Warner Bros latest DC comics film Clayface opened this weekend to good word of mouth. And a modest $44 million opening in theaters. The B level Batman villain showed there is a market for lesser known characters in comic movies. Especially when its a rare character piece. Since the comic horror film did pretty well opening weekend, its time Peter Gunn and company gear up the next Horror comic book character to showcase.
Swamp Thing the bayou crusader out to save the environment and stop mad scientist. The avatar of the green, the humanoid plant matter has several superpowers to assist him in his efforts. He also was once a man who turned into that matter after a freak accident.
The character first debuted in comic books in 1971 and enjoyed a great deal of success in the era. Enough that in 1982 a live action film was commissioned, directed by Wes Craven it definitely had a horror action vibe. The 1989 sequel possessed more of a campy lighter route to appeal to kids.
Which lead to a animated series (which I still have a VHS copy of) and action figures. Along with a television series in the early 90's that lasted for three seasons. Once upon a time Swamp Thing was a popular guy.
Then in 2019 the DC universe streaming app released a 10 episode season that was part small town mystery, cop procedural, and science story all wrapped in one. Unfortunately audiences didn't gravitate to it, mainly because streaming service fatigue was starting to set in. Leading to the series being canceled.
However, now its time to revive him from the woods. Give him a deep story of a intelligent man, adjusting to this new lonely life in the woods. Throw the horror elements in the pot, and some bad ass unique action scenes. And Swamp Thing could experience a rebirth.
If the comic book movie genre is going to evolve to maintain popularity. Studios are going to have to introduce new characters outside of the heavy hitters. Now is the perfect time to bring Swamp Thing back.
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