Review: Swamp Thing

Title: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Illustrator: Morgan Beem

Publisher: DC Comics

Publication date: October 13, 2020

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Summary

Alec and Walker are twins, but their personalities are basically the opposite. Alec is quiet and reserved while Walker is the life of the party. During their last summer before leaving for college, they go to stay with their cousins outside of the city. But the swamp near their new place holds darker secrets.

While Walker is trying to ensure they have a place in the social scene, Alec strays to the school’s laboratory. See, he’s brought his plant experiments from home. What he doesn’t know is that his experiments are about to consume him. As Alec and Walker start on different paths, will their relationship survive it? There’s something sinister in the swamp that might impact their future.

Review: Swamp Thing

Many thanks to DC Comics for sending me an early copy of this to review! As Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favorites, I was excited to hear that she was writing a graphic novel. Seems like a lot of my favorites are these days, which isn’t a bad thing! I love graphic novels, and we should definitely keep them coming. Especially these YA adaptations of superhero stuff. I’m in love!

Anyway, one of my favorite things about this graphic novel is the art. The colors throughout are so vibrant, and they really transport you to this swamp Alec and Walker find themselves in. Beem brings to life Stiefvater’s words, giving an overall eerie sense to the whole book. I especially enjoyed the way that Alec’s abilities were portrayed; I think it worked really well for the story.

For the most part, I also enjoyed the writing. The dialogue suited the characters, and we really got to know them throughout this fairly short book. My only qualm is that at times, it wasn’t quite clear what was happening with Alec’s experiments. This might have been purposeful, but there were a few pages I had to go back and re-read to get the full story. However, I’m wondering if that’s partly due to the e-format I read this in. Reading on my phone meant it was really small!

If you’re looking for a graphic novel to add to your spooky read pile this October, this is definitely one to keep an eye out for! Incredibly atmospheric, it absolutely transports you to this world that Stiefvater and Beem have created.

4/5 stars