The Good
Prepare for cross-over madness! This was a really cool story as Socks tells Maxine a story of the first time the Rot went all out to take over back in 1894. We meet Jacob Mullin, the protector of the red as he investigates the woods and some creature attacks and he quickly comes to find out the Rot is taking over. Jacob meets the Swamp Thing of that time, Jack Crow.
I thought the story and the explanation of the connection between the two was great. This issue would make a great catch-up tool for any new reader to either SWAMP THING or ANIMAL MAN. There's a lot of explanation here about the world these characters are in and how the world works. For a person who has been reading both series since the beginning, I never felt bored or like the information being presented was repetitive. Fantastic writing, as always on this book, by Jeff Lemire. He keeps this book fresh and appealing.
Timothy Green II does a great job as the artist on this issue. I was a tad bummed that Travel Foreman wasn't on this issue. He has a way of drawing the Rot so well that it makes me sick to my stomach. Timothy Green II does a great job here and presents an overall style similar to Foreman though. I loved how these pages were set up. The issue had a great flow to it.
The Bad
It's a great issue, but might not be a necessary read to continue on with this book. This is something I liked and disliked about this issue.
The Verdict
This was a great Annual issue. It's a nice one-shot story about the connection of the Red and the Green and how the Rot once tried to take on the world, over 100 years ago. Fantastic writing, as always, by Jeff Lemire, and I really enjoyed the art by Timothy Green II. Animal continues to be one of DC's best books.
Overall, I highly recommend this issue and this series. Pick this one up!