Swamp Thing

Origin

Swamp Thing first appeared in 1971 in House of Secrets #92. In the early 1900’s, scientist Alex Olson is working on a bio-restorative formula when his lab is destroyed by explosives placed by his friend and co-worker, Damian Ridge, who is interested in Olson’s wife, Linda. Olsen is caught in the explosion and set aflame. He runs into the water of the swamps where he is transformed into the Swamp Thing by the forces of the swamp and the bio-restorative formula. Believing Alex dead, Linda marries Damian.

When Linda begins to suspect that Damian is responsible for Alex’s death, he plots to kill her. While he is in the act, Swamp Thing arrives and stops him, but is unable to vocalize to Linda that he is Alex, and sadly returns to the swamp.

Swamp Thing’s origin was slightly altered when he got his own title in 1972. In the 1970’s, Scientist Alec Holland (working on a secret restorative formula in the Louisiana swamps that can “make forests out of deserts”) is killed by a bomb planted by agents of the mysterious Nathan Ellery, who wants the formula.

Splashed with burning chemicals in the massive fire, Holland runs from the lab and falls into the waters of a muck-filled swamp. Some time later, a creature resembling a humanoid plant appears. This creature, called Swamp Thing, was originally conceived as Alec Holland mutated into a vegetable-like being, a “muck-encrusted mockery of a man”.

Creation

The Swamp Thing character was created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson in the House of Secrets horror anthology for DC Comics back in the 70’s. Therefore, “Swamp Thing” first appeared in House of Secrets #92 (July 1971) but that character is not the same as the one who became an established character in comics. The original Swamp Thing was Alex Olsen, but when Swamp Thing was deemed a hit the character was updated by his creators and became Alec Holland who first appeared in Swamp Thing #1 (November 1972). The Swamp Thing was released just a few months after Marvel released there own swamp monster called the Man-Thing.

Starring in his first ongoing series, which lasted for four years and twenty-four issues, a lot of Swamp Thing’s cast of characters were introduced including mainstays like Abigail Arcane, Anton Arcane and Matthew Cable. However, it was until the second series (originally entitled “The Saga of the Swamp Thing”) that Swamp Thing found the writer that would shape him in a run that is still one of the most acclaimed in comic history. With Swamp Thing #20, Alan Moore came onto the series and broke Swamp Thing down entirely and began to build him back from the ground up and make him a much more formidable being…transforming him from an almost-mute wandering lost soul to a plant elemental with the power to regenerate and travel the cosmos.

Alan Moore stayed on the book until #64, and was followed by several other writers such as Rick Veitch, Doug Wheeler, Nancy A. Collins (during whose run the title became part of the Vertigo imprint with #129) and Mark Millar but none gained the success of Moore and the title ended at #171 in 1996. It wasn’t until 2004 that Alec Holland returned as the star of his own series (the third Swamp Thing volume, written by Brian K. Vaughan, featured his daughter instead) which was kicked off by a six-issue arc from Andy Diggle until Joshua Dysart would become the main writer up until the book’s cancellation at #29. It was rumored in 2010 that China Mieville had proposed a fifth Swamp Thing volume but was denied because DC was no longer printing new comics featuring their properties through Vertigo. Alec returned to the DCU in Brightest Day #23.

Character Evolution

DC Comics/Vertigo

Holland is eventually hunted down by the villainous Sunderland Corporation, who seek to find the secrets to his research, and kill him in a hail of bullets. During the autopsy it is discovered that Swamp Thing’s body was only superficially human; its organs little more than crude, nonfunctional, vegetable-based imitations of their human counterparts, meaning that there was no way Swamp Thing could have been human. This meant the Swamp Thing was not Alec Holland, but only thought that it was: Holland had indeed died in the fire, and the swamp vegetation had absorbed his mind, knowledge, memories, and skills and created a new sentient being that believed itself to be Alec Holland. Alec Holland would never be cured because there was nothing to cure.

