The DC Universe’s first Batman villain casting has been confirmed forCreature Commandos, and I’m seriously excited for this new look at the iconic antagonist. Batman’s Rogues Gallery is one of the most fascinating in all ofDCif not all the superhero genre, with focal faces like the Joker and Scarecrow and less well-known figures like Doctor Bloom and Professor Pyg being key parts of some of the hero’s most interesting and unsettling stories. Naturally, this extensive villain catalog been adapted many times, withthe roster of Batman moviesand shows reimagining these characters in a range of ways.
As Batman’s rogues have had some of the most successful on-screen adaptations of any supervillain squad,the DC Universe release slatefaces an exciting challenge when it comes to the topic. Currently, it looks like the intention is to face this challenge as early as possible, since the DC reboot’s first release is also giving us an opportunity to see one of the more notable members of Batman’s lineup of antagonists. Based on the first look we’ve gotten - and the overall set-up of this debut - I’m very much looking forward to seeing what this first chapter holds.
Creature Commandos Has Revealed The First Batman Villain For The DC Universe
Clayface Got An Exciting DCU Tease In A Preview Of Creature Commandos
The DC Universe first teased the appearance of its Clayface in theCreature CommandosOctober 2024 trailer, which provided a better look at its cast and story, as well as letting audiences get a glimpse at what seemed to be the Batman character. Towards the very end of the trailer,a moment can be seen where Rick Flag Sr. appears to be fighting the villain, who has one hand transformed into a hammer, and uses his other arm as a whip aimed towards Flag.
However, this definitely being Clayface wasn’t fully confirmed until Alan Tudyk - who has already played a different Clayface in the animatedHarley Quinnshow - revealed he was also voicing the character inthe story ofCreature Commandos. In an interview withRotten Tomatoes, Tudyk explained about getting the role, and commented that “in this, Clayface is a killer. He’s a homicidal maniac.” This aligns with the sneak peek we got at the character in the trailer, as the fight between Clayface and Flag Sr. appears to be one that the shapeshifter is going all in on.
Why Creature Commandos Is A Perfect Place To Introduce Clayface
Clayface Fits Into Creature Commandos' Premise & Place In The Timeline
With the Batman movieThe Brave and The Boldstill appearing to be some considerable time from hitting screens,paving the way to the Dark Knight’s film makes sense for the franchise, which also makes introducing Clayface in the DCU’s first release all the more sensible a move. This is especially true in terms of alluding to what the DCU’s Batman is like, since showing how strong and how bloodthirsty one member of his Rogues Gallery is should help set the stage for what kind of threats the hero faces in Gotham, and how strong he needs to be in order to take them down.
On a more solelyCreature Commandos-focused level, Clayface is also a perfect figure to bring into the project as a result of his power set, and his more monstrous form, which makes him a more direct villainous parallel to the antihero team. To add to this, bringing Clayface into the DC Universe within an animated release also means his powerset can be shown to its fullest through the medium, without the financial constraints that a live-action Clayface could require.
It may also be interesting to note that Clayface has been both friend and foe to heroes in the annals of DC’s history, suggesting his appearance inCreature Commandoscould allow the character to potentially even appear in the team sometime in its future, depending on how his showdown with the team and its members actually goes. Since Batman has a wide Rogues Gallery for the DCU to use, lettingCreature Commandosborrow a character or two doesn’t seem like it would hurt the Caped Crusader, and could allow for some exciting change ups toCreature Commandos' roster should this be the plan.
Creature Commandos Cast List Means introducing A Batman Villain Makes Sense
Creature Commandos' Cast Helps Bring The DC Universe Together
While having a Batman villain in a release centered on other DC heroes might initially seem strange to some, I think it’s worth noting thatCreature Commandos' current cast list also includes Wonder Woman villain Circe. This shows that Clayface is not an exclusive figure in this regard, andsuggests that the intention is to help the DC Universe feel like an integrated and shared world from the offset by having figures associated with other heroes taking center stage in releases less associated with them.
On a similar note, Doctor Phosphorus was arguably best known to us beforeCreature Commandosfor being a Batman villain himself, and Amanda Waller has been known to be a thorn in the Dark Knight’s side throughout her comic history. As such, the decision to incorporate these figures into one story seems to be a move that benefits the franchise in terms of showing a wide range of characters from DC’s lore whose stories can build up other figures like Batman, creating some solid foundations before the franchise’s first film release hits withSupermanin 2025.
ThoughCreature Commandosalone likely won’t decide the future of the DC Universe single-handledly, any efforts it can make in order to set up its world and the exciting figures within it are likely to pay off twofold or tenfold going forward, since the show comes at such a crucial point in the reboot’s timeline. That said, only time will tell how the overarching franchise will handle figures like Clayface afterCreature Commandos, though the villain’s appearance this early in the game suggests promising things for what is yet to unfold.
Creature Commandos
Cast
Creature Commandos follows the exploits of a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for perilous missions unsuitable for humans. Released in December 2024, the film explores themes of redemption and collaboration as the monstrous squad is tasked with handling threats that present dire challenges beyond human capability.
