Swamp Thing

I enjoyed the first SWAMP THING film for what it was, and despise the second for what it was. I had read the comics for many years but didn't know what to expect of a weekly show that would have a small budget. Looking back, I feel the series succeeded as often as it failed.

The best episodes were those that focused on Swamp Thing (or 'Alec' as he was referred to by the people who knew him). The series started out on shaky footing, and had Swampy act out of character. In the first episode he turns a bad guy into a tree until the writers establish that he would never take a human life. Any episode that had him turn back human was well done.

Most of the episodes made him a Rod Serling of the swamp, taking a back seat to the action. A lot of these weren't too bad, but the bad ones were terrible. These boiled down to two plots: bad guys hide out in the swamp, only to have to face their crimes in a nightmare-ish way, or people with problems wander in the swamp, to become better by facing their fears. The best of these was when Ray Wise (Dr. Holland from the original movie) guest starred as someone who might be an alien and almost kills Swamp Thing.

In my opinion far too many episodes chronicled Arcane's (Swamp Thing's enemy) foul adventures. I realize that there is a fan base of women (and some men) who found the character/actor too sexy for words and wanted even less of Swamp Thing in each episode. Be that as it may, I feel the series as a whole suffered for it, and that will keep people from rediscovering it.

The series lacked truly dramatic episodes, the ones that would get the media's attention (like how 'The Best of Both Worlds' episodes of Star Trek:TNG did). There wasn't a single two-part episode throughout the run, which would've allowed the writers to develop a deeper story. Plotlines were never adequately ended, such as the disappearance of Tressa's son.

In the face of all these detriments, I enjoyed the show (and have almost every episode on tape; doubtful there will be a DVD release). Although it could have been so much more, it was certainly better than many other shows or movies based on comic books.

I over the years started to read some old D.C. comics "Swamp Thing" issues and I must say the issues and stories were good and interesting as they focused on real life issues. And I remember this early 90's series on the "USA Network" as I watched as a kid I liked it being that the stories were fun with issues and entertaining with action, and now from time to time I catch early morning or late night reruns on digital TV.

Set in the muggy and hot humid swamps and lakes of Louisiana it involves a monster moss like hero named "Swamp Thing", though he may look like a scary monster this hero is out to avenge his being burnt by chemicals. And along the way "Swamp Thing" helps those who need it as it's clear he's the ruler of the "Swamps". Overall well done action hero series that had drama and suspense as it was a great take on a creature anti hero type.

I have to say I really enjoyed the cartoon and this show. I'm still a fan of this show because of the intro. I was such a fan of swamp thing because he was different, he's not the usual superhero, and he's a scientist/monster. Dick Durock gave Swamp Thing his heart and soul. He was so good, as a kid there were times seeing him in pain really made me cry. Mark Lindsay Chapman was very good too as Arcane. He didn't play Arcane like a cliche supervillain, he played him as a man who is obsessed with immortality. Either way, I liked the stories and yeah there were some corny ones but it did last three seasons. So for any of you who are haters of this show, you can't deny it lasted three seasons.

I am surprised that I am only the second person to write a review for this series, (which may simply be a testament to the fact that it is indeed an obscure one).

I love the Swamp Thing. Both Len Wein's and Alan Morre's manifestations of him... and I find that this series approaches the character with great affection, and attention to his most important traits of compassion and wisdom. His moral code is complex, and his diplomacy restrained. He does not intervene in forceful and demanding ways, (as many super heros do), but rather works his miracles from the background, all but anonymously.

Now, it is possible this series was a victim of viewers' unfulfilled expectations of watching an entity of fury and unstoppable, unrelenting force demolish evil in every episode. It is true that he has such power, and he does indeed flex it when necessary... but what is most essential to his character is his remarkable ability to heal, care for, support, protect, console, and love all things alive. In this respect this series is a complete success.

Beyond the refinement of character, the series is also endlessly imaginative, and profoundly moral. The plots are original, and the script couldn't be any other way. Sometimes The Swamp Thing will say something, a bit of advice or an observational musing maybe, and it will just hit you hard for some reason, deep within.

I give this series 10 stars for it's painstaking attention to the things that make Swamp Thing so endearing and fascinating. I strongly recommend it, and this is coming from an avid fan of the graphic novels.

1990 was my first year of high school the running gag was how ridiculous the fight scenes were where he would grab onto a car door and yank on it and it would just fly off screen. Apparently one of swamp things many powers is to violate the laws of physics. You'd be at somebody's house and be on TV and did you like what show is this simply be apologetic about how he was just some stupid show but it was worth watching for laughs why are there not more reviews if this show? "Cultural Abyss" now that's a poetic.