I don’t know if the timing was intentional that Creature Commandos should premiere just after the Superman and Lois finale. Ignoring all debates about how far the Arrowverse extends, it is still the end of a golden age of superhero television. Likewise, the premiere of Creature Commandos, the first DC Studios production set in the new, unified DC Universe, is the start of a new era. Based on the first two episodes, I’d say it will likely be viewed as the start of DC‘s superhero television Silver Age.
The opening scene of Creature Commandos sets the tone for the series and provides what little exposition is needed. Amanda Waller‘s Task Force X has been shut down and the use of supervillain convicts in government operations outlawed. Yet the Wall will not be denied and has found a loophole in the fact that only human soldiers are specifically illegal in the Congressional mandate.
(Image Source: DC Studios)
Enter Task Force M. M as in Monster, made up of beings that are not technically human. Placed under the command of General Rick Flag Sr., the new squad consists of Weasel, the Bride, Doctor Phosphorus, G.I. Robot, and fish-woman Nina Mazursky. They are dispatched to defend the nation of Pokolistan from Circe and an army of incels dubbed the Sons of Themyscira. However, they run into problems immediately, ranging from a princess with a thing for old soldiers to the Bride’s would-be husband, Eric Frankenstein.
Creature Commandos is a James Gunn production
Even if his animated likeness weren’t typing away in the opening credits, Creature Commandos would obviously be a James Gunn production. Before the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, Gunn’s bread-and-butter was films about groups of oddballs trying to make good. We saw it in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. We see it again here.
Thankfully, Gunn is a master at telling this sort of story and helping actors bring out the sympathetic side of reprehensible characters. Alan Tudyk‘s performance as Doctor Phosphorus is a prime example of this. The bad Doctor is not a loyal soldier and tries to escape at the first opportunity. Yet there is something endearing about his need to tell people when he is smiling sarcastically because his transparent skin makes his face unreadable.
Beyond the team of misfits are more of the usual staples of a James Gunn production. Dark comedy alternates with intense action sequences, often set to eclectic music. I laughed out loud more than once during these first two episodes. Yet beneath the twisted humor lies a noble heart, as in the flashbacks detailing the life of the Bride.
All things considered, Creature Commandos is a solid start for the new DCU. Even those who dislike James Gunn’s usual tricks will get the enjoyment of complaining about them. The rest of us, instead, will get to appreciate the fluid animation, wonderful voice acting, and quality writing.
Grade: 8/10
Creature Commandos releases new episodes on Thursdays on Max.
