WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #6!
While D.C. Other worlds are famous for offering bold reinterpretations of iconic heroes, the Black Knights of Steel universe takes it a step further, completely flipping the script in a Justice League the hero's powers – granting them an ability that is the exact opposite of their typical canon representation. This isn't just a radical change for the hero; it also marks his most powerful upgrade in any continuity.
By intertwining his powers and motives with humanity, the series shifts the character's focus away from plants – an especially bold choice…
Jay Kristoff, Tirso Cons, and Wes Abbott's Deathstroke-centric high fantasy series Dark Knights Steel: All Winterconcluded with the release of issue #6. This story follows Slade Wilson, an axe-wielding mercenary with a dark past, as he traverses a kingdom ravaged by an icy curse.
This curse, triggered by Victor “Mr. Freeze” as revenge for Slade's accidental 'murder' of his wife, Nora, he stripped the land of color and plunged it into an eternal winter. In its climactic finale, issue #6 pits Deathstroke and Swamp Thing against Mr. Freeze, although Alec Holland is far from what Swamp Thing fans are familiar with.
Who is the swamp thing from Earth-118?
C card stock variant of Ilari Grohn's cover for Dark Knights Steel: All Winter #6 (2024)
In Dark Knights Steel: All WinterAlec Holland is presented as a boy, contrasting sharply with the enormous green fans normally associated with Swamp Thing. However, Alec's uniqueness is immediately apparent, as he retains all of his color in a realm devoid of it. Initially under the tutelage of Adeline Kane, Alec's care passes to Slade Wilson after Adeline is killed in battle by Rose. “Devastating” Wilson. Determined to fulfill her mission, Slade takes it upon himself to protect Alec and guide him to the kingdom's capital in hopes of ending eternal winter.
Throughout the series, Alec's powers remain shrouded in mystery. However, it is eventually confirmed that he is connected to “The Green”—a primordial force linked to all plant life. This connection, a trademark of the Swamp Thing character, remains intact even in this Other worlds narrative, maintaining the same element about the character. That's why, It's Alec's unique connection to The Green, combined with his vibrant, colorful appearance in a colorless world, that strongly suggests he holds the key to breaking Mr. Green's curse. However, the full scope of his powers and the exact method by which he lifts the curse remain unknown until issue #6.
Alec Holland gets major power upgrade in Black Knights of Steel
The powers of swamp things expand past plant life to encompass all life
As mentioned earlier, Dark Knights Steel: All Winter reaches its climax with Deathstroke doing battle with Mr. Freeze, while Alec struggles to figure out how to break the curse and end eternal winter. The tide of battle quickly turns against Slade, who is left incapacitated inside a block of ice. Just as defeat seems imminent, reinforcements arrive in the form of Prince Bruce Wayne of the Kingdom of El and the seemingly resurrected Adeline Kane. When Slade questions how she is alive, Adeline responds that she doesn't know, remembering only “darkness” followed by “color.”
This revelation – that Adeline experienced death but was brought back with color –provides Alec with crucial insight: his powers go beyond restoring plant life to reviving human life. Armed with this realization, Alec rushes to Nora, who remains suspended in her ice coffin, trapped between life and death. Placing his hands against the ice, Alec channels his powers into her and orders her to awaken. In an explosion of light and color, Nora is fully revived, breaking Freeze's curse. The land is restored to its vibrant hues, and the undead slaves return to their human forms, marking the triumphant end of the curse.
Black Knights of Steel Completely overturned canon image of Swamp Things
C card stock variant of the cover by Christian Ward for Dark Knights Steel: All Winter #2 (2024)
Although the Swamp Thing has long been synonymous with plant life, its ability to restore human life in Black Knights of Steel marks a marked departure from their traditional powers. This reimagining goes even further by portraying Alec as a small human child rather than the gigantic plant monsters fans are familiar with. By intertwining his powers and motives with humanity, the series shifts the character's focus away from plants—an especially bold choice for a figure best known for prioritizing plant life over human life. This more human-centered role and narrative stands out as one of the most radical and unique portrayals of Swamp Thing the date.
Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #6 is now available from DC Comics!