6 DCU Creature Commandos Series Highlights (Plus THAT Cameo)

In just 7 episodes, full of jaw-dropping twists and monstrous betrayals, Creature Commandos has kickstarted the DCU. With this animated series, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe is officially clearing corpses and setting the stage for future DC stories. The two-episode premiere set audiences up for the action-packed series and each following episode delivered on that promise.

Now that the finale has aired, here are highlights from throughout the series, one for each mesmerizing monster on the squad. Plus, there’s quite the cameo partway through. With villains like these, who needs a hero?

Warning: Major spoilers for the Creature Commandos finale

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The Bride’s Tragic Backstory

Easily one of the strongest segments of the entire series, the Bride’s backstory touches upon all the heart-wrenching notes of Mary Shelley’s original myth against the dangers of artificial intelligence and tampering with life beyond death. Though some might have presumed Richard Flag or even Eric Frankenstein would be the leader of the Creature Commandos, the Bride stepped into this role quite naturally — despite her best efforts. She’s not really a people person.

However, that hatred of humanity turned into a strength when leading a team of inhuman individuals. And episode 2, “The Tourmaline Necklace,” gives insight into how the Bride came to be such a hater. As the story goes, the Bride is the second creation of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, but in her origin story these two actually fall in love. Of course, that doesn’t sit well with Eric the Monster. This doomed love triangle lends a fascinating lens onto all of the Bride’s future actions. It’s understandable why she hardens against the world.

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G.I. Robot Does His Duty

G.I. Robot is a fairly straightforward character. He was programmed to kill Nazis, no questions asked. And honestly? Good job, buddy.

Underneath his bolts and metal, however, G.I. Robot lives up to his Tin Man nickname. He has a heart in there somewhere for his friends and it’s nice seeing him bond with fellow soldiers and Dr. Nina Mazursky. Still, the highlight of his character’s trajectory is undoubtably when he unleashes his full fury against a group of neo-Nazis.

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Weasel’s Fiery Heartbreak

First appearing in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021), Weasel seemed to be nothing more than an odd, sniveling, man-creature with unsettling eyes. Which is all totally true — Weasel is kind of alarming. But somehow that’s part of his charm.

Over the course of the series, Weasel’s childlike wonder wins over (some of) his teammates and even Princess Ilana of Pokolistan. Yet his backstory, much like the Bride’s, sheds completely new insight onto his character. Weasel is famously known for an incident in which he attacked and killed multiple children. In reality, he befriended these school children and was trying to save them from an accidental fire. His story is a powerful example of the ways in which the world misunderstands the Creature Commandos.

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Eric Frankenstein Discovers Beauty

Returning to the Frankenstein trio, Eric kills Victor in a fit of rage after discovering his creator and the Bride are in love. This sets off a chain reaction of events in which both monsters must venture out into the world, all alone. Do we feel bad for Eric though? Not really. Staying somewhat true to Shelley’s story, he befriends a blind old woman in the mountains. Their friendship opens Eric’s eyes to the beauty around him, a beauty that can’t be seen with sight.

Did this lesson actually stay with Eric? Well, he killed his sweet little teacher and is still pursuing the Bride despite her protests. So that remains to be seen.

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Batman’s Cameo Above Phosphorus

Visually speaking, Doctor Phosphorus is one of the most striking members of the Creature Commandos. And just like his fellow monsters, he shares a horrific backstory that doesn’t excuse his violence but certainly explains it. Those crime families of Gotham City really don’t mess around.

Speaking of DC’s roughest town, Doctor Phosphorus’ episode, “Priyatel Skelet,” features the highest profile cameo of Creature Commandos. As Phosphorus and his henchmen engage in a snazzy song and dance routine during a crime montage, something breaks up the party scene. In a flash of lightning, Batman’s silhouette appears above the dance floor, striking fear into the criminals’ hearts. After all, Doctor Phosphorus is originally a member of Batman’s Rogues Gallery.

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Bride Avenges Her Friend Nina

The last episode of Creature Commandos might be its most heartbreaking. Since episode 1, Dr. Nina Mazursky has felt like an outsider among outsiders. Though she looks like a terrifying creature of the deep, she also doesn’t fit in among her fellow monsters. She lacks their ruthless nature.

Despite all the odds, she does strike up a genuine friendship with the Bride. That’s why she finally agrees to live up to her monstrous nature and deliver the killing blow to Princess Ilana. This scene evokes the iconic scene from The Creature from the Black Lagoon in which Gill-Man swims below his target. The mirrored beauty of this homage is cut short by a dizzying set of bad choices. While Nina’s death is an absolute gut punch, the Bride does avenge her fallen friend with a satisfying monologue and a quick bullet in Ilana’s head. It doesn’t bring Nina back but it does soothe the pain.

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What do you think is next for the Creature Commandos? The Bride’s new team, with an upgraded G.I. Robot and King Shark, can only spell more trouble for the monsters. But maybe it’s good trouble. And that last post-credits scene with Eric Frankenstein hints that he will return after finishing his just desserts.

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