Over three decades since the controversy and cancellation, Rick Veitch’s legendary lost issues are completed! After a renowned two year run on the series, Veitch’s grand finale to Swamp Thing was cut short, and never to see print! Whispers and leaks hinted at the epic untold saga for years. Now, for the first time, that final story is told! As Swamp Thing is cast back through time, he will come to meet a carpenter who will change the trajectory of his life, and the DC Universe forever. The origin of Etrigan, and Swamp Thing’s journey to the beginning of time starts here!
Story: Rick Veitch Art: Michael Zulli, Vince Locke Color: Trish Mulvihill Letterer: John Costanza, Todd Klein
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DC has announced that Swamp Thing 1989 #1, the long-awaited, fully restored, lost issue that begins the conclusion of Rick Veitch’s acclaimed late-1980s run on Swamp Thing will be released in April 2026. After more than three decades, Veitch’s ambitious final epic will be released under the DC Black Label across four issues, published monthly through July.
Written by Rick Veitch, with art by original penciler Michael Zulli and inked by Vince Locke, Swamp Thing 1989 #1 completes the comic Veitch and Zulli intended to deliver as Swamp Thing #88. In this issue, Swamp Thing is cast back through time and encounters a humble carpenter whose presence will alter the creature’s destiny and send ripples through the DC Universe. The issue also sets the stage for the long-anticipated origin of Etrigan the Demon and catapults Swamp Thing on his mythic journey back to the Big Bang and beyond.
The main cover by Rick Veitch reflects the quiet tension and symbolic weight of the story’s historical setting. Variant and foil covers by Michael Zulli present painterly imagery of Swamp Thing that captures the emotional and mythic intensity surrounding this pivotal moment in Swamp Thing’s saga.
The issue will be released with its original trade dress, period-accurate numbering on the cover, facsimile-style paper stock, and vintage ads, Swamp Thing 1989 #1 begins the journey to Veitch’s final Swamp Thing saga, running as it would have been published in 1989.
DC Black Label is completing the work exactly as it was intended. The long-lost Swamp Thing #88, now called Swamp Thing 1989 #1, features art by the late Michael Zulli, who returned to work on the issue before his passing in 2024, completing the painting featured as the variant cover. Working closely with Zulli’s wife, Karen Zulli, DC selected Vince Locke, Zulli’s longtime inker, to complete the issue over his original pencils while preserving the integrity of Zulli’s original vision.
Veteran Swamp Thing series artist Tom Mandrake will illustrate the brand-new Swamp Thing 1989 #2-4, which would have been Swamp Thing #89–91, bringing Veitch’s never-published storyline to its intended conclusion. For Swamp Thing 1989 #2-4, colorist Trish Mulvihill honors the palette and spirit of legendary series colorist Tatjana Wood while letterer Todd Klein brings the same reverence to the work of original Swamp Thing series letterer John Costanza.
Swamp Thing 1989 #1 is a 32-page comic book priced at $4.99 US, with a card-stock variant available for $5.99 US and a foil variant for $7.99 US. The new series begins on April29, 2026.
Mondo has partnered with DC Comics to create an official facsimile alt edition comic book cover forSwamp Thing #37, now in stores. Inside the issue, readers will find an exclusive opportunity to be directed to MondoShop.com, where they can purchase this striking cover as a timed edition screen-printed poster (MSRP: $80) from March 13 – March 27, 2025. This rare screen print captures the eerie, atmospheric essence of Swamp Thing through the distinctive artistic vision of Matthew Allison.
For the first time ever, this dynamic cover celebrates the historic Swamp Thing #37—a landmark issue that introduced the fan-favorite character John Constantine to the DC Universe. Originally part of Alan Moore’s critically acclaimed Swamp Thing run, this milestone comic remains a treasured piece for collectors and horror comic enthusiasts alike.
It was a rough day yesterday for the comic industry but one day at a time going forward. While you start the day, here’s some comic news and a review from around the web.
