This is not my normal medium, but when one of my favorites does something different I have to go along for the ride.

Swamp Thing is the story of Alec and Walker Holland. Twin brothers who are off on a summer adventure with their cousins.

But where Alec is the brainy, science guy, Walker is the popular, go-with-the-flow guy.

And their differences are what tears them apart while also bringing them together.

I love this take on brotherly love, science, and how some relationships are more important than others.

This was fun.

Oh, and the artwork! Wow! Absolutely stunning. I am always in awe of those who create--these images are no exception.

Spellbinding, mesmerizing, and absolutely captivating, SWAMP THING: TWIN BRANCHES immerses the reader into a gorgeous yet creepy adventure with a compelling darkness that draws you in through engaging and expressive illustrations.

When I heard Maggie Stiefvater was creating a graphic novel, I knew I had to read it. This is a new avenue for Stiefvater and I wanted to see how she worked with this new, different medium. And I enjoyed the result!

Swamp Thing: Twin Branches is an incredibly eerie graphic novel about two brothers who are sent to live with their cousins in a rural town. Walker is the more popular twin, who is able to make friends automatically wherever he goes. While Alec is the more introverted twins, who prefers the company of plants to humans. On their way to town, one of Alec’s plant experiments fall of the truck and begins infecting the local flora, fauna and animals …

I really enjoyed the relationship between the twins and how tense it has become. Walker and Alec used to do everything together, were basically inseparable, but as they get older they start to drift. Alec takes this on the chin, but Walker really struggles with this change — even though he draws people to him in a way that Alec can’t and doesn’t want to.

The worldbuilding was really fascinating, especially the magical element of the plants and how they’re able to come to life and influence people. The illustrations were absolutely stunning and really brought the botanics alive. The artwork was both terrifying and beautiful, and you couldn’t look away.

My only issue was with the ending, which disappointed me a bit! I didn’t find it as strong as it could have been if Stiefvater had gone in a different direction. I’m not really a fan of sad endings for the sake of it when a happier ending — one that actually makes sense — works so much better.

But if you’re a lifelong fan of Maggie Stiefvater, you will undoubtedly enjoy this graphic novel! It’s also the perfect read for October.

3/5

**Thank you to Netgalley and DC Comics for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.**

I absolutely LOVED the Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater, so I was very interested to see how her writing would come across in a comic book. While I do not believe that her voice came across as well as it did in the Raven Cycle, it was definitely better than the Shiver Series (which I DNFed pretty quickly).

I did like the main characters, but I personally felt like they fell flat at times (this could be due to the comic book format). Overall I was not really captured by the relationships that are/were formed.

I was a little bit disappointed with the plot because it did not really pick up until the end of the book (but this is also pretty typical of Stiefvater books). I once again think that I would not have felt that there was a delayed plot if it were written in the "chapter book" format.

I really liked the artwork. Each panel was beautifully done and it really helped transport me into this story.

Overall I did like this book and I would recommend it to fans of graphic novels, and superheroes.

This was a really fun graphic novel to read. When we meet these two brothers they couldn’t seem any more different from each other. One is excited for what the summer will bring, while the other just wants to work hard on an experiment. Yet as the summer moves along, things happen that are sure to change both of their lives forever. Fans of this character will want to check this graphic novel out.

4 stars = Great! Might re-read
While I was familiar with "Swamp Thing" in general, I had no context for the characters or the history of the property before I read this, but I did do some research after. I loved the twin angle and the things the author did to make this fresh and her own compared to the history of the character. The plant pieces of this were fascinating. And I was captivated by what the experiment did to the town as it spread. This was a delightful surprise for me. If there are more books in this line, I will definitely be reading them. (Language, some sexual references due to the father's affair)

As a Swamp Thing newbie, I slightly enjoyed this book which felt incomplete. However, fans of Swamp Thing will probably enjoy this origin story.

This was such a fun read! I was absolutely thrilled to be approved for this ARC. Maggie is an artist herself, and I can feel that in the way she crafted this story that was meant to be turned into artwork. The characters were interesting and I have been a big fan of family bonds lately, so that worked a lot for me. I just wish it was a little longer, but I think that's my personal preference. I received my signed pre-order yesterday and read it again.

The art and color pallet were gorgeous. They were the stand out in this work. I especially loved the designs of the creatures and they made things more interesting.

Unfortunately the story itself was kind of flat. It was like the actions of the characters were purely to get to another point in the plot without really getting too deep into anything. I wish that Stiefvater had used the 200+ pages differently so she could have better flushed out the great ideas she had started in this.

This ended on a bit of a cliffhanger so I am curious if there will be a second book.

