For over a decade, the DC Universe has struggled to find its footing, stumbling through inconsistent narratives and divisive fan reception. Now, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios aims to reshape the future of DC storytelling, and Gunn’s most recent project under this new vision, “Creature Commandos,” is setting the tone for what is to come.
“Creature Commandos” is an adult animated series that launched in December 2024 and ended in January, marking the first official entry in Gunn’s revamped DC Universe (DCU). Unlike the typical focus on Superman or Batman, “Creature Commandos” digs deep into DC’s history, spotlighting a bizarre yet beloved team of monstrous misfits.
Gunn explained the thought process behind the beginning of the new DCU in an article from Variety.
“I just liked the idea of a soft intro to our universe in which metahumans exist, monsters exist, magic exists and incredibly complicated political situations exist,” Gunn said.
Originally introduced in the 1980s as “Weird War Tales,” the Creature Commandos team was a World War II-era squad composed of classic horror archetypes — Frankenstein’s monster, a werewolf, a vampire and a gorgon — reimagined as soldiers taking on Nazi threats.
Gunn’s version updates the premise, retaining the essence of a monstrous black-operations team while adapting it for the broader DCU. The team includes characters like Rick Flag Sr., Nina Mazursky, Doctor Phosphorus, Eric Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, G.I. Robot and Weasel.
Gunn’s signature style — balancing absurdity with emotional depth — shines bright in his unique take on the misfit group.
What makes the “Creature Commandos” series particularly intriguing is how it signals the direction Gunn is taking DC. Rather than immediately banking on household names, Gunn is building a foundation of lesser-known but compelling characters, much like he did with “Guardians of the Galaxy” at Marvel. This approach suggests a deep investment in world-building and interconnected storytelling.
But as he explains in an interview with Deadline, there are some key differences between the franchises.
“(The Guardians) are all good guys at the end of the day, we know that from the beginning…Creatures — we don’t know who is good, and who is bad…The Creature Commandos are dirtier than that. People die and there isn’t necessarily a greater reason for it. It’s just something that happens. It mimics reality more than Guardians does.”
The decision to start with “Creature Commandos” hints at a DCU that embraces the weird and unconventional. By leading with an obscure, supernatural task force instead of a traditional superhero epic, Gunn is signaling a creative shift away from the dark, brooding tone that has defined much of the DCU.
“It’s about creating a world in which we can tell the story about, you know, one type of character in different genres,” Gunn said.
Gunn’s vision embraces the entire DC mythos, giving even the most unusual characters a chance to shine. With “Superman: Legacy on the horizon in July,” and other projects like “The Authority” and “Booster Gold” in development, “Creature Commandos” is just the first step in what could be a bold, new era for DC.
