This is a spoiler-free review of Creature Commandos. This review was made possible by advance screeners of episodes 1-7 provided by Max. A spoiler review of the first two episodes (The Collywobbles & The Tourmaline Necklace) will publish December 5th and thereafter reviews for episodes 3 – 7 will publish the Thursday morning of each respective episode debuts.
The DCU is here and the first piece of media to come out of James Gunn’s DC Studios is a lesser-known property called Creature Commandos. As the first story in Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, this series introduces audiences to the new DC Universe delving into the rich lore of DC comics focusing on niche rag-tag lesser-known team. While Gunn is known to bring niche characters to the spotlight with much success a la Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy, would this tactic translate to the same success for the new DCU?
You Wanted Monsters? You Got Monsters.
This 7-episode animated series written by James Gunn (Marvel Studio’s Guardians of the Galaxy series, co-head of DC Studios and director of Superman), delivers action, comedy and remarkably affecting moments of pathos. The series begins with Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) being tasked by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) - head of the top-secret intelligence agency A.R.G.U.S. - with leading a ragtag bunch of self-identifying ‘monsters’ to the fictional nation of Pollokistan to protect Princess Illana Rostovic (Maria Bakalova) from the threat of the sorceress Circe (Anya Chalotra). Dubbed Task Force M (for monsters), the team consists of The Bride (Indira Varma), Dr. Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), Nina Mazursky (Zoe Chao), G.I. Robot & Weasel (both voiced by Sean Gunn). Along the way, we learn more about what transformed the individuals under Flag’s command into the ‘Creature Commandos’ of the title. The team's seemingly random individuals gradually win you over and make you genuinely care about their journey.
This is an ensemble piece which covers a great deal of DC history during what is a remarkably concise period - less than 3 hours of television. The overall story felt inconsistently paced from the start, however it drives home at the end to tie it all together. The series does a remarkable job at developing character storylines with each episode shifting the spotlight to a different member of the team. Each team member’s backstory felt natural and significant to the overall story while making the viewer question if they are ‘monsters’ while not shying away from the truly ‘monstrous’ or morally dubious aspects of each character.
The Bride, G.I. Robot and Nina were standouts. The Bride is given agency in the series as the driving force behind the team. Nina is the is the heart of the team and the glue that binds them together. And there’s G. I. Robot. You would be remiss in not smiling when G.I. Robot gleefully says “oh boy, Nazis” behind his static grin. I was surprised in gravitating towards Dr. Phosphorus and Weasel. Both chaotic in their own rights while shouldering their own tragedies that leading them to their current path.
Though the main cast of monsters were a joy to watch, not every character in the series shared the same sentiment. Frankenstein (David Harbour) and Rick Flag Sr. are the two that stood out as a sore thumb. Flag didn’t offer much other than being a vehicle to further the plot whereas Frankenstein, played wonderfully by Harbour, was extremely problematic. The character is a far cry from his comic roots and is regulated as a serial stalker to The Bride. Frankenstein’s story didn’t offer much to the plot and I hope he’s reworked in Season 2.
What Does Creature Commandos Mean For The DCU At Large?
Many DC fans are wondering how Creature Commandos ties into the greater overall story Gunn has planned. The series should be viewed as a small introduction to Gunn’s new DCU. The story is self-contained and may not have a major impact on future projects despite recent comments by Gunn himself. Though this sentiment may change later on once Superman, Peacemaker Season 2, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Lanterns, etc. release. Though the story is self-contained, viewers are thrusted to different corners of the DC Universe from Gotham City to the battlefield with Easy Company and even William Magnus lab! There’s cameo galore both niche and a few big stars that will satisfy any DC fan before the release of Superman.
Who Needs Heroes When You Have Monsters
With standout performance from a talented ensemble cast, great visual style and another great playlist of tracks curated by James Gunn, Creature Commandos is a solid start to the DCU. Though the series has a rocky start, it finds its footing and purpose in Episode 4 and the subsequent episodes drives it home to an emotional conclusion. Albeit some loose threads were left unaddressed, it doesn't hamper to the overall story about a band of misfit monsters finding their place in the world. I cannot wait to see where Task Force M ends up if the show is picked up for a second season. I'm looking forward to see which of these monsters will end up in live-action. Fingers crossed for G.I. Robot showing up in Luca Guadagnino's Sgt. Rock film.
The two-episode premiere of Creature Commandos will stream exclusively on Max this Thursday, December 5 at Midnight PT / 3:00am ET.
Rating: 4/5
About Creature Commandos:
Premiere Date: December 5th, 2024
Episode Count: 7
Showrunner: Dean Lorey
Executive Producer / Writer: James Gunn
Executive Producers: Peter Safran, Dean Lorey, and Sam Register; Rick Morales serves as a supervising producer.
Production: DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation
Animation: Bobbypills Animation
Distribution: Warner Bros.
Cast: Steve Agee as Economos, Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana, Anya Chalotra as Circe, Zoe Chao as Nina Mazursky, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Sean Gunn as GI Robot & Weasel, David Harbour as Frankenstein, Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, Indira Varma as The Bride, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller.
Synopsis: Creature Commandos, produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation and based on DC Comics team of the same nam, tracks a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans. When all else fails… they’re your last, worst option.
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