News is oozing out of the bog that DC Universe has canceled SWAMP THING after just one season, and after only one episode has aired on the exclusive streaming service.
Shortly after word of the show's cancellation was announced, SWAMP THING writer John Gholson took to his personal Twitter account to clear up any confusion about the show's sudden and untimely demise. As a part of his SWAMP THING thread, Gholson explains that the show was canceled due to trouble with North Carolina's tax rebates. You can follow along with Gholson's eye-opening take below:
Back in April, production on SWAMP THING was shut down, resulting in the series being reduced to 10 episodes rather than its original 13. At the time of the shutdown, producer James Wan told JoBlo head honcho, Berge Gerabedian, that he was in favor of the shortened season length, as it was his preferred format for the show from the start. Following the shut down, reports began circulating that executives were already losing faith in the show's ability to perform well on the streamer.
For the most part, SWAMP THING had received positive to middling reviews from critics. In fact, our own Alex Maidy gave the series a 6 out of 10, which by new season standards isn't entirely terrible. Middling? Certainly. But will the show be the end of superhero horror on television? Definitely not. Personally, I can't help but wonder if the weekly release schedule for new episodes of DC Universe's television shows isn't partially to blame for their under-performance. Could it be that shows like SWAMP THING, TITANS, DOOM PATROL, and the upcoming HARLEY QUINN animated series would be better served if released in their entirety, a la Netflix's modus operandi? People do love to binge their content these days, and sometimes the peace-meal nature of a weekly release schedule is difficult to manage. I'm just spit-balling here, but perhaps it's time for DC Universe to re-think their distribution methods?
Here's the official synopsis for SWAMP THING:
Swamp Thing centers on CDC researcher Abby Arcane (Reed). When she returns to her childhood home of Houma, Louisiana, in order to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, she develops a surprising bond with scientist Alec Holland — only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby will discover that the swamp holds mystical secrets, both horrifying and wondrous — and the potential love of her life may not be dead after all.
So long, Swampy. We hardly knew ye. Here's hoping that you rise from the murky waters again, some day. The Green will be lost without you.