of somehow having Swamp Thing specifically resolve things like the evils of racism in the world. I feel that naturally racism ultimately a product of evil unchecked by good and I feel that was Moore's point for us to see and understand. It is up to us to each individually to fight and resist evil influence over an over even if we fail we should shamble on an try to resist evil over and over.
Truly great stuff, man! Your Swamp Thing videos have always been among my favorites, and it's nice to see them still going strong. Your eloquence and utter emotional sincerity never ceases to inspire me.
Never stop being you!
Incredible work, Matt! Swamp Thing never fails to blind side my with its commentary on societal issues, and stories that go beyond the plane of reality. Such a fantastical trip. This arc linking characters inspired by The Heap is so hype. I love it.
Thanks, Diego! I love how many directions this series goes and the Parliament of Trees is some of my favorite stuff in the entire run.
So happy to see a channel like yours that actually talks bout the comics themselves in that way. Thanks for doing what you do.
Amazing as always, Matt. Thanks for constantly sharing your incredible video essays and thoughts on these works in this way. Truly unlike anything else comic fans have on this platform. You’re one of a kind, man.
Thank you!
Coming from someone who fell in love with Moore's work on this book, read it as it was coming out, and could recite lines your quoted from having reread them repeatedly, I certainly appreciate the love you show the legendary work on this book. Watchmen is the book most associate with him, but this and Miracleman I feel are the titles where he got to fully explore concepts and ideas to conclusion with his vision fully intact, with no revision or misinterpretation.
I disagree with the notion that the ending of American Gothic takes away from the horrors Moore covers early on, but I understand we're looking at this from different lenses. The fact that you even give this work some much needed attention is proof enough of your appreciation for the work.
Matt Draper great, you should make a video about Denny O’ Neil’s Batman
Excellent analysis! I've recently been reading this run and have been enormously impressed. I too felt that the shift into a more universal idea of good vs evil was a detriment in the story, but in really loved how Swamp Thing's consciousness grew and expanded throughout this story. Excellent video!
Glad to see you got back to Swamp Thing in time for Halloween!
Draper back with the goods especially with Swampy!
I adore the Parliament of Trees issue. Pure art and brilliant writing.
Really well done coverage of a classic story. This made me want to reread these.
I would love to see you do a video on how time works in comics/the “status quo”. You could start with how the Marvel Universe aged with us up until the birth of Franklin Richards and how, since then, Marvel has been on a sliding timeline. A lot of potential there for a video 💜
Very refreshing and great that you cited Baldwin in his commentary about America rather than Race which he's mostly cited. He had fantastic insights on both but it's good to see Black academics being cited in different topics than the usual.
God damn I love the idea of still water vampires, it's a shame that idea hasn't been used in a film or something.
The Bogeyman issue (44) is a very important issue. It inspired Neil Gaiman to write the Cereal Convention in Sandman. Hell it may be the direct reason why Gaiman created the Corinthian!?! Both characters are shown killing in first person and then there's the eye thing. The Bogeyman remembers every eye color of everyone of his victims and the Corinthian collects eyes. And of course for those who have read the Doll House arc you should remember that the Family Man was supposed to be the guest of honor at the convention but he was busy with John Constantine in Hellblazer. So this one single issue is responsible for multiple lore in other comic series.
I read this very run once every coupla years. I simply cannot explain how much I love it.
Keep on the good work mate and
keep 'em coming!
It’s great to see you make more of these. Your first swamp thing video got me into the character and your videos in general
Hey Matt. Love this video.. I love Swamp Thing, especially the movies and the new TV series on the CW. Keep it up.
Swamp Thing is my favorite
We need swamp thing in the DC movies right now
This is the best critical examination of Alan Moore’s work I’ve ever seen on youtube
This almost similar to Green Lantern/Green Arrow stories from the 70's. Raod trip across the United States.
Nicely done. It's been a while since I read through this run, but all those loving close-ups of Jon Totleben's impossibly intricate inking was such a lovely reminder of why I got into the business in the first place.
