DC Villain Who “Scared The S**t” Out Of James Gunn Teased To Return In 95% RT Series
A villain who “scared the s**t” out of James Gunn is hinted to be making a comeback in the DCU’s Creature Commandos.
Season 1 of the animated series, which has a 95% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, was the first release in the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, coming out before Superman or Peacemaker season 2. The story sees Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) putting together a task force of monsters from Belle Reve Penitentiary that includes the Bride (Indira Varma), Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), G.I. Robot (Sean Gunn), and Weasel (Sean Gunn), with the team led by the human Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo).
On Instagram, Creature Commandos showrunner and writer Dean Lorey posted an image from the title page of the script for season 2, episode 1, which is titled “Starry Night.” The episode title potentially hints at the return of Starro the Conqueror, a villain who last appeared in James Gunn’s DCEU movie The Suicide Squad. Check out the image below:
Starro is a gigantic, psychic, parasitic, alien starfish. During The Suicide Squad‘s press tour in 2021, Gunn shared that the villain “always scared the s**t out of me” (via ComicBook.com). He made Starro an antagonist in the DCEU film because he wanted someone who was terrifying and ridiculously over the top while still managing to work on “the gritty streets of Cologne, Panama.”
The Suicide Squad does kill Starro, but this doesn’t completely rule out the character’s ability to return. The movie is part of the DCEU, which is a different continuity from the DCU, although several characters and storylines from that film are still being used, especially in Creature Commandos and Peacemaker. There is also precedent in the comics for Starro to regenerate or evolve despite seemingly dying, which could be utilized to prevent any contradictions with the events of The Suicide Squad.
Bold Reimagining · Alternate DC Universe Test Your DC Comics Absolute Universe Knowledge
♆️SupermanReimagined
🦇BatmanNo billions
⚔️Wonder WomanReforged
⚡FlashSpeed
🌐UniverseAbsolute
01
DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe?
✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe.
02
In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up?
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly.
03
Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.
04
Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?
✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.
05
Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?
✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe.
06
The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”?
✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it.
07
Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash?
✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash.
08
Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator?
✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life.
Analysis Complete Your Absolute Knowledge
/ 8
Are you an Absolute expert — or still in the main continuity?
With or without Starro involved in the story, there is plenty to contend with after the Creature Commandos season 1 finale and the deaths of Nina and Princess Ilana Rostovic (Maria Bakalova). The Bride is now the leader of the task force and the team is teased to have several new members coming aboard, including King Shark. The post-credits scene also confirmed that Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour) is still alive and his obsessive pursuit of the Bride will surely continue.
While Gunn is still producing Creature Commandos season 2, he is not writing the episodes as he did for season 1. As seen in the image Lorey posted, he wrote episode 1, and is the leader of a writers’ room for the new season. Gunn is currently at work on filming Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Supermanthat is coming to theaters on July 9, 2027. Rick Flag Sr. will be in the movie after his story continued in live action via Superman and Peacemaker season 2, the latter of which saw him entering an alliance with Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
There is no official release date yet for Creature Commandos‘ return. Other than the animated show and Man of Tomorrow, other upcoming DCU movies and shows include Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface.
