Alex Olsen (New Earth)

From DC Database

Contents 1 History 2 Powers and Abilities 2.1 Powers 2.2 Abilities 2.3 Strength level 3 Trivia 4 See Also 5 Links and References 5.1 Footnotes

History

Alex Olsen was a brilliant young scientist who lived during the early years of the 20th century. As a young man, he met and fell in love with a woman named Linda. The two soon wed, but their marriage would last barely a year before tragedy was set to befall them. ^[1]

Alex's assistant, Damian Ridge had secretly pined for Linda's affections. Although Alex was his best friend, he could not abide watching him living in bliss with the woman he secretly adored.

In 1905, Damian waited until Alex had gone to bed, and then crept down into the laboratory to tamper with his experiments. He altered some of the chemical solutions in the lab and waited for Alex to resume his work. The following evening when Alex attempted to complete his projects, the unstable chemicals exploded nearly killing him in the process. Damian dragged Alex's body out of the house and dumped it into the nearby swamp where he left him for dead. With Alex out of the way, Damian now mustered the courage to pursue Linda. ^[2]

Damian never told Linda the truth concerning his involvement in Alex's demise, but he took advantage of her suffering and played the part of the concerned friend. In time, Linda fell in love with Damian and the two were married.

As time passed, Damian began to believe that Linda suspected his complicity in her ex-husband's death. Linda knew that Damian was a man of many secrets, but could never allow herself to think that he could actually murder another human being – let alone his best friend. Damian could no longer endure his growing suspicion however. Although he loved her dearly, he was prepared to end Linda's life if it meant keeping his secret safe.

What neither Damian nor Linda realized though was that Alex Olsen never truly died. His chemically bathed body reacted with the vegetation of the nearby swamplands, transforming him into a shambling, muck-encrusted Swamp Thing. Unable to lend voice to the rage growing inside of him, he swore that Damian would pay the price for his betrayal. The Swamp Thing burst through the windows of the Olsen estate and attacked Damian. Easily snapping his neck with his powerful fingers, he let Damian's corpse slide down onto the floor. Linda emerged in the room and began screaming. The Swamp Thing turned towards her, but was unable to tell her that he was in fact her lost husband. Terrified, Linda ran from his presence.

Lost and alone, the Swamp Thing abandoned his past existence, preferring to live in solitude in the swamplands that would become his home. He befriended a group of Cajuns and helped them to understand their relationship with nature. The Caujuns referred to the Swamp Thing as Bon Gumbo. ^[3]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• Immortality:
• Invulnerability:
• Elemental Control:
• Resurrection:
• Superhuman Strength:

  Abilities

Alex Olsen was a brilliant scientist and maintained his intellect even after the accident that transformed him into the Swamp Thing. However, he no longer possessed the manuel dexterity required to handle delicate instruments.

Strength level

The Swamp Thing's ultimate strength level is unknown, but he has been shown to snap a grown man's neck with little to no effort.

Trivia

• Alex Olsen's first appearance in House of Secrets #92 is often mis-credited as the first appearance of Swamp Thing (Alec Holland).

• Although never confirmed, it is likely that Linda Olsen Ridge is a direct ancestor of Linda Holland (whose maiden name was Olsen Ridge). Linda Holland became the wife of scientist, Alec Holland, the future Swamp Thing.

• Sometimes compared to Marvel Comics' Man-Thing who debuted in May, 1971.

See Also

• Discuss Alex Olsen (New Earth) on the forums
• Appearances of Alex Olsen (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: Alex Olsen (New Earth)
• Quotations by Alex Olsen (New Earth)
• Images featuring Alex Olsen (New Earth)

Links and References

• Swamp Thing at Wikipedia
• Swamp Thing at Sequart
• Swamp Thing at Toonopedia
• Swamp Thing at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
• Swamp Thing Annotations
• Swamp Thing movie entry at the Internet Movie Databse (IMDB)
• Return of the Swamp Thing movie entry at the Internet Movie Database
• Swamp Thing live-action television series at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB)
• Swamp Thing animated series at the Internet Movie Database (IMDB)
  

Footnotes

1. ↑ House of Secrets (Volume 1) #92
2. ↑ Swamp Thing (Volume 2) #47
3. ↑ Swamp Thing (Volume 2) #33

Swamp Thing Character This character specifically relates to the Swamp Thing and is predominantly seen in the Swamp Thing family of titles. This character may be part of the Swamp Thing's supporting cast, a minor acquaintance, or one of his adversaries. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Swamp Thing Characters category.