Going into reading this book, I didn't know a lot about Swamp Thing. I have read most of the other DC teen graphic novels, so I had an open mind about this. Overall, it fell a little flat for me. Like all of the other DC graphic novels, it had great character development and served as a good superhero origin story. I didn't really connect with the story or the art style. I also didn't like the rather abrupt ending. There was also language and mature themes that made this skew a little older than some of the DC graphic novels. I think this will appeal to fans of DC comics, but it wasn't my favorite.

Ugh, this was so good. It’s fully colorized, but the pages are overwhelmingly dark, cool greens. Beem’s jagged illustrations fit Stiefvater’s “misunderstood teenage dirtbag” characters (a la Ronan Lynch from the Raven Boys) so well. Swamp Thing is one of the DC properties I know the least about, but this seems to be a pretty solid teen-centric origin story. No, it’s not exactly the same—for one thing they’re in Virginia rather than Louisiana—but it hits all the right notes. Now that I have an origin story I’m ready for adventures! More please!

Have you ever wondered how Swamp Thing came to be? Maggie Stiefvater gives us her version of twin brothers, one a science minded shy nerd, the other a super popular heartthrob. The science minded brother (who is in highschool by the way) has been trying to prove that plants have a memory and feelings, and that he can reincarnate those memories through the generations. But after the brothers catch their father with a woman who is NOT their mom, they are shipped off to cousins for the summer. And that is where things get interesting. Unfortunately there were some accidents with the science experiments, and eventually a swamp thing is born. This title is a little slow. The dynamic between the brothers is interesting because Swamp Thing is normally seen as a scary being, but he starts out so mild mannered. There have been so many one off GN of comic characters lately it will be interesting to see if this book gets a sequel. It stands on its own, but I would like to see where the story was taken next. BTW the illustrations are fantastic.

Twin brothers Alec and Walker take center stage in this reboot of Swamp Thing.
Alec is quiet, introverted, and would rather spend his time around plants. They are easier to figure out and understand, where as words seem to get him into trouble. His brother Walker is the exact opposite of him, the life of the party and all around fun guy. Both boys are sent to spend the summer with family when they catch their father cheating on their mother. Alec, a burgeoning scientist, brings some of his work along for the ride with him and things start to get out of control.
The art is beautifully paired with Stiefvater’s writing. She is skilled at magical realism and it’s worked into the story beautifully and the artwork further enhances the slow horror that is overtaking the story, and the expected dread that creeps into this small sleepy town after Alec’s experiment gets loose.
A really bizarre, beautiful read.
***
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Maybe the biggest difference between humans and plants isn't whether plants think, but what they think about."

This reboot of Swamp Thing follows twins Alec and Walker, one reserved and one outgoing. After a shakeup in their family, they go to stay with country cousins for the remainder of the summer. Alec, a burgeoning scientist, brings along his experiments with a plant he calls Boris, but it is damage in transit and he finds that he must start all over again. While Walker wants to get into the local scene (parties and mailbox smashing) Alec, a socially anxious guy, finds friends with some other science buffs using the lab he moves into.

Breem's psychadelic colors, and original and diverse characters give life to Stiefvater's trademarked magical realism, human relationship, and light horror story telling.

Thanks NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Didn't have the lyricism that usually carries me through Stiefvater books, and I couldn't get involved in the storyline. It was good--I can see it appealing to people--just not my style.

This graphic novel was interesting. I found the artwork to be entrancing and the characters were compelling. I hope there is a sequel!

I love this book in all of its weird, heartfelt, plant glory. This was such a unique magical realism story that the only book I could even think to compare it to would be the bestselling Lab Girl adult memoir that made me love plants even though I am terrible at understanding and caring for them. This story similarly made me love plants and see them in totally different ways, while also speaking about siblings, fitting in, bullying, diabetes, and how overwhemingly frustrating it can feel to try to be yourself around people who don't appreciate you. I loved the storyline about plants' memories and the importance of voice and history. I also really connected to the sibling relationship in how these twin brothers are figuring out themselves and how that changes their relationship to one another. I only recently read Maggie Stiefvater's books (I know, late to the party) (and an amazing artist in her own right)and now I can't get enough of her writing. This graphic novel was a similar aesthetic and the artwork perfectly enhanced her writing. I could gush on and on about this book so you should really read it when it comes out so we can talk.

A fresh take on the swamp thing story. The illustrations were amazing and the plot connected with the reader in showing it’s ok to stand out and be different.

Swamp Thing: Twin Brothers is a graphic novel by Maggie Stiefvater set in the DC comic universe. I have read Stifvater’s other books and they always have some craziness so this was no surprise on her take of the Swamp Thing. I can see other people really enjoying this book but it was so overall sad (bullying, and parental affair) that I just couldn’t fully enjoy it.

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Stiefvater fans know that no one does the slightly unexplainable with more nuance, and this YA graphic novel follows suit. The story features twin brothers sent off to the south for the last summer before college. Cultures collide between the twins' very different desires- friends and fun for Walker, quiet research for Alex. Cultures also collide as the visitors meet the locals. Meanwhile, little does Alex know what his experiments are creating deep in the plant filled swamps. I won't spoil the surprise, but some exciting stuff goes down.

The story is well told, and will resonate with teen and tween readers. Adding to the clever writing are some graphically pleasing illustrations. Beem absolutely nails it with these comic panels. The color palette, style and tone of the artwork makes the story come to life. YA readers will enjoy the visual treat that accompanies the short, but powerful, story.