Swamp Things Podcast

"Home..? Who'd have ever thought that one day... I would call this dismal bog home..." Len Wein and Nestor Redondo explore the cursed, never ending life of Milo Mobius in this time travel adventure. It's a definite change of pace for Swamp Thing as we near the end of Len Wein's run. Reader: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"How long he has stood here, gazing sadly at the ruptured ruins of the mouldering barn that was once his private laboratory, he cannot remember-- nor would it truly matter if he did--" It's a changing of the guard as Nestor Redondo steps in to art duties after Bernie Wrightson had left. Returning guest Erik Hanson steps in as we assess Redondo's art. And the story of alien worms and would be saviors that Len Wein conjures up. Reader: Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"For the screamng is loud and long and frightening --- and laced wth maniacal laughter that sends snakes skittering into the underbrush --- night-birds sailing off into an angry sky --- and, at last, the screaming stops!" The end of the Bernie Wrightson run is reached with Issue #10 of Swamp Thing. Paul Hermann of The Comic Binge comes on to discuss this wrapup featuring a battle of monsters and the ghosts of slavery. Reader: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"Don't play so high an' mighty with me, Cable. I'll bet there's something in your life you've felt exactly the same way about." This month, Ryan Lower from The Batman Book Club comes on the podcast to discuss "The Stalker from Beyond" by Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson, and Michael Wm. Kaluta. There's a lot to unpack in a still timely rumination on xenophobia and a divided America. Reader: Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"There wasn't any natural way to restore the mines... so my pappy... he started checking into unnatural ways... the occult... and the supernatural... Then one night... I guesss he thought he was ready... He gathered up all the mystic books as such he'd been collecting... and carried them into the mine... And that was the last anyone ever saw of my pappy... Oh, there was the scream that night of course..." With issue #8 of Swamp Thing, Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson turn their sites on Lovecraftian horror after Swamp Thing has wrapped up his initial origin loose threads. Erik Hanson comes on as a guest to discuss the issue and our relationship with Lovecraft. Reader: Erik Hanson of Cradle to the Grave Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"This man...will just keep coming...until one of us...is dead...!" In a very special episode, legendary comics artist Kelley Jones comes on the podcast to discuss Swamp Thing #7 "The Night of the Bat" by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson where Swamp Thing journeys to Gotham and encounters Batman. It's a break from the usual format, perhaps becoming more "The Comics That Made Us", but we have a wide ranging conversation about the issue, 70s comics, Bernie Wrightson, working with Len Wein, and many other topics. I hope you have as much fun listening as we had recording it. Reader: Justin Kowalski Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"'They are incapable of raising their hands against their neighbors.' Those were the little clockmaker's words. But their meaning is soon drowned out by the furious chatter of machine gun fire that echoes across the square." In this episode, Rob Veatch comes on to discuss Wein and Wrightson's "A Clockwork Horror" where Swamp Thing stumbles across of village of mechanical men and their dedicated to peace creator. Just in time for the Conclave to swoop in and destroy everything and see a real horror unleashed. Reader: Rob Veatch Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"You looked after me... when I needed help... Now it's my turn to look after you!" Samantha Kacho returns to the podcast to discuss issue #5 of the original Swamp Thing run entitled "The Last of the Ravenwind Witches!" Witchcraft, prejudice, Puritans, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and a host of other thoughts are discussed. Reader: Samantha Kacho Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"Somhow, the fear-filled scream that drifts in from the bog is not totally unexpectedby those in the ancient manor -- but all heads turn at the sound just the same..." Jeremy Lloyd of Dark Tower Radio is a guest this month as we discuss Issue #4 "Monster on the Moors", Bernie Wrightson, werewolves, Stephen King, and CYCLE OF THE WEREWOLF. Reader: Andy DiGenova of Holy Batcast Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"There wasn't much left of you, you realize -- I had to improvise my repairs from the materials at hand! Here -- I'll show you!" With issue #3 of Swamp Thing, Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson tell the story of The Patchwork Man and introduce Abigail Arcane to the saga. Guest Andy DiGenova of Holy Batcast comes on to discuss this historic issue. Reader: Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"Forgive my manner of summoning you, my friend, but I could not chance your refusing my invitation! You see, I have a proposition to make you. A most unusual proposition, indeed!" With issue #2 of Swamp Thing, Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson introduce Anton Arcane and embue the book with an expressionistic look that would mark it until today. Guest Erik Hanson comes on to discuss this historic issue. Reader: Erik Hanson Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"They will be back... the ones that killed me... Ferrett and the others will be back... and I will be waiting!" Welcome to season 2 of Swamp Things which will be exploring the Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson run of Swamp Thing. Erik Hanson joins Robert to explore the Swamp thing #1 and the Dark Genesis of Swamp Thing.

"Laissez les bontemps rouler. Please. For us. For all of us." We've reached the end of Alan Moore's run with issue 64 "Return of the Good Gumbo". Alan Moore is joined by Tom Yeates, Rick Veitch, and Stephen Bissette to bring closure and a decision about Swamp Thing's relationship with mankind. Erik Hanson comes on to discuss this finale. Reader: Erik Hanson Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"Amongst the keels of rocks he thinks of her, and of the men who'd kept her from him... of a love too long unconsummated and unfinished wars." Swamp Thing returns to earth with a score to settle in Swamp Thing #63 titled "Loose Ends (Reprise)" courtesy of Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. Reader: Rob Veatch Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the memory of John Bierly.

"I saw the gods in their 'final' conflicts, tearing their mythical worlds asunder in orgy after meaningless orgy of violence..." Justin Kowalski joins the podcast to discuss Swamp Thing #62 "Wavelength" which is crackling with the energy of a Jack Kirby book. Rick Veitch handles story and art in this issue, previewing his run to come. Reader: Rob Veatch of Batman on Film Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"and finally he decides that yes, it's blasphemy, of course it's blasphemy..and suggests it anyway." Chris Clow comes on the podcast to discuss one of the weirdest team ups ever between Swamp Thing and the Green Lantern Medphyll in Swamp Thing #61 "All Flesh is Grass" by Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. Reader: Sean Gerber of MCU Fan Show Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the memory of John Bierly.

"He was beautiful. He was other. He was of my flesh." A brand new format and a particularly experimental issue #60 entitled "Loving the Alien" greeted readers of Swamp Thing in 1987. Alan Moore and John Totleben stretch what comics could do in the issue. And Robert and guest Nat Almirall are here to discuss all the implications. Reader: Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the memory of John Bierly.

"Why eons of torment shan't begin to settle that debt. I'm told you're still accumulating interest!" Stephen Bissette, aided by artists Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcala, take the reins in Swamp Thing #59 titled "Reunion". Rob Veatch revisits the podcast to discuss the issue. Reader: Robert Reineke Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the memory of John Bierly.

We Terrans may not be much on the eight basic strategies of aerial inertia tactics but we are complete bastards." Chris Clow joins to discuss Swamp Thing #58 entitled "Exiles" as Swamp Thing and Adam Strange team up to save Rann courtesy of Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. That is if Swamp Thing can survive an attack by Thanagarians first. Readers: Gabe and Alice Hakvaag Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends

"Why can't these people ever handle their own problems?" Chris Clow guests on the podcast to discuss Swamp Thing #57 entitled "Mysteries in Space" as Swamp Thing gets whisked off to Rann and the world of Adam Strange courtesy of Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. Readers: Gabe and Alice Hakvaag Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the memory of John Bierly.