Episode 4 of Creature Commandos is packed with revelations, heartbreak, and Easter eggs that make us rewind. Obscure characters rise, timelines shift, and chaos starts.
With nods to both golden-age and modern DCU favorites, the series dives deep into comic lore while reshaping it for a new generation.
The crutch that time forgot: John Economos returns
John Economos, one of Gunn’s recurring players, hobbles back into the spotlight with a crutch and a timeline conundrum. His injury, supposedly from his battle against the Butterflies in Peacemaker, should have healed by now, according to the continuity established in previous shows. Yet here he is, still limping. This detail leaves us guessing where canon stops and convenient storytelling begins.
Nonetheless, Economos’s presence also reaffirms the interconnected nature of Gunn’s storytelling. From The Suicide Squad to Peacemaker and now Creature Commandos, his journey ties these properties together, even as it raises questions about the consequences of past battles.
Though it might not seem like much, the crutch shows how crucial every tiny element is in Gunn's universe. Like Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Economos is an outsider trying to survive in chaotic, dangerous, and bizarre surroundings.
Betty Bates: A golden-age feminist icon reborn
Few viewers would have expected to see Betty Bates in the show. She is a defense attorney from the 1940s. At the time, very few women worked as lawyers. Now, here she is, lending her sharp legal mind to defend Weasel.
Betty’s inclusion is more than a quirky nod to DC’s history: it’s a bold reclamation of a character who was ahead of her time. One of the few female heroes in golden-age comics, she tackled issues like harassment and corruption. These were storylines that pushed the envelope in their days.
Her return in Creature Commandos shows Gunn’s dedication to reviving overlooked parts of comic book history. In a show that humanizes monsters, it’s fitting that Betty, once forgotten, now shines. Like Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, Betty battles for justice by using her intelligence and will to negotiate a society controlled by men.
Circe’s dark vision: The fall of Earth’s mightiest heroes
In one of the most haunting sequences of the episode, Circe shares a vision of the future with Amanda Waller. The scene is apocalyptic: Gorilla Grodd and Princess Ilana stand over a battlefield filled with the bodies of Earth’s greatest heroes. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and others—some yet to debut in the DCU—are defeated, their corpses hinting at a dark future.
More than just a nightmare, this is a statement. By showing heroes like Supergirl, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific among the fallen, Gunn signals high stakes in the DCU. Lesser-known figures are hinted at, like Starfire or Captain Atom. This leaves us fans wondering if we're being set up for future stories—or even tragic endings.
This vision of villainy mirrors the dark alliances in The Lord of the Rings, where Sauron and Saruman similarly rule through fear and conquest, leaving behind a path of destruction for the very heroes who stand in their way.
Themyscira’s tsunami: A ripple effect across the DCU
Themyscira’s introduction into the series brings with it a wave of lore—literally. A tsunami that struck Paradise Island ten years ago, causing the Amazons to evacuate to the mainland, is revealed in Circe's vision. The introduction of the reclusive Amazons to the human world represents a seismic shift (pun intended) in DCU history.
Even though we are not given many details about her, the addition of Themysciran culture expert Aisla MacPherson deepens the episode's examination of this mythic land. Even while her character doesn't have a direct comic equivalent, the story she represents—a clash between traditional customs and contemporary realities—feels very DC.
It evokes echoes of ancient mythological figures, much like Medusa or Ulysses, whose stories intertwine with gods, mortals, and their fates, as well as the guerrilla fighters in literature, like those in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, who resist oppression with sheer will.
Monsters among us: Belle Reve’s rogues gallery
No trip to Belle Reve would be complete without a tour of its monstrous inmates, and Creature Commandos doesn’t disappoint.
Gunn's ability to delve into every aspect of DC mythos is demonstrated by this parade of characters, which goes beyond simple fan service. Every inclusion, whether it's Egg Fu or the Bug-Eyed Bandit, feels purposeful and gives the world-building of the series more depth while still providing space for more stories to be told.
This collection of outcasts and misfits also harks back to stories like The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells, where the boundaries between human and beast blur, creating a moral and philosophical mess that challenges the viewer’s understanding of humanity and monstrosity.
Gunn’s mastery: Bringing the misfits to center stage
Turning underdog characters into cultural icons? This has always been a strength of James Gunn's. He turned a ragtag team of lesser-known (and some weird) heroes into charming characters that became essential to the success of the MCU. Yeah, Guardians of the Galaxy, we are talking about you.
Gunn’s genius lies in his ability to inject heart and humor into characters who might have otherwise been overlooked, creating a space where their quirks shine as their greatest strength. And now, with Creature Commandos, he’s doing it all over again—only this time, the stakes are higher, and the weirdness is cranked up to eleven.
What Gunn brings to Creature Commandos is the same magic that made Guardians unforgettable: a celebration of the weird, the misfit, the misunderstood. He is creating an environment where the bizarre and grotesque take center stage. They aren't just background elements. They are not props. Like with the Guardians, he is giving Task Force M a voice and purpose.
This mix of the strange and unique sparks strong, unexpected, and awesome emotions in us. So as to make sure that the outcasts of the DC universe not only survive but thrive, he has perfected the formula and is adding a little something extra with Creature Commandos.
Creature Commandos episode 4 doesn’t just sprinkle references for the sake of nostalgia. It uses them to expand its narrative canvas. Every reference to the larger DC world has a function. Whether to challenge continuity, strengthen ties, or hint at future developments, even the most obscure characters are given new life under James Gunn's direction.
All of this is very cool indeed. But when did pop culture start using Easter Eggs? The term comes from Easter egg hunts and was first used in the 1970s for hidden messages in video games. The first Easter Egg appeared in 1979 in the Atari 2600 game Adventure. Since developers weren't shown in the credits, Developer Warren Robinett buried a note claiming credit.
Easter eggs quickly found their way from movies to TV shows and video games. Directors started stuffing references to other movies or inside jokes. Toy Story, for instance, has a carpet modeled on The Shining. We find a lot of Easter Eggs in many of the movies from beloved and famous Studio Ghibli.
Trending
Today, Easter Eggs are more than just fun secrets. They engage fans and strengthen the connection between creators and audiences. Giving fans a little insider information will enhance and, to be honest, make our experience much more enjoyable.
Much like Doctor Who reminds us that "we're all stories in the end, please make it a good one," this new direction highlights that every character, no matter how bizarre or small, has the power to shape the DC universe. And we're trusting James Gunn to make Creature Commandos a good one.
Reply
