Review – Swamp Thing: Twin Branches

Posted on October 13, 2020 by pennma05

Written by Maggie Stiefvater

Illustrations by Morgan Beem

Published October 13, 2020 by DC Comics

208 Pages

DC Comics Summary: Twins Alec and Walker Holland have a reputation around town. One is quiet and the other is the life of any party, but they are inseparable. Spending their last summer before college together, the two leave the city to live with their rural cousins, where they find that the swamp holds far darker depths than they could have imagined. This season, both brothers must confront truths, ancient and familial, and as their lives diverge, tensions increase and dormant memories claw to the surface.

Review: When I first heard that DC Comics was coming out with a graphic novel about Swamp Thing, I was intrigued. And then add Maggie Stiefvater to the mix, and I was sold. I couldn’t wait to read it. I’ve been really getting into the DC universe lately with the awesome YA graphic novels they have been putting out lately. I went into this not knowing a thing about Swamp Thing.

The story starts out with Alec and Walker taking a break from their fighting parents and off to spend their last summer before college with their cousins in Virginia. Right from the start I felt a kinship with Alec. Like a true introvert, he has a really hard time fitting in with other people his age and prefers to be left alone. Walker is the exact opposite and tries to get Alec to get out more. Alec would much rather spend his time with his plants and his experiment, Boris. I felt so hard for him when all of his research and experiments were ruined upon arriving in Virginia. But he didn’t give up and did everything he could to get back on track. I loved seeing him connect with a fellow nerd, Abby. I also really enjoyed the little tidbits on different plants that had a connection to how Alec felt. One of the really cool things about this story was seeing the brothers’ relationship with each other. In typical twin fashion, they had each other’s backs in everything. It was really great seeing Walker’s vulnerabilities towards the end and Alec stepping up to take control of the situation to protect Walker.

In addition to the story, I really loved the illustrations by Morgan Beem. I loved seeing the story come to life. The color scheme was gorgeous. One of my favorite things about the art was seeing the dogs transformation after they destroyed Alec’s work. So cool! I think the only thing I was really disappointed with was the ending. It happened so quickly and I need to know more!

4 Stars

I received a free copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

Order your copy today!

All images provided by DC Comics.

Final Glimpse of Swamp Thing: Twin Branches

Posted on October 6, 2020 by pennma05

Hey everyone! I am here today with your FINAL sneak peak at Swamp Thing: Twin Branches! I hope you have enjoyed these special looks as much as I have. Only one more week until this epic graphic novel publishes on October 13th! Make sure you have your copy pre-ordered. If you haven’t done so already, click here to pre-order today!

From #1-New York Times-bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater (the Raven Cycle series) and artist Morgan Beem comes DC’s newest young adult original graphic novel, the spine-tingling saga Swamp Thing: Twin Branches. In the pages of this haunting retelling of the Swamp Thing origin story, teenage twin brothers Alec and Walker Holland arrive in Virginia for their last summer before college, but while Walker thrives in the light of parties and social life, Alec recedes into the cool darkness of the lab, driven to finding answers in his plant experiment on consciousness and memory. But what Alec comes to realize is that the experiment isn’t about solving nature’s riddles, but about finding out who he really is. And though these twin brothers have grown apart, they share the same roots – and will unite once more before splintering apart forever.

Swamp Thing: Twins Branches is a haunting coming-of-age story about growing into who you’re meant to be, and the sacrifices you make to protect the people you love. This original young adult graphic novel is aimed at readers ages 13+ and deftly interweaves in social issues like bullying, peer pressure and living with a medical condition, while examining themes like growing up, the importance of communication, sharing memories and experiences, and overcoming trauma. Swamp Thing: Twin Branches hits stores everywhere books are sold on 10/13/2020.

More Swamp Thing: Twin Branches

Posted on September 29, 2020 by pennma05

Hey everyone! Today I have MORE for you to see in the upcoming graphic novel, Swamp Thing: Twin Branches! The more I see of this book, the more excited I get. As I mentioned last week, I love Maggie Stiefvater so I will read anything she writes. But I have also been really getting into graphic novels the last few years and DC Comics has been putting out some great young adult origin stories for some of their classic characters! If you haven’t already, click here to pre-order your copy today!

