House of Secrets

By the early 1970s, House of Secrets had firmly established itself as one of DC Comics’ premier horror anthologies. Originally launched in 1956, the series had undergone multiple retoolings, shifting away from traditional superhero tales toward atmospheric mystery and gothic suspense — a move that aligned with the rising popularity of horror in comics.

In July 1971, issue #92 of House of Secrets debuted what would become one of the most iconic horror characters in comic history: Swamp Thing. Created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, this moody, tragic tale of love, death, and transformation captivated readers with its haunting visuals and unexpected emotional depth.

The standalone story in House of Secrets #92 wasn’t originally intended to launch a franchise. But reader response was so strong that DC reimagined the character for an ongoing series the following year. This would eventually lead to Swamp Thing becoming a cornerstone of DC’s darker mythos, inspiring multiple volumes, films, and television adaptations.

Today, House of Secrets #92 is celebrated not just for introducing Swamp Thing, but for signaling a shift in comic storytelling — blending horror, humanity, and atmosphere in ways rarely seen before.