'Injustice 2' news: Swamp Thing confirmed as playable character; creative director Ed Boon announces mobile game

Sheanne Aguila Friday, February 17, 2017

A screenshot from the "Injustice 2" story trailer | Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Swamp Thing is heading to NetherRealm Studio's upcoming fighting game, "Injustice 2."

The humanoid plant hero joins the recently revealed character, Black Canary, bringing the roster to 19 fighters. In the character reveal trailer, Swamp Thing shows off his skills of manipulating vegetation, even to the point of creating a clone of himself during a match. The clip also highlights his various attacks that enable him to grab opponents from afar, along with his teleportation abilities.

Created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson in the early 1970s, Swamp Thing previously starred in a feature film directed by Wes Craven back in 1982. The character was reinvented by writer Alan Moore during the mid-'80s for "The Saga of the Swamp Thing" comics. Swamp Thing later made appearances in the sequel film, "The Return of the Swamp Thing," and a scripted series on the USA Network. Reports say that he's been one of the most requested characters to be included in "Injustice 2," trailing behind Blue Beetle in a poll posted in 2016 by NetherRealm Studios creative director Ed Boon.

Meanwhile, Boon announced on Twitter today that a mobile version of "Injustice 2" will soon be officially released. "Yes #Injustice2 is coming to mobile! Brand new app with tons of new features, modes & all new combat system! More info soon!" Boon tweeted, along with a photo featuring four screengrabs from the app.

The first game in the franchise, "Injustice: Gods Among Us," also debuted with a companion mobile app for iOS and Android. It enabled players to compete by using a touch-based fighting system inspired by the main game. According to TouchArcade, the new mobile game has already seen a soft-launch in the Philippines, featuring an upgraded version of the first installment's mobile companion.

Developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, "Injustice 2" will be available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One starting Tuesday, May 16.