DC Comics Announce ‘Swamp Thing 1989’ – Finally Printing ‘Swamp Thing’ #88

This is one over three decades in the making. DC Comics is finally printing Swamp Thing #88-91 as Swamp Thing 1989 under its Black Label imprint line. Swamp Thing 1989 #1 is by writer Rick Veitch and artist Michael Zulli, with inks by Vince Locke.

The first issue prints what would have been Swamp Thing #88, and Swampy’s infamous Jesus Christ meet-up. Or, as DC puts it, managing to effortlessly avoid the very mention of Jesus whatsoever:  

“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.”

And while the main cover is by Veitch and “reflects the quiet tension and symbolic weight of the story’s historical setting”, the variant and foil covers by Zulli were worked on, along with the restoration of the issue, before his passing. His cover, as you can see, presents a “painterly imagery of Swamp Thing that captures the emotional and mythic intensity surrounding this pivotal moment in Swamp Thing’s saga.” All with the original trade dress and period-accurate numbering on the covers. The comic itself is printed on facsimile-style paper stock and includes the original ads. 

Artist Tom Mandrake will then illustrate the brand-new Swamp Thing 1989 #2-4, which would have been Swamp Thing #89-91, if Vietch hadn’t walked off the book after Swamp Thing #88 was cancelled right before being printed. Now, though, we get Veitch’s never-published storyline to its intended conclusion. And the end of a saga he told over three years. 

Talking of the overwhelming fan campaigns that have finally borne fruit, Vietch 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.”

Chris Conroy, Executive Editor, DC, added:

“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.”

Swamp Thing 1989 #1 is out on April 29th, 2026, and comes with an Ages 17+ rating.