When we next see Superman on the big screen in Superman: Legacy, it’ll be a younger Man of Steel in the role than we’ve seen in quite some time. As the focal point of the next live action series on HBO Max, you can get to know Waller before Waller through this explosive run where we learn her secret: that no one is truly expendable. As an outspoken fan of the run, going so far as to include Ostrander in The Suicide Squad, Gunn knows just as well as we do that “The Wall” is a lot more than she appears. But long-time followers of the character through the original Suicide Squad series by John Ostrander and Kim Yale know the truth of her, as one of the richest and most complicated characters in the DC Universe. You could be forgiven for believing, at first glance, that Task Force X taskmaster Amanda Waller is a cold, heartless villain. Yes, we mean the monster, not the doctor.

For a more modern take on the concept, you’ll want to check out one of the more eclectic books of DC’s 2011 New 52 launch which placed Frankenstein front and center in this team of movie-inspired monsters. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick for the Weird War Tales anthology about an experimental military unit of monsters designed to strike fear into America’s enemies. The original Creature Commandos were created in 1980 by J.M. From his early work at Troma to the chaotic violence of The Suicide Squad,monster movies and war stories are in his blood. But if you’re familiar with James Gunn’s work, it’s not surprising at all. Vibe check!Ĭreature Commandos feels like a surprising choice at first glance for this slate. Think of this not as a literal blueprint for the future of DC Studios, but a mood board. But I suspect they’ll do a decent job setting the tone for what I personally expect out of Gunn and Peter Safran’s upcoming efforts, and to maybe help you get a little more acquainted with what they’re going for.

Here’s what we are definitely not saying: these comics, barring a hilarious cosmic coincidence, are absolutely not going to be the literal beat-for-beat story basis of what’s to come. But as we like to say around here, in the meantime, there’s always comics. It’s going to take a little time yet for the master plan to unfold. It’s taken me a month to absorb the recent DC movies and TV announcement because…well, it was a lot, wasn’t it? In just a few info-packed minutes, DC Studios co-leader James Gunn unveiled the next ten projects coming down the pipeline for a grand, unified vision of the DC Universe across film, television and yet more media to come.

Vibe dc comivs