Matthew Cable
title: "Matthew Cable" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["anthropomorphic-ravens", "characters-created-by-len-wein", "comics-characters-introduced-in-1972", "dc-comics-characters-who-use-magic", "dc-comics-film-characters", "fictional-american-spies", "fictional-ravens", "male-characters-in-comics", "the-sandman-(comic-book)"] topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Cable" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox comics character"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| image | Vvostokdcu0.jpg |
| image_size | 225 |
| caption | Matthew Cable and Valentina Vostok as depicted in Showcase #96 (January 1978). |
| Art by Jim Aparo. | |
| character_name | Matthew Cable |
| publisher | DC Comics |
| debut | As Matthew Cable: |
| Swamp Thing #1 (November 1972) | |
| As a raven: | |
| The Sandman (vol. 2) #11 (December 1989) | |
| creators | Len Wein |
| Bernie Wrightson | |
| full_name | Matthew Joseph Cable |
| species | Human (former) |
| Raven (current) | |
| aliases | |
| supports | |
| :: |
| image=Vvostokdcu0.jpg | image_size=225 | caption=Matthew Cable and Valentina Vostok as depicted in Showcase #96 (January 1978). Art by Jim Aparo. | character_name = Matthew Cable | publisher = DC Comics | debut = As Matthew Cable: Swamp Thing #1 (November 1972) As a raven: The Sandman (vol. 2) #11 (December 1989) | creators = Len Wein Bernie Wrightson | alter_ego = | full_name = Matthew Joseph Cable | species = Human (former) Raven (current) | homeworld = | alliances = | aliases = | supports= | powers = 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.
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. 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. Cable manages to send Arcane back to Hell, but succumbs to his wounds and falls into a coma. While comatose, Cable spends time in the Dreaming before briefly regaining consciousness. He destroys the machinery sustaining him, thus ending his life. Cable is later resurrected by Dream of the Endless in the form of a raven, serving as his companion.
In other media
Television
- Matthew Cable appears in Swamp Thing (2019), portrayed by Henderson Wade. This version is a police officer.
- Matthew the Raven appears in The Sandman (2022), voiced by Patton Oswalt.
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 Sandman (2020), voiced by Andy Serkis.
References
References
- Hurst, Ashley. (July 11, 2022). "Netflix 'The Sandman' Series: Everything We Know So Far".
- ''Swamp Thing'' (vol. 2) #17 (October 1983)
- ''[[Swamp Thing (comic book). Swamp Thing]]'' (vol. 2) #27 (August 1984)
- ''Swamp Thing'' (vol. 2) #31 (December 1984)
- ''Swamp Thing'' (vol. 2) #84 (March 1989)
- ''[[The Sandman (comic book). The Sandman]]'' (vol. 2) #11 (December 1989)
- Irvine, Alex. (2008). "The Vertigo Encyclopedia". [[Dorling Kindersley]].
- (September 28, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Jennifer Beals Joins DC Universe Series In Recurring Role". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
- Boucher, Goeff. (November 7, 2018). "'Riverdale' Actor Henderson Wade Joins 'Swamp Thing' Cast As Matt Cable". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
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