It’s one of two new comic book days! What are you all getting? What are you excited for? Sound off in the comments! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
Directed and written by Wes Craven, Swamp Thing was released in1982 and based on the DC Comics character of the same name created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. It tells the story of a brilliant scientist, Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise, Robocop) and a government agent, Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau, John Carpenter’s The Fog) who have developed a secret formula that could end world hunger and change civilization forever. Little do they know, however, that their arch nemesis, Arcane (Louis Jourdan, Octopussy) is plotting to steal the serum for his own selfish schemes. Looting the lab and kidnapping Cable, Arcane douses Holland with the chemicals and leaves him for dead in the swamp. Mutated by his own formula, Holland becomes “Swamp Thing” – a half human/half plant superhero who will stop at nothing to rescue the beautiful Cable and defeat the evil Arcane… even if it costs him his life.
The supporting cast includes David Hess (The Last House on the Left), Nicholas Worth (Barb Wire) and Dick Durock as “Swamp Thing” (who reprised the role in the 1989 sequel The Return of Swamp Thing and the 1990 – 1993 “Swamp Thing: The Series”). Swamp Thing became a cult hit upon its release on home video back in the 1980’s and its countless airings on cable television in the 80’s and 90’s.
2023 4K Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of both the US Theatrical PG Version and Unrated International Version of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in Dolby Vision / HDR
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, Spanish Mono
Optional English Subtitles
Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Wes Craven moderated by Sean Clark (Theatrical / PG Version)
Audio Commentary with Makeup Effects Artist William Munns moderated by Michael Felsher (Theatrical / PG Version)
Collectible “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster of cover art
It was new comic book yesterday! What’d you all get? What’d you like? Dislike? Sound off in the comments below. While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
(W) Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Doug Mahnke In Shops: Mar 21, 2023 SRP: $6.99
One former avatar wasn’t enough to take down the savage champion the Green created to wipe out the last of humanity…so another avatar will have to do what Alec Holland couldn’t! It’s time to unleash the Animal Woman!
(W) Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Doug Mahnke In Shops: Feb 14, 2023 SRP: $6.99
Alec Holland has been summoned back to the land of the living by the decrepit John Constantine himself, which is quite the surprise to the Parliament of Trees. In exchange for a peaceful eternity within the Green, Alec was to stay out of their affairs. With lives at risk, Alec refuses, but his conviction comes at a cost: if Alec dies in this stolen body, defending the last vestiges of humanity…he’s gone for good!
DC Studios Co-Chairmen and CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran haveannounced plans for their first 10 film and television projects under the new DC banner they lead across film, television, and animation. Gunn and Safran are designing and implementing a long-term interconnected story for the iconic franchise and characters, and today shared details on “Chapter 1” focused on “Gods and Monsters” with five new films and five television series for HBO Max already in development.
The plan is for a connected universe with all ten projects set within the same shared DC Universe. Characters will crossover between projects.
The reveal has some surprising announcements but shows a very wide variety of characters and projects. Live action, animation, television, and film, some of the projects are high profile characters and some are sure to be the stars of tomorrow.
What also stands out from the announcement is Gunn’s promotion of other projects that will be outside of this connected world and will be labeled as “Elseworlds”. Examples are The Batman and the upcoming Joker sequel.
Film Projects:
Superman: Legacy – written by Gunn, the film will hit theaters on July 11, 2025, and focus on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.
The Authority – DC’s WildStorm characters will join the DCU as members of The Authority take matters into their own hands to do what they believe is right
The Brave and the Bold – the DCU will introduce its Batman and Robin in this unusual father-son story inspired by Grant Morrison’s comic series
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow – this science fiction adventure, which will be based on Tom King’s amazing, award-winning recent comics stories, presents a Supergirl viewers are not used to seeing
Swamp Thing – the film will investigate the dark origins of Swamp Thing
Television projects for HBO Max:
Creature Commandos – a seven-episode animated show in which Amanda Waller creates a black ops team out of monstrous prisoners; Gunn wrote all the episodes of the first season
Waller – starring Viola Davis, this series features Team Peacemaker and will be written by Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Supernatural)
Booster Gold – Booster Gold uses basic technology from the future to pretend to be a superhero in present day
Lanterns – this enormous TV event series follows intergalactic cops John Stewart and Hal Jordan as they uncover a dark mystery
Paradise Lost – set in Themyscira, home of the Amazons and birthplace of Wonder Woman, this drama focuses on the genesis and political intrigue of an island of all women
It’s an interesting mix of known and unknown properties for the wide masses. What do you think of the initial lineup? Sound off in the comments!
