As a long-time comic book enthusiast and moviegoer who’s spent countless hours poring over DC lore, I must say that the latest episode of Creature Commandos has left me quite intrigued. The series is proving to be a delightful addition to the ever-expanding DC Universe, with each installment offering a self-contained story while still sprinkling in Easter eggs for us dedicated fans.
Despite being the initial installment in the DC Universe (DCU), the animated series for “Creature Commandos” offers a surprisingly self-sufficient narrative. Although each episode is rich with Easter eggs and nods to the characters from the emerging cinematic universe, the show primarily focuses on telling its own tale about an unlikely group bonding together at unexpected moments. This mirrors James Gunn’s vision for the DCU, where each production can be independent while still being interconnected. However, Episode 4 introduces a popular character cameo that could potentially emerge as the first major antagonist in the DCU.
WARNING: CREATURE COMMANDOS EPISODE 4 SPOILERS!
In Episode 4, the Creature Commandos find themselves back at their Belle Reve base after apprehending Circe (portrayed by Anya Chalotra). However, they soon realize that their assignment isn’t completed yet, as Circe discloses her assault on Pokolistan was intended to prevent Princess Illana (played by Maria Bakalova) from dominating the world. To underscore her sincerity, Circe reveals a chilling vision of a devastated planet (narrated by Viola Davis).
From my perspective as a captivated observer, in Circe’s prophetic gaze, I witness Illana raining destruction upon American soil with devastating force, her armored troops storming ashore to exterminate any remnants of life. The chilling laughter that echoes from Illana is heard amidst a blazing landscape where Earth’s mighty heroes lay lifeless, impaled or crucified. What truly sends shivers down my spine in this vision is the alliance between Illana and Gorilla Grodd, as the sinister ape orchestrates his troops to fire upon innocents and discard their remains in a mass grave. With merely three episodes left in Season 1 of Creature Commandos, it seems unlikely that our heroes will encounter Grodd. However, his emergence may be a tantalizing hint at a more significant role for this infamous villain within the expansive DC Universe.
Who Is Gorilla Grodd in DC Canon?
In 1959’s issue #106 of The Flash, John Broome and Carmine Infantino introduced Gorilla Grodd, a character who would become one of DC Comics’ most iconic villains and the foundation for an influential fictional setting known as Gorilla City. This secret high-tech utopia is said to have arisen in the African Congo Basin around 1860. The origin story varies depending on the comic era, with either a crashed alien spacecraft or a mysterious meteor being responsible for evolving a tribe of gorillas into beings with super-intelligence and telepathic powers.
At the core of this sophisticated ape society resided two powerful figures: Solovar, the shrewd and conciliatory leader of Gorilla City, and Grodd, his cunning yet merciless adversary. Under Solovar’s guidance, Gorilla City evolved into a technological paradise that outshone human civilization, concealed from the world using sophisticated camouflage technology. The city’s presence was unknown until Grodd’s actions compelled Solovar to seek aid from The Flash, signaling the start of the intelligent apes’ intricate connection with the outside realm.
Over the span of several decades, Grodd’s abilities have expanded significantly beyond mere telepathy. Now, he wields telekinesis, unleashes psychic blasts, and displays a chilling capacity to ingest others’ brains for knowledge absorption. However, what truly sets him apart is his extraordinary power to transfer his consciousness into human bodies, metamorphosing himself entirely into the person he displaces.
With every new attempt, his tactics became increasingly ruthless. To illustrate this in the New 52 storyline, he went as far as killing his own father to gain control over Gorilla City. What’s more chilling is that he developed a gruesome practice of devouring the brains of his adversaries to acquire their wisdom.
Grodd Is Perfect as a Slow-Burn “Big Bad” Villain
As a staunch supporter, I’d like to highlight how Grodd, often seen as The Flash’s adversary, has managed to carve out his own niche beyond the shadow of the Scarlet Speedster. What sets Grodd apart is his capacity to pose real threats to a variety of heroes. In the comic books, he’s squared off against the Justice League of America on numerous occasions, engaged in physical combat with Kalibak (Darkseid’s son), and even stood toe-to-toe with Superman. His raw physical strength combined with his telepathic abilities make him a formidable foe, even without the technological devices he constructs to dominate his enemies. After all, as a gorilla of considerable size, Grodd possesses the power to tear opponents apart.
Due to many adaptations, Grodd has gained enough public recognition to be a familiar figure in pop culture. In the TV series The Flash on The CW, he became a recurring menace whose influence was significant throughout multiple storylines. This portrayal retained his formidable telepathic powers and traced his background to military experiments instead of an advanced ape society.
His animated appearances have further cemented his reputation. For instance, in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by John DiMaggio, he demonstrated his leadership abilities by forming G.A.S.P. (Gorillas and Apes Seizing Power) to invade Gotham City. As it turns out, DC Studios is developing a Batman: The Brave and the Bold movie, which could ultimately connect to this Creature Commandos cameo.
Ultimately, introducing Grodd as a main antagonist for the DC Universe (DCU) would offer a fresh take compared to previous cinematic adaptations where Darkseid was portrayed as the supreme threat. By opting for Grodd, director James Gunn can craft a unified narrative that explores various aspects of the lore rather than solely concentrating on space-based adventures.
New episodes of Creature Commandos hit MAX every Thursday until January 9, 2025.
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2024-12-19 22:11