Baron von Emmelman was a German WW1 flying ace who was shot down over a Polish swamp. He died. The swamp claimed his body and then … magical stuff happened. Two decades after the Baron died, the Heap shuffled out of the swamp and into the hearts of millions.
Happy Birthday to:
Adam Scott Glancy
Sounds similar to the origin of Solomon Grundy
Solomon Grundy first appeared in 1944. The Heap first appeared in 1942. Both are preceded by “It” a short story about a swamp monster written by Theodore Sturgeon, published in 1940.