Comic Title: Secret of the Swamp Thing TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2005
On Sale Date: September 8, 2005 Direct Market Date September 8, 2005
Source: Previews, Vol. 15 #7 (#199)

Direct Market Date September 8, 2005
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Thursday, September 8, 2005

Direct Market Date September 8, 2005
Source: Comic Shop News, #948

Cover Price: $9.99
Page Count: 232
Editor: Scott Nybakken

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: (The Man Who Wanted Forever)
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Swamp Thing (of Earth-1)

Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Bernie Wrightson
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Glynis Wein (Oliver)

Reprinted From:
Swamp Thing #2 (1972)

Feature Character(s)

• Swamp Thing (last appearance in Swamp Thing #1; next appearance in Swamp Thing #3)

Supporting Character(s)

• Matt Cable (last appearance in Swamp Thing #1; next appearance in Swamp Thing #3)
• Patchwork Man (Gregori Arcane; name not given in this story; first appearance; last appearance in Swamp Thing #3; next appearance in Swamp Thing #3)

Villain(s)

• Anton Arcane (last appearance in Swamp Thing #1; next appearance in Swamp Thing #10)
• Un-Men (Ophidian and Cranius named in this story; last appearance in Swamp Thing #1; next appearance in Swamp Thing #10)
• The Conclave (last appearance in Swamp Thing #1; next appearance in Swamp Thing #3)
• Mister E (last appearance in Swamp Thing #1; next appearance in Swamp Thing #3)

Other Character(s)

• Mutt (last appearance in Swamp Thing #1; next appearance in Swamp Thing #3)
• Mike and another man (associates of Matt Cable; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Alec Holland (in flashback)
• Linda Holland (in flashback)
• Maxwell Ferrett (in flashback)
• Bruno (in flashback)
• Ferrett's unnamed associate (in flashback)

Synopsis:
An occultist named Arcane has observed the creation of the Swamp Thing. He sends his Un-Men, synthetic creatures of his own creation, to retrieve Swamp Thing. The creatures overpower the swamp monster and knock him unconscious. Swamp Thing is then taken by plane across the Atlantic to Arcane's castle.

When Swamp Thing revives, Arcane explains that he can restore Alec Holland to his human form. In exchange, Arcane, a withered old man, will take over the body of the swamp monster. Swamp Thing agrees to the deal, and Arcane uses magic to complete the transference.

Although, Alec is pleased to be human once more, he misses his wife. He then learns that Arcane intends to use his new body to acquire power and to initiate acts of revenge against nearby villagers. Horrified that he made such evil possible, Alec destroys the mystic conduit that completed the transference. Alec becomes Swamp Thing once more, and Arcane resumes his withered form. Arcane is furious, but he is forced to flee from the more powerful Swamp Thing. Arcane falls from a window to his presumed death. His loyal Un-Men follow him to their own demise.