It’s been a great time for fans of The CW. A few weeks ago, the network pulled back the curtain on its fall schedule, which includes brand new episodes of Supergirl, Black Lightning, The Flash, and Arrow. Of course, DC enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Batwoman, the newest entry in the Arrowverse. Not only did longtime followers get a glimpse at The CW’s take on the Batsuit, but they were also treated to a full-length trailer, which shows Kate Kane’s journey as she takes on the mantle of the (female) Caped Crusader.
On the other hand, for those who decided to back the rather lame horse that is DC Universe, the ride has been anything but smooth. Having fully launched in the second half of 2018, the video on demand streaming service offers a mix of original programming and old films/TV shows from DC’s storied history.
While there are a few standout offerings – including HD episodes of Batman: The Animated Series – the platform’s newly-produced content is rather hit or miss. The first season of Doom Patrol seems to have resonated with audiences, though Young Justice: Outsiders and Titans released to middling reception.
And then, there’s Swamp Thing. Though our very own Eric Joseph was pleased with the show’s first two episodes, it seems Warner Bros. and DC Universe weren’t exactly blown away, as they’ve already pulled the plug on the series. As reported by Bloody Disgusting, the studio has drained the swamp, so to speak, amidst fears of low subscriber counts and market penetration.
This move comes as a real surprise, and frankly, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the streaming platform as a whole. We wouldn’t be shocked to see a noticeable drop in paying customers, even with the promise of an animated Harley Quinn show on the horizon.
We’re still hopeful that DC Universe will put the remaining nine episodes of Swamp Thing up for streaming so fans can have the chance to watch the first (and presumably, only) season in its entirety. After all, it’s sad to watch such a promising show get axed so quickly, and we’ll be waiting on pins and needles to see if Warner Bros.’ video on demand platform can last.