The Collywobbles

When it comes to James Gunn's DCU, I've been cautiously optimistic. I have faith that Gunn and his crew can make something really special out of it, but at the same time, there's been a frustrating lack of clarity as to exactly what the heck's been going on! With the premiere of Creature Commandos, we fortunately have some clarity about what's canon within the DCU. While that clarity may be a make or break for some, it does at least give better insight into what to expect from this new universe. Now as for Creature Commandos itself, I think it's a good show but probably one of Gunn's weaker efforts. The beginning of the premiere is hampered by exposition reminiscent to that of the DCEU's Suicide Squad (2016), and there's a certain level of raunchy goofiness which, while not foreign to Gunn or his DC projects, is something I'm not completely on board with or at the very least felt it wasn't in very good taste this time around. Nonetheless, to say this is a weaker effort from Gunn doesn't make it bad, because like every great project from him, there's a colorful cast of characters to follow and the animation is quite clean and crisp! Overall, not the best start, but pretty good!

The launch of the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran has been one of the most anticipated moments in recent entertainment history. Tasked with reimagining DC Studios, Gunn and Safran have promised a unified and distinct creative vision, blending the depth of the comic book source material with fresh, modern sensibilities. While the overall scope of the universe is still a little unclear, and despite a strange release strategy, it has nonetheless gotten fans very hyped for the next chapter of DC. "Creature Commandos," written by James Gunn, marks the official entry into this new DC Universe - and it does not disappoint.

This inaugural episode, "The Collywobbles," introduces us to the Creature Commandos, a motley crew of misfits and monsters brought together under the iron-fisted direction of Amanda Waller and led by General Rick Flag, Sr. Gunn's knack for assembling quirky, dysfunctional teams shines brightly here. The Commandos - each with their own bizarre quirks and dynamic personalities - bring to mind the unorthodox camaraderie in "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "The Suicide Squad." Their chemistry is infectious, with witty banter and emotional undertones that hint at layers of complexity to be explored in future episodes. The episode's premise sets up a promising foundation for the series. While the narrative is undeniably fun, complete with Gunn's signature blend of irreverence and heart, the story feels like it's just beginning to find its footing. This is not a flaw as much as a tease; "The Collywobbles" lays the groundwork for what could be a truly engaging serialized adventure. One of the most exciting aspects is the tone it sets for the larger DC Universe. This is a hard R-rated animated project, with visceral action and mature themes, demonstrating the creative flexibility Gunn and Safran envision for their universe. The new DCU promises to embrace diverse stories, tones, and genres - ranging from dark and gritty to humorous and whimsical - and "Creature Commandos" exemplifies the ethos by fully leaning into its absurd, over-the-top premise. Visually, the animation may strike some as simplistic at first glance, but it develops an aesthetic that balances accessibility with a hint of comic book grit, complementing the narrative and tone effectively.

"The Collywobbles" is a strong start for the series and the new DC Universe. It captures the spirit of a James Gunn production - oddball characters, sharp humor, and surprising emotional beats - while hinting at the limitless potential of this revamped DCU. Gunn and Safran's DC Universe is officially here, and if this is any indication, we're in for a thrilling ride.

The first episode is a decent start, the animation is impressive, although the characters are just being introduced, but Rick Flag Sr is quite tough and charismatic somewhat removed from his son's personality, it has The Suicide Squad vibes with some humor , blood, very good and well animated action. Although to be an introduction to the New DCU it is something decent, not impressive but it still achieves its purpose, to entertain, as I had said before, the animation is its strongest point being very colorful which I say as something positive, although in itself not I laughed at his humor, it's okay, it's not bad humor or good.

James Gunn's continued casting of his brother (no matter how important or annoying). Like you don't need to add him in everything, it's just pointless. Weasel is beyond annoying, that liberal silence would have achieved more.

I can't wait for him to be cast as Batman or The Flash. Weasel gets more screen time, than almost any other character. The gag only goes so far, especially after you brush past a character like Rick Flagg! You could've given him a cameo and that would've been awesome. But Nooo, just force Sean Gunn down our throats.

Is there a better way to solve this conundrum, like use your connections and help him get his own acting credits. Or has that been tried and that's why we're here in this vicious loophole. Just throw him some money and improve your overall product. Word of advice, your audience can only take so much till your audience turns on you.

The introduction to the new DC Universe (DCU) has been executed remarkably well. The stories seamlessly connect to the past while also promising an exciting future. I want to commend the art style of the animation chosen by the creators; it has a comic feel that captivates the audience. The new storylines that James Gunn has brought forward for comic book lovers and DC fans are impressive and offer a lot of potential moving forward. The characters stand out as unique yet relatable.

That being said, I do feel the DCU is on the right track, although there are a few aspects I'm not fond of. One of my main concerns is the music-it feels repetitive at times, especially given the limited 20-minute runtime of each episode. I'd also love to see more attention paid to the choreography of the fight scenes and further development of the art style. Additionally, making it an adult-oriented show doesn't automatically enhance its quality. These are just a few points to consider.