All humans and plant-monsters are invited for this reading group of Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben’s influential run of Swamp Thing (1984-1987). Moore’s writing explores sacred conceptions of nature, non-human life, magic, and psychedelic experiences, and a series of secondary readings have been selected to highlight these themes. Brought to life by Totleben and Bissette’s art, Saga of the Swamp Thing is perhaps the definitive tale of ecospirituality in the comics medium.

Please note: if you only have the time to read the primary readings or if you feel you lack specialization on questions related to religion, spirituality, and nature, you are more than welcome to attend. The Bodleian has copies of the relevant Swamp Thing volumes, I have included links to each. The easiest way to access Swamp Thing is via a subscription to DC’s comic book app.

Session 1 Readings (November 19)

Primary:
Moore, Alan, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben. “Book One (#20-27).” In Saga of the Swamp Thing: Vertigo, 2012. solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/35n82s/alma990193147490107026
Moore, Alan, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben. “Book Two (#28-34).” In Saga of the Swamp Thing: Vertigo, 2012. solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/permalink/44OXF_INST/35n82s/alma990158639160107026

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.
Letheby, Chris. “Naturalizing Psychedelic Spirituality.” Zygon 52, no. 3 (2017): 623-42. doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12353.