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Swamp Thing - The Patchwork Man by Len Wein

As with all reviews on this website, our goal is not to provide a complete overview of the book; rather, it is to examine how the book relates to the meaning of life.


Swamp Thing is a well-known comic book series that was started by Len Wein (writer) and Bernie Wrightson (artist). The series originally came out in the 1970s and immediately gained mass popularity, and for good reason, it was damned good. But as in typical fashion with endev42, we're not here to write about the series, but to examine any aspects of the work that talk about the meaning of life.

In issue number three of the original series, The Patchwork Man, our hero, the Swamp Thing is coming to terms with the monster he has become. Having reverted to being human once again, but giving it all up in order to save humanity in issue number two, he now comes to terms as best as possible with his grotesque fate. But it won't be the Swamp Thing that touches upon meaning, rather it is a Frankenstein like creature—a creature so terribly disfigured, it is a shame he is even alive; and to be fair, he wouldn't be alive if it were not for his crazed brother—a scientist/alchemist/unholy madman patching him up and somehow bringing him back to the world of the living.


The Frankenstein like monster, formerly known as Gregori, has been locked away in the castle his brother owned since the day he "died." So when he sees his daughter for the first time since his death, he does the only thing he can do, he grabs her and runs off.

The local townspeople believe her to be kidnapped. Thus, a mob is raised and off they go after him. Gregori, who really has lost all that made his life meaningful—family, work, long walks in the sun, of course, becomes upset when the locals try to take his daughter away.

So we get to the point, though his life is haunted, he still finds some meaning in reconnecting to his daughter, in whatever weird and brief way that may be. In the end, that meaning in life is more profound than life itself, as Gregori will go on to give up his life, in order to save his daughter's.


Have you read the Swamp Thing series? Does the meaning of life pop up in other issues? Let us know by commenting below.


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