Swamp Thing has lived at the dark heart of DC Comics since the early ‘70s. Blending heroism and horror, the Toxic Avenger sits on the fringes of the superhero world, destined to protect the environment and humanity. Through his iconic comic adventures and various adaptations through film and TV, he’s one of the most recognizable monsters in the horror genre.
With a new series about to launch on DC Universe’s streaming service, he’s about to re-emerge from the dark depths of DC Comics’ archives and into the public eye once again. Here are ten things you need to know about Swamp Thing.
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10Origins
In a typical tale of man-turned-monster, Swamp Thing made his first appearance in House of Secrets #92 in the summer of 1971. In Len Wein and Berni Wrightson’s story, keen scientist, Alex Olsen, was working on a superpowered formula in the marshlands when his lab was attacked by criminals. Exposed
to his own formula in the raid, Olsen plunged into the nearest swamp to try and wash the chemicals off, but instead emerged as Swamp Thing.
The character and story were well received, and the launch of his own title encouraged Wein and Wrightson to tweak the origins. Alex Olsen was replaced by Alec Holland. Refusing to sell his world-changing bio-formula, thugs raided the scientist’s base. Once again, Holland became covered in the substance and dove into the swamp, becoming a plant-based monster doomed to roam the bayou, battle intruders, and mourn the loss of his human life and his wife, Linda, retaining all of his human memories.
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