There’s plenty of good old-fashioned fun to be had in DC’s Legion of Bloom, the latest seasonal anthology from the publisher celebrating the coming of spring. With floral-themed stories including A-List characters like Superman and Wonder Woman as well as some of the lower-profile and beloved characters like Captain Carrot and Blue Beetle, and appropriately plant-based tales starring Swamp Thing and Poison Ivy. Bringing this anthology together is a full bloom of creators, including writers Ashley Allen, Travis Moore, and Cavan Scott, alongside artists like Hayden Sherman, Jacoby Salcedo, and Riley Rossmo, colorists Cris Peter, Eren Enrica Angiolini, and Ivan Plascencia, letterers Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Steve Wands, and Becca Carey, and countless others. From macabre mysteries to thoughtful character explorations and goofy fun, there is a little something for everyone in this anthology.
Spring has sprung in the DC Universe, but that doesn’t mean the threats have gone out with the winter. In this anthology of stories, fans will discover why the cold won’t leave Wonder Woman alone, investigate the curious case of Pierre O’Neill alongside Batman, and learn what kind of job calls for a monster like Swamp Thing.
Like any anthology, some stories are better than others, but as a full package, this springtime special is one of DC’s strongest efforts in recent memory. The variety in tone keeps the book from feeling repetitive. Tying the stories loosely into the season without belaboring the connection benefits this anthology. The zany Captain Carrot adventure from Calvin Kasulke and Vitor Cafaggi is centered around the titular anthropomorphic bunny hero. Others are more thoughtful in their connection to Spring. The Poison Ivy story that opens the issue, with stunning art from Isaac Goodhart and Cris Peter, explores the new beginning Spring represents. The touching Superman story by Wielgosz and Rossmo offers a somber reflection on the emotional and mental health struggles of long winter evenings and the sense of hope that comes with the warmer, sunnier weather.
Other stories, like Zac Thompson and Hayden Sherman’s Batman short or Kenny Porter and Brian Level’s take on Swamp Thing teaming up with The Flash, are darker and much more straightforward adventures. In Batman’s case, there is a nature-themed twist, while the Swamp Thing story is merely set in the Spring. Both fit well into the variety pack here and help balance out what might otherwise be a saccharine special. Sherman’s heavy shadows and gruesome wood monsters balance out the playful and bright Blue Beetle story by Jacoby Salcedo and Allen Passalaqua perfectly.
The $10 price tag may be offputting for some readers, but with 80 pages from across the DC Universe, fans will find that the investment is rewarded with a strong and entertaining collection. Even the weakest of the eight stories offers plenty to enjoy. DC’s Legion of Bloom is a feel-good celebration that offers stellar art and a reminder that new beginnings are always possible.
Leave a Reply