Publishers / DC / Swamp Thing (1972) / #1
1October-November 1972
$0.20

Swamp Thing #1

DC · October-November 1972 · on sale August 10, 1972

First appearance (cover): Alec HollandFirst appearance (cover): Swamp ThingFirst appearance: Matthew CableOrigin: Alec HollandDeath of Linda HollandAward on record
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
Swamp Thing (DC, 1972 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
October-November 1972
Key date
October 1972
On-sale date
August 10, 1972
Indicia publisher
National Periodical Publications Inc.
Price
$0.20
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

From the editorial file The Alec Holland Swamp Thing debuts in his own title, late 1972, by Wein and Wrightson. Pairs with House of Secrets #92, where the concept first appeared; the two books are the standard two-issue answer to one first-appearance question.

First appearance (cover) of Alec Holland - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

First appearance (cover) of Swamp Thing - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

First appearance of Matthew Cable - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Anton Arcane - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance (cover) of Linda Holland - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

First appearance of Mister E. - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Nathan Ellery - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance (cover) of Maxwell Ferrett - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

Origin story on record for: Alec Holland, Swamp Thing.

Death on record for: Linda Holland, Maxwell Ferrett.

On the record: Shazam Award - Best Individual Story (Dramatic) (1972).

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1pencils: Bernie Wrightson; inks: Bernie Wrightson; colors: Bernie Wrightson; letters: Gaspar SaladinoAlec Holland First, Swamp Thing First, Maxwell Ferrett First, Linda Holland First
1Dark Genesis!comic story24script: Len Wein; pencils: Bernie Wrightson; inks: Bernie Wrightson; colors: Bernie Wrightson; letters: Gaspar SaladinoAnton Arcane First, Matthew Cable First, Alec Holland First, Swamp Thing First, Mister E. First, Nathan Ellery First, Maxwell Ferrett First, Linda Holland First
2-letters page1script: Joe Orlando; pencils: Bernie Wrightson; inks: Bernie WrightsonAlec Holland First, Swamp Thing First

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Original Swamp Thing Saga1977On eBay ›
Roots of the Swamp Thing #11986On eBay ›
Swamp Thing: Dark Genesis #[nn]
ISBN 1-56389-044-5		1991On eBay ›
Secret of the Swamp Thing #[nn]
ISBN 1401207987		2005On eBay ›
DC Comics Classics Library: Roots of the Swamp Thing #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-2236-9		2009On eBay ›
Roots of the Swamp Thing #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-3287-0		2012On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

1 of 24#2 ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q4775653 (Anton Arcane), first-appearance property (CC0)

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com