Swamp Thing (1991 TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp Thing |
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| Voices of |
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| Composer(s) | Michael Tavera |
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| No. of episodes | 5 (list of episodes) |
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| Running time | 30 minutes |
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| Distributor | DIC Entertainment |
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| Original network | Fox (Fox Kids) |
| Original release | October 31, 1990 – May 11, 1991 |
Swamp Thing is an animated TV show from America. It is based on the DC Comics superhero character called Swamp Thing. The show was quite short, with only five episodes. The first episode aired on October 31, 1990. The other four episodes were shown weekly from April 20 to May 11, 1991. In Canada, the show aired on YTV from 1991 to 1993.
The series was made by DIC Animation City. It was released at the same time as a collection of action figures by Kenner in 1990. Even though the cartoon didn't last long, lots of other Swamp Thing toys and items were made in 1991. This was the biggest marketing push ever for the character.
Contents
Meet the Characters
This section introduces the main heroes and villains from the show.
The Heroes
- Len Carlson as the Swamp Thing: He was once a smart scientist named Alec Holland. His secret lab was destroyed by the evil Anton Arcane. This turned Alec into the Swamp Thing. Now, he protects the swamp using his amazing powers over nature.
- Harvey Atkin as Tomahawk: He is a Native American friend who helps the Swamp Thing. He fights against the Un-Men.
- Philip Akin as Bayou Jack: He is an African American Vietnam veteran and another friend of the Swamp Thing.
- Paulina Gillis as Abigail Arcane: She is the stepdaughter of the evil Anton Arcane. Abby wants to help her friend the Swamp Thing become human again.
- Jonathan Potts as Delbert: A young boy who is friends with J.T. and helps the heroes.
- Richard Yearwood as J.T.: A young boy who is friends with Delbert and also helps the heroes.
The Villains
- Don Francks as Anton Arcane: He is the main bad guy. He is an evil scientist who wants to live forever. He caused Alec Holland to become the Swamp Thing. Arcane uses a special machine to turn himself and his helpers, the Un-Men, into scary monsters. He can even become a giant arachnid monster!
- Errol Slue as Dr. Deemo: He is a voodoo doctor who speaks in rhymes. He can turn into a scary, fanged Serpent monster.
- Gordon Masten as Skinman: He is a weak, zombie-like man. He can change into a flying Fangbat monster.
- Joe Matheson as Weed Killer: He has green skin and wears a gas mask. He hates plants and can turn into a leech-like Bogsucker monster.
Show Style and Broadcast
The animation style of Swamp Thing is similar to other cartoons of its time, like Toxic Crusaders. It features funny, horror-themed anti-heroes made for kids. The opening theme of the show makes fun of the song "Wild Thing" by Chip Taylor. It plays "Swamp Thing! ...You are amazing!"
The show first aired on Fox as part of Fox Kids. Later, NBC showed it during Chip and Pepper's Cartoon Madness in 1991. The Sci Fi Channel also showed it years later. In the United Kingdom, Children's Channel re-aired Swamp Thing in the 1990s.
At the same time, a more popular live-action TV show based on the comic book was also airing.
Episodes
There were only five episodes of the Swamp Thing animated series.
| No. | Title | Written by | Original air date | |
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| 1 | "The Un-Men Unleashed" | Mark McCorkle & Bob Schooley | October 31, 1990 | |
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Dr. Arcane turns his henchmen into mutants to attack the Swamp Thing. Two kids, Delbert and J.T., along with Tomahawk, Bayou Jack and Arcane's stepdaughter Abby come to the Swamp Thing's rescue.
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| 2 | "To Live Forever" | Mark McCorkle & Bob Schooley | April 20, 1991 | |
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Dr. Arcane and his Un-Men travel to the Amazon rainforest looking for special "trees that never die." He forces a local tribe to collect their sap.
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| 3 | "Falling Red Star" | Mark McCorkle, Bob Schooley & Mike Medlock | April 27, 1991 | |
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The Swamp Thing, Bayou Jack, and Tomahawk help NASA get back a nuclear satellite that crashed in the swamp. Arcane also wants the satellite for his own evil plans.
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| 4 | "Legend of the Lost Cavern" | Mark McCorkle & Bob Schooley | May 4, 1991 | |
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Dr. Arcane is still trying to find a way to live forever. He disturbs an ancient burial site of Tomahawk’s ancestors. He is searching for the Lost Caverns, which are said to hold the Fountain of Youth.
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| 5 | "Experiment in Terror" | Bruce Shelly & Reed Shelly | May 11, 1991 | |
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While showing Delbert and J.T. around the swamp, the Swamp Thing is captured. He is taken to New Orleans for government experiments. Delbert, J.T., and Bayou Jack plan to rescue him. Arcane also wants to capture him for his own reasons.
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Action Figures and Merchandise
In 1990, Kenner made a line of Swamp Thing action figures. These toys, along with vehicles and playsets, were released to go with the animated series. The figures of Arcane and his Un-Men had cool, see-through rubbery masks called BioMasks. These masks made it look like they were changing into monsters. Their eyes also glowed in the dark, which was a popular feature for toys back then.
Kenner reportedly spent about 6 million dollars on the Swamp Thing toy line. They even said that tests with boys aged 6 to 11 showed these figures were more popular than both G.I. Joe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys!
Action Figure Series 1 (1990)
- Bio-Glow Swamp Thing
- Camouflage Swamp Thing
- Capture Swamp Thing
- Snap Up Swamp Thing
- Snare Arm Swamp Thing
- Bayou Jack
- Tomahawk
- Anton Arcane
- Dr. Deemo
- Skinman
- Weed Killer
Vehicles & Playsets (1990)
- Bayou Blaster
- Bog Rover
- Marsh Buggy
- Swamp Trap
- Transducer (with Mantid figure)
Action Figure Series 2 (1991)
- Climbing Swamp Thing
Video Games and Other Items
A Swamp Thing video game was made for the NES and Game Boy. Both versions were released by THQ in December 1992. There was also a handheld game made by Tiger.
Many other Swamp Thing items were made in 1991 to go with the cartoon. These included a paint by number kit, a "Battle for the Bayou" board game, a T-shirt, children's slippers, a bop bag, three pencil sharpeners, and figural chalk. The chalk packaging was interesting because it said "I'm Chalk!" to make sure people didn't think it was candy. Much of the packaging for these items featured artwork by comic book artist Alfredo Alcala.
Images for kids
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The official logo for the Swamp Thing animated series.
