The late Len Wein, co-creator of Swamp Thing and Wolverine, is considered one of the industry’s most prominent comic book writers and editors. Prior to his passing, in September 2017, Wein was working on a new Swamp Thing series for DC Comics. Wein co-created the iconic character with Bernie Wrightson in 1971.
Wein completed the script for the first issue, which would be illustrated by Kelley Jones – who he worked with on the 2016 Swamp Thing miniseries. While this series will not be produced, Entertainment Weekly exclusively revealed that Wein’s first issue will debut in DC Comics Swamp Thing Winter Special #1. On sale January 31, 2018, this special will include the story in its original script form with art by Jones.
“[Wein’s] major plan was pretty much a straight horror title. He kept stressing that angle to me — that bringing up a lot of those DC horror characters was what would make the book more unique. His main thing was to stress that Alec was turned into Swamp Thing. He really wanted to stress that again. He felt that there was a lot of story potential in that,” shared Jones.
After teaming up on the Batman/The Flash crossover “The Button,” Tom King and Jason Fabok will be partnering once more to lead Swamp Thing Winter Special #1. This new story, which picks up where the 2016 miniseries left off, finds a decaying Swamp Thing struggling across a frozen tundra with a lost boy in tow.
“This is not a story about hope. This is a story about anxiety. This is like when you go to the movies to see It. You’re not going for the romance and the laughs and the friendship. You’re going to get close to the darkness so that when you come out you can smile at the light. So, that’s what I want them to get from it. I want them to be cold enough that when they put it down, their house feels warm and it feels like a relief,” added King.
The official synopsis for the special reads: “In this new, square-bound one-shot, Swamp Thing is out of his element as he shepherds a lost boy through a blinding blizzard and other hazards of a strange, frozen tundra. In this touching and harrowing tale of survival, the pair must navigate countless threats throughout a bewildering terrain—with a bloodthirsty snow monster hot on their heels. But how long can they rely on each other?
Separated from the Green and stripped of his powers in this dead world, Swamp Thing struggles to fight for their lives and deliver the boy to safety. Disoriented and decaying, Swamp Thing’s fading understanding of his surroundings forces the duo to confront their desperation and uncover the true identity of the snow monster that hunts them.”
Swamp Thing Winter Special #1 hits stands January 31.
