This is a spoiler-free review of the Max Original Series Creature Commandos.
The first project from DC Studios is full of vulgarity, tension, and friendship.
Task Force M
Assemble Task Force M for “monsters”. Amanda Waller sends Rick Flag Sr. on a mission to the foreign country of Pokolistan. Tasked to keep Princess Ilana Rostovic from being annihilated by Circe and her army known as the “Sons of Themyscira”. After the events of “Project Starfish” by Amanda Waller, the use of humans for black ops missions has been forbidden. This is exactly why Waller tasks Flag with a new group of beings who aren’t exactly human. While still expendable, the recruits are as equally quirky as they are demented.
Roll Call
Rick Flag Sr. finds himself in charge of scoundrels and miscreants trying to understand their place in the world. The Bride, who has little to no patience for anyone or anything. Dr. Phosphorus is a lab experiment gone wrong from Gotham City and is perpetually sarcastic. The Weasel returns and is as gross and feral as ever. Rounding out the troupe we have G.I. Robot, who originally fought in WWII and has one directive: killing Nazis. Lastly, Nina Mazursky is the kindest one of the bunch. Eric Frankenstein also has a part to play, along with some other notable surprise characters from DC Comics.
Tonality and Aesthetic
Written for television by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad) the adult animated series dials back the raunchiness in favor of something a bit more grotesque in terms of tone. While not quite going into a full-blown horror landscape, the backstories of each character garner elements of traditional monsters born from freak accidents and experimental endeavors. For instance, The Bride’s origin is a mixture of tragedy and flagrant while G. I. Robot, on the other hand, was created as an experimental weapon turned combat veteran. Overall, these characters come together through a tight narrative that has them both confront some fears and tell an interesting story that lays some foundation for the impending DC Universe.
A Rich World
While Creature Commandos is the first step into the new DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran, it does not leave you with a post-credits tag of what’s coming next directly. Instead, Creature Commandos acts as a room for a bigger house that will encompass the rest of the DCU. There are nods and winks to a much more filled and lived-in world, specific references to certain characters and cities long-time DC fans will feel recognized and appreciated. While not deliberately setting up the very next project, James Gunn has stated that Rick Flag will appear in the upcoming Superman film as well as Peacemaker Season 2, along with the hope that the Creature Commandos will appear again outside of their freshman season on MAX. Overall, Creature Commandos offers a glimpse into the DCU, while telling an engaging story full of surprises that are sure to captivate old and new fans alike. Even if this brand of humor may not be your thing, there is still plenty more to appreciate along the way.
New Episodes of Creature Commandos premiere on MAX starting Thursday, December 5th.