Wrightson started his professional life in 1966 as an illustrator for The Baltimore Sun. Two years later, he joined DC Comics, where his work became a regular presence in House of Mystery and House of Secrets. Working with writer Len Wein, he introduced Swamp Thing in House of Secrets #92 in 1971. The character quickly proved strong enough to anchor its own title, and Wrightson illustrated the first ten issues of the new series.
By 1974, Wrightson had moved into work for Warren Publishing, contributing to its line of black‑and‑white horror magazines. He produced adaptations of classic stories such as Poe’s The Black Cat and Lovecraft’s Cool Air, and later illustrated Stephen King’s screenplay for Creepshow in 1982—a collaboration that led to several more projects with King. Wrightson also devoted years to an illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, published in 1983, a project often regarded as one of his defining achievements.
