Swamp Thing, Vol. 2

Late at night, an exhausted Otter staggers into the Holland home with the news that Professor Johnson is dead and people are after him! Swamp Thing ponders how much recent events feel like the work of Avery Sunderland, yet he knows Avery is dead. Troy Washington and Carl Vinter, unnerved by the recent cross burning, are moving out of Chester's home. Swamp Thing and Otter discuss the Professor's death; neither understands why Sunderland should send an assassin over a few front end loaders. But there is a computer file about Project: Proteus, that Otter and others have seen. Chester sits at home, thinking and growing angry. He eyes a shotgun that leans against the wall. Michelle and Spike come to Chester's home to collect Otter; halfway up the walk, Spike falls dead! Chester bursts out, waving the shotgun! Chester realizes who Michelle is, and together they decide to see Swamp Thing. Before they can get there, the Needleman strikes! But the shotgun fires and Swamp Thing hears that. His vines seize the Needleman, who explains that Johnson and the Spike, were killed for being Swamp Thing's friends! He lunges, as best he can, stabbing at Swamp Thing! Seeing he can't kill Swamp Thing, Needleman bites on a poisoned tooth and dies! The Bon Ton Rulers will go to Colorado for a time. Swamp Thing wonders what Sunderland's next move will be; Constance receives the news of Neiderman's death with equanimity. After all, the world is full of Doctor Neidermans...