While Marvel has nailed its universe-building on both the big and small screens, DC’s attempts have been less successful. With Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the DCEU officially comes to an end. Enter James Gunn and Peter Safran, who have developed a new franchise: the DCU. This new universe kicks off with the animated series Creature Commandos, debuting now, and will be introduced to cinemas next year with Superman: Legacy. Both projects are helmed by Gunn, and based on early critical reactions, the new DC Universe is off to a promising start.
IGN Praises Gunn’s Signature Style
Tyler Robertson from IGN enjoyed the animated series, stating:
“Creature Commandos elegantly fulfills its role of bridging the old DCEU and the new DCU while telling a rock-solid story that stands entirely on its own. The show is a pure showcase of James Gunn’s signature formula, packed with lovable misfits, great music, sharp humor, and intense violence—but presented in a refreshing way through animation. While its intentional lightheartedness doesn’t always pay off, it’s not distracting enough to drag the series down.”
Total Film: "The Explosive Start DC Needed"
Lauren Milici from GamesRadar+/Total Film also highly praised Creature Commandos:
“James Gunn’s surprisingly heartfelt, R-rated animated series is the explosive start DC desperately needed, proving that the DCU is in excellent hands.”
Milici highlighted the compelling antiheroes, rich backstories, and the unapologetically dark humor, violence, and boundary-pushing elements that set the show apart from previous DC projects. She also noted that the animation style recalls Batman: The Animated Series, a high benchmark for the genre. Her critiques? The season feels too short and leaves some characters underexplored.
Screen Rant: A Strong Foundation for the DCU
Ben Gibbons from Screen Rant shared a similarly positive sentiment:
“The series combines individually strong elements into a cohesive, high-quality package, providing a worthy foundation for the DCU. Creature Commandos introduces exciting, fresh characters in an incredibly humorous and intelligent way.”
Collider: Familiar Gunn Magic
Nate Richards from Collider was full of praise for Creature Commandos, particularly its animation style:
“The animation perfectly fits the tone of the series—less cartoonish than Harley Quinn, but not as serious as past DC animated films. Its style is comparable to Invincible on Prime Video—and yes, that means a fair amount of animated blood. Fans of Gunn’s past work for Marvel and DC will find the humor, emotion, and memorable characters they’ve come to expect. If this show signals anything, it’s that the future of the DCU is in great hands.”
Discussing Film: "Pure James Gunn"
Another glowing review comes from Discussing Film, which highlighted the show’s distinctiveness:
“Season 1 of Creature Commandos has all the hallmarks of James Gunn’s work. Even when it edges close to feeling repetitive—particularly with moments reminiscent of The Suicide Squad—it’s convincing enough to justify its existence and build excitement for the new DCU. While the season falters slightly near the end, it’s a must-watch, especially for fans of lesser-known DC characters who finally get their time to shine.”
Current Ratings and Release Details
At the time of writing, Creature Commandos holds an impressive 100% approval rating and an 8.4/10 score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series premieres on December 5 on Max with a two-episode debut.
If the reviews are any indication, Creature Commandos may be the breath of fresh air that DC fans have been waiting for.
