4. Alan Moore's Swamp Thing
Of the comic books on this list only the Swamp Thing had already experienced the kind of critical acclaim that raises a characters popularity profile, but by the time Alan Moore arrived, the series, despite a less-than-popular feature film, was once again in danger of cancellation. Although Wein and Wrightsons version of the muck monster is also considered a classic, it was Moore s version that literally deconstructed and reconstituted the creature and comics themselves in the process into something wholly different. Moores particular brand of alchemy not only garnered the series a host of awards, but, miraculously, made the character popular enough that yet another attempt was made to translate that success into a feature film, despite the fact that the storylines Moore was writing (like a romance and, yes, even a kind of intercourse between a human and a
plant) seem unthinkable for any kind of film not directed by the likes of David Lynch. Moore s tenure also led to the character being given a television series as well, but his biggest influence was completely changing the game of comic writing itself. Even though his run was never under the imprint itself, theres no denying that the ghost of Moore s Swamp Thing lurks between each and every panel of DCs mature readers line, Vertigo.