Comando Monster

James Gunn has done it again, his style is still unmatched even after all this years and copycats along the way. The way he write characters has only improve in every new project he makes, he manages to balance goofy with tragic for every main character and villan, and this is the best example yet (with that crazy and heartbreaking final plot twist), especially Dr Phosporus and The Bride, they were totally the best characters in the entire show, not only as protagonist, but as a way to expand the DCU. One negative I have with the show is that the actual plot felt that it wasn't going anywhere until the final episode, and that Nina and Frankenstein didn't advance much as characters (aside from their flashbacks). Hopefully now that the team is already stablished, they will focus more on develop them more in future seasons.

"Creature Commandos" (2024, 7.7/10) opens a new chapter in the DC cinematic universe under James Gunn's direction, introducing viewers to an animated series where humor and action blend with a dark yet vibrant world of superheroes and monsters. The plot follows a team of unusual creatures assembled by Amanda Waller to carry out secret missions, placing them in dangerous situations and moral dilemmas.

One of the series' main strengths lies in its visuals. The animation, created by the French studio Bobbypills, is impressive in quality: dynamic action scenes, expressive character design, and stylish visualization make each episode a spectacle. The soundtrack, featuring energetic tracks like those from Gogol Bordello, perfectly complements the atmosphere, adding drive and emotional tension.

The voice cast and dialogues emphasize James Gunn's signature style, familiar from his work on Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad. While the story remains engaging despite some overloaded subplots, it occasionally feels shallow in developing individual characters. This is particularly evident when the focus shifts to secondary storylines that don't directly impact the main conflict.

Verdict: Creature Commandos is a stylish and entertaining start for the renewed DC universe, combining high-quality animation, humor, and thrilling action. Despite a few shortcomings, the series is a worthy representative of its genre and is sure to appeal to both comic book fans and enthusiasts of dynamic and vivid animated projects.

I really liked this at the start. Funny, violent and exciting, with an entertaining collection of misfits.

But as it went forward, I began to have my doubts. The first issue is the basic structure, with each episode alternating between the story arc and the individual tragic backstories of the creatures. There was a sameness to it. It's not that the structure is inherently bad (Lost did a great job with it), it's just that these stories were both predictable and depressing. It's like Suicide Squad except half of them aren't even criminals, just victims stuck in a nightmare.

The series keeps getting darker, both in its horrific body count of innocent bystanders and well-meaning soldiers and in its stories, with the final one being just tragedy upon tragedy.

While Creature Commandos seemed like a lot of fun in the beginning, by the end most of the fun had been drowned in darkness.

I'm so bummed out after watching the final episode of season 1 that I'm hesitant to recommend this, but I guess I did enjoy it overall. Still, it's a disappointment from the generally on-point James Gunn.

I honestly have no complaints, other than I wish the episodes were longer.

The fact that this is an adult animated series is fantastic. Content like this gives DC an advantage with older audiences. Especially since Marvel is their competitor, and they're reluctant to engage in it, regarding TV shows and movies, as their soul is owned by the mouse. Family-friendly stuff can get old, and boring. Sometimes I want something that isn't intended for younger audiences.

I love all the characters, and their backstories so far. I thoroughly enjoy that they're not overused characters we've seen a thousand times before. I love the jokes, I love the dialogue. I love the animation, artwork, and character designs. I love the voice actors. The story is intriguing, and I'm always excited and anticipating the next episode. I definitely recommend the series. I love what James Gunn is providing.

I really, really hope that this is renewed for a second season, and continues on after that.

I've watched all of James Gunn's superhero movies and shows, and for better or for worse, Creature Commandos is his weakest. But it's James Gunn...so it's still LEAGUES better (pun intended) than almost any other creator's rough project!

Creature Commandos season 1 is more Suicide Squad, and if that is your cup of tea you are probably going to love it! James Gunn's Suicide Squad movie is my favorite superhero movie of all time, so this show is right up my alley. That said, with only about 25 minutes per episode, and only 7 episodes altogether, it feels like the story is a bit threadbare and could use some space to breathe. I feel like Creature Commandos would have been an easy 9 out of 10 for me if each episode had been an hour with more time to develop the characters.

The Bride, Nina, Weasel, and GI Robot are definitely the stand out characters here! And the four of them have more memorable moments and cooler story beats than the other Commandos. Eric Frankenstein feels like an unnecessary addition and doesn't really do anything for me being in the show.

Overall solid solid first season!! Season finale is definitely the best episode and very emotional! Great reveal at the end and good set up for future stories. Hopefully the second season gets more episodes.