It is later revealed that there have been dozens, perhaps even hundreds of Swamp Things throughout the time of man and that all versions of Swamp Thing were created for the purpose of being the “defenders” of the Parliament of Trees, an elemental community also known as ” The Green” that represents all plant life on Earth which includes the original Swamp Thing, Alex Olsen.

Post-Flashpoint

Six weeks after the events of Brightest Day, Alec Holland has been living as a normal construction worker. He’s abandoned his plant growing formula, and his superhero duties. Superman came to visit and inform Alec of the strange animal death occurrences around the world, and ask him if he knows anything about it. He tells Superman no, and informs him that he has awakened with strange, new memories of being the Swamp Thing, he also tells of how he doesn’t want to return to being the creature anytime soon. Alec Holland became Swamp Thing and helped Animal Man in the battle with Anton Arcane with his army called the ROT and won the war, Abigail Arcane and Alec Holland where killed by Anton Arcane. Swamp Thing had the memories of Alec Holland and protect the trees and master of the Green and plants and help fix the World that needs it help where needed. Swamp Thing is protector of the Green and his friend Buddy Baker-Animal Man is protector of the RED and they remain good friends after the events the happened in Rot World and also in the aftermath of the tragedy’s.

Major Story Arcs DC/Vertigo

Swamp Thing Has A Daughter

The Swamp Thing has a romantic relationship with Abigail Arcane, the niece of his nemesis Anton Arcane. He took possession of his friend John Constantine’s body to have a child with Abigail, their child Tefe’.

Brightest Day

DC Comics announced in 2010 that Swamp Thing would be returning to the regular DC universe rather than continue under the Vertigo imprint which was solidified when the character appeared in Brightest Day. Alec Holland was revealed to be the Champion of the Life that was meant to stop the Dark Avatar. The husk of The Swamp Thing, (which looks very Alan Mooreish) no longer has a guide and believes itself to Nekron, the Lord of the Unliving.

Martian Manhunter becomes an earth elemental, Firestorm becomes a fire elemental, Aquaman becomes a water elemental, and The Hawks are air elementals to give guidance to the dark avatar. The White Lantern tree is to become the foundation for the new Parliament of Trees. Eventually the four elements restored Alec Holland as the true Swamp Thing and in doing so cleansed the Green from Nekron‘s influence. Leaving Swamp Thing to carry on his new mission to protect the planet.

Earth Prime

Alec Learns History of The Green

Following a violent dream, Alec is confronted Calbraith A.H. Rodgers, the Swamp Thing active in 1942. Rodgers explains that he gave up his spot in the Parliament of Trees to convince Alec Holland to again become one with the Swamp Thing. Rodgers explains that Alec’s connection to the Green is unique and extraordinarily powerful. Before dying, Rodgers explains that Alec’s connection to the Green will be needed to defeat a rising threat, known as Sethe. Sethe, the polar opposite of the Swamp Thing, is the avatar of the Rot. Rodgers also warns Alec to beware of the white-haired woman of his Swamp Thing memories. Shortly thereafter, fleeing the forces of the Rot, Alec is confronted by that very woman, Abigail Arcane, who promptly levels the barrel of a gun in his face. she scares Alec to the point where he subconsciously used his plant powers. He then teams up with her to find her brother William Arcane who has escaped from the hospital to bond with Sethe.Alec and Abby eventually stop at a small store and are confronted by William who is surrounded by zombified animals. Alec is able to harness the green to fight them of and uses a tree to capture William. Alec and Abby then share a kiss until William laughs and shouts that they are all doomed. Abby is then consumed by the rot and later pleads with the Green to turn him into the Swamp Thing while the zombies are madly searching for him. The parliament of trees reluctantly gives him the power and he flies of to defeat Sethe and save Abby.

Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing flies to Sethe’s lair and fights the zombie minions but, soon finds out that Abby has become the queen of the Rot and is impaled by her claws. Alec speaks to the human side of her and she resists Sethe’s control. Swamp thing is immediately attacked and is powerless against Sethe due to the wounds inflicted by Abby. Abby uses her connection to the Rot to defeat Sethe and save Swamp Thing.

