In a move that comic historians and fans have dreamt of for over thirty years, DC has officially announced Swamp Thing 1989. This four-issue limited series, launching on April 29, 2026, will finally conclude Rick Veitch’s legendary late-80s run, featuring the “lost” material that was famously pulled from publication decades ago.
Released under the DC Black Label imprint, the series begins with Swamp Thing 1989 #1—a fully restored version of what would have been the original Swamp Thing #88.
A Legendary Creative Team Reunited
The project is a labor of love and restoration. Rick Veitch returns to write the series, with the first issue featuring art by the original penciler, the late Michael Zulli. Following Zulli’s passing in 2024, DC worked with his wife, Karen Zulli, to bring in longtime collaborator Vince Locke to complete the inks over Zulli’s original pencils.
For issues #2 through #4, veteran artist Tom Mandrake will take over illustration duties to bring Veitch’s unpublished scripts to life. To maintain the 1989 aesthetic, the book features:
- Trish Mulvihill on colors (honoring the palette of Tatjana Wood).
- Todd Klein on letters (in the style of John Costanza).
- Vintage touches, including period-accurate numbering, facsimile-style paper, and 80s-era ads.
The Story That Was “Too Controversial”
The narrative picks up exactly where Veitch’s run was interrupted. The Swamp Thing is hurled back through time, eventually encountering a “humble carpenter” whose influence threatens to reshape the creature’s path and the entire DC Universe. The saga also promises to reveal the long-awaited origin of Etrigan the Demon and take the protagonist on a cosmic journey to the Big Bang.
Rick Veitch noted that the persistence of the “Saga of the Swamp Thing” community was instrumental in making this happen:
“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.”
DC is treating this release as a piece of “found” history. Chris Conroy, Executive Editor at DC, emphasized the importance of completing this specific chapter of the character’s legacy:
“This is a historic moment for fans of Swamp Thing and of DC’s legacy. 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.”
Release Details
- Title: Swamp Thing 1989 #1 (of 4)
- Release Date: April 29, 2026
- Format: 32 pages, DC Black Label (Ages 17+)
- Pricing: $4.99 (Main Cover), $5.99 (Card-stock Variant), $7.99 (Foil Variant)
The main cover is handled by Rick Veitch, with variant and foil covers featuring painterly work by Michael Zulli.