By the way, back in the early 90s when I was breaking into the field, I had a lovely conversation with Karen Berger, who corrected my pronunciation of John Constantine's name. As an Englishman, he's pronounce it "tyne" like the fork, not "teen," because of the english language vowel shift. That's why they pronounce it that way in The Sandman.
Though if you asked Alan Moore with his thick Northhampton accent, he's probably say it rhymes with "coin."
Matt i love all your videos but your swamp thing videos are by far the videos ive rewatched the most...this 1 is just as amazing as the previous swamp thing vids
Loved the disasterpeace soundtrack, great vid, and as always, I'm asking you once again for an infinite crisis video hahaha.
Excellent video! I love the classic Moore's run on Swamp Thing, and remains one of my favorite comics of all time even today. It has a lot of philosofical content that is very resonant and relevant even today. Also, the art is top-notch and incredibly beautiful.
Moore is the man of the hour right now, everywhere I hear about him.
Not in the best of light though. Moore recently called superheroes fascists
I feel more disappointed with Moore as time goes on. Saga Of The Swamp Thing is still one of his high points. Ditto Watchmen. But he lost himself to that darkness he wrote of in American Gothic, seeded in bitterness.
@@johnathonhaney8291 yeah. That really sucks
@@jaredgarcia8638 even better
@@Anders010 may i ask why
Great to see another Swamp Thing video from you!
Awesome vid, this is my favourite comic series of all time, I've alway felt a little dissapointed by the end of American Gothic but I never really thought too much about why and I think the fact that it falls short poltically is what is the main flaw. I think the arc has merit as I think the storytelling is superb throughout but it felt like Moore conforming to superhero tropes of climactic battles rather than questioning them like he normally does.
Yeeeah, the Brujeria were definitely cookie-cutter B villains that did a lot to undermine what had come before. In keeping with American Gothic's horror trope themes, I think Moore was trying for an original spin on witches. It just didn't work.
Neither does going from societal evil to some cosmic "it'll all work out in the end" conclusion. Al Ewing's Immortal Hulk run is a direct rejection of that mindset.
Truth. It feels disconnected and because of that unsatisfying in it's conclusion
I think there are seeds of a good idea in there if it went far enough. It got me thinking about an order of witches that, little by little, is taken over by men, and turned to worshiping pure destruction, abandoning the other side. Of course, you'd still have to grapple with the idea of America's dark history coming from central American native mysticism. That's a deeply problematic notion. But it was the 80s. Even Alan Moore, immersed as he was in pop culture, wasn't immune to toxic cliches. I'm sure if you asked him now, he'd disavow the hell out of that whole plot line.
I’m glad I subscribed to this channel. Your videos are excellent, both entertaining and informative. That’s something a LOT of UA-cam channels can’t do.👍🏻
Has it really been a year since the last Swamp Thing video? Fantastic as always Matt. Love your Swampy videos. 💕
Thanks for making such an amazing video💚
You know, when you pointed out how Swamp Thing takes such a largely passive role in this arc, I finally figured out why that seemed so familiar when I was reading it: basically, for large parts of American Gothic, Swamp Thing essentially is being written like Marvel's Man-Thing, but without the limitations of being unable to to muse, contemplate and think on his own.
Everything you need to know about storytelling is in alan Moore's work and this run and arc are testaments to that
Great video matt!
The fact that this predated justice league dark, is incredible.
What a great series from a great channel.
Thanks!
good vid man.. being a swamp thing fan close 40 years now, always nice to see him get some love that he deserves but constantly overlooked or just plain forgotten about. got alittle bettter the last few years but thats from the show and bandwagoners. But this was great and brought back some good memories of reading 3/4 of the moore run with my grandfather in exchange for him to introduce to denise the menace (U.K) to me cuz at the time his calling my cartoon denise the menace an imposter and not the real thing.. unfortunaly his opinion changed on swamp thing after viewing the wes craven movie... but ihave those memories leading up.. and thanks for bring ing them back with this vid. That Moore run was special for a few reasons
I found your channel because of swamp thing and it’s awesome more videos are coming
great! cheers from brazil!
