After more than three decades, Rick Veitch’s controversial final Swamp Thing story will be released under DC’s Black Label imprint, beginning this July.
Swamp Thing 1989 #1 (originally set to be released as Swamp Thing #88) concludes Veitch’s run on Swamp Thing, with art by original penciler Michael Zulli and inks by Vince Locke.
The previously banned story sees Swamp Thing travel back in time to encounter Jesus, which alters his destiny (and the DC Universe of the day).
The story also tells the origin of Etrigan the Demon and send Swamp Thing back to the beginning of time itself.
The new comic will also feature the original numbering on the cover, a facsimile-style paper stock, and even vintage ads.
Veitch left the title, and the unpublished issue marked the abrupt end of Veitch’s three-year saga.
Tom Mandrake will illustrate the brand-new Swamp Thing 1989 #2-4 (which would have been Swamp Thing #89–91), bringing Veitch’s storyline to its intended conclusion.
Veitch said “…the response from readers was immediate and overwhelming. It helped make the final decision to publish these issues. I am grateful to the fans for stepping up, and to DC’s team, especially editor Alex Galer and Editor-in-Chief Marie Javins, for pulling off the impossible.”
“This is a historic moment for fans of Swamp Thing and of DC’s legacy,” said Chris Conroy, Executive Editor at DC Comics. “The restoration of this material honors the spirit of the original creative team and allows readers to experience a defining chapter exactly where it always belonged. You will be able to put these into your long boxes as if this run had never ended.”
Swamp Thing 1989 #1 arrives in comic book shops on April 29 with a main cover by Veitch and a variant covers by Michael Zulli.
Check out both covers below and stay tuned to Conskipper for all of your Swamp Thing and vintage comic news.
