Matthew Cable

Matthew Joseph Cable is a character appearing in DC Comics' Swamp Thing series. Introduced in Swamp Thing (Volume 1) in November 1972, he was created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson. Years later, the character dies in The Dreaming and is later resurrected as Dream's raven in Neil Gaiman's rendition of The Sandman.^[1]

Matthew Cable
Matthew Cable and Valentina Vostok as depicted in Showcase #96 (January 1978). Art by Jim Aparo.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	As Matthew Cable: Swamp Thing #1 (November 1972) As a raven: The Sandman (vol. 2) #11 (December 1989)
Created by	Len Wein Bernie Wrightson
In-story information
Full name	Matthew Joseph Cable
Species	Human (former) Raven (current)

Henderson Wade played Matthew Cable in the television series based on the comic book series of the same name for the DC streaming service. In The Sandman, Matthew's raven form is voiced by Patton Oswalt.

Fictional character biography

Matthew Cable is a government agent assigned to protect Alec Holland and Linda Holland as they work on their bio-restorative formula in the Louisiana bayou. Cable fails to save them from the machinations of the Conclave, a secret organization that wants the couple to work for its own ends, and the Hollands are killed. When Swamp Thing rises from the bayou, Cable believes it was responsible for the Hollands' deaths and sets out to avenge them. Cable's search take him through the Balkans, where he meets Abby Arcane, niece of Anton Arcane. For years, Swamp Thing believes himself to be Holland; after learning this, Cable lets him go. Cable and Abby later marry and settle in Houma, Louisiana.

Cable's mind later becomes damaged, which gives him the ability to alter reality. His marriage with Abby begins to deteriorate.^[2] After a fight with Abby that culminates in her leaving to find Swamp Thing, Cable drives after her. Having been drinking heavily, he ends up crashing his car, mortally wounding himself. Anton Arcane, who was previously killed, possesses Cable's body, gaining his abilities.^[3] Cable manages to send Arcane back to Hell, but succumbs to his wounds and falls into a coma.^[4] While comatose, Cable spends time in the Dreaming before briefly regaining consciousness. He destroys the machinery sustaining him, thus ending his life.^[5] Cable is later resurrected by Dream of the Endless in the form of a raven, serving as his companion.^[6][7]

In other media

Television

• Matthew Cable appears in Swamp Thing (2019), portrayed by Henderson Wade. This version is a police officer.^[8][9]
• Matthew the Raven appears in The Sandman, voiced by Patton Oswalt.^[1]

Film

Alice Cable, a character based on Matthew Cable and Abby Holland, appears in Swamp Thing (1982), portrayed by Adrienne Barbeau.

Miscellaneous

Matthew the Raven appears in the Audible adaptation of The Sandman, voiced by Andy Serkis.

See also

• List of characters in The Sandman

External links

• Roots of the Swamp Thing - A detailed timeline chronicling Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, and related titles in chronological order, which includes the life of Matthew Cable.
• Matthew the Raven at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)