DC Publishes Controversial Swamp Thing Storyline from the 1980s
After 37 years, DC Comics is finally releasing “Morning of the Magician”, a long-shelved and controversial Swamp Thing storyline. Written by Rick Veitch with art by Michael Zulli, the story follows Swamp Thing as he travels back in time and encounters the Christ. In a provocative twist, the Three Wise Men are depicted as sinister sorcerers attempting to kill the Nazarene(Jesus Christ) by summoning a demon.
Talking about demon, the issue also features Etrigan the Demon, reimagined here as a Roman soldier.
Originally intended for publication in 1989 as issue #88 of DC-Vertigo Swamp Thing, the story was ultimately pulled by then DC president and editor-in-chief Jenette Kahn, who deemed it too controversial for release due to its religious theme. In response, Veitch left the company in protest, and the issue remained unpublished for decades.
Now, in April 2026, the story is finally seeing the light of day under DC Black Label, an imprint known for its mature, creator-driven storytelling. It will be released as part of a four-issue miniseries titled Swamp Thing 1989.
The decision to publish “Morning of the Magician” after nearly four decades reflects a changing comics landscape, one more open to challenging themes and experimental narratives that might once have been considered off-limits.