Abby drives Swamp Thing to her old home to rest. But, Swamp thing is nearly beaten to death by Anton Arcane while he’s resting. Anton captures Abby but, the Parliament of trees revealed that Anton didn’t kill the human body underneath the mantle and manages to resurrect Alec. Alec defeats Arcane and his undead henchmen and watches as Anton goes into a portal to the Rot. Animal Man and Swamp Thing meet and they both go and fight off Anton Arcane and his ROT Army in the portal at the swamp. Swamp Thing and Animal Man are now RED and Green together as a team to fight off Anton Arcane’s Army.

The History of Anton Arcane

In Swamp Thing #0 the story takes place In 1897 Manitoba, Canada. A girl who need help from the cold of winter storm and the native as Swamp Thing brought her in to his house and took care of her and feed her a plum for her strength and all of a sudden the girl skin started to peel off and it was Anton Arcane. Swamp Thing was fighting off the Antone Arcane and was killed by Arcane in a battle. Years and Years later a science name Alec Holland and fellow science friends were living at a house and where plant biochemist. One night Alec Holland coworker lady friend was in bed and she saw he friends attacking her and she defended herself with a knife and there friends voice change it was not them at all. She was caught and killed and Anton Arcane used her skin to be her at get Alec Holland attention and she opened the plant chemistry and took a flame torch on the table dropped it and burned the place down and Alec Holland was in the swamp water and screaming on fire and drowned in the swamp water lake and became the Swamp Thing. At the end of the story we see Anton Arcane carrying two dead bodies of the RED and Green that are the African Congo Animal Man the Red and Swamp Thing from Manitoba, Canada.

Rotworld

Swamp Thing has finally met Animal Man, they helped each other to fight off the ROT and it was also said that he was gone for a year and that Animal Man and Swamp Thing were separated from Anton Arcane powers.

Poison Ivy and Deadman where finding their way back while Swamp Thing was looking for Buddy Baker, Animal Man and he never found The Red it was in San Diego. Swamp Thing saw the trees and he talked to them and told them that he will help them fight Anton Arcane and his army of ROT.

Swamp Thing, Poison Ivy and Deadman fought off the ROT in one battle and got help from Swamp Thing’s little warriors, they lost the battle and went to the green, they had to leave because the ROT knows where they are. Meanwhile in the sky on a plane Abigail Arcane was going on vacation to get away from the ROT but the passengers where all infected by the ROT so Abigail had to fight causing the plane to crash and kill Abigail and the ROT passengers, the trees will tell Swamp Thing the news later on.

In the two story lines in the Swamp Thing series in to the ROT battle. In the Swamp Thing Annual past events before Rotworld was explained, they were about Alec Holland traveling to Europe to meet Anton Arcane who turned out to be a demon that killed people and used their skin to cover up who he really is. Alec Holland did some research and met Abby Arcane, they talked about the plants and the small town that she takes care of for her uncle Anton Arcane.

After their date Alec Holland went back to the castle to do his research on the plants and their radiation, about what was killing them and their minds. Anton Arcane came to see Alec Holland and wanted to kill him because he was part of the Green of the plants and Anton Arcane was part of the ROT. The Green attacked Anton Arcane and ripped his skin open and revealed the real him.

Alec Holland put some plant seeds in the river and the water which saved him, then the green told him to go to the airport and fly back to America, he then met with Dr Woodrue who took him to the airport to the states. Swamp Thing told the trees that Abby was still alive and that he was on his way to find her with the help of Deadman, Poison Ivy didn’t go since she though the mission was to dangerous.

Swamp Thing and Deadman left and Swamp Thing made a plant raft, they where headed to Gotham City to find the power weapon to end the war on the ROT and kill Anton Arcane and save Abby Arcane.