Swamp Thing Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater came out yesterday, and I was so excited to get a free copy from @dccomics!

Synopsis:
Twins Alec and Walker Holland have a reputation around town. One is quiet and the other is the life of any party, but the two are inseparable. For their last summer before college, Alec and Walker leave the city to live with their rural cousins, where they find that the swamp holds far darker depths than they could have imagined. While Walker carves their names into the new social scene, Alec recedes into a summer-school laboratory, slowly losing himself to a deep, dark experiment. This season, both brothers must confront truths, ancient and familial, and as their lives diverge, tensions increase, and dormant memories claw to the surface.

I really enjoyed this origin story! I went in knowing next to nothing about Swamp Thing, and I'm so glad this was my introduction.

I loved reading about Alec's experiments and watching him delve deeper and deeper into them. The relationship between the twins is strained and emotional and I felt for them so much. I loved reading them and their not-so-smart cousins and the swamp creatures. The story is dark and twisty and great for a graphic novel.

Morgan Beem's art lends itself so well to the story. The color palette was gorgeous and the style almost whimsical. It was super engaging for me!

Swamp Thing: Twin Branches is a cool graphic novel which embodies relationship, with the extended metaphor of plants representing human life. It especially parallels that of the two main twins, who are trying to escape family issues by going to a more rural, secluded area. The artwork was very beautiful, and the plot was entertaining and intriguing. At first, the story was a bit slow, but as it continued I could not stop. The integration of science was also a plus, even if I was unfamiliar with some of the terms.

I really wasn't sure about this at first, but I ended up really liking it. The plant-affected animals/people were rather creepy, which I'm sure was the point. I don't know anything about Swamp Thing (I requested because I'm a longtime fan of Maggie Stiefvater and adore everything she's written) so I don't know how much of the backstory is new, but it was a compelling story and I really felt for Alec and his brother. I got Alec's social isolation and how he understood the plants in his lab more than the people around him. And his jealousy/abandonment feelings toward his twin, who did seem to fit in with the cool kids.

Overall relatable, believable, and compelling. I love what Maggie did with the origin story here. Since it’s Maggie, it’s gorgeous and a little creepy, with just a touch of magic - and weird in the very best way.

I will preface this review with noting that I have never read any comics of graphic novels about Swamp Thing, nor have I watched the new TV show (yet). However, I have read books by Maggie Stiefvater and I like her style so I decided why not give this one a read. I was happy that DC Comics gave me that opportunity.

The book follows twins Alec and Walker, the nerd and the socialite, they are twins but very very different aside from looks. Alec does not like people, parties, just his science and plants, as an introvert I can get behind that. The book follows them moving form the summer and Alec bringing his work with him, trying to transfer memories of plants and eventually causing a solution that allows for these memories to be carrier to a new plant. His experiments are impressive and eerie and it takes the whole book to get to Swamp Thing. The book is really an origin story and a pretty good one.

Alec cares for his brother even through they are so different, he is the only person he really cares about and that means a lot. The book was full of emotion - from Alec, from the plants, and the various emotions of the plot of the story as well. It was a lot in a graphic novel but the lead up was very well done.

I am not sure how this relates to other origin stories or what piece it is in the grand scheme of the Swamp Thing lore, but for a one off, for a first-timer, I enjoyed it.

I’ve loved Maggie Stiefvater’s work since “Shiver” and I enjoy graphic novels as well. I saw this as a great opportunity to see a collab of two things I enjoy :D I was really looking forward to this rendition of the Swamp Thing story. Additionally, I was excited to be provided with a free ARC by DC to read and review!

I gave this “Swamp Thing” introduction 4.00 stars! This was a solid origin story for sure but I wanted more out of it.

Here's my rating breakdown:
Readability: 5
Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Wow: 3

I felt connected to the characters in this volume. And I was really interested in everyone’s history. I thought that even thought we didn’t get a lot of screen time with some characters, they all developed pretty well. I saw a well formed version of who everyone was and I hope we get a second volume to see where the characters grow from here.

I was really excited to be given a free ARC of “Swamp Thing: Twin Branches” by DC and the experience of reading it was great. I am definitely looking forward to volume 2, whenever we might see it, and I hope anyone who is interested in DC or their novels picks this one up.

I was a little hesitant to read this graphic novel as it’s an origin story for a human turn creature hero.

Maggie Stiefvater does a really good job at making Alec relatable and likable as a character. I really liked the girl, Abby, too. She had soul and drive. I would be interested to read more on her and her tree, Fancy Sam.

We don’t really get enough one the rest of the characters to form opinions on them, other than Alec’s twin, Walker.

