One of the most iconic superhero comics in the DC universe has finally been published

At New York Comic Con 2025, DC Comics has announced several new series Which will be launched under the revived Vertigo publishing imprint next year. The most exciting announcement for long-time DC fans is a story that has been decades in the making.

DC will publish the missing final four issues of Rick Fitch’s “Swamp Thing” series, under the title “Swamp Thing 1989”, the year it was supposed to be first published. In New York City, DC executive editor Chris Conroy reportedly said that issues #88-91, will be designed and published so that “you’ll be able to put them in your long boxes as if this run never ended.”

Why the long delay? This story, “Morning of the Wizard,” would have seen Swamp Thing travel back in time and meet Jesus Christ. According to Rick FitchThe swamp could have appeared before Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent his last hours before his arrest. The story would have also featured the mysterious Roman era hero Golden Gladiator and told the origin of Etrigan the Demon.

Written and drawn by Michael Zolli, the story is ready to go, but the concept and images (such as Veitch’s cover showing Swamp Thing transformed into a crucifix) seem to have drawn criticism from some of DC’s religious staff. In fact, stories about Christ are rarely without controversy. DC President/Editor-in-Chief Jennette Kahn He said at the time“We thought the concept of the story would be offensive to many of our readers.”

The story was pulled, and Veitch left Swamp Thing, leaving the character in limbo for a while and this run incomplete…yet. Photos at NYCC show that Veitch, along with colorist Trish Mulvihill, has drawn a new cover for issue #88, which features Swamp Thing holding a sheep, as in Lamb of God. Zulli also painted a different model showing Swamp Thing in a crucifixion pose wearing a crown of thorns. After being neglected for being too controversial, Fitch is now about to finish his story, without hiding what it’s about.

What is “vertigo”? Started in 1993 by DC editor Karen Berger, Vertigo was the company’s publishing imprint for mature, creator-driven comics. It’s where famous comedians like Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon go on their western road trip “Preacher” or Brian K. Vaughan’s post-apocalyptic epic “Y: The Last Man” Posted.

Vertigo was discontinued in 2020 and largely consolidated into the “DC Black Label” branding (which is what “Swamp Thing 1989” would be published under). However, DC quickly reversed this decision and revived Vertigo in 2024. Vertigo 2.0 has recruited some of the best writers in American comics, such as Ram V (who wrote “Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy,” a spy thriller with witches drawn by Mike Perkins) and Deniz Camp (who wrote “Bleeding Hearts,” art by Stepan Morean and Matt Hollingsworth, about a zombie who discovers that his heart is beating again.)

Created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson in 1971, Swamp Thing is part of the mainstream universe; Unlike “Preacher” or “Y,” Batman can jump into Swamp Thing’s adventure without asking any questions. but, Alan Moore starred in the film “Swamp Thing” in the 1980s It is often cited as Vertigo’s proto-comic film. Moore transformed the series from a simple series “Frankenstein” – a brutal comedy On to something weirder (and more romantic).

Moore’s second issue, “Anatomy Lesson” (illustrated by Steve Bisset), critically reviewed the origin of Swamp Thing. It was not Dr. Alec Holland turned into a plant, but rather a collection of living plant matter that had been activated by memories of the late Holland. The book’s previous narrative thrust, “a swamp thing trying to become human again,” is ignored because he accepts living and loving as a plant.

Veitch drew several issues of Moore’s “Swamp Thing” book and took over as book writer after Moore finished his story with issue #64. Veitch’s path largely followed Moore’s model. We can’t judge the ending yet, but the idea sounds like one that would do Moore’s “Swamp Thing” proud.

“Swamp Thing 1989” is scheduled for publication in 2026.