In just its first two episodes, Max’s animated series Creature Commandos is already wading into some murky waters. The show, created and written by DC Studios boss James Gunn, delivers on its promise as a hyper-violent, tongue-in-cheek, darkly funny superhero-ish story and serves as a fitting kick-off to the newly revamped DCU. But amidst the gross-out gags and misfit characters, Gunn also managed to sneak in some sly commentary on gender dynamics, both within superhero stories and fan communities.
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But lest anyone be concerned the show is getting too academic, Creature Commandos also has moments that seem to revel in the same kinds of stereotypes it’s critiquing. Even within these elements that seem to bend toward audience expectations, Gunn is able to get a little subversive. It’s a high-wire act that will be fascinating to watch play out over the series’ remaining five episodes, and shows that Gunn has more on his mind than just comic book action.
- Release Date
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December 5, 2024
- Cast
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Indira Varma
, Frank Grillo
, Zoe Chao
, David Harbour
, Sean Gunn
, Alan Tudyk
, Anya Chalotra
, Maria Bakalova
, Viola Davis
, Steve Agee
, Benjamin Byron Davis - Seasons
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1
How ‘Creature Commandos’ Pokes Fun at Gender Norms
In the first scene of its first episode, Creature Commandos comes out of the gate to thumb its nose at the feelings of entitlement expressed by certain men in society through a group called the Sons of Themyscira. Gun-toting acolytes of the rogue Amazonian sorceress Circe (voiced by Anya Chalotra), they support her in her plan to take over Themyscira not for any ideological reason, but because they feel it’s unfair that the Amazonian paradise isn’t free for men to enjoy. The characters’ design feels intentionally reminiscent of alt-right militia groups like the Proud Boys or the Boogaloo movement that gained prominence during the pandemic, and their rhetoric is straight out of a “men’s rights” 4Chan group.
This aspect of the story could also be seen as an opportunity for Gunn to purge some of his own frustrations in his dealings with bad actors on the internet. Gunn has always been outspoken online, and right-wing trolls were quick to dig up some of his past tasteless jokes in retaliation for his criticisms of then-president Trump, leading to his firing from Disney in 2018. Though that decision was eventually reversed and Gunn was able to return to the House of Mouse, he has continued to face the ire of internet trolls, so making Creature Commandos’ alt-right militia group into a bunch of overgrown children might be a sly bit of revenge on his part.
Related
How the Cast of ‘Creature Commandos’ Compare to Their Animated Characters
James Gunn’s Creature Commandos has put together a great cast, with many of the voice actors similar to their animated counterparts.
The Bride and Frankenstein
Note: Spoilers below for Creature Commandos’ second episode, “The Tourmaline Necklace”
Even more overt than the Sons of Themyscira is the show’s depiction of The Bride (Indira Varma) and her would-be suitor, Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour). Borrowing loosely from the original 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, The Bride was created at the behest of Frankenstein’s monster, meant to be his ideal mate. But upon her reanimation, she rejects Eric despite his belief that because she was made for him, she belongs to him. She ends up growing close with her creator, Victor Frankenstein, in a relationship that starts off fatherly and becomes something else. Eric murders Victor in a jealous rage and The Bride manages to escape, setting off a centuries-spanning chase that catches up to her in the present day.
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Creature Commandos Is Just Animated Suicide Squad, and That’s Okay
The Creature Commandos are a strange group assembled by Amanda Waller to combat evil. Why does that sound so cozy and familiar?
It’s pretty clear that Gunn is using the characters of Frankenstein and The Bride as a lens to explore a certain strain of male entitlement, as Eric believes that The Bride will automatically love him, and that he deserves her unwavering attention. He wants to deny her any sense of autonomy or individuality to make her own choices, despite the fact that he himself was a reanimated creation who asserted his own free will over his creator. He can’t fathom the possibility that she would reject him, and resorts to murder in an attempt to claim what he believes is his. Being captured by the Sons at the end of episode two might actually be a relief for her, in order to stay away from him for a little longer.
‘Creature Commandos’ Also Indulges in Fantasy
Despite its meta-commentary, Creature Commandos is still a raunchy cartoon, and can’t resist the temptation — literally — for some crowd-pleasing fantasy. Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) attempts to resist the advances of the Pokolistani Princess Ilana Rostovic (Maria Bakalova), whom the Commandos are sent to protect. He eventually gives in, leading to an over-the-top and very funny sex scene between the two. This could be seen as the series giving over to what’s expected of it as an adults-only comic book story, with the beautiful princess hooking up with the grizzled soldier, but Gunn still manages to play with those expectations.
The scene isn’t very graphic, and the frame is more likely to linger over Flag’s body than Ilana’s. Her right-hand man is made to wait outside and listen to their comically overwrought sounds of pleasure until he can proceed with his important business. The whole scene is essentially reduced to an audio gag, which feels like a fitting capper. In this sequence, it feels like the show is trying to have it both ways, poking fun at its audience’s basest desires while also trying to be the kind of show that would make those audiences want to tune in.
Time will tell if this approach carries through the rest of the series, or if it’s just a couple of nods in the first two episodes. But in either case, it feels like a great example of Gunn’s whole ethos, delivering the genre goods while sneaking in some thoughtful commentary underneath. Stream on Max.
2024-12-12 02:30:18
