We’ve dug into our massive to-read pile and pulled out another gem. Explore the legend of the Swamp Kid in this Family Comic Friday Extra!
The Secret Spiral of the Swamp Kid
Written and Illustrated by Kirk Scroggs
Published by DC Zoom
Pages: 160
Retail: $9.99
Earlier this year, when DC Comics announced the inaugural line-up of it’s DC Ink and DC Zoom imprint, I had mixed feelings about this book. For one thing, I wasn’t very sure if I liked the idea behind the Swamp Kid or not. For one thing, the character of Swamp Thing has never been a G-rated property. Plus, to have such a gothic character rebooted as a Diary of a Wimpy Kid arch-type just seemed wrong to me. So, when this book debuted in October for sale, I waited.
That wait came to an end when I found a copy of The Secret Spiral of the Swamp Kid at my local library. I must say- I was pleasantly surprised. The character of Russell Weinwright, AKA Swamp Kid, is NOT the Alec Holland Swamp Thing! But I don’t think that Russell is entirely a new character either.
On more than one occasion, Russell is referred to as ‘Little Sprout.’ That’s a term referred to the character of Tefe Holland; the daughter of Swamp Thing. So, is there some sort of reverse gender bias here? If there is, this all went under the radar of an otherwise hyper-sensitive cache of modern comic book fans who fall into fervor over such recastings...
I was very pleased with all of the Easter eggs peppered throughout this book. First, there is the name of the Swamp Kid: Russell Weinwright. It’s a portmanteau of Swamp Thing creators Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. Then you’ve got several Swamp Thing baddies here. Plus, references to other DC heroes and maybe a cameo or two!
Designing this book to be like a kid’s private journal has been done to death. But with the doodles and clever side bars, it really worked this time. While I wouldn’t mind seeing further adventures of the Swamp Kid, I hope DC limits themselves to utilizing this sort of format in it’s future all-ages works. Because like I said, this writing method is getting a little stale in my opinion.
As I mentioned earlier, I would like to see more of Russel Weinwright. But honestly, I’d like to see him pop up in the pages of a mature Swamp Thing title. I think he’d make a great addition to the Swamp Thing family tree. If DC Comics follows suit with this idea, this graphic novel might actually shoot up in value as it would be the first appearance of the character!
This was a fun read that doesn’t seek to reboot the Swamp Thing franchise. Instead, it adds a somewhat fresh take on a fan favorite character! Good job DC! Keep it up!
The Secret Spiral of the Swamp Kid debuted in print and digital formats on October 1st, 2019.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
This review was originally published on Outrightgeekery.com.
The saga of Ridley Pearson’s Super Sons from DC Zoom continues in this Family Comic Friday Extra!
Super Sons: The Foxglove Mission
Written by Ridley Pearson
Art by Ile Gonzalez
Published by DC Zoom
Pages: 176
Retail: $9.99
With Superman still in outer space and Bruce Wayne God knows where, it’s up the sons of Clark Kent and Batman to get to the bottom of all these mysteries surrounding them! The virus attacking the people of Wyndemere, and Lois Lane, is getting worse. With time running out, the Super Sons need to procure a sample of the germ- and fast!
Meanwhile, the deadly sisters from Candace’s mysterious past in Landis are on her trail. Everytime is appears that Candace has escaped them, a small little miracle alerts her pursuers to her whereabouts. Dozens and dozens of birds just seem to flock to the mysterious young lady. Does Candace have special powers?
Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed with this second chapter in the Super Sons story. According to sources, Ridley Pearson’s alternate take on Damian Wayne and Jon Kent is supposed to be 3 volumes long. With time running to tell the story out, I felt that Pearson tries just way too hard to cram everything into this book. There’s just too much going on and it’s quite confusing.
If I remember correctly, volume 1 had a map of Coleumbria and surrounding territories. This volume really needs it as Jon and Damian AND Candace seem to keep going all over the place. Sometimes back and forth! It was all rather quite hard to keep up with!
While I am looking forward to the final chapter, I have some apprehension that the conclusion is going to be even more confusing with just too much to keep straight.
Don’t get me wrong. I am a big fan of Ridley Pearson. I loved his Peter and the Starcatchers series that he wrote with humorist Dave Berry. But even then, you could tell that Pearson and company just had so many great ideas. Yet, the writers had 4 huge volumes to work with. A trio of 140- some odd paged graphic novels just isn’t enough space to sufficiently cover all of the plot points that are going on with the sons of the World’s Finest.
The finale has got to be super massive (and super clear and concise If not; what started out as a modern day classic is going to become a disaster of epic proportions.
Super Sons, Book 2: The Foxglove Mission debuted in print and digital formats on October 29, 2019.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.
Family Comic Friday is thrilled to present to you a graphic novel that has been on top of our wish list ever since it was first announced earlier this year! Have you ever wondered why Green Lantern always wears green? Or if Superman has ever had a bad day? Now those important questions can finally be answered in the pages of DC Zoom’s Dear Justice League!
Dear Justice League
Written by Michael Northrop
Illustrated by Gustavo Duarte
Published by DC Zoom
Pages: 176
Retail: $9.99
I love the concept of someone answering fan mail and the responses have hilarious effects. David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon have perfected these viewer mail bits over the past 30 years. That’s why when DC Comics announced its first wave line-up of young reader titles earlier this year, I immediately zeroed in on this graphic novel.
All of your favorite characters answer emails from their most loyal young fans. In the midst of doing so, the Justice League will uncover an alien invasion, bond with their super-pet mascots and maybe attend a birthday party or two.
Dear Justice League was smartly written by Michael Northtrop (Tombquest series). The questions from the kids are so sincere that I wonder if Northtrop got his inspiration from actual child fans of the Justice League.
My favorite aspect of this book was the artwork! I’m a big fan of Gustavo Duarte, ever since I was introduced to him in the pages of the hilarious miniseries, 2016’s Bizarro! Duarte illustrates his characters beautifully. It’s very cartoony and yet very classic looking and clean. Plus, his characters have such lively expressions to the extent that you don’t need words to understand what is going on. But it helps
One added treat to Dear Justice League was a preview to 2020’s Dear Super-Villians. In this follow-up, Harley Quinn, The Joker and more of your favorite DC Comics baddies will be answering their own batch of fan mail. I can’t wait for next Fall!
Dear Justice League was a lot of fun. Full of laughs and great illustrations, this is a book that is recommended for readers 7-10. But almost all ages of readers should get some sort of enjoyment out of this great graphic novel from DC’s amazing Zoom imprint!
Dear Justice League debuted in print and digital formats on August 6, 2019.
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