The weapon that was needed was made by Batman, and could be found in the Batcave in Gotham City. On their boat ride in the Gotham River a huge octopus came up to the surface. Swamp Thing found out that it was William Arcane [Anton Arcane’s Nephew] who ruled the rivers and oceans holding Aquaman’s Trident.

Swamp Thing battled William Arcane in in the Gotham City river and killed Starro and some of the fish after the fight with William Arcane with the help of Deadman. Swamp Thing made it to the Batcave and found Batman and he found out that Batman was a monster, part of the ROT. All of a sudden Batman was shot by Barbara Gordon who sent the call for help. Swamp Thing and Barbara Gordon begun working on a plan to destroyed the ROT once and for all.

Abby was trapped in Anton Arcane’s castle, there she used her abilities to tear him apart but this only slowed him down since he is the avatar of the ROT and he cannot be killed. Swamp Thing saw Superman as the ROT and was in shock. In the Batcave Swamp Thing saw a video that Batman made before he died and it was only for Alec Holland to see, on the video Batman was talking about a formula to stop the ROT army. Batman face was infected and he left everything to Swamp Thing to take over, the virus was spreading fast on his body. Swamp Thing went with Barbara Gordon to Arkham Asylum and Swamp Thing got his plant formula ready to attack the ROT Army and bring everything back to normal soon and for those who where not afraid to fight in battle with Swamp Thing. The team got ready and and there where Robin’s mask and Batman shirt in memory of them that where killed by the ROT. They had guns with the formula and where ready with Swamp Thing to attack the ROT in this last battle. Swamp Thing and Animal Man saw each other in the battle of Anton Arcane and got ready as the Green and the Red, fought off Anton Arcane. Animal Man helped Swamp Thing to get the Batbot in the sky to kill off Anton Arcane Army of the ROT after everyone got together and won the war on the ROT.

Anton Arcane managed to escape and ran to his castle, telling his allies that the war is not over yet and that Animal man’s daughter was in the ROT and that Swamp Thing’s girlfriend was in trouble and Swamp Thing wanted to get him, Animal Man told him no not yet. Swamp Thing went to get him and he disappeared in the porthole to continue his nightmare and he will never stop until it is done once and for all. Animal Man and Swamp Thing saw a spirit of the ROT and they where helping them. Swamp Thing and Animal Man said why are you helping us? The spirit and voices told them that they should not have trust Anton Arcane and where not expecting this to happen and that Anton Arcane went to far on this ROT.

Animal Man and Swamp Thing went through the porthole and teamed up to fight Anton Arcane and save their family from his evil. Swamp Thing and Animal Man where going in to the porthole to go back home to there families and Animal Man made it back home to San Diego and Swamp Thing made it back to Louisiana to see his girlfriend and stop Anton Arcane from taking over the world. Swamp Thing and Animal Man only have one change to stop him and save the World from Anton Arcane nightmare of hell from happening again. The Rot voices said to them they only have one chance to stop Anton Arcane evil from happening. Swamp Thing and Animal Man went back and stopped Anton Arcane and his evil ROT Army and Swamp Thing had to kill his girlfriend Abigail off as a part of the problem. Swamp thing killed Anton Arcane and a ROT solider took his body and Anton Arcane got a new body and stronger and he stabbed Alec Holland and killed him and Abigail came and stabbed her Uncle Anton Arcane and save Alec Holland and the ROT souls took Anton Arcane and told Swamp Thing that they will take it form here. Swamp Thing and Abigail came back to the forest swamp back home and she carried the bodies of Alec Holland and Abigail and they where happy together and Swamp Thing buried them and the earth and soil took over and composted there bodies to dust. Swamp Thing kissed Abigail good bye and the trees said that she is a bit evil and he to let go of her and he kissed her good bye and she vanished to dust and the trees said you will protect us and do everything right and Swamp Thing will do his best to help the Green.

