DC Universe is swiftly establishing itself as the ultimate streaming destination. Following the triumphant success of Titans and the groundbreaking 16 episodes of Doom Patrol, DC has struck again with impeccable timing. Swamp Thing, with its distinct horror undertone and captivating homage to 80's horror cinema, has kicked off in a spectacular fashion.
The prologue introduces us to a dark and ominous swamp, where three figures bravely explore its depths on a boat in the dead of night. The swamp, strangely alive, slowly devours the boat with its vines, while a mysterious figure lurks in the distance, watching intently.
We then shift to Louisiana, where Dr. Abby Arcane arrives from the CDC to investigate a mysterious disease that has claimed a young girl in the town. Confined in a hospital room, Abby examines the girl and notices a leaf resting on her pillow. Pondering its significance, a strange man appears, warning Abby that the standard medical textbooks will not reveal the true nature of this disease. Before he can elaborate, he is escorted away by the hospital staff.
Driven by curiosity, Abby decides to investigate the girl's home. After a thorough search, she discovers the girl's father, transformed and consumed by vines, standing eerily before a bathroom mirror. Meanwhile, scientist Alec is found collecting samples, and Abby returns to his lab in search of answers. He reveals that he is on the trail of the mutagen's origin, but as they conduct further experiments, the earlier corpse suddenly stirs on the table. Twisted vines whip and writhe throughout the room as the body rises, attacking them relentlessly. With quick thinking and the aid of a pair of scissors and a lighter, Abby manages to escape, and Alec follows suit after incinerating the vines.
Reeling from the shocking encounter, Abby is confronted with harsh truths and instructed to leave as soon as the girl recovers. Later that night, Abby and Alec return to the swamp, discovering strange vials in a box. They promptly take them back to the lab, determined to investigate further. Abby heads to the hospital with the samples while Alec explores the swamp's hotspots using a laptop found on the boat.
Once there, a shadowy figure appears and shoots Alec with a shotgun, blowing the boat into the air. Abby, watching from the lab, rushes outside, horrified by the fiery inferno. Despite surviving the blast, Alec is overtaken by vines and dragged underwater. As Abby arrives, the terrifying swamp creature emerges from the depths, forcing her to flee in terror. This cliffhanger ends the episode, leaving us eager for more.
Swamp Thing brilliantly establishes its tone and atmosphere throughout this gripping hour-long episode. It seamlessly intertwines callbacks to classic 80's horror with a modern musical score, utilizing low-rumbling horns to enhance the tension. The result is a brilliantly crafted horror narrative, inspired by comic book lore, while delivering a unique and terrifying superhero experience. With excellent pacing, compelling characters, and stunning visuals, Swamp Thing is undoubtedly another must-watch series, destined to be another triumph for DC.
