The New King Shark: 5 Shocking Ways Creature Commandos Just Changed DCU Canon Forever

The DC Universe (DCU) has officially begun, and its foundation is built on monsters. As of December 5, 2024, James Gunn and Peter Safran's ambitious reboot, *Chapter One: Gods and Monsters*, kicked off with the adult animated series, *Creature Commandos*. This premiere is not just a new chapter; it's a complete, startling recontextualization of established DC canon, with the surprise inclusion of King Shark—a character fans thought they knew—proving to be the biggest game-changer.

The series, which follows a black ops team of literal monsters assembled by Amanda Waller, is the first project fully written by James Gunn for the new DCU. King Shark, or Nanaue, is a late but crucial addition to this bizarre squad, and his presence immediately blurs the lines between the past and the future of DC storytelling. His role in the new Task Force M, alongside a roster of classic and obscure horror-themed heroes, sets a dark, irreverent, and wildly unpredictable tone for the entire cinematic and television universe to follow.

The New Task Force M: King Shark and the Creature Commandos Roster

The *Creature Commandos* series introduces a new iteration of the team, initially known in the comics as Project M’s World War II unit, but now operating as a contemporary black-ops squad under the command of Amanda Waller. This unit, colloquially known as Task Force M (Task Force Monster), is composed of individuals deemed too monstrous or dangerous for conventional military use. King Shark’s inclusion, confirmed in the series finale, establishes a direct, yet complicated, link to the previous continuity.

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Here is the essential breakdown of the key figures and their voice actors in the DCU’s inaugural project:

• Amanda Waller (Voice: Viola Davis): The ruthless government official who assembles the team, reprising her role from the DCEU.
• Rick Flag Sr. (Voice: Frank Grillo): The new leader of the Commandos and father of the late Rick Flag Jr. His presence is a major canonical shift.
• The Bride / Nina Mazursky (Voice: Indira Varma): A central figure in the team, a Frankenstein-like monster who is a cornerstone of the new DCU.
• Doctor Phosphorus (Voice: Alan Tudyk): A villainous character with a radioactive body, adding a classic DC villain to the monstrous lineup.
• Eric Frankenstein (Voice: David Harbour): The monster originally created by Victor Frankenstein, now a key member of the squad.
• Nosferata (Voice: Zoë Chao): A vampire character and another 'literal monster' on the team.
• Weasel (Voice: Sean Gunn): Reprising his role from *The Suicide Squad*, further linking the past and future.
• G.I. Robot (Voice: Sean Gunn): A classic war-themed character, also voiced by Sean Gunn.
• King Shark / Nanaue (Voice: Diedrich Bader): The massive, dim-witted, but surprisingly sweet demigod, whose new voice actor signals a fresh start.

5 Ways King Shark’s Role Redefines the New DCU

The appearance of King Shark (Nanaue) in *Creature Commandos* is more than just a fun cameo. It’s a deliberate narrative choice by James Gunn to establish the rules of the DCU's *Chapter One: Gods and Monsters*. His casting and placement in the story answer long-standing questions about continuity and set the stage for future projects like *Superman* and *The Authority*.

1. The King Shark Recasting Confirms a Full DCU Reboot

In the previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU), King Shark in *The Suicide Squad* was voiced by Sylvester Stallone. The new DCU’s King Shark is voiced by veteran voice actor and comedian Diedrich Bader. This is a critical distinction. While the character design and personality may be similar to the one fans loved, the recasting of the voice actor, despite the character being animated, sends a clear message: this is a new universe. The fact that Weasel (Sean Gunn) and Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) retain their actors suggests a "soft reboot" where certain actors and characters can carry over, but King Shark's change confirms that the new DCU is not bound by the old one.

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2. He Solidifies the Task Force M/Suicide Squad Connection

The entire premise of *Creature Commandos*—a group of incarcerated misfits forced to undertake dangerous government missions—is a direct parallel to the Suicide Squad. The inclusion of three characters from *The Suicide Squad* (Waller, Weasel, and King Shark) cements the idea that the Commandos are essentially Task Force M, a precursor or parallel version of the Suicide Squad in the new DCU. King Shark, a fan-favorite from the previous team, acts as a bridge, making the Commandos feel like a natural, monstrous evolution of Waller's methods. The series finale's addition of Nanaue directly sets up a potential Season 2 with a fully formed 'monster squad.'

3. Nanaue’s Presence Establishes the 'Gods and Monsters' Theme

The subtitle for DCU Chapter One is *Gods and Monsters*. King Shark is literally a demigod, the son of the Shark God. His very existence on a team with a vampire (Nosferata), a Frankenstein-like creature (The Bride), and a radioactive man (Doctor Phosphorus) immediately grounds the DCU in the supernatural and mythological. This is a universe where true, literal monsters exist, not just super-powered humans. Nanaue's mythological background, hinting at the existence of a pantheon of ocean gods, opens the door for other 'Gods' in the DCU, setting the stage for characters like Wonder Woman and even the cosmic elements of the Superman story.

4. He Confirms the Importance of Rick Flag Sr.

The leader of the Creature Commandos is Rick Flag Sr., the father of the Rick Flag Jr. who died in *The Suicide Squad*. The appearance of King Shark, who was a teammate of Rick Flag Jr., in the Commandos' new lineup creates a powerful, emotional dynamic. Flag Sr. is now leading a team that includes one of his son's former associates (and a monster at that), adding a layer of tragic irony and complexity. This familial connection is a key piece of the DCU's new continuity, suggesting that the personal histories of even minor characters will have a major impact on the overarching narrative.

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5. King Shark is a Blueprint for Future Animated/Live-Action Crossovers

The biggest canonical shift is that the actors voicing the animated characters are contracted to play their live-action counterparts in the DCU. David Harbour (Eric Frankenstein), Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.), and Maria Bakalova (Princess Ilana Rostovic) are all set to transition to live-action. While Diedrich Bader is a voice actor, the fact that King Shark is a CGI/animated character in both mediums means the King Shark design established in the animated series is the one fans should expect in any future live-action appearances, likely with Bader's voice continuing. This animated series is not an isolated side project; it is the main canon, with King Shark's story being essential viewing for understanding the DCU's future.

The Future of Nanaue in the DC Universe

With *Creature Commandos* having successfully launched the DCU, the focus now shifts to what comes next for King Shark. The series finale sets up the new Task Force M as a fully operational unit, indicating that Nanaue’s journey is just beginning. His relationship with the other 'monsters'—especially the stoic Eric Frankenstein and the complex Bride—will be central to the team's dynamics in future seasons.

King Shark's character arc, transitioning from a minor antagonist to a core member of a government-sanctioned monster squad, embodies the spirit of James Gunn's DCU: taking obscure, B-list characters and giving them surprising depth and relevance. Fans are now eagerly anticipating news of Creature Commandos Season 2, where King Shark will undoubtedly play a much larger, more integral role in the unfolding narrative of the new DC Universe. His story proves that in the DCU, the most unexpected characters hold the key to the future.