On January 31, 2023, James Gunn and Peter Safran announced the upcoming DC Universe. Many would be shocked to know that Superman would not be the debut of the DCU, but rather an animated show on HBO Max, Creature Commandos. Creature Commandos Season 1 aired on December 5, 2024. On December 23, 2024, it was announced that Creature Commandos will be renewed for a second season. Seven episodes later, I have arrived to present you with a review of the show.
The show takes the concept of criminals turned heroes and transforms it into something entirely new. One of the more noticeable times we’ve seen this concept utilized was in Suicide Squad (2016) and Suicide Squad 2 (2021). In more technical terms, the show is just a new version of the Suicide Squad, but with a name change due to all characters lacking human appearance or origin.
The story manages to tie in both the main storyline while incorporating origin stories for each member of the Creature Commandos. The team, led by Captain Richard Flag Sr., includes The Bride, Dr. Phosphorus, Weasel, GI Robot, and Nina. Weasel, a beloved character by fans, who first appeared in James Gunn’s Suicide Squad 2, makes a return. Frankenstein, madly in love with The Bride, ties himself into the story in hopes of tracking her down.
The team is assigned to protect Princess Llana Rostovic of Pokolistan from an assassination plot by Circee, a sorceress from Themiscyra. This is the same Themiscyra as Wonder Woman’s, which could be possibly hinting at a future DCU project. As the show progresses, viewers discover Circee was trying to stop Princess Rostovic from world domination. Through a vision Circee shows Amanda Waller, it is revealed that many DC heroes would die. Through this apocalyptic montage, future DC projects are hinted at through the fallen heroes which include Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Peacemaker, Batman, Vigilante, Starfire, and Superman. 
Out of fear, Amanda Waller, the woman in charge of the Creature Commandos, reassigns the team to assassinate the Princess, contradicting their original mission. Flag, after developing a relationship with the Princess, becomes conflicted and seeks the truth. He visits an expert on Themiscyra’s history, only to discover she was murdered and replaced by Clayface. When Flag attempts to warn Waller, Clayface brutally beats him. Frankenstein then goes on to rescue Flag and sets off to find The Bride. By the time Waller is contacted, it is too late. Nina has been killed attempting to assassinate the Princess. However, a twist reveals that Clayface was working with the Princess, trying to make Circee seem deceptive. The Bride, having seen a tape of the Princess meeting with Clayface, takes revenge and kills her. In the end, Rick Flag Sr. is out of commission, and The Bride is called to lead the next generation of Creature Commandos, bringing back fan-favorite King Shark.
The story itself is compelling with numerous twists that keep the audience engaged. These surprises shift perspectives and reveal new evidence alongside the characters, making for an immersive experience. Though the story itself is great, the characters are truly what make this series even better. James Gunn’s signature ability to turn obscure characters into fan favorites shines here. None of the characters are truly villains. They are all broken or misunderstood. The show smoothly transitions between the main plot and each character’s origin, allowing the audience to sympathize with them. Each character is misunderstood rather than truly evil; whether framed for a crime, seeking revenge, or hiding from society. Their struggles make them sympathetic rather than villainous.
The animation is fantastic, with fluid movements that enhance the story. However, the compositing has some inconsistencies, some scenes look great, while others appear flat. Compared to X-Men 97, which aired last spring, Creature Commandos seems to have had a lower budget, possibly due to the risk of betting on an unknown DC team. I will say though, the animation quality beats Amazon’s Invincible Season 2 by a long shot. The lighting plays a significant role in conveying emotion, particularly during Dr. Phosphorus’ origin story. Throughout the sequence of scenes, the animation can help convey the desperation Phosphorus feels when he first discovers his new powers and the reality he must now live. We can see the animation become more smoother and grounded as he regains his sanity and begins to live a more party-style life. The lighting is then influenced during these party scenes when everything goes dark and a silhouette of Batman appears. During this moment everything stops, the music, the lights, the party life, it all goes away. During this moment you can feel the emotion of everything coming to a pause.
The music is another highlight, featuring an incredible soundtrack that introduces many to the band Gogol Bordello. Songs like Gypsy Auto Pilot, American Wedding, Start Wearing Purple, and Wonderlust King make an appearance, making the show so much more engaging.
If you are a fan of James Gunn’s projects, whether it be Suicide Squad 2 or Guardians of the Galaxy, this show delivers everything you’d expect, giving you lovable characters, an excellent soundtrack, an emotional story, and Gunn’s signature storytelling style. My overall rating for this show is 9/10.
Breakdown: Story: 9/10, Characters: 10/10, Animation: 8/10, Soundtrack: 10/10