A groundbreaking announcement from DC’s “DC Vertigo” panel at NYCC has sent ripples through the comic book world: a ‘Swamp Thing’ storyline, deemed too controversial to publish 36 years ago, will finally see the light of day. This news arrived alongside the unveiling of a fresh lineup for the relaunched Vertigo imprint.
For those unfamiliar with the tale, here’s a brief historical overview. In 1989, writer Rick Veitch and artist Michael Zulli crafted ‘Swamp Thing #88,’ an issue that would have depicted the protagonist journeying through time to meet Jesus Christ and, shockingly, transform into the cross on Calvary Hill. DC opted to pull the plug on the issue, a decision widely believed to be driven by concerns over potential public outcry, especially with Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ film slated for release around the same time. In a show of principle, Veitch stepped away from the series, and even acclaimed writers Neil Gaiman and Jamie Delano followed suit in solidarity.
Art by Rick Veitch. (Image Credit: DC)
Now, the wait is over. DC is set to release the full conclusion of Veitch’s run, encompassing ‘Swamp Thing #88-91,’ under their mature readers-focused DC Black Label imprint. While issue #88 will feature Zulli’s original, never-before-seen artwork, the subsequent three issues will be brought to life by artist Tom Mandrake and colorist Trish Mulvihill. These four issues will first appear as facsimile editions, meticulously replicating the original series’ look and feel. They will also be collected in the upcoming trade paperback, ‘Swamp Thing by Rick Veitch Book Three: Time Upon a Once.’
But the revelations don’t stop there. The beloved Vertigo imprint is making a triumphant return in 2026, promising no less than ten new comic series. While Black Label will continue to host darker, adult-oriented stories featuring established DC characters, Vertigo will carve out its niche with creator-owned series and fresh, original concepts. Fans of the imprint will recognize one familiar pairing: Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso are reuniting for a new ‘100 Bullets’ series titled ‘100 Bullets: The US of Anger.’ Additionally, James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno’s ‘The Nice House by the Sea,’ which began as a Black Label title, will now find its home within the revitalized Vertigo line.
Take a peek at the exciting array of new Vertigo titles, complete with their official descriptions:
- Bleeding Hearts by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, and Matt Hollingsworth: A zombie named Poke experiences his heart beating once more, challenging his place in a world where death is the ultimate ruler.
- End of Life by Kyle Starks, Steve Pugh, and Chris O’Halloran: A highly skilled hitman returns to his childhood Midwestern town to care for his ailing father, leading him to confront his own mortality.
- The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery by Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips: A noir detective story that blends seamlessly with magic, fascism, and a stolen artifact of immense power.
- 100 Bullets: The US of Anger by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso: Lono’s return to America unleashes a new wave of chaos, pushing the nation’s darkest impulses to extreme violence.
- Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy by Ram V and Mike Perkins: Follow wizard spies in the UK as they navigate a global cold war centered on sorcery, unearthing a hidden world of occult might.
- Necretaceous by Tom Taylor and Darick Robertson: Scientists attempt to travel through time to avert a zombie pandemic, only to find themselves 66 million years in the past, facing dinosaurs.
- Fanatic by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer: A woman’s intense obsession with a comic book escalates into a dangerous parasocial fixation on its creator.
- The Crying Doll by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell: A thrilling Jekyll-and-Hyde narrative exploring the lengths a young woman will go to protect her best friend, who may or may not be a killer.
- A Walking Shadow by Simon Spurrier and Aaron Campbell: Eight strangers awaken to find themselves chained to a boat in a forest, with no memory, no escape, and no explanation.
The new Vertigo series will debut in February with the continuation of ‘The Nice House by the Sea,’ alongside the exciting launches of ‘Bleeding Hearts,’ ‘End of Life,’ and ‘The Peril of the Brutal Dark.’ The remaining titles are scheduled to roll out throughout 2026.
Are you looking forward to reading ‘Swamp Thing #88’? Which new Vertigo title has captured your interest? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Jesse is a staff writer for a well-known entertainment publication.