Early Review: Creature Commandos (TV Series)

A Masterclass On Why Iconic Characters Aren’t Needed To Make Great Stories

James Gunn has a bit of a reputation.

What am I referring to? Taking little-known characters and breathing life into them, thus making them well-known (Exhibit A: Guardians of The Galaxy). The writer’s story will have a huge influence on how those characters are viewed going forward.

This strategy also has another important component—lesser known characters are not weighed down by years of history. We all love a good Batman story, sure, but it won’t the first and it won’t be the last, and it likely won’t redefine the character for a generation. Using little-known characters is like getting to the sandbox before everything has been played with already.

Enter the Creature Commandos.

Gunn wisely leans on known components (Amanda Waller, Suicide Squad mechanics) to develop this team book, without letting that aspect carry or drag down the story. Creature Commandos is, essentially, a different Task Force of Amanda Wallers. The stage is set simply and efficiently, with connections to DC A-listers (Wonder Woman) sprinkled in (Circe, Themascyra)

ONE MONSTER AT A TIME

Gunn’s episodic writing builds a story with a larger narrative, but wisely uses each episode to flesh out the background for an individual character in the team. This approach gives us needed depth and allows us to get to know these ‘new’ characters as the story progresses.

We’ve already seen episodes featuring The Bride, G.I. Robot, and the Weasel.

While G.I.s incessant urge to find and kill Nazis gets worn out, I particularly loved the episode featuring the Weasel. He’s a character that can’t talk or interact with the team like a normal person, so it’s hard to understand or relate to him. But through his flashbacks we get a sense of his true character. And his episode invoked a lot of sadness for me.

For me, what defines a great story is the ability to suspend disbelief (this is a must), and the ability to invoke strong emotions in the reader/viewer. Examples of strong emotions being humor, sadness, fright. Creature Commandos manages to check some of these emotional boxes, but not all (yet, anyways).

Great stories also surprise the reader, and while you may predict some things, there’s one big cliff-hanger that probably no-one will see coming.

EASTER EGGS

I can’t begin to pretend I caught all the Easter Eggs that Gunn has embedded in Creature Commandos for super fans. I will say though that I had a serious geek out moment when I saw a certain “Sargeant Franklin” appear in an episode.

So not only are new viewers not saddled by comics history, but veteran fans will love the Easter Eggs.

BOTTOM LINE

Creature Commandos is a testament on why great writing is the most important element in a story. By mining the past for forgotten ideas, Gunn has resurrected a gem of a concept—monsters in a team-centric story-and polished it into a bona fide diamond.

If you like ANYTHING comic-related, you should check out Creature Commandos.

And the fact that my girlfriend considers a hero to be Frylocke from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, the mere fact that she loves this show and can’t wait to watch new episodes says it all: it’s a show that has broader appeal.