On his own and traveling helping the Green

Swamp Thing will be fighting Batman’s enemy called the Scarecrow with the aid of Superman in the fight to help Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing was seen in the Middle East dessert fighting off a army that was fighting off each other. Swamp Thing stopped it from happening and the two army’s attacked him and tried to kill him and to dust. swamp thing killed the two army’s off with his plant power from his arms and he left and in the dessert he went back in to the ground and vanished in thin air. Swamp Thing made it to Metropolis and found the plant place there in the garden area of Metropolis park and saw the Scarecrow there and he attacked Swamp Thing with his gas and they did not work at all and Swamp Thing said to him I am a plant it will not affect me at all.

Scarecrow use a strong gas and knock out Swamp Thing and for a few minutes and he came back up on his feet and captured the Scarecrow and his gas and his plants grew all over the city of Metropolis and Superman is in the air is seeing the green stuff in his city and is saying one word and it is Alec Holland. Swamp Thing fought off the Scarecrow with the help of Superman and they team up to stop this plants that have taken over Superman city of Metropolis.

Swamp Thing talked to Superman and Superman said to Dr. Holland do not do this again to my city and if you need my help you know where to find me and contact me. Superman flew away to take care of other stuff and Swamp Thing saw his girlfriend Abigail and she need his help on something important that need to be done. Swamp Thing went with the girl and Swamp Thing saw a village and town and there where people living there and fighting over something like it was like witchcraft trails in the 1600’s hundreds in France. Swamp Thing saw a version of him and he was part of the green. The Swamp Thing of France in the 1600’s told the American Swamp Thing this happened before your happened in the states. Swamp Thing worked up and saw the whole things happened and he told the girl poet that he has to save the green and it calling for him.

Swamp Thing fix all the problem that he could and all of a sudden he was moved to Scotland the highlands to stop all of the green and clam it all down. The trees and plants are calling to him in pain and Swamp Thing has to fix it and heal it up. Swamp Thing was in Scotland and all of a sudden before Swamp Thing was there a man who calls himself the seeder throws his plants of seeds in the ground and the Scottish old man and his wife where in shock to see what he was doing to there land and it turned out to be a good thing for Scotland and the town people with 72 living there in the small town. The seeds turned into the Whiskey tree and it dripped whiskey for the towns people to have and to drink. Swamp Thing felt his strong energy and all of a sudden he knew that there was something wrong there and he had been following his trail from France and now to Scotland in the small town.

Swamp Thing will find out what is happening to the Scottish town in the forest area. Swamp Thing saw the whole party in Scotland drinking the whiskey from the tree and before he was going down to check out what caused all this people drinking this strange whiskey from the tree he was hiding as a tree and he was found by John Constantine and he told Swamp Thing you come out of hiding now I found you. Swamp thing talked to John Constantine and said to him how did you know I was here? John Constantine said to Swamp Thing I was the one doing research on the person who was making stuff grow. Swamp thing and John Constantine where watching all the thing happen and people where having a fun time there drinking falling in love with girls and having a real good time. All of a sudden the party went crazy then expected every one there was attacking and beating up everyone. The whiskey had a bit of a punch to it.

Swamp Thing and John Constantine went down to stop all this from happening and it was too late and John Constantine drank the whiskey and told the party gang to attack Swamp Thing and where going to rip him to shreds and pieces. Swamp Thing was screaming for help and no one came for help. John Constantine was now king of the whiskey tree drinkers. John Constantine and the drinkers where drinking from the Whiskey tree and John Constantine as there King John went to see Swamp Thing in the jail and talked to him and told that he was in control of everything and the World and take it over with the Whiskey tree. Swamp Thing was in jail and he took his plant power of the green and got the police man keys and got out of jail and left to stop John Constantine and the gang in Scotland.

Swamp Thing saved a kid and the Scottish gang was going to burn Swamp Thing and he stopped them with the spike sticks and he went and turned in to a plant and gassed the town in Scotland and put the town people to sleep including John Constantine and Swamp Thing saw the Poet girl hanging tight to a tree and he was going to free her and she said to Swamp Thing that the Seeder has a message for you and you have to see him. Swamp Thing saw the message and it said It Is Time Professor in large letters from trees. In the Sudan the Seeder came and saw the remains of a computer station and the villager told the Seeder it was the Green that did it all. The seeder left the villager alone in the dessert and he said that the world need it him for plants and other stuff that needed it to be done. In Louisiana Swamp Thing and the French guardian woman where talking and on how to stop the Seeder of his plans.

