Swamp Thing: The Complete Series (2019)

Details: By Loron Hays; 05 February 2020

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Swamp Thing

You want swampy southern gothic shenanigans in your entertainment? Swamp Thing, as produced by DC Universe, has all your needs covered.

DC Universe really screwed up. I mean, royally. Swamp Thing, as a web series, is dark and disturbing and every bit as memorable as the comic book. This superhero series, based off of the character created by Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson, and Alan Moore, is a faithful adaptation of the DC Comics hero and, yet, due to North Carolina’s drastic reduction in tax credits (among other things), the series was axed immediately after the airing of its premiere episode.

"There’s a lot of mystery left bubbling about in these dank swamps"

What you will see with this set, marking The Complete Series, is quality entertainment, though. All of which has me scratching my head. They canceled this?! Shit. That’s hard to believe. Swamp Thing, as seen in these 10 episodes, is an awesome contribution to everything that is wrong about DC’s trajectory.

Disappointed fans; however, now have the chance to view the strange dark world of Swamp Thing thanks to this digital and physical release, which contains all 10 hour-long episodes of this fantastically developed and executed show. {googeads}

Swamp Thing, portrayed by Derek Mears (who also suited up as Jason Vorhees in the Friday the 13th remake), is a plant-elemental creature who tackles all sorts of bad forces lurking about in the swamps of Louisiana. With only the help of Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed) in his fight against illegal activities and deadly swamp-borne pathogens, Swamp Thing - being molecules and memories of the former (and disgraced) biologist Alec Holland - protects the town, the swamp, and the world in his quest for understanding all the strange occurrences happening in and around Bayou Swamp. Hell, he’s even trying to understand what is happening to his body.

This acclaimed series, from executive producers James Wan (The Conjuring Universe films, Aquaman), Mark Verheiden (Heroes, Constantine), Gary Dauberman (IT and Annabelle films), Michael Clear (The Nun) and Len Wiseman (Sleepy Hollow, Underworld films), was just getting started in its rollout of bring justice to the small town of Marais, Louisiana when the plug was pulled. It seems hardly fair and, considering that the 9 episodes that followed in the wake of the premiere’s successes are so damn good, Swamp Thing hardly feels complete.

The series features an all-star cast including Crystal Reed (Gotham, Teen Wolf), Virginia Madsen (Candyman, Sideways), Andy Bean (IT: Chapter Two, Power), Derek Mears (Predator, Men in Black II), Henderson Wade (Extant, Riverdale), Maria Sten (Persuasion), Jeryl Prescott (The Walking Dead) with Jennifer Beals (Flashdance, The L Word) and Will Patton (Falling Skies, Halloween) with a special appearance by Kevin Durand (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I am Number Four). Swamp Thing

Based on the DC characters created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, Swamp Thing: The Complete Series was produced by Atomic Monster in association with Warner Bros. Television and ran for a total of 10 episodes, plenty of those hour-long episodes are titled after Bruce Springsteen songs, too. The set includes the following episodes: Pilot, Worlds Apart, He Speaks, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Drive All Night, The Price You Pay, Brilliant Disguise, Long Walk Home, The Anatomy Lesson, and Loose Ends.

There’s a lot of mystery left bubbling about in these dank swamps. Unfortunately, as of the writing of this review, this is all we will ever get from this foray into a very dark and twisted version of the DC Universe. More cinematic than their recent film excursions, this series feels unfairly shafted and submerged in some pretty thick waters by the corporate powers that be over at DC Universe.

File under: "Plucked Before Ripe", friends. Swamp Thing: The Complete Series is on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital on February 11, 2020.

5/5 stars

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Swamp Thing

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: Warner Bros.
Available on Blu-ray - February 11, 2020
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set; DVD copy; Digital copy
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Fans are in for suspense and shock when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Swamp Thing: The Complete Series, the latest DC Universe Original Series, on Blu-ray and DVD February 11, 2020. Fans can purchase the sets with all 10 of the original series episodes and it’s priced to own at $24.98 SRP ($29.98 in Canada) for the DVD and $29.98 SRP ($39.99 in Canada) for the Blu-ray which includes a Digital Copy (US Only). While there are no bonus features, it is nice to have proof that this series existed.

Video:

This is a dark and swampy production, but the details in the 1080 handling are magnificent. Black levels are inky and hold their edges and colors are vivid throughout the 10-episodes. The 1080p handling of the series makes it worth a look on your home theater system. The reference quality visuals are truly gorgeous with vivid colors that pop against dimly-lit backgrounds and dark mahogany wood and watery textures. Textures of clothing and floating specs of dust come into perfect focus throughout. The filmic canvas here is very expressive and it registers nicely.

Audio:

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track won't keep your system rocking as this is a dialogue-heavy affair, but the atmospheres kick in the rears nicely thanks to a score by Brian Tyler.