Overview of Creature Commandos and King Shark’s Return
- “Creature Commandos”sets the stage for a reimagined DC Universe (DCU) through a successful adult animated series.
- King Shark re-emerges in “Creature Commandos,”hinting at a more prominent position in its upcoming second season.
- With shared elements between “The Suicide Squad”and “Creature Commandos,”the DCU is expanding its interconnections.
James Gunn’s Creature Commandos serves as the cornerstone of the restructured DC Universe. While launching this new chapter with an adult animated series may seem unconventional, the show has quickly won acclaim, establishing itself as a robust foundation for the upcoming “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.”The series prominently features returning characters from the DCEU, including Viola Davis as Amanda Waller and Steve Agee as John Economos.
This isn’t Gunn’s initial venture into the realm of DC Comics; he previously directed “The Suicide Squad”in 2021, following in the footsteps of David Ayer’s original installment. Additionally, Gunn helmed the John Cena-led series “Peacemaker.”With a thrilling cliffhanger in season one, Creature Commandos sets the stage for its confirmed second season, where it’s anticipated that King Shark will transition from the DCEU to the DCU.
King Shark’s Comeback in Creature Commandos
In the episode titled “A Very Funny Monster,”which aired on January 9, characters such as the Bride (Indira Varma), Weasel (Sean Gunn), and Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk) are housed in the refurbished Non-Human Interment Division at Belle Reve, accompanied by new and familiar faces. This episode brimmed with Easter eggs that nod to illustrious DC characters like Nightwing, Superman, and Green Arrow, hinting at an expanded cast for future seasons, including Nosferata and Khalis. The highlight was undoubtedly the surprise revival of King Shark.
Originally voiced by Sylvester Stallone in “The Suicide Squad,”the character of Nanue/King Shark is now getting a fresh voice under Diedrich Bader. Bader isn’t new to DC roles; he’s previously brought the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman to life in various projects since 2008’s “Batman: The Brave and the Bold.”Although King Shark’s appearance in the DCU was brief, fans can expect a much larger role in the second season of Creature Commandos.
In “The Suicide Squad,”King Shark was part of the squad alongside notable characters like Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), and Peacemaker (John Cena). The connection between “The Suicide Squad”and Creature Commandos deepens, as Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) references events in Corto Maltese and the fate of his son, Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman). While Creature Commandos claims the title of the new DCU canon, it undeniably complicates the narrative landscape alongside “The Suicide Squad”and “Peacemaker.”
When viewers last encountered the Suicide Squad, King Shark was with his team members on their way home, having gained their freedom through Bloodsport’s manipulation of Amanda Waller. However, the circumstances leading to his return to Belle Reve remain unclear. The explanation for King Shark’s recruitment into Creature Commandos lies in Waller’s daughter (Danielle Brooks) uncovering the existence of Task Force X, which prompted Waller to restrict its human recruits. Consequently, the ‘creatures’ such as King Shark still qualify for inclusion, leading to his current alignment with the revamped Task Force M. Despite “The Suicide Squad”underperforming at the box office, it’s a relief for fans that the beloved King Shark is now being absorbed into the DCU.
The Enduring Appeal of King Shark
First appearing in 1994’s “Superboy”(vol. 4) #0, King Shark has established himself as a formidable adversary to several prominent DC heroes, including Aquaman, Flash, Batman, and Superboy. His origin story reveals him as the offspring of “The King of All Sharks,”also known as the Shark God. With the onset of The New 52 continuity, King Shark was reimagined as a hammerhead and subsequently became a member of the Suicide Squad, facing intense trials under Amanda Waller’s influence.
Even before Stallone lent his voice to King Shark in “The Suicide Squad,”the character enjoyed considerable popularity within the DC Comics narrative. Director David Ayer had contemplated incorporating King Shark into the squad’s lineup but ultimately opted for Killer Croc due to the extensive CGI required:
“One of the characters I was thinking about for the squad line-up was King Shark, but we realized it would take a lot of work – a lot of CG work. We actually ended up going with Killer Croc who turned out to be the right guy for the job.”
Despite the buzz surrounding a possible sequel featuring King Shark, plans shifted when Ayer moved on to “Gotham City Sirens,”which was later scrapped. When Gunn took charge of “The Suicide Squad,”he reshaped the team, making King Shark a pivotal character.
King Shark has notably made appearances across various television shows and films, including a significant role in the CW’s “The Flash,”where he was portrayed as a marine biologist morphed into an anthropomorphic shark. Impressive CGI drew both admiration and criticism amid debates regarding Ayer’s choice to exclude King Shark from his version of the Suicide Squad. Additionally, a contrasting version of King Shark, voiced by John DiMaggio, appeared in animated works like “Batman: Assault on Arkham,”while more recently, Ron Funches delivered a comedic take in the animated series “Harley Quinn.”
Having gained traction from “The Suicide Squad,”King Shark remains a pivotal character, now showcased in Rocksteady Studios’ “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.”Although the game has its shortcomings, audiences appreciated King Shark’s evolution into a formidable force. Although Stallone’s iconic voice will not carry King Shark into the DCU, fans can remain hopeful as this cherished character embarks on a new journey.
While no official announcement regarding the return of Creature Commandos for its second season has been made, the potential for crossovers with other DCU projects remains tantalizing. With Grillo reprising his role as Flag in “Superman,”other characters may also make appearances in upcoming live-action series. Although the backstory of King Shark was minimal in “The Suicide Squad,”Creature Commandos promises to flesh out its characters’ backstories. As fans gear up for a richer narrative experience, King Shark’s return is sure to captivate audiences in the DCU’s expanding landscape.
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