WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for The Swamp Thing #4 by Ram V, Mike Perkins, Mike Spicer, Aditya Bidikar, on sale now.
The new Swamp Thing has finally learned what the Green truly is, thanks to a history lesson with his predecessor, Alec Holland, who revealed that -- in part -- the Green is a collection of the memories of all those who have ever been connected to the Green. While Levi Kamei, is ultimately the Swamp Thing, every previous incarnation of the DC hero lives on through the Green. This revelation helps to provide a touching end to Alec Holland's tenure as the Avatar of the Green after he helped usher in the "Infinite Frontier" era.
While exploring the green, Levi was given an explanation on what this strange world truly was by a manifestation of Alec Holland. Having been once on the receiving end of the confusing world that comes with being Swamp Thing, Alec helped Levi tap into the mass of living information that encompasses the creature. Still new to this, Levi had difficulty describing what he was seeing, but Alec had the perfect word for it all: memories.
In the Green, everything mattered and was remembered, an appropriate sentiment considering Alec helped save the multiverse by assisting Wonder Woman in reestablishing its lost history. But the Green's version of everything mattering was far more personal for its representatives. When the Green chooses a new companion, they retain parts of their personality, but the wisdom and experience of past Avatars are available for them to call upon should they ever need it. This was the case for Alec, who revealed he was just one collection of memories here to help Levi whenever he needed assistance. But he also gave Levi the emotional support he needed to carry on, trusting that Levi was chosen as his successor for a reason.
In this regard, no Avatar of the Green ever truly dies, living on in the memories of the Swamp Thing. He carries their collective lives within himself, coalescing them into one Avatar, each stronger than the last as another soul is gifted with the power.
Levi proved this when he recognized Jason Woodrue, despite having never met him before as Levi. This means that the Swamp Thing has a nearly infinite amount of knowledge to draw upon as needed.
This revelation gives Alec Holland a fitting sendoff. His time as Swamp Thing was not always easy and there were some dark moments, but he passed the torch to his successor after helping to reconnect an entire reality to what it had lost, both good and bad. It was the perfect ending, at least for now, for someone who embodies the Green by remembering that both good and bad memories are what keeps the Green healthy and in balance with humanity. The Green needs that context and complexity to continue thriving. And now Alec has handed the reins over to someone he believes can continue that noble mission.