S03E12 "The Thinker"

"When I really look at what I'm doing, I know it's crazy. I mean, for a normal human being to even consider such a thing... But tell me one thing that's been normal in my life, Matt. Craziness just follows me around." And sometimes, Alec and Abby just seek out the craziness. In Swamp Thing #76 entitled "L'Adoration De La Terre," Rick Veitch puts his own spin on The Rite of Spring. Matt Gamble is the guest co-host to help sort it all out, if we can untangle all the knotty complexities as Abby and Alec try to finally solve how to birth a new elemental messiah with surprising assistance. 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

"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

"Gotta watch that driving ambition, Alden. It can lead to burn out." Driving ambition also applies to Rick Veitch in the latest episode where his experiments in layout and storytelling reaches a new level. Matt Gamble joins Robert Reineke in discussing the amazing issue #72 of Swamp Thing, written and drawn by Rick Veitch and entitled "Gargles in the Rat Race Choir." You might never look at a comic page the same way again. 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

"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