The Saga of the Swamp Thing 13 (May 1983)

Pasko finishes up the arc he started the series on and, wow, does it disappoint. It’s not a terrible issue—seeing Yeates draw Satan is pretty cool—but it’s not a good one. This issue is the fourth in the conclusion and there’s no point for it. Pasko’s just dragging it out. He even gets rid of one of his long-time subplots here.

He does have a couple good moments. Like when he shows Christians embracing a new Messiah who turns out to be the Antichrist. The Christians are just too dumb to realize. I’m surprised to see it in a big two comic book, especially from the early eighties.

But that point doesn’t make up for Pasko turning Swamp Thing into Scott Summers for a bit. The only reason he saves the world is because he temporally gets eye beams.

It’s lazy writing.

Then Cuti’s Stranger’s weak again.

CREDITS

Lambs to the Slaughter; writer, Martin Pasko; artist, Thomas Yeates; colorist, Tatjana Wood; letterer, John Costanza. The Man Who Isn’t There; writer, Nicola Cuti; artist, Fred Carrillo; colorist, Anthony Tollin. Editor, Len Wein; publisher, DC Comics.

The Saga of the Swamp Thing (1982) #12

The Saga of Swamp Thing 12 Okay, this story line has gone on way too long at this point. Pasko sets up a decent finale only to reveal it’s still not over… they still need to fight the Antichrist.

The story’s awkward, mostly because there’s a huge supporting cast and no reintroduction to them. I’m reading it at a fairly accelerated pace; monthly it would have been very difficult to follow.

At least Pasko is working on his subplots, both Swamp Thing’s illness and the romance between Liz and Dennis. I guess he’s finally memorable enough I’ll use his name. Unfortunately, their almost love scene is terrible. The comic’s rather mature overall but Pasko tones down the adult nature of their conversation and comes off silly. He shouldn’t have done it if he wasn’t allowed the required vocabulary.

There’s some nice Yeates art. The issue’s packed with visuals.

Cuti’s Stranger backup is overwritten but not terrible.