In a secret facility located in the Louisiana bayous, scientist Alec Holland and his wife Linda invent a bio-restorative formula that can solve any nations' food shortage problems.

Two thugs working for Nathan Ellery, head of the criminal organization the Conclave, barge into Alec's lab, knock him out, and plant a bomb in the facility.

His body is drenched in bio-restorative formula, and this affects the plant life of the swamp, imbuing it with Alec's consciousness and memories.

In Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Monitor and Alexander Luthor Jr. recruit Swamp Thing and John Constantine to battle the Anti-Monitor.

In his absence, amateur photojournalist Howard Fleck releases photos of Swamp Thing and Abby, causing a scandal and leading her to flee to Gotham City.

In Brightest Day, Alec Holland is resurrected by the Life Entity, while Swamp Thing temporarily becomes an avatar of the Black Lantern Corps.

Later, Swamp Thing enters the Rot to stop Anton Arcane and joins Justice League Dark in battling Doctor Destiny and the Crime Syndicate.

This version lives with the long-retired Pamela Isley and encounters a plant doppelganger she had created prior to keep Batman from locating her.