Wrightson (and Wein) take Swampy to Europe this issue for Arcane’s first appearance. Arcane doesn’t even get a first name here. I say Wrightson first because the art is truly wondrous. He gets to do daytime scenes, so there aren’t any colors muddling his art, and he gets to do the Un-Men and a big, scary Eastern European castle. The issue is beautiful from the first page.

Wein’s writing, as usual, has strengths and weaknesses. The third person narration is particularly overwritten and Matt Cable seems like Wein’s ideal character (the alpha male in pursuit of a fugitive). But he still has the wonderful Swamp Thing arc. I’d forgotten Arcane does give Swampy back his humanity… only for him to decide it’s not worth the price. It’s a great little arc and Wein handles it all beautifully, especially the thought balloons.

The issue’s a fast, lovely, outstanding comic book.

Horror comics can get away with overwritten narration; other genres it stands out, but something about horror… it fits.

Writing this issue’s narration, Wein goes overboard with the narration. Some of it works, more doesn’t. But his thought balloons for Swamp Thing (there aren’t any for Alec Holland, just Swamp Thing) work. They’re still a little overcooked, but the guy just got turned into a big swamp monster, he’s allowed to live in his head.

The big draw to Swamp Thing—the element I was most looking forward to seeing on this reading—was supposed to be Wrightson. And he’s fantastic, but not the whole show. It’s the package; Swamp Thing works because how Wrightson’s wondrous panels and his great character designs (human and Swamp Thing) integrate with Wein’s writing.

Wein plots a great origin, particularly excelling at the passage of time. It’s where Swamp Thing’s thoughts are most essential.