This was a very good issue, and starts the Rotworld finale off brilliantly. I would recommend this issue to any reader, new or old, and would defiantly recommend it to anyone that's been following Rotworld, even if like me you just follow Swamp Thing. Read Full Review

I'm unsure what awaits these champions of the Red and Green, but Lemire and Snyder have left an ample supply of story nuggets for future writers to mine. After all, there are plenty of tales to be told of the heroes of the DCU's fall to the Rot, the fights they endured and the decisions they made. Lemire, Snyder and company provide some insight within the pages of "Animal Man" #17, but it is evident that the story is not completely told. As for the conclusion to Rotworld, readers only need to open the cover of "Swamp Thing" #17 to begin the end of this lengthy journey. Read Full Review

Overall, this was yet again another solid issue in this series. I had concerns that maybe this finale would not live up to the months of build up, however it looks like I am completely wrong on that front. It seems to me that after reading this book, AM fans will be happy with the start of this finale, and also be desperate for more. It has made me want to pick up Swamp Thing #17 as I said; so surely that means that this book has done its job? Read Full Review

I feel as if this series has dragged this story out way too much and I really hate the fact Maxine was captured. I feel like the Avatar of the red no matter how young should not have been so easily absorbed by the Rot. Read Full Review

Now, I'm not going to spoil Swamp Thing #17 or the ending here, but I'll say that I enjoyed the event overall, and that I'm more excited to see what happens in the epilogues than I expected to be. There will definitely be a new status quo in Animal Man, and it's one I anticipate reading. Read Full Review

The Animal Man parts of this story are drawn by Steve Pugh while the Swamp Thing parts are by Timothy Green II. While Pugh's stylized drawings are as solid as ever, the paneling technique used by Green makes for a jarring page turn into the Swamp Thing parts. Green frames his panels with generous amounts of white space, and while this can be effective if it's self-contained, it works against Pugh's panels that use almost every bit of free space and even overlap at times. Still, both artists deliver big on the Justice League of Rotworld designs and give us an all-out gore-fest that's fun to look at in that sick sort of way. Read Full Review

Since Animal Man #17 is just the first part of the Rotworld finale, youll need to read Swamp Thing #17 to reach the real conclusion. Rotworld may now be over, but there is still a big epilogue to come next months issues of Animal Man and Swamp Thing. That being said, if youre one of the readers who wasnt a fan of this crossover, than youll be happy to hear that Animal Man will be breaking away from Swampy starting with issue #18 in March. Hopefully this should lead to Animal Man regaining its footing as the marquee DC series it was before Rotworld began. Read Full Review

When a hero becomes secondary in his own title, that's never a good thing, and the art is ill-equipped to deal with the massive amounts of action taking place in the issue. Read Full Review

So, even though this issue looks good it still has problems. The plot isn't bad, but its just bland and familiar. From the handy reinforcements to the cliffhanger, the issue just doesn't do anything interesting with its narrative. When a tiny handful of "cool" moments are more impressive than the whole then something has gone wrong. We maybe witnessing a massive battle with the fate of the world hanging in the balance, but it feels more like watching a fireworks display. It's all very pretty, but after the initial "wow" we are stood around waiting to be entertained. Read Full Review

All of this being said, if you've been reading the Rotworld crossover and you're desperate for some closure, Animal Man #17 and Swamp Thing #17 deliver"in the most rudimentary and basic way. One gets the sense that everyone on board wanted the title to end because it really feels like there is no heart in it. This lack of care and enthusiasm towards the writing, coupled with the inconsistent and bizarre art choices, means I'm giving the Rotworld crossover a 4/10. Read Full Review