Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing Feral Trees, page 5 (Mike Perkins)

Sublime siesta!

And what a remarkably resourceful remark!

I know a Perkins when I see one. Distinctive style, incredible detail, killer page!!

Many thanks, Phill. Yes, Mike's style is so recognizable! He is a fantastic artist!

Since the previous page shows Poison Ivy in the same position and both pages were printed beside each other in the comic, they made for a wonderful pair, so I was hoping someone might want to own both of them together. However, I'm still happy to see two different collectors enjoying each page.

Do I really need to mention this is absolutely stunning? I completely agree with your take (I know, what a surprise, right?). I find this piece nothing short of mesmerizing. The way Perkins has infused every inch of the page with intricate detail truly elevates the artwork. I love how Swamp Thing, even in repose, manages to harmonize so beautifully with his lush, swampy environment. Every time I look at this page, it feels like I lose myself in the scene. It really is a feast for the eyes!

Many thanks, Rubén. Yes, it would have been fantastic to have owned both these corresponding pages. However, there were a couple of other pages that I liked very much - such are the (financial) woes of original comic art collecting nowadays!

Impressive splash and a great nod to the Alan Moore era of the character

Many thanks once again for taking the time and trouble to comment on the piece. It is so intricate and the scan really doesn't do it justice.

It's like he's in the fetal position being awakened by a disturbance in the Green.  The human and the flora have details in equal measure.

Many thanks, Marcus. That's a marvellous way of describing the integration between both.

Perkins at the top of his game.  Wonderful!

Many thanks, Ron. Mike is a truly wonderful artist indeed!

Contemplative Crane Kick relaxation.

Many thanks, Derek. Contemplative, yes, but Crane Kick? Swamp Thing would make mincemeat out of the Karate Kid!

Dear CIB, you are most welcome. And many thanks for taking the time and trouble to leave a comment.

Mike's body of work on Swamp Thing from all the connected titles he has done in the last several years are an artist at the top of his artistic prowess and this splash is incredible in it's detailed depiction of one of our 2 main characters in this particular story. Fantastic!

Many thanks, Kavi. Yes, the detail is totally amazing! It's the sign of an artist whose passion for his craft is all consuming.

Wow CAB this is such an amazing piece! The detail on this is absolutely beautiful. Major congrats on acquiring such a beautiful piece!

Many thanks, David. Yes, the detail on this piece is mind blowing! It required not only patience but, I believe, passion as well. Mike is such a wonderful artist!

Poor guy. It's hard to fall asleep when the sheep don't venture close to the swamp. 

He finally found a spot where the sheep don't roam. Take care, John!

Beautiful!

Many thanks, Nick. It's a simple word but sums up the piece beautifully!

Love it!  Hope Perkins returns to this character before too long

Many thanks. Mike does especially well with atmospheric characters, which includes both Swamp Thing and his recent Batman stint (which was also marvellous).

Sweet example of a great, distinctive artist - I just look at this and think, in addition to talent, the patience required to do work this sharp is off the charts - feel the same way when I see a Finlay stipple piece.

Many thanks, Mark. Yes, the amount of detail that was put into this particular page is simply mind boggling. Remarkable talent coupled with backbreaking hard work - what a combination!

This beauty could quench any Swamp Thing fanatic. Hats off!

Many thanks, Toni. The detail on this piece is simply mesmerizing!

This is incredible. You can tell the quality of the piece by the quality of the above comments -- nothing to add from me except some additional admiration.

Many thanks, Kevin, for taking the time and trouble to comment. It is much appreciated!

that is a pretty spectacular splash. the detail in the fauna is  next level, mike reallyputs his all into each piece. congrats.

Many thanks, Brian. Yes, this piece is truly, truly spectacular!

Awesome!

Many thanks, Corey. I trust that you are keeping well.

Wow! What a gorgeous scene of Swamp Thing resting in the forest. I never thought about it before, but Swampie blends into his environment the same way a deer does. But Swamp Thing doesn't just blend in, he harmonizes with the enviroment. He IS the environment, there really is no separation. Where man resists the environment and sees it as something oputside of himself, Swamp Thing doesn't resist, he simply merges with it. This splash page by Mike Perkins does an amazing job of depicting that. Stunning pick-up, congratulations.

Many thanks, Bill. What a splendid write-up! Thank you for taking the time and trouble to do it.

I don't know how long it takes Perkins to do some of these pages. I look at the foilage and all of the hatching and line work ad my mind spins at the labor.

These Swamp Thing pages are a work of beauty.

Many thanks, Ilia. They truly are. Mike's dedication and commitment to his craft are, as you say, so evident in his work - especially this particular piece.

so so cool

Many thanks, Ben. It is so amazing to behold in person.

Man, CAB, every time I think I've heaped every single (well-deserved!) superlative on your mind-blowing, brain-melting, world-class collection, you post a(nother) piece like this and I find I'm just getting started... :)

What a piece!  Taken in tandem with the facing page in the book (Harley and Poison Ivy waking from their slumber), it provides a striking contrast in our protagonists' respective truths and sets the stage for the rest of the story (underscoring a main story point of the issue: human choice, compassion, and perspective vs. "divine" choice and sense of duty).  But on its own, it stands as an indelible glimpse into the Swamp Thing's world and reality: a perfect Zulli-esque (or early "Light and Shadows"-era Liam Sharp Man-Thing?) melding of environment and subject.  This one -needs- to be set outdoors, because frankly, Mike has blown the roof off the place.  Again.

The detail and textures of the ferns at the top of the page are simply -unbelievable-, but there's a lushness and loamy comfort as your eye moves further down the page.  It feels like the viewer sinks into the earth itself (another motif of the book).  And are Swamp Thing's legs -blooming- as he rests?  I love that touch; rather than dreaming of electric sheep, you know he's thinking of lamb's ear, sheep laurel, and woolflowers.

But my favorite thing has to be his hands (especially the right one).  Mike grounds this piece (so to speak) with the hands, which feel sculpted more than drawn: working hands that spend their days in service of a higher calling (as should we all!)...

I could go on and on about this brilliant piece, CAB, which fits perfectly into your gorgeous constellation of otherworldly art.  Mega-congrats, sir! :)

Jason, what can I say - except that you are the ultimate commentator whose analysis is without peer. All I will say is that your reference to the late Michael Zulli is very perceptive (he was, in my view at least, an extremely gifted artist who was never conferred the accolades that he truly deserved).