Creature Commandos made a splash at New York Comic-Con, unveiling a new trailer that gave fans their first extended look at the animated series that’s set to kick off the new DCU. Among the exciting reveals, the trailer showcased the first appearances of Clayface and Circe, signaling some serious threats for the ragtag band of antiheroes.
The trailer opens with Amanda Waller briefing Rick Flagg Sr. on his current predicament, which involves him landing in the middle of an “international incident.” Soon after, we meet the rest of the Creature Commandos team, a group that includes The Bride, Doctor Phosphorus, The Weasel, Nina Mazursky, and G.I. Robot. Gunn’s take on the characters is a spin on the classic concept, with the team this time around notably not consisting of human prisoners—a decision apparently influenced by a U.S. congressional refusal to use them.
It’s not just about the Commandos though—the teaser gave a first look at some of the formidable villains they’ll be up against, including Clayface and Circe. The animation also gives strong Suicide Squad vibes, featuring plenty of blood, exploding heads, and unflinchingly violent action. Creature Commandos is clearly not holding back on its brutal tone.
James Gunn’s Creature Commandos is set to arrive on Max on December 5, 2024, and the voice cast is a star-studded affair. Fans can look forward to the vocal talents of Steve Agee, Maria Bakalova, Anya Chalotra, Zoe Chao, Frank Grillo, Sean Gunn, David Harbour, Alan Tudyk, Indira Varma, and Viola Davis. Gunn also hinted at some special appearances, with guest stars including Michael Rooker, Peter Serafinowicz, Linda Cardellini, and more.
Creature Commandos: New Details Revealed at NYCC
Gunn and several cast members took to the NYCC stage to provide further details about what fans can expect from Creature Commandos. David Harbour, who lends his voice to Frankenstein, touched on the evolving relationship between Frankenstein and The Bride. Harbour mentioned his appreciation for the familiar, yet intriguing, Frankenstein’s monster trope, while also hinting that this series will add a unique twist that may surprise viewers.
Frank Grillo, who plays Rick Flagg Sr., seemed equally enthusiastic about the project. “I fell in love with this show and my character immediately,” Grillo shared, describing Flagg Sr. as a character firmly within his acting “wheelhouse”—a troubled man tasked with keeping a bunch of unpredictable maniacs in line. Fans should also prepare for some romantic sparks between Flagg Sr. and characters voiced by David Harbour and Maria Bakalova, something Gunn jokingly referred to while sharing stories of behind-the-scenes antics during the voice recordings.
Speaking of which, Gunn revealed a rather hilarious anecdote from the recording booth: apparently, Frank Grillo and Maria Bakalova went the extra mile, making out with their own hands while attempting to voice a love scene. Gunn teased that he plans to release that behind-the-scenes footage along with Episode 2 of the series, further underlining the show’s delightfully oddball and chaotic energy.
Gunn also took a moment to discuss Episode 4, calling it the “saddest thing” he’s ever written and saying it was the one he “most wanted to get right.” Given Gunn’s reputation for balancing humor with emotional gut-punches—remember Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?—fans may need to have some tissues handy for this one.
DCU’s Gods and Monsters Chapter Begins
Creature Commandos will launch the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, a new era that also includes Superman: Legacy and Peacemaker Season 2. This first season of Creature Commandos will span seven episodes, with new installments dropping weekly. Gunn assured fans that while there will be some nods to Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad, new viewers won’t need to be familiar with those projects to enjoy Creature Commandos.
With Gunn’s penchant for taking obscure comic book properties and turning them into crowd-pleasing hits, Creature Commandos looks poised to offer a blend of humor, heart, and high-octane action—all while introducing fans to a whole new roster of DC misfits. If the NYCC trailer is any indication, this one’s going to be a wildly entertaining ride.