Swamp thing fixed the French guardian woman arm and Swamp Thing destroyed the trees of the message with his green arm and knocked down all the trees. Swamp Thing told the French Messenger to come with him to a house where it is safe and Swamp Thing said to her it was a friends house and she douse not need it anymore and the French Messenger and Swamp Thing where up the steps of the house and all of a sudden Swamp Thing told her to stay put and go in to the house and that the Seeder was in the area of the town and that Swamp Thing can tell he’s here for him. Swamp Thing ran as fast as he can to get him and stop him to put a end to all of this from happening. Swamp Thing and the French Messenger found out the Seeder was Poison Ivy colleague by D.R Jason Wooddrew was the Seeder and wanted Swamp Thing attention and he did . Swamp Thing finally got him and all of a sudden the trees needed to talk to Swamp Thing alone about something and it was not good news at all for Swamp Thing to hear.

Swamp Thing was seen in the Green Land with the past Avatars and Swamp Thing went on a journey in side the Green and some of the past members talked to him and they wanted him to retire and let some one else take the stand to take over for him in the Green and it was the Seeder. After talking to the first leader he went on a small raft ride on the river and he was going to meet the Lady of Weeds. Swamp Thing saw the Lady of Weeds and she grabbed him she was a flower and she became Lady of Weeds and she talked to Swamp Thing and she told him that he will be stuck here forever. The Lady of Weeds told a story about her life in Ireland and she defeated a monster and saved Ireland and the one problem was the potato crops where eaten away and she had to get used to it all happening and death.

Swamp Thing said you where the one that caused the potato famine in Ireland. Swamp Thing said to her millions died from starvation. The lady of Weeds told Swamp Thing that she had to get uses it all. Swamp Thing was still trapped in her place of the green and all of a sudden he found out that he has been here for long time now. Lady of Weeds told him he can’t leave at all there is no way out at all. Swamp Thing made his way out of the place and told Lady of Weeds he found a way to get out of here. Swamp Thing saw the Green Leader and he saw him with farm animals on his small green raft. Swamp Thing told the Green Leader how did you get the animals. The Green Leader told him he went in to the RED and got the animals and don’t ask how I did it and he left them to flout in the raft in the river.

Swamp Thing saw the Seeder and skinny version of him and a elephant all three on a raft to see the Lady of Weeds. The Green Leader took Swamp Thing to the small town in Los Angels and told him to meet the Blue Swamp Thing and that he needs to talk to him. After all the people saw the Swamp Thing and all of a sudden he saw the Blue version of him and it talked to him and Swamp Thing got so mad at him and all of a sudden he destroyed to town and want to live again and do his best for everyone to help them all. Swamp Thing went back after getting a answer from the Blue Swamp Thing.

Swamp Thing went back to the raft and talked to the Green Leader and Swamp Thing was in shock to hear that the Blue Swamp Thing was him and that he had to kill him later on. Swamp Thing said goodbye to the Green Leader and he wish him luck to fight off the Seeder. Swamp Thing was in Brazil in the green forest and he fought off the Seeder and it did not go so well the Seeder had other plans to fight Swamp Thing with poison seeds and Swamp Thing fought him again and the Seeder walking stick attack Swamp Thing and sent on the Moon in a time portal and living Swamp Thing there to die.

The Seeder was happy that he was now going to be the New Avatar of the Green. The Seeder was screaming in pain and all of a sudden Swamp Thing came though his eyes and knocked him out cold. Swamp thing stood up and wanted to kill the Seeder and the Blue Swamp Thing was in his head and telling him to kill the Seeder and Swamp Thing said that a no no and he pulled his leg off the Seeder and fought the mind control off and fell to the ground and rotted and now the Seeder is the new Avatar of the Green.

