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"My own problems seem so petty and small in this context. But, like a lotus unfolding, a solution appears, clear and elegant in its simplicity, resonating with universal symmetry." In Swamp Thing #75 entitled "The Thinker," Rick Veitch has Swamp Thing grow a super bio-computer brain to help him solve the problem he is in. What follows is a metaphysical odyssey through the universe and beyond. Matt Gamble and Robert Reineke have a lot to discuss. And then go off on their own journey yelling at clouds. Reader: Robert Thomas Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"Out there... in the pitiless void... they will be free of the influence of the mind. Able to retain.... their own identities. And be well clear.. of the catastrophe... that is about to befall... those of us... that remain on Earth." The synchronicity maelstrom rages with Swamp Thing, Abby, and the Spout trapped in its center. Things reach a true crescendo and Rick Veitch shows he has some tricks up his sleeve. Matt Gamble joins Robert Reineke in discussing the issue #74 of Swamp Thing, written and drawn by Rick Veitch and entitled "Center of the Cyclone."  Reader: Eric McClung Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"Magic is the science of coincidence." Swamp Thing, Abby, Chester, Constantine, the Sprout, Lipschitz, Roy Raymond, and Wild Thing are caught in a synchronicity maelstrom from which they might not escape. Matt Gamble joins Robert Reineke in discussing the issue #73 of Swamp Thing, written and drawn by Rick Veitch and entitled "The Fire Next Door." Things are building towards a climax. Reader: Eric McClung 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 remember learning in college how meaningful events might be linked in some mysterious way. They called the phenomenon synchronicity." Swamp Thing and Constantine are still trying to create the next earth elemental, but find themselves in a minefield of coincidences. Rob Veatch joins Robert Reineke in getting to the bottom of issue #71 of Swamp Thing, written and drawn by Rick Veitch and entitled "Fear of Flying." You might think twice about getting on that next plane. 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

"Don't worry, mate. Johnny's on the job." After escaping a trap set by the Parliament of Trees Swamp Thing reunites with Abby in an issue that can only be described as metaphorically graphic. But, John Constantine is on the job to get things moving in the right direction as he trades favors for information. Rob Veatch joins Robert Reineke in trying to untangle issue #70 of Swamp Thing, written by Rick Veitch, drawn by Rick Veitch and Bret Ewins, and entitled "The Secret Life of Plants." And our lead plant based elemental has at least one secret he's keeping from Constantine himself. 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

"The renegade felt the name for his own essential truth slip out on the tides of his aura. 'Duality' he said. But he did not understand." A new wild Swamp Thing is born and a trap is sprung by the Parliament of Trees ensnaring Swamp Thing's mind. Rob Veatch joins Robert Reineke in trying to untangle issue #69 of Swamp Thing, written and drawn by Rick Veitch and entitled "Wild Thing." And things are getting wild indeed in Rick Veitch's run. 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

"It's like my old mentor, the General, used to say: 'Business can be crueler than love or war.  To that I might add 'All's fair."" Rob Veatch returns to discuss Swamp Thing #68 entitled "Reflections in a Golden Eye" in which Rick Veitch attempts and pulls off a complicated formal exercise consisting of four different threads, each of which are presented in different styles. It's a grand experiment in what can be done with the form. 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

"Just what the world needs, eh? Another grotty dim-witted clod of a film to add to the cultural wasteland." Rob Veatch returns to discuss Swamp Thing #67 entitled "The Wisdom of Solomon" as surprising enemies are revealed and Swamp Thing suffers a crushing setback at the hands of Solomon Grundy, who has no use for the concept of sharing. Reader: Patrick Ripoll of 96 Greers and Tracks of the Damned Original Music: Jim Laczkowski of Now Playing Network Logo: Nat Almirall of Where the Long Tail Ends Dedicated to the Memory of John Bierly

"Sounds great, Piggy! But you're wrong about one thing. These paparazzi photos? I happen to know they were faked. See, Wonder Girl has this delicate little beauty mark... It's almost in the same spot as Diane's was..." Swamp Thing #66 by Rick Veitch entitled "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" has a little bit of everything. Including heaven, hell, John Constantine, Hellblazer, Arkham Asylum and its inmates, a brand new director of Arkham, and of course Abby and Alec. Both of them. This is Rick Veitch's run really taking off and showing both his metaphysical side and his satirical side. Rob Veatch guests on this episode to help break it down. 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

"The Publishers and the so-called Purveyors of "Fine Art" have conspired to keep the public in the dark about the true potential of comics!" Rick Veitch is joined by artists Shawn McManus, Jim Fern, Stan Woch, and Tom Yeates for a bit of monkey shines in Swamp Thing Annual #3 entitled "Distant Cousins." Erik Hanson from the Cradle to the Grave podcast returns to help discuss this issue as we try to make sense of the all the madness of this issue and put it in context. 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

"Swamp Thing is dead!" We kick off the third season of Swamp Things which will be focussed on the Rick Veitch run. And maybe it won't end on recriminations and tears this time. I'm joined by Rob Veatch as we discuss how Rick Veitch kicked everything off in his first issue, #65 "(We Could Be) Diving for Pearls" 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

It was my great pleasure to welcome Stephen R. Bissette to the podcast for a wide ranging interview covering most of his career. Despite some subpar audio on my end. I hope all our listeners enjoy this. Podcast Artwork by Nat Almirall Podcast Theme Music by Jim Laczkowski 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.