The DCU’s First Release Breaks Basically Every Rule That DC Followed For Decades

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Creature Commandos episodes 1 & 2The DCU’s very first official project breaks nearly every rule DC once followed with their comics. As seen with the new animated series Creature Commandos, Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) has brought together a brand-new task force unlike any she’s had before. Likewise, “Task Force M” is truly a testament to just how far DC’s storytelling has come, both on screen and on the page.

As seen in Creature Commandos episodes 1 & 2, the new animated DC series premieres with Amanda Waller deploying General Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) and Task Force M on their first mission to protect the princess of a small European nation from the Amazonian sorceress Circe (Anya Chalotra). Comprised solely of non-human operatives Waller has identified as monsters, the Creature Commandos are quite a colorful group in their abilities and personality. To that end, it’s remarkable to think about the now-defunct Comics Code Authority and all the ways the show has already broken nearly all of its outdated rules.

DC’s History With The Comics Code Authority Explained

An Alternative To Government Regulation

Created in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America, the Comics Code Authority was an alternative to government regulation. A process of self-censoring the industry in the wake of public concerns over the themes of crime and horror in comics and fears of their influence on “juvenile delinquency”, the CCA was a voluntary but eventually widely accepted process in which publishers would send comics to be approved in accordance to a very strict set of standards, ensuring the stories being distributed were wholesome. As such, the CCA seal of approval was frequently looked at by advertisers and retailers for guidance.

However, the CCA’s long list of restrictions was eventually seen as far too constrictive, resulting in the bulk of many comics being devoid of any real themes or stakes. As was mandated by the CCA, “In every instance good shall triumph over evil and the criminal punished for his misdeeds.” Certain institutions like the police and military must always be depicted in a good light. Likewise, criminals must never be depicted as sympathetic.

Additionally, horror elements such as the use of vampires, zombies, and werewolves were not allowed under the CCA, beyond more typical content restrictions one would expect such as drug use, vulgar language, excessive violence, nudity, and more suggestive/sexual themes. To that end, DC and many others started publishing some stories without CCA approval over the decades, especially during the 80s and 90s. Ultimately, DC Comics was one of the last publishers to continue using the CCA until it became fully defunct in 2011.

Creature Commandos Breaks The Biggest Comics Code Authority Rules

Way More Violations Than Just A Team Of Monsters

By simply existing as a collection of monsters, the DCU’s Creature Commandos certainly break one of the biggest CCA rules. Furthermore, there are also frequent uses of explicit language and plenty of excessive blood and gore during the premiere episodes’ action sequences. Likewise, both Creature Commandos episodes 1 & 2 contain their share of sequences featuring sex with nudity, though subjects are strategically covered in key graphic areas by objects in the foreground or are intentionally framed away from the screen.

Furthermore, Creature Commandos is undoubtedly going to be a series that seeks to have viewers sympathize with its characters who were incarcerated by Amanda Waller and ARGUS. While that would have been a big no-no for the CCA, it’s certainly James Gunn’s bread and butter, as has been seen with The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker season 1, and now with Creature Commandos. After all, there’s clearly entertainment to be had with characters/anti-heroes with compromised morals who might still be able to achieve some good at the end of the day.

Seriously, Why Is Creature Commandos Is So Provocative?

DC’s Come A Long Way Since The CCA…

That being said, this is a DC show that definitely caters to an adult audience, as Creature Commandos is by no means kid-friendly. After all, ​​​​it certainly looks as though the animated medium is allowing DC to take things even further and get even bloodier than they perhaps would in live-action. This includes some of its more provocative scenes that may take some viewers by surprise if they don’t know anything about the new DC show going in.

If the DCU’s new Creature Commandos series were a comic, the entirety of its premise and featured topics and themes just couldn’t be done back in the day under the CCA. As such, it’s objectively a testament to how far comic stories have come both in content and variety and by extension, the shows and movies that have been adapted from them. To that end, Creature Commandos might not be for all viewers, just as not every comic is for all readers.

New episodes of Creature Commandos stream Thursdays on Max.

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Creature Commandos

This animated series follows a covert team of monstrous inmates recruited for perilous missions deemed unsuitable for humans. United by secrecy and necessity, the Creature Commandos tackle extraordinary threats, serving as the ultimate option when traditional forces fall short.

Cast

Indira Varma , Frank Grillo , Zoe Chao , David Harbour , Sean Gunn , Alan Tudyk , Anya Chalotra , Maria Bakalova , Viola Davis , Steve Agee , Benjamin Byron Davis

Character(s)

The Bride , Rick Flag Sr. , Nina Mazursky , Frankenstein , GI Robot , Weasel , Dr. Phosphorus , Circe , Princess Ilana , Amanda Waller , Economos , Rupert Thorne

Release Date

December 5, 2024

Seasons

1

Franchise(s)

DC

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