*Horror/Mystery 1960-1980s: This comic is from the Manhattan Collection – see above. Not long after House of Secrets’ ‘rebranding’ as a horror title (following its decades as a genteel sci-fi series), issue #92 saw a story that transcended the traditional one-off horror genre, and launched a character who became a major star for DC, including TV and film appearances. In ‘Swamp Thing’, we were introduced to Alex Olsen and Damien Ridge, 19th century best friends whose love for the same woman led Damien to murder Alex after Alex had married the beautiful Linda. Later, however, when Linda began to suspect the truth, Damien planned to murder her too: but her life was saved by Alex, returned from the swamp as a subhuman plant-creature. Linda fled from the creature in horror, never realising that the beast who saved her was her beloved Alex. This classic tale of love, betrayal and revenge, masterfully told by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson, struck a powerful chord with the readership, and a 20th century version of the character was launched in his own series, and has starred in some of the most critically acclaimed stories in the comics medium written by Alan Moore. The distinctive greytone cover skilfully evokes a feeling of imminent menace, and is one of the most consistently ‘homaged’ images in comics. The cover colours are rich and atmospheric, and the cover itself unmarked. There are some stress marks at the spine, only breaking cover at the very extreme left edge. Very minor handling wear at bottom and right edges. Tiny soft crease across very tip of top right corner does not break colour. Staples are tight and firm; pages are a very supple near white. A lovely copy from this prestigious and well-curated collection. High resolution images are available on request. 
PICTURED: HOUSE OF SECRETS #92 FN/VF £1,500