After The Penguin and Creature Commandos, DC Is Finally Coming for Marvel’s Crown

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As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve been waiting for a while to see DC Studios find its groove, finally rivaling Marvel Studios’ consistent success. While Marvel seems to be dealing with recent hiccups like the underwhelming box office of The Marvels and the critical drubbing of Secret Invasion, DC Studios is on a roll, delivering two back-to-back hits that hint at James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new strategy potentially succeeding where past efforts faltered. What’s truly heartening, though, is the fact that the critically acclaimed and commercially successful films The Penguin and Creature Commandos demonstrate that it’s not about enforcing interconnectedness but rather crafting compelling stories that form the foundation of a durable cinematic universe.

In the wake of setbacks, there’s a sense of lyrical triumph in DC’s recent resurgence. Previously, when Warner Bros. Discovery discontinued the DC Extended Universe in 2022 due to dwindling profits and creative blunders, doubts swirled about DC’s ability to compete with Marvel’s reign. However, by analyzing past errors and adopting a drastically new approach, DC Studios is producing narratives that rival Marvel’s finest work. In fact, they could potentially outshine them.

Why The Penguin Changed Everything

In a different phrasing, “The Penguin” series symbolizes what DC Studios is now doing correctly, contrasting with the mistakes made by the DCEU. Rather than hastily introducing new characters or setting up future team-ups, this show takes its time delving into Gotham City’s criminal underworld from Colin Farrell’s perspective as Oswald Cobb. With each episode, more depth is added to the character’s psyche and suspense is built through intricately designed storylines that culminate in rewarding, fulfilling payoffs.

As a movie critic, I must say that the intricate narrative structure of “The Penguin” has struck a chord with viewers in an unexpectedly powerful way. Its debut, attracting 5.3 million viewers and surpassing recent HBO sensations like “Succession”, was indeed impressive. Yet, what truly sets it apart is its ability to captivate audiences more deeply with each subsequent episode, a testament to the show’s growing success. The fact that viewers are eagerly returning week after week to watch characters grow and develop organically underscores the power of giving characters room to breathe and evolve naturally on screen.

It’s particularly fitting to consider “The Penguin” as a spinoff from Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” given that it came into development naturally due to creative enthusiasm. Instead of mandating a specific TV series for cinematic purposes, DC Studios has chosen to let Matt Reeves and showrunner Lauren LeFranc follow their passions and make the show happen on their own terms.

Considering all factors, Colin Farrell’s Golden Globe win isn’t merely another trophy for his collection. Rather, it signifies a successful shift in DC’s approach to movies and series. By focusing more on character growth and emotional depth rather than just visual spectacle, The Penguin has managed to earn serious award recognition – even surpassing the acclaimed Marvel Disney+ series in this regard. The show’s further nominations for Best Television Limited Series and Cristin Milioti’s outstanding portrayal of Sofia Falcone underscore that superhero productions can break genre boundaries when creators are granted the liberty to tell their intended stories.

Creature Commandos Proves Lightning Can Strike Twice

If The Penguin demonstrated that DC can thrive with well-known characters using the Elseworlds initiative, Creature Commandos demonstrates they can achieve similar success with less familiar properties. This animated series follows a covert operations team of monsters and outcasts, making it vulnerable to failure due to several factors. Firstly, animation typically attracts a smaller audience, particularly when intended for mature viewers. Secondly, The Penguin emerged from the Batman shadow, DC’s most lucrative character, while the members of Creature Commandos are relative unknowns. Remarkably, despite these obstacles, the show has become one of the most highly-rated DC adaptations and continues to grow its audience through word-of-mouth.

The achievement of the show holds significant value as it marks the authentic commencement of James Gunn’s DCU. Unlike past endeavors trying to emulate Marvel’s approach, Creature Commandos forges its unique route by celebrating oddities and horror aspects that distinguish it from conventional superhero stories. Essentially, this series doesn’t fret about aligning with the presumed family-friendly vibe of 2025’s Superman, opting instead to narrate a tale that harmonizes with the eccentric outlaws driving the plot.

Although Marvel continues to rule the box office as a whole, their recent productions have been unpredictable in terms of success, hinting at a potential creative exhaustion within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The studio’s insistence on maintaining interconnected storylines often overshadows individual narratives, making it necessary for viewers to familiarize themselves with the backstory before fully enjoying each new release. However, Marvel Studios has managed to achieve unexpected success with a more independent production like “Agatha All Along“, which demonstrates that there might be alternative paths for superhero media. This is further supported by DC Studios’ achievements in crafting narratives centered around characters rather than an expansive universe.

A Better Future for Everyone

The triumph of “Creature Commandos” and “The Penguin,” set for release in July 2025 as part of Gunn’s DC Universe theatrical lineup, serves as a model for success. Gunn and his team have demonstrated that superhero burnout isn’t an unavoidable fate by emphasizing concise storytelling over expansive, multi-project endeavors, and by celebrating the unique aspects of DC characters. This shows that audiences haven’t lost interest in the genre; instead, they’ve become more discerning about quality. As DC Studios strives to surpass Marvel, it will push the Marvel Cinematic Universe to reassess its strategies, which is advantageous for fans.

Competition between DC and Marvel has historically resulted in a win-win situation for fans. For instance, when Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight revolutionized superhero filmmaking, Marvel countered with their own series of ambitious projects, which climaxed in the phenomenal success of the Infinity Saga. On the other hand, Marvel’s knack for creating a shared universe storyline compelled DC to think outside the box, leading to the current wave of innovation we see under DC Studios.

The friendly competition between DC and Marvel is set to inspire both studios to reach unprecedented levels of creativity. By motivating each other to think outside the box and up their game, viewers can anticipate captivating and thought-provoking tales from both cinematic universes. Ultimately, it’s the audience who benefits most, as they are treated to a rich tapestry of compelling stories from both sides.

The Penguin and Creature Commandos are currently available to stream on MAX.

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2025-01-09 18:11