Swamp Thing 1989 #2
Chad Burdette
Recap
One of the most talked-about moments of New York Comic Con 2025 was DC’s confirmation that it would finally publish Veitch’s then-controversial storyline, originally pulled before publication.
When Alan Moore concluded his landmark run on Swamp Thing, he personally selected Rick Veitch to continue the series. Veitch’s work quickly earned its own acclaim.
After a renowned two-year run on the series, Veitch’s grand finale to Swamp Thing was cut short, and never to see print!
In 1989, the original plans for Swamp Thing #88 were halted during production.
Comic Watch Review: Swamp Thing 1989 #1: Passion Of The Swamp Thing
As Swamp Thing is cast back through time, he will come to meet a carpenter who will change the trajectory of his life, and the DC Universe forever.
The origin of Etrigan , and Swamp Thing’s journey to the beginning of time starts here!
As Swamp Thing is flung backwards through time, his true destination is revealed!
While John Constantine works a world of connections to locate the lost elemental, Abby prepares to give birth to their child of three worlds.
Witness the epic odyssey that could not see print until now!
Review
Swamp Thing 1989 #2 focuses more on the story threads of the supporting characters such as John Constantine, The Shining Knight, and Abigail as Swamp Thing continues his journey back through time, eventually to the beginning of the cosmos. The issue is jam-packed with lots of cameos such as Jim Corrigan (The Spectre), Chronos, Ray Palmer’s foil, Anthro, and more.
The narrative is split into several subplots: Constantine being summoned by The Shining Knight, Shining Knight’s tale of how he was injured and recieved a plea from Swamp Thing as they crossed paths outside of the time stream due to Chronos’ doing, and Abigail, pregnant with Swamp Thing/Constantine’s child. Veitch does a solid job of weaving these story threads together in a manner that tells well thought out, non-linear story.
Like many Vertigo books of this era, the issue and series has a similar flow to that defined this era of Swamp Thing and similar characters in the line, that allowed the story to breathe and things play out organically and not feel like it has to have a gotcha moment everything.
Mandrake’s art is spot on an Trish Mulvihill does an excellent job of matching the coloring to that of the the late 80’s, giving the story a more authentic feel. The inclusion of the house ads for the ’89 Annuals, the Detective Comics Mudpack issues, Justice League America and Europe, and the American Cancer Society ads are a great touch of nostalgia that help cement the story in the late 80s when the story was originally supposed to be released.
Final Thoughts
Swamp Thing 1989 #2 continues to be a nostalgic trip through the DCU of the late 80s as Rick Veitch continues to tell this Swamp Thing tale years in the releasing.
Swamp Thing 1989 #2
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9.1/109.1/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
