The DC Universe is here to change the hierarchy of power in, well, the DC Universe. But rather than start with Superman or Batman, the first title in the latest attempt an interconnected DC cinematic universe is an adult animated show about a group of little-known comic book monsters.
Showrunner Dean Delorey and writer James Gunn deliver a worthy opening act with this story of a lovable team of outcasts who become a foundling family. “Creature Commandos” boasts a killer soundtrack, lots of gore and plenty of profanity. This is essentially a spiritual sequel to “The Suicide Squad” which has all of Gunn’s charm, his love of animals and misfits, and also one of his key themes in the DC world thus far: interrogating masculinity.
In the first episode of “Creature Commandos,” we learn what the mission is and a little about the state of the DC Universe. It turns out that a sorceress named Circe commands a militia made of incels who hate the idea of Themyscira being a women-only island, and support Circe’s plan to stage a coup, take over the island and open it to everyone. Several times in the first two episodes, we see some grown-up cry babies expressing how “unfair” the idea of Themyscira is, while firing their assault rifles at either Task Force M or bystanders. The fact that GI Robot, whose sole purpose is to identify and kill Nazis, enjoys killing these guys should tell you all you need to know about them.
Even Frankenstein’s monster (here called Eric Frankenstein) is recast as a monster who is thoroughly obsessed with his bride and is convinced she loves him, unable to process the fact that she wants nothing to do with him and has tried to kill him for centuries.
Creature Commandos is in the same vein as Peacemaker
These themes are reminiscent of Gunn’s first DC series, “Peacemaker,” which followed John Cena’s eponymous jingoistic mercenary and anti-hero as he tries to save the world from alien parasites. In that show, Gunn dives deep into the character of Christopher Smith aka Peacemaker, which he previously called “toxic masculinity at its most toxic” and instead delivers a nuanced lesson about radical empathy and forgiveness. “Peacemaker” breaks down Christopher Smith and builds him back up. It looks back at his terrible upbringing and in the present shows him slowly starting to question his morals and ideals – while still being a silly, funny and very gnarly show about a guy whose best friend is an eagle.
“Creature Commandoes” explores similar themes, but at a much slower pace that uses them more as a backstory than the main story. Frankenstein will probably take a little longer to realize that he shouldn’t expect the bride to be only in love with him, but his reimagining as a stalker is inventive. Likewise, the idea is inspired that the moment the greater world found out about Themyscira, it would cause toxic men to complain about its women-only policy (perhaps of real events) and provides not only a good recurring gag, but some world-building that could carry over the rest of the DC Universe. After all, it wouldn’t be surprising if there are at least some jokes about bigots criticizing Superman for being weak when he shows compassion.
