James Gunn’s DC reign is set to officially begin with the animated series Creature Commandos, premiering on Max on 5 December. This marks the first project in Gunn’s reboot of the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU), introducing audiences to a monster-infused version of the DC Comics universe seven months before the anticipated 2025 Superman movie.
Creature Commandos will unfold over seven episodes, with a new entry airing each week through 16 January 2025. The series features a star-studded voice cast and is driven by a storyline that integrates high-stakes, covert operations carried out by a team of incarcerated monsters. This group is led by Rick Flag Sr., voiced by Frank Grillo, under the orders of Amanda Waller, voiced by Viola Davis.
The show’s premise involves these monstrous characters undertaking missions deemed too dangerous for humans, encapsulating a blend of supernatural and action-packed elements. Gunn, who penned all seven episodes oof Creature Commandos, serves as an executive producer alongside Peter Safran. The narrative promises to explore the darker, less explored corners of the DC universe, much like Gunn’s work with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad.
Other notable voices in Creature Commandos include Steve Agee as Economos, Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana, Anya Chalotra as Circe, Zoe Chao as Nina Mazursky, Sean Gunn as GI Robot & Weasel, David Harbour as Frankenstein, Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, and Indira Varma as The Bride. These characters span from the grotesque and eerie to the uniquely heroic, setting a distinct tone for the DCU under Gunn’s direction.
The launch of Creature Commandos is part of a busy season for TV viewers, especially with its release around the same time as two major Disney+ series. Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and Pixar’s first-ever TV show Win or Lose are also set to premiere on 3 and 6 December respectively, creating a competitive holiday viewing season.
Despite the competition, Creature Commandos is uniquely positioned with its adult animation format, standing apart from the more family-friendly offerings of Disney. As Gunn and Safran’s first foray into the revamped DCU, the series not only needs to captivate from the start but also establish the DCU as a formidable counterpart to Marvel’s cinematic empire.
Creature Commandos will not only kick off Gunn’s vision for the DCU but will also test its ability to weave mature, complex tales that can resonate with audiences and stand toe-to-toe with other major franchises. Fans can catch the premiere on 5 December on Max.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
