Summary

Batman's cameo in Creature Commandos' latest episode shocked creator James Gunn.
Cameo hinted at potential project featuring Batman and Superman.
Appearance raised questions about Batman's version and set expectations for future DC projects.

Creature Commandos’ latest episode offered its most high-profile DC Universe cameo yet: Batman. However, the initial draft showed a clearer and longer version of the Caped Crusader that apparently frightened creator James Gunn.

Creature Commandos' sixth and penultimate episode was released on Max on January 2, 2025, and continues the story of Amanda Waller’s meta-human-filled Suicide Squad analog, “Task Force M,” led by Rick Flag Sr. The animated series is famous among DC fans for its several cameos of DC characters, including Clayface, Gorilla Grodd, Wonder Woman, Flash, and even Shaggy from Scooby-Doo’s Monster Inc. The season finale is scheduled for release on January 9 and is set to feature the DCU’s first post-credits scene while a second season has already been greenlit.

James Gunn Wasn’t Ready for the Levels of Commitment After Seeing “A Lot More” Batman

Episode 6 of Creature Commandos, “Priyatel Skelet,” explores the tragic backstory of Task Force M member, Dr. Phosphorus . Towards the end of the episode, Batman’s silhouette appears for a split-second on the roof of a club scene in Gotham where Phosphorus and his goons party, immediately after a sharp power cut. Speaking exclusively to Rotten Tomatoes on YouTube, James Gunn revealed that the scene with Batman was originally a lot more detailed, but he wasn't ready for such levels of commitment.

When they first gave it to me, we saw a LOT more Batman. And I was saying, ‘I am not ready to commit to that. I’m not ready to commit to that. I’m not ready to commit to that. ‘So I was just like, ‘more silhouette, more silhouette, more silhouette’.

Gunn also shared that he saw the scene as a great way to establish Batman’s existence as a well-known figure in this universe — as opposed to going the way of another origin story — much like David Corenswet's Superman and other supporting superheroes are in Metropolis in the upcoming Superman movie. But what likely made fans’ eardrums tick was the filmmaker’s tantalizing hint at a project featuring the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, with the words “I can’t wait for people to see more of him [Batman] along with Superman.” If that holds up, fans may get a long-dreamed adaptation of DC’s World’s Finest comics.

Batman’s brief appearance in Creature Commandos, apart from the obvious implication that he was the one who put Dr. Phosphorus behind bars, raised many questions, such as which version of Batman it is and how old. The silhouette, however, seems clear enough to answer the former question. It hints at short ears and the character’s iconic blue-and-grey bat suit. With this tease, it’s now safe to say that there’s more pressure on Andy Muschitetti’s recently-delayed Batman: The Brave and the Bold DCU project and the upcoming Clayface movie to deliver in terms of introducing Gotham's vigilante and setting the tone for DCU’s Gotham. Fans would also be hard-pressed not to miss any other surprise cameos that the post-credits scene of Creature Commandos' season finale likely holds.

Creature Commandos' first six episodes are currently streaming on Max, with the finale set for January 9.

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