There is really good representation for diabetes and being able to live and manage it. However I wouldn’t want someone struggling with diabetes to read this and think the end of this is their solution to having developed it.

Overall I did enjoy this graphic novel but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the art, though I think the art does fit the underlying tone of the graphic novel. People will enjoy this!

This graphic novel was nothing like I was expecting. I was thinking since Maggie Stiefvater wrote it, it would be similar to The Raven Cycle, but nope. However, I did not mind being taken down this creepy, slightly dark road.

The things I liked:
Alec. The brother who didn't people very well. The one who felt closer to plants. I was rooting for you from page one. His struggle to relate to peers, his fight with his twin, and love interest were all believable and heart breaking.

The science. Alec's experiments in extracting plant memories was super interesting and the scientific parts of the novel were some of my favorite. They break-up from the story to give a little insight didn't distract from the overall story. In fact, they added flavor and color.

The artwork. Morgan Beem's art was perfect! It was atmospheric and the perfectly creepy. From Alec's "ironic band" shirt to the dogs-turned-plant, I continue to return to this novel just to study the pictures.

The thing I didn't like:
There wasn't enough!
Not enough info behind Alec's experiment. Not enough info on the things that became plant. Not enough Alec. Not enough Walter. Not enough Abby. I just want pages and pages of more.

Thanks to DC Comics and Netgalley for sending me this for my honest review.

Read this in one sitting mainly because I loved the MC so much

As a plant lover my heart definitely feels for him
The story progression in this comic felt well done and I wouldn't mind a second part to this
I also really enjoyed the art style in this comic

I absolutely loved this novel. Grqphic novels have become more and more of an obsession of mine this year, so getting to read one by my favorite author was a delight. The story was deliciously creepy and thrilling and I loved how the art style only seemed to elevate that. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a quality graphic novel.

I jumped on this because of two things. One, Stiefvater (need I say more) and two, Morgan Beem. Her illustrations are in Buffy and Wolfsbane and I love how they illicit feeling and depth. I could not resist seeing how Stiefvater transitioned from her books that I love to graphic novels.

This graphic novel is centered around two twin brothers. Walker is the outgoing brother who can fit into any social setting. He wants to keep his twin close for their final summer together before heading to college. Alec is the introvert who connects more with nature than he does with humans. Instead of fitting into the social scene he would rather work on his experiments. One really unique thing about Alec is his new adjustment to being diagnosed with diabetes. I really like how authors add identifiers like this to their stories.

The plot is pretty fast paced. Alec loses one of his experiments in the rural swamp where their cousins live. The experiment begins to evolve and takes over whatever comes in contact with it. Though it does tend to jump around a little quicker than I expected it is easy to follow and Beem’s illustrations paint an awesome backdrop. Outside of the jumping plot, the cousins were probably my biggest downfall to the story. I could not stand them and I am pretty sure that was intentional.

I definitely enjoyed this jump into the graphic novel scene by Stiefvater. If I wanted one thing out of this it would have been a longer version with more of the plant memory and morphing that occurred (and no cousins).

Thank you DC Entertainment and Maggie Stiefvater for the opportunity to review this graphic novel for an honest and unbiased opinion.

True rating 4.5, rounded for NetGalley.

3.5/5

I want to start this review off my saying I’m completely new to the Swamp Thing world! I did do some research before starting just so I wasn’t completely unaware but this was a new world to me! I was super excited to dive into this book since I always hear excellent things about Maggie Stiefvater and have been enjoying a lot of DC graphic novels lately!

So I’ll start off talking about the actual artwork like I always do when it comes to graphic novels and Morgan Beem did not disappoint. The color scheme was complete perfect since this is a graphic novel about Swamp Thing so the green color palette was perfect! My favorite thing though was the layout of this novel. Some pages had artwork on the entirety of the page and then the actually boxes with the people and words were sitting on top of the artwork with their own little art inside! I just found this so captivating and loved it from the start!

Like I said, Swamp Thing was my first introduction to Stiefvater’s work and it’s always hard to judge from a graphic novel since there aren’t a ton of words lol but I do want to read more from her now!

Swamp Thing is essentially a story of how He was created so you won’t see him until the end! In my opinion, I love background stories to how a character becomes what they are so I really enjoyed this! The only negative thing I have to say is not a lot happens in this novel that’s almost 200 pages but I really loved the way this ended and the brotherly love experienced by the end. I’m also curious if there will be a second novel or if it’s just suppose to end how it did and it will be left open ended.

Overall, this is a quick easy read about how a superhero was created with stunning artwork to help us along!