Religion(s) and Nature(s) Reading Group: SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING Session 1
In an effort to generate more discussion and collaboration on the scholarly study of religious naturalism, the Editorial Board of the Journal of the Oxford Graduate Theological Society is organizing a reading group on Alan Moore and Stephen Bissette’s influential run of Swamp Thing (1984–1987) and academic literature related to its sociohistorical context and themes. Moore’s writing explores sacred conceptions of nature, non-human life, magic, and psychedelic experiences. Brought to life by Bissette’s art, Saga of the Swamp Thing is perhaps the definitive tale of ecospirituality in the comics medium. All humans (and plant-monsters) are invited to join us to discuss this influential work.

Reading list: haliphron.ink/2025/11/04/swamp2025

Session 1 Readings (November 12)

Moore, Alan, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben. “Book One (#20-27).” In Saga of the Swamp Thing: Vertigo, 2012.

Secondary:

Berlatsky, Eric L. “Introduction and Chronology.” In Alan Moore: Conversations. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2012.

Hansen, Mads Jørgensen. “A Critical Review of Plant Sentience: Moving Beyond Traditional Approaches.” Biology and Philosophy 39, no. 4 (2024): 1-28.
Date: 12 November 2025, 13:00
Venue: 14 St Giles Seminar Room
Speaker: Reading Group
Organiser: Scott Ryan Maybell (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: scott.maybell@sjc.ox.ac.uk
Part of: Religion(s) and Nature(s) Reading Group: SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Scott Maybell