Helping the Justice League Dark and The House of Mystery

In Justice League Dark issue 19 we see Swamp Thing in the House of Mystery helping his British friend John Constantine at his House of Mystery to fight off Dr. Occult a member of the JLD who was a trader to the team and joined the evil side. Swamp Thing saw his friend John Constantine and he was mad he did not know who the team was. Swamp Thing plants have taken over some parts of the city and towns and the JLD heave to fight off the Dr. Occult and his powers. Swamp Thing will be a member of the Justice League Dark to help and defeat the evil Dr. Occult.

The Justice League Dark will be also with another member of the team his is the Flash from the Justice League. Swamp Thing and Flash and Justice League Dark will have to fight there way in to the House of Mystery to get it back from Dr. Occult.The Justice League Dark offered Swamp Thing help but something bad happened when they where finding there House of Mystery. The Justice League Dark where fighting there dreams and Swamp Thing offered to find the house and it was taken over by the dream monster doctor and called DR. Destiny who traps people in the dreams in his own world. Swamp Thing was trapped in the House of Mystery and he told Dr. Destiny that the Justice League Dark will come after him and stop all this madness from happening.

The dreams has just started in the House of Mystery. Deadman saved Swamp Thing and he was fighting the plants rope and was fighting back to help the Justice League Dark. Deadman told Swamp Thing that there are different places to go in the House of Mystery doors and Swamp Thing made a army of Swamp Thing’s and all of a sudden Madam Xanadu attacked Dr. Destiny with the whole Justice League Dark and Swamp Thing and his army and all of a sudden Madam Xanadu stabbed Dr. Destiny in the heart and killed him and John Constantine got the heart store back and hide somewhere safe so no one cant find it at all. Swamp Thing and the Justice League Dark where happy it was all over and Madam Xanadu had to take care of something important and that the JLD cant take care of and the House of Mystery was back to normal.

Powers & Abilities

Elemental Control: The Swamp Thing has complete mastery over all forms of plant life and can command vegetative matter to do his bidding. Through this power, he is in constant communication with the very essence of the Earth, and serves as the Plant Elemental for the entire planet.

In the past Alec Holland has gained access to other elemental powers. At one point gaining control over earth, water, air, and fire in addition to that of plant life. However, often almost immediately gaining control over all of them, giving up all but his connection to the Green.

Superhuman Strength: The Swamp Thing’s strength level is directly tied to his connection to the Earth. Occupying his most commonly used body, the Swamp Thing is capable of lifting volumes of mass many times greater than his own body weight. With additional power supplied to him by The Green, his ultimate strength level is nearly incalculable.

Immortality: Theoretically so long as there is some vestige of plant life on the planet Earth, Alec Holland will always have a vehicle through which to house his consciousness, thus rendering him effectively immortal.

Resurrection: The Swamp Thing houses his conscious mind inside of a faux body made up of compacted flora and vegetative material. At will, he can abandon this host form and take up residence inside of another shell. Even if the body he is currently occupying is destroyed, Alec’s mind lives on and will reconstitute itself in a newly grown swamp-form. The Swamp Thing operated for several years before he even became aware of this ability. Eventually, it was the occultist John Constantine who revealed Alec’s Elemental nature to him, and instructed in the ways of reconstituting a new body.

Chlorokinesis: The ability to commune with plant life and to varying degrees control its growth and form. Summon forth vines to entangle or snare, and so on. A master of this ability can manipulate the microscopic algae inside of a person’s body and use it to attack them from the inside out.

Self-Sustenance:The ability to nourish oneself, typically via an external energy source. In Swamp Thing’s case, likely through a form of photosynthesis.

Flight: Post-Flashpoint, after Alec decides to become Swamp Thing again, he gains the ability to grow fully functioning wings made of leaves.

Other Media

Over the years, Swamp-Thing has been utilized in the media many times. Although none of these were landmark successes, they do have a fan following; however, none of these media appearances used the stories setup by Alan Moore. Instead, they opted for the traditional origin.

