- "Though of everything, didn't they? We've got enough equipment here for a dozen Dr. Frankensteins! Seems almost a shame we're not building a monster!"
- ―Alec Holland
| "Dark Genesis" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Swamp Thing | |
| Title: | "Dark Genesis" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 1 |
| Cover price: | .20 |
| Cover date: | November, 1972 |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Credits | |
| Ex. Ed: | Joe Orlando |
| Writers: | Len Wein |
| Pencilers: | Bernie Wrightson |
| Inkers: | Bernie Wrightson |
| Cover artists: | Bernie Wrightson |
| Cover inker: | Bernie Wrightson |
| Colorists: | Bernie Wrightson |
| Editors: | Joe Orlando |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | — |
| Next: | Swamp Thing #2 |
"Dark Genesis" is the story title to the premiere issue of the first Swamp Thing ongoing comic book series published by DC Comics. The story was written by Len Wein with pencil layouts and final artwork by Bernie Wrightson. Wrightson also provided the complete cover composition for this issue including inks and coloring. The lettering credit for this story is unknown. The issue was edited by Joe Orlando. This issue shipped with an October-November, 1972 cover date and carried a cover price of 20 cents per copy (US).
Synopsis[]
D.D.I. agent Matthew Cable drives his friends, the scientists Alec and Linda Holland, to a remote cabin in the Louisiana bayou. The Hollands are working on a top-secret Bio-restorative formula designed to stimulate hormonal growth in plant life, enabling plants to grow in hostile terrain.
Midway through their research, they hear a knock on the door. A group of men representing an organization known as The Conclave introduce themselves, and expresses great interest in the Hollands' work. The leader of the men, Maxwell Ferrett, offers the scientists a blank check in exchange for exclusive rights to their work. Alec tells them that their information is not for sale. Ferrett prepares to strong-arm them, but another man, Bruno, notices Matt Cable's car pulling up to the cabin. Ferrett and the others leave, promising to return. Alec and Linda tell Matt about their encounter.
Ferrett reports back to his boss, Mister E. Mister E. tells them to make one more attempt to buy the Hollands' research. If they still refuse, then drastic measures will be required. Ferrett returns, but Alec angrily threatens to call the cops unless they leave them alone. The goons knock Alec unconscious, and plant an explosive underneath one of the laboratory tables. Alec comes to and tries to escape, but the bomb explodes dousing him with various samples of the Bio-Restorative formula. His body erupts into flame, and Alec stumbles outside into the swamp where he falls over dead.
Days later, Linda and Matt Cable hold a small funeral service for Alec Holland. What they do not realize is that the Bio-restorative formula has resurrected the essence of Alec Holland into the body of a grotesque Swamp Thing. Although he still maintains the intellect of Alec Holland, he cannot speak. The Swamp Thing stands guard, and watches over the cabin after Linda returns home.
Ferrett and Bruno raid the cabin and murder Linda. The Swamp Thing finds her body and flies into a rage. He chases the men out into the swamp. He catches Bruno first, and smashes his jaw with one solid punch. Ferrett fires his pistol at the monster, but the bullets are ineffective. The Swamp Thing turns about and kills Ferrett. Matt Cable appears on the scene, and mistakenly believes that the muck monster is responsible for the death of Linda Holland.
Elsewhere, miles away in an ancient castle, a mysterious man observes the events in the Louisiana bayou and develops a strong interest in the Swamp Thing.
Appearances[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
Organizations
Races
Locations
Items
Vehicles
- Matt Cable's car
Powers
Notes & Trivia[]
- This issue is reprinted in DC Special Series #2, Roots of the Swamp Thing #1, the Swamp Thing: Dark Genesis trade paperback and the Secret of the Swamp Thing trade paperback collections.
- This issue is job number: J-1770.
- First appearance of Alec Holland; becomes the Swamp Thing in this issue. He appears next in Swamp Thing #2.
- First appearance of Linda Holland; dies in this issue.
- First appearance of Matt Cable. He appears next in Swamp Thing #2.
- First appearance of Mister E. and the Conclave.
- First and only appearance of Bruno - one of Mister E.'s thugs; dies in this issue.
- First and only known appearance to date of Louisiana Blue.
- First and only appearance of Maxwell Ferrett; dies in this issue.
- First appearance of Mutt - Swamp Thing's dog.
- Anton Arcane and his Un-Men make a one-page cameo appearance at the end of this issue. They make their first full appearance in Swamp Thing #2.