History:  (Swamp Thing VI #3 (fb), 4 (fb)) - Matt Cable was an FBI agent assigned to protect Alec Holland, who was working on a bio-restorative formula. Alec died in a fiery blaze, leading to the creation of Swamp Thing. Matt went on Swamp Thing's early adventurers, and became close to Abigail Arcane. His career felt boring after he stopped working with them, and after being fired from the FBI he spent his time to finding a way to return Swamp Thing to human.

(Swamp Thing VI #2-4) - Matt scoured the world talking to magicians to find a cure for Alec. Swamp Thing went another round with his favorite boa constrictor; he'd come to appreciate their tussles over the years. Someone shot the snake's head off, and Swamp Thing was furious until he saw it was Matt Cable, who mistakenly thought he was saving Swamp Thing's life. Matt said he quit the FBI shortly after the adventures he went on with Swamp Thing and Abigail Arcane, and had devoted his time to finding a way to restore Swamp Thing's humanity. In the hidden city of Nanda Parbat he found the mystic Hand of Fatima. He didn't know how to use it, so they contacted Zatanna, who agreed to help despite her thinking Swamp Thing was making a mistake. She performed a spell to activate the Hand, and collapsed. Alec Holland was human again, but now Matt was the Swamp Thing. Zatanna knew the cosmic balance meant there had to be a Swamp Thing and she assumed Alec knew that. Matt said he hadn't told Alec the whole truth because his friend wouldn't have gone through with it otherwise. Back in the bayou Matt told Alec to enjoy his humanity, but Alec insisted on teaching him how to use his Swamp Thing powers. Alec was finally satisfied that Matt was ready when they ran into a poacher and Matt ripped him to shreds, claiming he didn't know his own strength. He told Alec to leave again, but now Alec was determined to keep an eye on him. Matt / Swamp Thing walked to Houma to announce his presence, attacking anyone who got in his way, and drawing the attention of the police and media. He told Alec he'd craved his power, and intended to police the world with it. Alec objected, and Matt summoned vines to pull him under the Earth.

Comments: Created by Len Wein & Berni Wrightson.

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