Swamp Thing (Volume 2) #9 is an issue of the series Swamp Thing (Volume 2) with a cover date of January, 1983.
Synopsis for "Prelude to Holocaust"
Swamp Thing, Liz Tremayne and Dennis Barclay arrive in New Jersey, where their helicopter (created by Reef in the previous issue) disintegrates. Meanwhile in Washington DC, Harry Kay takes Paul Feldner to a Sunderland facility to be treated by the Receptor method (explained in issue 5). We then see a flashback of the moment when Feldner is set ablaze by Karen Clancy. Communicating through Milton Grossman, she explains that she has discovered that Feldner was not the true catalyst ("The host whose powers I may drain and take unto myself") and that one of Kay's henchmen, David Marx is. If there was any doubt of her malevolence before, it is now shown clearly. She develops into a fully grown woman over Feldner's burning body and offers to spare him in exchange for Marx. Marx goes willingly to save Feldner's life.
We then discover that Harry Kay is actually a Nazi war criminal called Dr. Helmut Kripptman and he is operating his own mission, separate from the Sunderland Corporation. We also discover that Grasp somehow survived his death in issue 2 and is spying on Kay for General Sunderland. Grasp also has orders to destroy Swamp Thing.
Swamp Thing seems to have understood Karen's true nature now and is overcome with melancholy because he believed that she was the only person who truly understood and needed him.
Dennis, Liz and Swamp Thing are confronted by Kay at the Barclay clinic where he explains that he is trying to obtain "information of vital importance to the future of the world" and asks for their cooperation. They decline and Milton, on Kripptman's order attacks them with psychic powers.
Appearing in "Prelude to Holocaust"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Sunderland Corporation
- General Sunderland
- Walter "Grasp" Ellenbeck
Other Characters:
- Karen "Casey" Clancy
- David Marx
- Milton Grossman
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Sanctuary of Shadow"
The Phantom Stranger and a builder investigate a murder and strange phenomena inside a church scheduled for demolition.
Appearing in "Sanctuary of Shadow"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- "Prelude to Holocaust" is reprinted in Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Vol. 3.
Trivia
- Liz Tremayne is 32 years old, according to a newspaper headline shown in this issue.
See Also