Cover Reveal! Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend

Posted on September 25, 2020 by pennma05

Hey everyone! Today I am very excited to share with you the cover for an upcoming young adult graphic novel from author Alys Arden (The Casquette Girls) and Jacqueline de Leon. This graphic novel sounds incredible and after seeing the cover, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! It publishes on April 13, 2021 but is available to pre-order now! Click here to pre-order your copy today! But first, here is some information about the book itself.

Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend

Written by Alys Arden

Illustrated and colored by Jacquelin De Leon

Lettered by Ariana Maher

On sale everywhere books are sold on April 13, 2021

There’s more to the mobsters, mystics, and mermaids at the last stop on the D/F/Q trains: Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue.

Zatanna’s not your typical New Yorker. She walks her giant rabbit on a leather leash down the boardwalk, lives in a colossal architectural wonder known as the Golden Elephant, had her first kiss in the Haunted Hell Gate ride–and wouldn’t have it any other way.

But the time for having fun in Luna Park comes to an end when a mystic’s quest for a powerful jewel unravels everything Zatanna thought she knew about herself and her beloved neighborhood. Mysteries and magic surround her as she reveals the truth about her family’s legacy, and confronts the illusion that has been cast over her entire life.

From the bewitching mind behind The Casquette Girls, Alys Arden, and with enchanting artwork by Jacquelin de Leon, comes the story of a girl stuck in the middle of a magical rivalry and forced to chose between love, family, and magic without hurting anyone…or worse.

About Alys Arden

Alys Arden was raised by the street performers, tea-leaf readers, and glittering drag queens of the New Orleans French Quarter. She cut her teeth on the streets of New York and has worked all around the world since. The Casquette Girls, her debut novel, garnered over one million reads online before it was acquired by Skyscape. The fourth book in the series, The Gates to Guinée, is due out in 2020. Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend is her first graphic novel.

About Jacquelin de Leon

Jacquelin de Leon is an illustrator and comics artist currently located in San Jose, California. She graduated with a BFA in illustration and entertainment design from Laguna College of Art and Design. Since graduating in 2015 she has become an illustration brand, self-publishing multiple books and working full-time to produce for her online shop and her YouTube channel. When not working on major projects, her favorite subjects are vivid and magical mermaids, sultry witches, and tattooed punk girls with colored hair.

Isn’t the artwork incredible?! I am crazy excited to read this graphic novel. Don’t forget to pre-order your copy today!

SNEAK PEEK! Swamp Thing: Twin Branches

Posted on September 23, 2020 by pennma05

Hey everyone! I am so excited to share this sneak peak with you today! Swamp Thing: Twin Branches is an upcoming graphic novel by Maggie Stiefvater and Morgan Beem publishing on October 13th by DC Comics. I am so excited to read this. I adore Maggie Stiefvater and I have been really getting into graphic novels the last few years so the two paired will be fantastic! The book is available to preorder now! Click here to preorder! Check out this excerpt below!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater (the Raven Cycle series) and artist Morgan Beem comes DC’s newest young adult original graphic novel, the spine-tingling saga Swamp Thing: Twin Branches. In the pages of this haunting retelling of the Swamp Thing origin story, teenage twin brothers Alec and Walker Holland arrive in Virginia fortheir last summer before college, but while Walker thrives in the light of parties and social life, Alec recedes into the cool darkness of the lab, driven tofinding answers in his plant experiment on consciousness and memory. But what Alec comes to realize is that the experiment isn’t about solving nature’s riddles, but about finding out who he really is. And though these twin brothers have grown apart, they share the same roots – and will unite once more before splintering apart forever.

Swamp Thing: Twins Branches is a haunting coming-of-age story about growing into who you’re meant to be, and the sacrifices you make to protect the people you love. This original young adult graphic novelis aimed at readers ages 13+ and deftly interweaves in social issues like bullying, peer pressure and living with a medical condition, while examining themes like growing up, the importance of communication, sharing memories and experiences, and overcoming trauma. Swamp Thing: Twin Branches hits stores everywhere books are sold on 10/13/2020. Click here to preorder!