For six months, spanning issues 12 to 18 of both Animal Man and Swamp Thing, Rotworld came to the DC Universe. The two elemental sides of the DCU, the Red and the Green, battled their enemy, the Rot. Each side’s avatar, Buddy Baker (Aninal Man) and Alec Holland (Swamp Thing) have battled Anton Arcane the champion of the Rot. Their very existence was threatened, flung into the future where the Rot has taken over and heroes have mostly been defeated.

This has been an epic crossover and with issue 18 of both series, out this week, the monumental event comes to a conclusion with varied results.

Animal Man, while filled with action, the story has really focused on Buddy Baker and his family. It was  a struggle of a hero who was torn between protecting the world and doing what’s right for his family. The journey Buddy has gone through has been mirrored by his families struggle as well, particularly his daughter, the next avatar of the Red.

Buddy has been in the future, battling the Rot, but his family in the present day fight it off too. It’s a duel story and one interesting to follow.

This issue wraps up Buddy’s story. He’s sent back to the present, at the key moment when things really goes wrong and he’s presented with a battle to save them. It’s a family effort with many involved and overall, the battle itself and it’s conclusion is pretty satisfying, though like the last issue, this one goes quickly and a bit rushed.

There’s a shocking ending, one I don’t want to give away, but this final issue of this story arc sets up where the series goes next.

Swamp Thing has been about Holland and his love Abby Arcane. Unlike Baker, it’s been more of a solo journey, focused on his quest to defeat Arcane and reunite with Abby. Here, Swamp Thing is also sent to a key moment in time after his battle in the future in order to prevent what might come.

But, Holland is presented with an issue, to win, he might have to give up his love. His humanity is also on the line.

Much like Animal Man, this comic is about loss and sacrifices. Exactly like that series, it’s a sacrifice of family and balancing our personal lives with doing what’s right. Like that series as well, the ending is good, but not great. Again, it felt rushed. The battle itself is meh. What really is solid is the epilogue where the ramifications are dealt with.

Overall, the Rotworld story was pretty satisfying, though the ending seemed a bit rushed. The problem I see it is that with this conclusion, we get a reset in a way of both series. The next issue will be a perfect jumping on point for new readers. We’ll see though, if these last 6 months has really paid off, for those of us there from the beginning.

Animal Man #18 Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Steve Pugh

Story: 8 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy

Swamp Thing #18 Story: Scott Snyder Art: Yanick Paquette

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review