DC Comics Presents #8 — “The Sixty Deaths of Solomon Grundy” Synopsis

DC Comics Presents #8 (April 1979) features the crossover story “Superman and the Swamp Thing: The Sixty Deaths of Solomon Grundy” by Steve Englehart, with art by Murphy Anderson and cover by José Luis García-López  

Story Overview

The Swamp Thing is traveling through the sewers of Metropolis, haunted by memories of the freak accident that transformed him. He has been searching the world for a cure, and after reading about Superman’s battle with Solomon Grundy in the Daily Planet, he believes Grundy may hold a clue. Grundy, a monstrous being born from a swamp, has been killing people — and the Swamp Thing has been counting his deaths, reaching the ominous number “sixty”  

Key Plot Points

• The Swamp Thing arrives in Metropolis at the same time Superman is hunting Grundy after the creature attacks a train.

• Superman attempts to stop Grundy, but the Swamp Thing intervenes, trying to prevent Superman from destroying the monster before he can study it.

• In the fight, the Swamp Thing’s arm is torn off, but he still helps Grundy knock out Superman.

• Grundy, impressed by the Swamp Thing’s actions, begins to see him as a friend and agrees to follow him through the sewers