Creature Commandos Episode 7’s Big Return Is An Unsurprising Twist

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This article contains spoilers for Creature Commandos

Summary

  • Creature Commandos sets up an expanded DC universe with gods and monsters.
  • G.I. Robot makes a comeback with a new and improved version in season 2.
  • The show draws from DC Comics, with G.I. Robot’s history and connections explored in depth.

The DCU initiated by James Gunn and Peter Safran is off to a strong start, and with Creature Commandos serving as the commencement of their superhero series, Gunn has swiftly created an enlarged universe teeming with gods and monsters. Emerging from the embers of 2021’s The Suicide Squad, Creature Commandos presented fans with Task Force M, a motley crew of disposable operatives sent on a perilous mission.

Similar to how The Suicide Squad had a substantial number of deaths, the seven-episode journey of Creature Commandos also witnessed numerous tragic casualties, including Princess Ilana Rostovic (Maria Bakalova) in “A Very Funny Monster” and an apparent death of Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour) in a post-credit scene. The finale also took the life of Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao). Despite the numerous deaths and chaos, there was a delightful reappearance in the series.

The Creature Commandos Finale Brings Back G.I. Robot

In the final episode of the “Creature Commandos,” Indira Varma’s character, known as The Bride, successfully defeated Princess Rostovic and made a swift exit from Pokolistan alongside Weasel (Sean Gunn) and Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk). Upon returning to Belle Reve Correctional Center, Viola Davis’ character, Amanda Waller, honored The Bride by transforming an entire wing into a special division for non-human detainees.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the anticipated return of Creature Commandos for its second season is now confirmed! The team seems poised for expansion with the apparent comeback of the beloved King Shark from The Suicide Squad, and new additions like the vampiric Nosferata and a mummy named Khalis. It appears that Eric Frankenstein’s survival might lead to his continued pursuit of the Bride in season 2, but what truly caught my attention was the surprising return of G.I. Robot!

One of the initial losses in the Creature Commandos team was G.I. Robot, voiced by Sean Gunn. The third episode, titled “Cheers to the Tin Man,” delved into G.I. Robot’s past. This character, much like his fellow Creature Commandos, was an artificial intelligence designed for one purpose: combating Nazis during World War II. Serving under Easy Company’s Sergeant Franklin John Rock, G.I. Robot believed he had found a place to belong. Regrettably, when his comrades moved on and eventually perished, G.I. Robot was purchased by Dr. Will Magnus – a scientist aiming to create a line of sophisticated robots.

In the storyline of “Creature Commandos,” it was G.I. Robot who met his apparent demise at the hands of Circe (Anya Chalotra). However, this wasn’t the last we saw of our robotic comrade as a revamped and stronger model appeared in Belle Reve’s new facility later on. This updated version seems to have gained some weight and resembles Marvel’s Hulkbuster, making him an ideal choice for dealing with whatever danger season 2 may bring. Observant viewers will recognize that the original G.I. Robot bore the number two on his helmet, suggesting that he wasn’t the first version of this character. Furthermore, some uncertainty surrounding Magnus’ research implies that there could be additional G.I. Robots waiting to be discovered.

Who is G.I. Robot in the Comics?

It’s no shock that G.I. Robot is making a return, given his history in DC Comics. First appearing in the “Star Spangled War Stories” #101 from 1962, the original G.I. Robot was named Joe and designed as a substitute for human soldiers on the battlefield. However, after just three issues, he mysteriously vanished, only to be replaced by another version (Mac) who appeared in a single issue before giving his life while battling a Tyrannosaurus.

The original G.I. Robot character was temporarily put aside until it was revived in the 101st issue of “Weird War Tales (vol. 1)” from 1981, and was renamed as ‘J.A.K.E. #1’. This stood for Jungle Automatic Killer – Experimental. The J.A.K.E. series of robots have carried the G.I. Robot character through to modern times in DC Comics. The first J.A.K.E. robot sacrificed itself to save a group of marines, and it was the second model, J.A.K.E. II, that became famous for joining the Creature Commandos. This is believed to be the inspiration for the animated version of the character in the DC Universe. Just as J.A.K.E. was soon replaced by J.A.K.E. II, season 2 of “Creature Commandos” will introduce a new version of him.

Version 6.1 of J.A.K.E., who debuted in Checkmate Vol 2 #24 (May, 2008), is included in the final two iterations of G.I. Robot. Interestingly, this version was crafted using components previously employed by Maxwell Lord when he was an android, and there’s some debate about Sean Gunn’s casting as Maxwell Lord in Superman. This could provide a means to integrate the villain into Creature Commandos. Additionally, ‘Lord Job’ emerged in the 2008 miniseries The War That Time Forgot. This particular G.I. Robot has unclear origins and resembles earlier models, yet remains somewhat enigmatic as he doesn’t specify the era of history from which he hails.

In the new series Creature Commandos, G.I. Robot takes center stage in his most substantial role yet. Prior appearances include a brief stint in an episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold titled “The Plague of the Prototypes!”, where he valiantly gave up his life to save Sgt. Rock. Given Gunn’s positive remarks about G.I. Robot’s portrayal, fans should have anticipated a comeback for this character. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn expressed admiration for the performance of G.I. Robot, hinting at its significance in the series.

I didn’t fully appreciate the innocent charm of G.I. Robot until Sean brought his character to life in the recording booth. The decisions he made for the character imbued it with a gentle, mechanical innocence.

Despite the exciting development that G.I. Robot is back on the redesigned Creature Commandos team, there’s a lingering melancholy as it seems unlikely Nina will rejoin them. G.I. Robot found a sense of belonging with the Commandos during World War II more than anywhere else, and his connection with Ninja during their brief time together was particularly strong. Her passing will undoubtedly leave a gap in the lives of the remaining team members. However, given G.I. Robot’s strength even in his original form, this upgraded version is expected to play an even more crucial role within the Creature Commandos when the series resumes.

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2025-01-11 20:06