Film

There were two live-action films based on Swamp-Thing. The first of which was directed by horror legend Wes Craven and followed the original origin fairly exact. The movie did moderately and earned a sequel that failed. Dick Durock portrayed Swamp-Thing in both films.

Swamp Thing (1982)

The Return of the Swamp Thing (1989)

Animated Films

• An alternate, evil version of Swamp Thing makes a cameo appearance in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths as a member of the Crime Syndicate.

• In Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part One, a Swamp Thing comic can be seen (alongside other 80s DC books like Sandman and V For Vendetta) when Commissioner Gordon leaves a store.

• Swamp Thing appears as a major character in Justice League Dark, voiced by Roger Cross. Cross would later reprise his role in Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, set in the same continuity.
• Swamp Thing makes a cameo appearance in Batman and Harley Quinn, voiced by John DiMaggio.

• Swamp Thing makes a cameo appearance in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.

Television

Swamp Thing: The Series

A short-lived live-action series was later created to extend the mythos setup by the films. Dick Durock renewed his role of Swamp-Thing. It lasted form 1990-1993. Swamp Thing fights off Anton Arcane and his evil plans to take back what was his and Swamp Thing and his friend has to stop him and his plans from happening.

Swamp Thing (1991-1993)

There was also a Swamp-Thing cartoon series that only lasted five episodes. It was based on the Kenner toyline and sort of followed the continuity setup by the films. The series followed Swamp-Thing and his allies facing off against Dr. Arcane and his Un-Men. It starred Len Carlson as the voice of Swamp-Thing.

Justice League

Although Swamp-Thing never directly appeared in any DC Animated Universe cartoon, an alien bearing a striking resemblance to him had a blink-and-you-missed-it appearance in the background of the Justice League episode ” Comfort and Joy“.

Justice League Action

Swamp Thing appears as a recurring character in the animated series, voiced by Mark Hamill.

Swamp Thing (2019)

In 2019, a live-action Swamp Thing series was launched for the DC Universe series, starring Andy Bean as Alec Holland and Derek Mears as Swamp Thing, with the additional cast including Crystal Reed as Abby Arcane, Will Patton as Avery Sunderland, Virginia Madsen as Maria Sunderland, Henderson Wade as Matt Cable, Jeryl Prescot as Madame Xanadu, Ian Ziering as Daniel Cassidy and Kevin Durand as Jason Woodrue. The series served as an origin story to the character, exploring how Holland became the Swamp Thing after being shot and killed while doing research in a swamp.

Despite positive reviews from critics and fans alike, the series was cancelled after only one season due to its high budget and the failure of tax rebates to substantially reduce its cost.

Video Games

• A self-titled Swamp Thing video game was released in 1991 for the NES and Game Boy Color.
• Swamp Thing appeared in DC Universe Online, voiced by Chilimbwe Washington.
• Swamp Thing appears as a playable character in DC Infinite Crisis, voiced by Michael Dorn.
• Swamp Thing appears as a playable character in Lego Batman 3: DC Super Heroes, voiced by JB Blanc.
• Swamp Thing appears as a playable character in the Injustice 2 fighting game, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.
• Swamp thing appears as a DLC character in Lego DC Super-Villains.

Merchandise

• Kenner produced a line of action figures based on the Swamp Thing cartoon.
• In 2002 Swamp Thing was introduced in the HeroClix figure game.
• Swamp Thing was featured in Mattel’s DC Universe Classics line as an San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.
• DC Collectibles created several Swamp Thing figures over the years.
• Swamp Thing was featured in the Mattel’s action figure line for Justice League Action.
• Swamp Thing was featured in Hiya Toys’ Injustice 2 line.
• Swamp Thing was featured in Funko’s Pop! line of bobbleheads.
• Companies like Prime 1 Studio and XM Studios have produced Swamp Thing statues.
• Swamp Thing was featured in McFarlane Toys’ DC Multiverse line.