Beautiful high quality video, thanks
It's Constantine, as in "line." "TYNE." Not "teen." The man himself corrects a character in this run.
Hey, do, I'm a recent subscriber and I love your work! Your videos on comics really open my eyes to certain details/themes that I may have missed.
If I may suggest a recommendation for a future video, could you do something on Alan Moore's Miracleman? It's constantly overlooked and I think it's one of Moore's best pieces, personally. (But please don't make it about the copyright war surrounding it, that's all anyone seems to say about it!)
Finally another swamp thing video!
Awesome
You should do more swamp thing reviews. There has been so many great runs
I really, really enjoyed this volume when I first read it, I should really give it a reread
I remember picking the entire run up in my library. It’s... really good.
I'm 44 years old and always loved the original run of swamp thing. Never even realized it was Allen Moore that was behind it.
Great video!
The Crisis crossover is awesome . Still have mine
Damn you, Matt. I'm gonna finally read my Swamp Thing trades.
Just ordered the box set of Moore's run
Is it wrong that I’d love to see you talk about Frankenstein more? Maybe Bernie Wrightson’s version?
Much like Jack The Ripper for Robert Bloch, Frankenstein was a lifelong obsession for Wrightson. His final work, Frankenstein Alive, Alive! with Steve Niles (and posthumous assist from Kelley Jones), is a testament to that.
Alan Moore writes so deep.
GREAT VIDEO 🕶🎩
I had only ever read the werewolf story. It was really fantastic. I'm going to need to hunt down the whole arc now.
It's a fascinating arc but I think the societal exploration is better executed in The Haunting of America arc from the 90's Spectre series.
Hell yes, though Ostrander may well have been inspired by Moore's American Gothic arc. Not enough people talk about Ostrander and Mandrake's run on the Spectre, arguably THE best take on the character ever. A more modern version of this sort of delving is Al Ewing's Immortal Hulk run.
You're criminally undersubbed!
yay swamp thing this should be tons of fun
Yeah it felt like none of the societal issues dealt with were necessary evils. It seemed like they were avoidable and rampant and far too great in comparison to the light
Alan Moore is arguably the greatest writer in the history of comics! He's a true genius!
His female characters can be a little weak sometimes though.
A little? Yeah, there's an understatement.
What a great DC character.
Yknow I’ve heard people say marvel does cosmic better than dc but by FAR dc does magic a MILLION times better marvel always finds a way to make their magic sound like science
Only a few days to absolute volume 2. :)
Who do you have less than 50k subs?? This channel puts out great content
I think that I can somewhat defend the use of the seemingly-simplistic Brujeria as the climax approaches. If we are looking at the sometimes-corrupt underpinnings of the US, then it doesn't take much to think that someone of sinister bent could use the worst of colonial and New World excesses to build themselves an ignorant bubble wherein they grow in power but have the most blood-simple of goals and become exceedingly small but impossibly dangerous. In short, the Brujeria likely used anger and resentment against the ravaging of native cultures to keep from being exposed or destroyed. Like modern politicians, particularly a certain set of them, they endlessly deflect onto other targets for those they cannot keep in line through fear and manipulation or violence. They get away with being as one-dimensional and vile as they are by always pointing to another 'villain' and that keeps those in the know from moving against them, as they are perceived as a necessary evil, even if they are just as bad /worse as any Conquistador or corporation. I hope this notion helps.
Swamp Thing is my favorite character from the DC Universe.
🌱🌲🌳🌿☘🍀🍃
Still got these books. never gonna get rid off them
Is there a playlist of your Swamp Thing videos?
I pretty much love every single issue of American Gothic, they're some of my favorites: The Curse, Fish Story, Southern Change, Ghost Dance... I just don't think they work as an arc, and Moore's attempt to tie them all together doesn't really work.
Damn, great use of the James Baldwin quote
I hope you can do a video on Max Payne one day. Love the channel and analysis.
