By Daniel Paiz

Preface

DC’s Creature Commandos just wrapped season 1 and that means it’s time for a season 1 recap. James Gunn takes what he knows worked well for non-human characters in the Guardians of the Galaxy film series (especially volume 3) to guide audiences to care about these creatures. Guiding the audience to exude any bit of empathy despite these “scary” or “weird” characters is not an easy feat to accomplish. There is something central to all of the Commandos that is fully outside of their control; and yet, all of them largely focus on living another day. 

Frankenstein is stuck in the past because his creator (of the same namesake) told him the Bride is for him. He’s a bit of an outlier on purpose to give that anti-hero slash lone wolf moniker, explaining his one-track-minded decisions. Other characters are a means for him, whereas the Commandos aim to do right, in a way. Well, as much as they can while figuring out what’s going on.     

Editor’s Note: The recap below briefly pulls from the first six episodes and explicitly discusses the seventh episode in detail. If you like learning what happens before watching something, proceed; if you don’t want the spoilers, avoid the recap and peruse the Season 2 predictions section.

Recap

Amanda Waller unceremoniously recruits a ragtag group of creatures to partake in missions no human is allowed to do. Congress has explicitly told Waller to not use humans in her operations. This clearly means that non-humans can be utilized for missions is the gist of what the director hears from Congress.

In this instance, the group is sent to a foreign land to protect a Princess. The misinformed Amazonian goddess Circe “wrongly” informs the group that the Princess must be killed. Commando leader Rick Flag Sr. learns the group should not kill her solely due to info from the “expert” on Themyscira was overtaken by Clayface (contracted to do so by a certain someone). 

The reason for the protection of the Princess as well as the deception of Clayface is not made known through the first six episodes. There is some reasonable greedy behavior via Waller on behalf of the US government when it comes to natural resources. Either whoever hired Clayface has the same aim, or it’s an entity not of foreign origin but rather an entity of calamity. 

Throughout the first six episodes, each character is given solo screen time to explain how they arrived at Waller’s prison. Some are tragedy meeting misfortune (Dr. Phosphorus fits this bill). Others are creations of the Frankensteinian variety; a connection exists despite attraction being a one-way street between The Monster and The Bride. 

GI Robot and Weasel are intriguing beings that are given one path without allowance to stray from it. GI is a Nazi-murdering robot that still operates in black and white, while Weasel receives black and white judgment despite living in a world of grey area (Weasel might be the best character in Season 1). 

Looking like a film noir version of an aquatic monster, Nina Mazursky is the most human of the group. Episode seven spells her origin and fate; it’s a wonder she lasts like she does despite her limits. Nina is born with lungs outside of her body. Fortunately for her, her father is Dr. Mazursky, a skilled scientist capable of figuring out a way for her to breathe. Her cells seem to go through a rigorous oxygenation similar to Deadpool; in this case, she becomes aquatic and breathes in water. 

The more Nina became human by learning languages and understanding different fields of study, the more she was ostracized when she went to public school. Her teenage departure due to bullying played a critical role in the decision to end the Princess’ life, egged on by Bride and Phosphorus. However, Flag regains consciousness after being brutalized by Clayface, leading to Waller learning Princess wasn’t supposed to be killed. Unfortunately, it leads to Nina’s death; there’s a moment where it feels like the last bit of real humanity this group has dies with Nina.

What follows is a tense talk between Bride and Princess. A big reveal unfolds, showing Princess had met with Clayface earlier, so she wasn’t the innocent Flag thought she was. Bride shoots Princess through the skull; end of season 1. 

Season 2 predictions

Waller grants the Creature Commandos their own space back in prison; the surviving members are Bride, Phosphorus, Weasel, and an upgraded GI Robot. A few new members are added, two of which aren’t easily recognizable. The third is none other than King Shark, seemingly smaller and younger than in other DC series (Harley Quinn, Kite Man, and Suicide Squad Isekai). A new evil will be planned, but it isn’t exactly known who’s up next. 

There could be another tangling with Circe or other magic-using baddies out there. It could be another chance to trot out the tried-and-true villains like Joker, Lex Luthor, Darkseid, and others (all who have appeared in the other shows mentioned above). 

What seems most likely is a two-pronged approach. First, Frankenstein will be more of a nuisance than he was in Season 1, enough so that they have to worry about his whereabouts while focusing on assignments from Waller. Two, an unknown entity of sorts will be the bigger foe. It could be someone overpowered. Frankenstein fulfills the role of a tough monster to deal with, which leaves open a spot for an egomaniacal entity to emerge.

Something that would be quite fun to witness would be some cross-pollination, in which characters from Harley Quinn and/or Kite Man cameo in Season 2. It might be unlikely but would be a solid way to tie the shows together. This would also expand the potential enemies this group faces, which can only help grow the show’s lore even more. Whatever is decided, unexpected fun should be back in Season 2.