Jul 1, 1971 CE
Swamp Thing Debuts in House of Secrets #92
Alec Holland, a scientist working on a bio-restorative formula, is killed by a bomb in his Louisiana lab and rises as the Swamp Thing. #comics #horror
Chronological Storyline (38 Milestones)
Oct 1, 1972 CE
Swamp Thing Gets His Own Series
DC launches the first Swamp Thing ongoing series, written by Len Wein and drawn by Bernie Wrightson, expanding the character's mythos. #comics #dc )
Jan 1, 1973 CE
First Encounter with the Floronic Man
Swamp Thing battles the Floronic Man (Jason Woodrue), a plant-based villain who becomes a recurring foe. #comics #villain
Mar 1, 1974 CE
Swamp Thing Meets Batman
Swamp Thing crosses over with Batman in The Brave and the Bold #122, marking his first team-up with a major DC hero. #comics #crossover
Sep 1, 1976 CE
Original Series Cancelled
The first Swamp Thing series ends with issue #24 due to declining sales, but the character remains popular in guest appearances. #comics #cancellation )
May 1, 1982 CE
Swamp Thing Film Released
Wes Craven directs the Swamp Thing film, starring Ray Wise as Alec Holland, bringing the character to a wider audience. #film #horror )
May 1, 1984 CE
Alan Moore Takes Over Swamp Thing
Alan Moore begins his landmark run with Swamp Thing #20, revolutionizing the character and comic storytelling. #comics #alanmoore )
Dec 1, 1984 CE
The Anatomy Lesson
In Swamp Thing #21, Moore reveals that Alec Holland died in the explosion and Swamp Thing is a plant elemental who absorbed his memories, redefining the character. #comics #horror )
Jan 1, 1985 CE
Swamp Thing Becomes Elemental Avatar
Swamp Thing embraces his true nature as an elemental of the Green, gaining vast powers over plant life. #comics #elemental
Jun 1, 1985 CE
Introduction of the Parliament of Trees
Swamp Thing meets the Parliament of Trees, a council of previous elemental avatars, in Swamp Thing #32. #comics #mythology
Mar 1, 1986 CE
Swamp Thing Marries Abby Arcane
In Swamp Thing #34, Swamp Thing and Abby Arcane marry, deepening their relationship. #comics #romance
Sep 1, 1987 CE
American Gothic Storyline
Moore's epic 'American Gothic' arc runs through Swamp Thing #37-50, exploring horror and DC's supernatural side. #comics #horror )
Jan 1, 1988 CE
Swamp Thing Joins Justice League Dark
Swamp Thing becomes a member of the Justice League Dark, a team of magical heroes. #comics #team
Oct 1, 1989 CE
Swamp Thing TV Series Premieres
A live-action Swamp Thing TV series airs on USA Network, lasting three seasons. #tv #horror )
Apr 1, 1991 CE
Swamp Thing Vol. 2 Ends
The second Swamp Thing series concludes with issue #171, ending Moore's legacy run. #comics #end )
Jun 1, 1992 CE
Swamp Thing Returns in New Series
A third Swamp Thing series begins, written by various creators, continuing the character's adventures. #comics #reboot )
Jan 1, 1993 CE
Swamp Thing Appears in Batman: The Animated Series
Swamp Thing guest-stars in the episode 'The Demon's Quest' of Batman: The Animated Series. #animation #crossover
By DC Entertainment - https://dcanimated.com/btas/btas-backstage/btas-backstage-press-kit/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150289070
Mar 1, 1995 CE
Swamp Thing vs. the Rot
Swamp Thing battles the Rot, a force of decay, in the 'The Rotworld' storyline. #comics #horror
Sep 1, 1996 CE
Swamp Thing Becomes a Guardian of the Green
Swamp Thing fully assumes his role as the protector of the Green, the collective plant life of Earth. #comics #elemental )
Jan 1, 2000 CE
Swamp Thing: Roots of Terror
A one-shot comic explores Swamp Thing's origins and his connection to the Green. #comics #origin
Nov 1, 2001 CE
Swamp Thing in Justice League: Dark
Swamp Thing becomes a key member of the Justice League Dark team in the comic series. #comics #team
Aug 1, 2004 CE
Swamp Thing: The Series Ends
The third Swamp Thing series ends with issue #20, leading to a hiatus for the character. #comics #end )
Jun 1, 2009 CE
Swamp Thing Returns in Brightest Day
Swamp Thing appears in the Brightest Day event, playing a role in the resurrection of the Green. #comics #event
Sep 1, 2011 CE
Swamp Thing Relaunched in The New 52
DC relaunches Swamp Thing as part of The New 52, with a new series by Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette. #comics #reboot )
May 1, 2012 CE
Rotworld Crossover
Swamp Thing and Animal Man team up in the 'Rotworld' storyline to fight the Rot. #comics #crossover
Feb 1, 2013 CE
Swamp Thing Becomes Avatar of the Rot
In a twist, Swamp Thing temporarily becomes the Avatar of the Rot to save his friends. #comics #horror
Aug 1, 2014 CE
Swamp Thing: The New 52 Ends
The New 52 Swamp Thing series concludes with issue #40, wrapping up Snyder's run. #comics #end )
Jun 1, 2015 CE
Swamp Thing in DC Universe: Rebirth
Swamp Thing appears in the DC Universe: Rebirth initiative, with a new series by Len Wein. #comics #rebirth
Jan 1, 2016 CE
Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Omnibus
DC publishes an omnibus collecting Swamp Thing's Bronze Age stories. #comics #collection
Sep 1, 2017 CE
Swamp Thing: The Alan Moore Saga
A new collection of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run is released, cementing its legacy. #comics #alanmoore
May 1, 2018 CE
Swamp Thing: The New 52 Omnibus
DC releases an omnibus collecting the New 52 Swamp Thing series. #comics #collection
May 31, 2019 CE
Swamp Thing TV Series on DC Universe
A new Swamp Thing live-action series premieres on DC Universe, receiving critical acclaim. #tv #horror )
Jul 1, 2019 CE
Swamp Thing TV Series Cancelled
Despite positive reviews, the Swamp Thing TV series is cancelled after one season due to production issues. #tv #cancellation )
Jan 1, 2020 CE
Swamp Thing in Dark Nights: Death Metal
Swamp Thing plays a role in the Dark Nights: Death Metal event, helping restore the multiverse. #comics #event
Mar 1, 2021 CE
Swamp Thing: The Saga of the Swamp Thing
A new ongoing series titled 'Swamp Thing: The Saga of the Swamp Thing' begins, written by Ram V. #comics #newseries )
Aug 1, 2022 CE
Swamp Thing: The Green Hell
A new storyline 'The Green Hell' explores Swamp Thing's struggle with a corrupted Green. #comics #horror
Jan 1, 2023 CE
Swamp Thing: The Parliament of Trees Returns
The Parliament of Trees reappears to guide Swamp Thing in a new crisis. #comics #mythology
May 1, 2024 CE
Swamp Thing: The Elemental War
Swamp Thing leads the elementals in a war against a cosmic threat in the 'Elemental War' arc. #comics #event