DC Comics Keeps Failing This One Character Who Should Be A Horror Icon

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Since Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman in 1938, DC Comics has been a major force in the world of comic books, giving us legendary heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. Over the decades, from the 1930s to now, some characters have thrived more than others. Currently, it’s apparent that the publisher is still mishandling one of its most important characters.

Over the past ten years, DC Comics has experienced ups and downs in popularity, ranging from the difficulties of the New 52 era to the success of initiatives like All-In. Recent strong sales, particularly with titles like World’s Finest by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, have put DC in its best position since the Rebirth event. However, the company still seems reluctant to fully invest in characters that were once incredibly popular with fans. One hero, in particular, is being noticeably underused despite a crowded list of characters.

DC Has Fumbled Some of Its Best Characters

DC Comics has become more focused on a limited number of characters and less willing to take risks with new series. While they used to prioritize keeping a wide range of heroes available to readers, they now heavily depend on just a few, particularly Batman. It’s common to see more Batman-related titles published in a single month than all other DC comics combined, which limits the variety of stories being told.

It’s kinda sad seeing what’s happened to some of DC’s coolest characters. I’m talking about heroes like Question, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, and the Doom Patrol – they used to be where DC really pushed boundaries with their storytelling. They weren’t just superhero books; they were smart, often weird, and really made you think. They’d poke fun at the genre, dive deep into what makes characters tick, and even reinvent what a superhero could be. But lately, it feels like DC’s just playing it safe, focusing on pumping out tons of books with the same few popular heroes instead of taking risks and giving us more variety. It’s a bummer, honestly.

The DC Universe is full of great concepts that haven’t been fully utilized, and Jack Kirby’s Kamandi is a prime example – it’s a rich world ripe for storytelling. While some characters, like Vic Sage, feel more at home in their original, older time periods and don’t quite fit in today’s DC, it’s clear that Swamp Thing has been particularly underserved, despite his potential, and is now even struggling to get a short story arc.

DC Has Neglected Swamp Thing For Far Too Long

I still remember when Alan Moore took over Swamp Thing back in 1982 – it was a total game changer! He started with this incredible story called “Anatomy Lesson” that completely redefined the character and honestly, set a new standard for comics at DC. It was this amazing blend of taking the horror genre apart and delivering a perfect dark fantasy story. I, like so many others, was completely drawn in by the tragic story of Alec Holland. He was a scientist whose life was destroyed when his lab was attacked, and his wife was killed. He ended up in the swamp, and in this really haunting way, his body became one with the plant life, transforming him into the creature we know as the Swamp Thing, the Guardian of the Green. It was just… unforgettable.

As a huge Swamp Thing fan, I was so excited when DC finally gave the character some real attention in 2021, pairing writer Ram V with artist Mike Perkins. But even with such a fantastic, spooky creative team, it felt like the company wasn’t fully committed. They only gave the series ten issues, which was a bummer. Then, things got really weird. When fans clearly loved Ram V’s story, instead of letting it continue naturally, DC just renumbered the issues! Suddenly, issue 9 of 10 became issue 10 of 11. It felt less like they were listening to us and more like a temporary extension with the same old limitations. It was frustrating, honestly – a missed opportunity to truly embrace the character and the fanbase.

The problems with the V and Perkins run on Swamp Thing highlighted a troubling truth: DC Comics doesn’t seem to have much confidence in the character and often ignores what fans want. While writer V’s decision to replace Holland with Levi Kamei wasn’t ideal for some, the bigger issues stemmed from problems within the publishing process itself. Considering Swamp Thing hasn’t been very successful since the New 52 relaunch, changing the core version of the character – one readers had connected with since the 1970s – felt like a risky move.

DC Comics often quietly relaunches series like Swamp Thing with minimal promotion, relying on readers to stumble upon them. When these relaunches don’t attract a lasting audience, the company tends to point fingers at the writers or the character itself, rather than considering other potential reasons. Sadly, this pattern has frequently harmed the Swamp Thing character more than most.

DC Often Neglects Alec Holland’s Impact On Swamp Thing

A common problem with some recent Swamp Thing comics is that they’ve diminished Alec Holland’s inner conflict. While Swamp Thing is essentially the Green given form with Holland’s memories, the struggle between his human side and his responsibility to the Green is crucial to the character. Too often, he’s portrayed as a distant, emotionless cosmic force, especially when appearing in other heroes’ stories, and his personality feels lost. It’s also a shame because past stories had a strong supporting cast and a richly detailed setting that felt like a character itself.

It’s tempting to suggest a lesser-known DC hero deserves more attention, but that doesn’t apply to Swamp Thing. DC has successfully told his story before, and fans know how compelling he can be with talented writers and artists. He’s not a character who could be great – he was a major DC icon, but has unfortunately been sidelined and reduced to a supporting role in other comics.

Swamp Thing is a surprisingly important comic. It’s where the Justice League Dark first came together, and it introduced the character Constantine. Beyond that, the series consistently offered fascinating explorations of the universe. Numerous writers – including Grant Morrison, Rick Veitch, Alan Moore, Scott Snyder, and Nancy Collins – each improved the book during their run. What they all understood was that the swamp setting, the horror elements, and the character’s inner thoughts were key to making Swamp Thing a truly compelling read.

DC Needs to Make Swamp Thing the Centerpiece of Its Horror Comics

The rich and detailed world created by Moore and Bissette for Swamp Thing has slowly been dismantled by DC Comics, leading characters like Constantine and Blue Devil to pursue their own stories. This has made it difficult for writers to keep Swamp Thing’s world compelling, often focusing too much on the history of the Green. Ram V did a fantastic job revitalizing the character, but DC ultimately didn’t fully support the series. When executed well, this series should be the first choice for horror fans, and reintroducing characters like Phantom Stranger into the setting could greatly enhance it.

The stories by Len Wein and Alan Moore were captivating, largely because they delved into the inner struggle of a man trapped within a monster. Along with Steve Gerber’s Man-Thing comics for Marvel, Swamp Thing’s quest to regain his humanity completely changed the landscape of monster comics.

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2026-02-15 18:11