As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the labyrinthine world of DC Comics, I can confidently say that James Gunn’s latest venture into the universe, “Creature Commandos,” is nothing short of a treasure trove for fans like myself. The man has an uncanny ability to unearth the most obscure and forgotten characters, breathe life into them, and weave them seamlessly into his narratives, making even the most bizarre creations shine.
In 2021’s “The Suicide Squad”, director James Gunn demonstrated yet again his penchant for delving into the lesser-known realms of DC Comics’ extensive collection. The movie’s stunning opening scene showcases the new lineup of the Suicide Squad, featuring characters such as Javelin (played by Flula Borg), who uses javelins as weapons; Savant (Michael Rooker), a skilled combat and weaponry specialist; and The Detachable Kid (Nathan Fillion), whose ability allows him to detach his limbs voluntarily. Unfortunately, most of the team meets a gruesome and amusing end in the film.
These characters might appear bizarre or products of a twisted mind, yet they’re authentic DC figures. Some of them might have surfaced only during DC’s more eccentric periods, when writers experimented freely with unconventional ideas to see what would become popular. Interestingly, there are many others that Gunn opted not to incorporate. In the final episode of Creature Commandos, two lesser-known villains popped up in the background as a subtle nod to comics enthusiasts. But who are these peculiar individuals?
Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man
In the scene at hand, two intriguing characters remain silent yet expressive, peering menacingly from their cells as G.I. Robot (Sean Gunn) is escorted into Belle Reve prison following a brutal attack on a gathering of neo-Nazis. One of these figures stands out notably, boasting a T-Rex’s head protruding from one side of his face and a tree branch serving as an arm replacement. This unusual character is none other than the shapeshifting personality called Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man, who made his debut in the original Doom Patrol series dating back to the 1960s.
Originally depicted as in the comic series “Creature Commandos,” Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man showcases a unique appearance: one side resembles a T-Rex head and tree limbs, while the other half is made of diamond. Born as Sven Larsen, a scientist from Sweden, he acquired shape-shifting abilities after an accidental fall into a vat of amino acids. Although not well-known for his villainous exploits, Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man has had brief stints in the animated series “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” and the live-action “Doom Patrol.” Whether he’ll get a chance to showcase his abilities in “Creature Commandos” remains to be seen.
Crimson Centipede
Perhaps just as enigmatic as Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man is his neighbor, a stern, multi-armed figure clad in red attire. This character goes by the name of Crimson Centipede, another lesser-known adversary who made his debut in Wonder Woman comics during the ’60s (it seems that the ’60s were a time when artists’ creativity flowed freely into peculiar ideas). Brought to life by the deity of war, Mars, to stir up trouble for Wonder Woman, he primarily targeted banks to finance his illicit activities. Despite this, he did give Wonder Woman a tough challenge, managing to best her in their initial two confrontations.
In this initial portrayal, the character is somewhat of a blend between insect and human, standing at human height with green skin and multiple limbs; early depictions reveal him being capable of firing approximately eight weapons simultaneously, a skill that might prove useful in a bank heist. However, as the story progressed, the character was significantly transformed into a far more frightening figure, becoming more monstrous and grotesque. This version emerged in a 2017 issue of Wonder Woman comic books, having been developed by a S.T.A.R. Labs unit aiming to merge species for military purposes. Over the years, he’s cropped up sporadically in various series, but apparently never ventured beyond the realm of comics before. It’s intriguing how James Gunn managed to resurrect such an uncommon character for a humorous visual effect.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the rich backdrop of these two characters in this show, which is yet another testament to Gunn’s profound passion for the universe he’s meticulously crafting on screen. With his knack for breathing life into characters that were once underestimated in films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Suicide Squad, it comes as no surprise that Creature Commandos is another masterpiece in his portfolio. Whether we’ll see Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man or Crimson Centipede again remains a mystery for now, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they reappear in Gunn’s DCU at some point down the line. Catch it on Max.
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2024-12-14 07:01