Comic books were among one of the first joys I experienced early in life. I have always been drawn to darker characters; as a kid, I wanted to read all the Batman and Spawn comics available. At the age I was discovering comics, I was also discovering the joys of horror movies; I found my love for the genre in the form of the Universal monster flicks. My passion for monsters and comic books came together in the form of one particular character who intrigued me on the spot: the Swamp Thing.

The Swamp Thing made its debut back in 1971 in House of Secrets #92 as a stand alone story; soon after, the character became so popular that he was given his own solo run. For those unaware, the Swamp Thing is a hulking humanoid plant-man; covered in vines, leaves, and a plethora of other plant life, the Swamp Thing’s power include super strength, regeneration, and the ability to speak to and control plant life.

While the Swamp Thing has its origins in comic books, my introduction to the story was actually the cartoon based on the creature; it was a fun little show for kids, but it would actually be many years down the road until I got my first taste of a Swamp Thing comic.

Like any other comic book, there are numerous stories based around the Swamp Thing one can pick up; stories with various characters and written by different authors can be a little daunting at first when getting acclimated to a new narrative. That said, there is one particular part of the comic’s history I wanted to share with all of you and highlight: the first volume of Alan Moore’s The Saga of the Swamp Thing.

This new series loosely picked up after other plot events involving the Swamp Thing. While originally writer Martin Pasko was brought on to do the comic, he ended up having to drop the role; in his place, Moore was brought on to pen Swamp Thing. Volume One of Moore’s run brings readers into the life of Swamp Thing with little explanation of previous events; thankfully, he does make sure to provide just enough context to catch our curiosity. We learn that the Swamp Thing was once a scientist by the name of Alec Holland who, due to an accident, has become one with plant life.

Volume one of The Saga of the Swamp Thing is by far one of the most compelling works of graphic horror. Regarding the visuals, artists John Totleben and Stephen Bissette provide a plethora of haunting imagery. The duo’s brilliant use of shadows establish grim expressions on character’s faces, while also heightening moments of dread and fear. Narratively, Moore lays down a unique philosophical trip. While volume one focuses on two stories in particular, it’s the book’s first (and primarily larger) tale that is the most interesting. The story concerns the villainous actions of the Sunderland Corporation, as well as that of the Floronic Man (another half-man half-plant being). And while there is plenty of physical conflict, what makes this portion of the book all the more interesting is the twist on Swamp Thing’s origin. In the chapter entitled, “The Anatomy Lesson”, Moore takes the character in a unique direction that provides additional depth to his existence.

Throughout the book readers are given a view into the mind of Swamp Thing and his love for nature. His intellect and care make him a touching character; even though he may be considered a “monster,” he comes off more welcoming than terrifying. That said, when it comes to those moments of suspense and fighting, the illustrators sure know how to pull out all the stops and make him come off chilling.

The other story in volume one brings its own blend of uneasiness, while tossing in a big battle towards its end. What also stands out in this segment of the book is Swamp Thing’s relationship with the human character of Abby; from the start of this volume we learn that there is some sort of bond between the two of them, and it is later on where we we finally get to see them interact. There’s a brief scene where the two are just chatting together and you get the sense that she is comfortable around him regardless of his appearance. By having the opportunity to see him with Abby, as well as being able to explore his thoughts, Moore does a superb job humanizing the creature.

With the new live action Swamp Thing show coming to the DC Universe streaming service this weekend, I cannot wait to see how creepy things get. I’m excited to see what direction the narrative takes and if it’ll pay any nod to the horror laid out by Moore. The Saga of the Swamp Thing is not only one of DC Comic’s best runs, but it also helped to establish one of the most iconic characters in horror comics.

The Swamp Thing has always been one of DC’s most unique works for its blend of horror and drama; whether you’re a newcomer or a long time comic book fan looking for something new, I encourage you check out The Saga of the Swamp Thing.