DC’s Swamp Thing is one of the most successful horror comic characters of all time, and he has starred in a surprising number of movies and TV shows. Debuting in House of Secrets #92, Swamp Thing was co-created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson. He was spun off into his own book that began running in late 1972.
The most famous version of the vegetable hero was once a scientist named Alec Holland. The chemist was murdered, and his plant growth formula caused him to transform into Swamp Thing. As the comics progressed, the character evolved from a backwoods folk icon into a major part of the DC universe. Many writers made their mark on the character.
Alan Moore is perhaps the most notable writer to work on the Swamp Thing comics, and the intellectual Brit completely revolutionized the character. Moore injected all sorts of new ideas into the mythos of Swamp Thing, including a distinctly existential tone. Every book published in the decades since has owed a debt of gratitude to Moore’s time writing Swamp Thing.
Swamp Thing has been adapted into other forms of media. He’s headlined two movies and three TV shows, but they are of varying quality. He’s a tricky character to pull off, and DC has struggled to do anything worthwhile with the character in quite some time. As the new DCEU takes shape, there may be a place for Swamp Thing.
5 Swamp Thing (1991)
Even nostalgic cartoon aficionados might have a hard time remembering that Swamp Thing had his very own short-lived cartoon series in the early 1990s. Running for only five episodes, the cartoon was created to coincide with a line of Swamp Thing toys hitting stores. It ran alongside the live-action show of the same name.
Like most adaptations, the series follows Swampie as he takes on his arch-nemesis Anton Arcane. It also introduces a host of Un-Men villains all with distinct appearances and names (to sell more toys). Meanwhile, Swamp Thing is joined by two new allies who are perfect for action figures too. It looks like any other Saturday morning cartoon, but lacks charm.
The cynical nature of 1991’s Swamp Thing is so obvious that it has none of the fun of other toy-centric cartoons like TMNT or Transformers. For a show aimed at kids, the series is surprisingly dull and lifeless. Compared to the 1989 movie or even its live-action counterpart, the five-episode series is a bland experience.
4 Swamp Thing (1990-1993)
There was never a better time to be a Swamp Thing fan than in the early 1990s, and the mean green fighting machine was on the small screen every week on the USA Network. The live-action half-hour series ran for three seasons, and even brought Dick Durock to play the title character.
Shot at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, the live-action Swamp Thing series has the quirks of a low-budget TV series from that era. The running time keeps the show from ever dragging, but it also keeps it from being meaty fare. Superhero TV shows weren’t taken seriously back then, so Swamp Thing has its tongue firmly in its cheek.
As a companion to the movies, it isn’t that bad. It’s good for a quick diversion, and there’s a reason it ran for three seasons instead of promptly being canceled. When taken as a whole, Swamp Thing was clearly a work in progress across its 72 episodes. It was never consistent, which did hurt it in the long run.
The show gained a cult following, and it fits well with other overly ambitious sci-fi or fantasy shows that aired in the ’90s. It’s far from perfect, but is good for a dose of nostalgia and a reminder of the simpler days of TV. Considering how far superhero TV shows have come, Swamp Thing is a fascinating relic.
3 Swamp Thing (1982)
Iconic horror director Wes Craven was tapped to helm the 1982 adaptation of Swamp Thing, but it isn’t a fondly remembered part of his filmography. Swamp Thing’s first jump from page to screen is his classic origin story brought to life, and it introduces Alec Holland and the nefarious Anton Arcane.
Made on a small budget, the first Swamp Thing movie is hit-or-miss. There are flashes of humor that don’t go anywhere, and the action is hampered by budget constraints. Dick Durock’s performance as Swamp Thing is arguably the best part of the movie, and he would return to play the character in the sequel and TV show too.
Nevertheless, Swamp Thing is a cult classic in its own right. It’s a fun little superhero flick that stands in contrast to blockbuster movies like Superman. There wasn’t a lot to work with in the Swamp Thing comics at that point in history, so the movie deserves credit for piecing together a story to fit in the feature film format.
2 Swamp Thing (2019)
It now seems as if DC’s cinematic universe has finally found a trajectory after years of uncertainty, and the previous DCEU is littered with failed projects. The Swamp Thing series from 2019 was one such failed project, though it scored high marks from critics and was generally enjoyed by anyone who actually watched it.
The show premiered on the paid subscription service, DC Universe, but was canceled only a few episodes into its 10-episode first season. It’s essentially Swamp Thing’s origin story again, but this time from the perspective of Abby Arcane, a prominent figure from the comics. The 2019 series opted for a darker and grittier approach, which was appreciated.
Using Alan Moore’s version as a guide, Swamp Thing is existential and atmospheric. The show uses practical effects, and is closer to its horror roots. Most importantly, it has a plot that goes much deeper than Swamp Thing and his origins. It’s clear the writers had bigger plans if they were given the chance to continue the show.
If the show had been granted at least one more season, it would have been the best Swamp Thing movie or TV show by far. Unfortunately, its sudden ending and unfinished plotlines make it difficult to revisit. DC made a lot of mistakes with their adaptations in the 2010s, and Swamp Thing might be their biggest foible.
1 The Return Of Swamp Thing (1989)
Despite holding only a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Return of Swamp Thing is the character’s best movie or TV show so far. Made nearly a decade after the first film, Jim Wynorski’s sequel is intentionally goofy and embraces all the silliest aspects of comic book movies. It’s divisive, and isn’t often judged on its own merits.
With a shoestring budget to work with, The Return of Swamp Thing puts every dollar in the right place. It’s clearly cheap, but its over-the-top tone makes up for any and all financial shortcomings. Dick Durock plays the title hero completely straight, which makes it even funnier when he finds himself in such an oddball situation.