Great video but it drives me crazy to hear Constantine pronounced wrong the entire time - as per what Alan Moore established in this very run
Hmmmm,a woman's mensuration that does turned her into a werewolf .I had an ex girlfriend who always go through that process. I barely escape with my life.
Any chance you'll eventually get to the Brian K. Vaughan run
Eventually, for sure. Once I’m done with Moore’s run, I want to expand to other Swamp Thing runs.
I hate to be that guy but, It’s pronounced John ConstanTINE. Good video Matt.
Honestly, even if I pronounced it the other way I’d get corrections, too. Kinda no win.
Whoa whoa, hold the phone. It's ConstanTEEN. Why? Because he's English, and that's how we English pronounce English. It's our language - it's the Americans who ruined it ;)
@@RockandrollNegro Saga of the Swamp Thing #73 in conversation, and Hellblazer #39 in rhyme.
@@alpertroncp2198 ConstanTEEN is the American pronunciation, you’ve got this backwards.
Chicanery Oh of course. That's why we Brits pronounce Christine and pristine as ChrisTYNE and prisTYNE. Thank you for clarifying ;)
Interesting.
This story is sort of like Hard Traveling Heroes.
American Gothic is so good
American gothic has a spiritual sequel called Providence. Alan Moore at his best impression of cosmic nihilism in America under the disguise of repression.
Really? I thought the latter part of American Gothic was just getting high on his own bullshit on how much he hates the world while claiming moral superiority for being "better". The resemblance to his Question analog Rorschach in Watchmen is likely no coincidence.
@@johnathonhaney8291 You took the wrong message then. Specifically Watchmen. Rorschach is the type of character that Alan Moore hates with a passion (unable to cope with change, a racist, a sexist, and also a chauvinist, running away from his problems if the death of the comedian did not happen). He is a hack writer, (writing for the sake of writing, using rape as plot device) but damn if there are not major kernel of truths in his writing. American Gothic exposes the good and the bad of society and one person alone cannot change the world (takes time, hard work, luck and money). He also makes fun of himself a lot (Tom Strong, Promethea, league of extraordinary gentlemen, top 10). Frankly, if superhero comic book readers are so mad about Alan Moore why not read comics outside of DC and Marvel? Because they crave nostalgia(nostalgia is also manipulative when it comes to entertainment).
@@hix299 I never got the idea that Rorschach was a racist. A misanthrope? Sure.
@@hix299 As somebody who treasures Matt Grendel's Grendel, Guy Davis' The Marquis, Kurt Busiek's Astro City and prowls various other odd corners of comics, don't ever presume to speak to me of nostalgia. Nostalgia, at its core, is a lie, a dead thing that still smells sweet. Folks who crave what was unthinkingly (see anti-SJW crowd) can't wrap their heads around that a) it was the product of a specific time and place and b) said time and place is gone, never to return. Stuff like Neonomicon tells me Moore fell into that trap.
@@Madbandit77 DEFINITELY a bigot who hates damn near everybody.
"Perceiving a greater consciousness and sharing it with Abby through hallucinogenic lovemaking"
*Hits the like button*
I wish DC would use Swamp Thing a lot more instead of Injustice and the DC animated Movies. Or give him his own animated movie and not just like a 3 minute bit
Lol I’m actually in the middle of drawing swamp thing for inktober
Tbh this comic would make a great TV show (not a film cuz it would be butchered by time constraints)
Anybody watching "Swamp Thing" on CW's "Arrowverse"?
It's pretty good
What The CW airs is a censored version (no swearing and all the violence and gore were edited) of Season 1
"...and despite the horrors of american gothic specifically commenting on the United States societal issues, Moore chooses to blame these supernatural ills on a group with no real connection to the country."
Well, te saga's title is American Gothic". South America is part of America, you know? Just like North America.
America is not just USA. ;)
Us humans are and well continue to be the greatest and biggest existential threat to this planet smh our species is finished
it's ConstanTINE NOT ConstanTEEN !!!
Turtle..
All hail Matt for pronouncing Constantine correctly...