Swamp Thing #19 Review

SWAMP THING #19

by Charles Soule and Kano

So, Charles Soule has some ridiculously large shoes to fill... But does he live up to Scott Snyder's legacy?

I am going to admit: It doesn't even feel like Scott Snyder left. Soule's inner monologue feels like Snyder wrote it. Snyder's mannerisms are present here, like frequently using anecdotes in his monologue, and a very horror-like tone to the book. Soule nails Holland's voice, though he writes him as if he's more of a force of nature (no pun intended) than a character. While I'm not sure whether making Swamp Thing interact with the more famous characters of the DCU will work as a new direction, I fully support where Soule is taking the book. 

However, on the other end of things, Kano fails to live up to the artistic void left by Yannick Paquette. Though it looks nice, it pales in comparison to Paquette's style. Instead of feeling like something unique, it feels more like he's trying to pay tribute to classic Swampy artists like Bernie Wrightson and Stephen Bisette. 

Swamp Thing #19 is a step in the right direction for Swamp Thing. It faced an uphill  battle, but was able to win. This is an excellent new direction (for the most part) for the series.

STORY: 4.5/5

+ Soule does his best to imitate Snyder's unique style

+ The new direction of the series is rather different, in a good way

+ Holland's voice is well written

- Have some minor reservations about the new feel of the series

ART: 3.5/5

+ It's a tribute to days gone by

- It pales in comparison to Paquette

VERDICT: 4/5