James Gunn’s DCU vision is steadily unfolding across various series and films, establishing a complex world where metahumans play a pivotal and often troublesome role. Through shows like Creature Commandos and releases such as Peacemaker season 2, viewers are exposed to the interplay of magic, government control, and interdimensional dangers, all suggesting a larger, carefully crafted narrative for the DC Universe.
Understanding James Gunn’s Direction for the DC Universe
The foundation of Gunn’s narrative centers on the increasing threat metahumans pose to global stability. In the Creature Commandos series, Amanda Waller deploys a team of monstrous operatives to the war-torn nation of Pokolistan, where their mission confronts the enigmatic Amazonian sorceress Circe, only to culminate with the violent death of the nation’s rightful leader by The Bride. Meanwhile, Superman endeavors to prevent a war, and Hawkgirl takes drastic action by assassinating Boravia’s president, highlighting the volatile intersection between superpowered individuals and geopolitics.
Peacemaker season 2 intensifies these stakes, focusing on Chris Smith’s access to the Quantum Unfolding Chamber (QUC), a device with the capability to breach dimensional boundaries. Despite its immense potential, the primary concern for A.R.G.U.S., led by Rick Flag Sr., lies in exploiting the QUC for their own governmental and military aims. This introduces a troubling dynamic where the forces meant to protect humanity could open the world to unprecedented external and supernatural dangers.
These developments reflect unease from governments worldwide regarding metahumans’ unpredictable involvement in global affairs. The Justice Gang, a corporate-backed metahuman team, introduces questions about loyalty and motivation—are these heroes aligned with the people’s welfare or corporate shareholders’ interests? This conflict echoes long-standing themes within superhero comics, where the balance of power and ethics is continually debated.
Historically, superhero teams like the Justice League were once overseen by international bodies such as the United Nations but financially supported by individuals like Maxwell Lord, who also funds the Justice Gang. This relationship sparked international tensions, particularly with countries like the fictional Bialya. Past comic storylines, such as those by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, recorded incidents like Guy Gardner’s aggressive Soviet airspace violation nearly triggering World War III, underscoring the dangers of hotheaded metahumans acting independently.
More recent narratives, like Tom King and Daniel Sampere’s Wonder Woman run, reveal deep conspiracies within the United States, threatening war with the Amazons, while Superman consistently challenges the US government’s stance on superhuman affairs. Gunn builds upon these themes by positioning this political tension as a central narrative driver in the new DCU. Lex Luthor’s return to power looms large in these plans, aligning with his long-standing role as both adversary and power player within the meta-human ecosystem.
In Superman, one of the most revealing moments is Lex Luthor expressing his antagonism toward metahumans, saying,
I can’t stand the Metahumans, but he’s so much worse.
—Lex Luthor. This line illustrates Luthor’s deep-seated disdain not only for Superman but for any being with superpowers, reflecting classic comic book portrayals of his worldview.
While Gunn’s film and TV versions have yet to fully explore Luthor’s ambitions, the comics depict him leveraging his resources to become President of the United States. During his presidency, Luthor capitalizes on an alien invasion to establish the Human Defense Corps, a specialized military branch aimed directly at combating extraterrestrial dangers. Given Gunn’s narrative continuity, it seems likely he will adapt similar concepts, integrating this military dimension into the broader DCU storyline.
The Origin and Mission of the Human Defense Corps
The Human Defense Corps (HDC) was conceived as a response to the United States’ distrust of superheroes’ ability to handle alien threats. Composed of elite military personnel, equipped with advanced weaponry, and tasked solely with defending the planet from non-human dangers, the Corps represents humanity’s last line of defense beyond metahuman intervention.
The Corps’ debut mission involved tracking suspected Durlan shapeshifters aiding rebels in Bulgravia, only for members to discover a far more nefarious force—demons from Hell. The mission ended tragically with 66 soldiers presumed dead, leaving only Montgomery Kelly to survive and recount the harrowing event. This mission illustrates the scope and severity of threats the HDC faces, setting the stage for the supernatural and extraterrestrial challenges within the DCU.
Throughout the Human Defense Corps limited series, the squad prepares for various supernatural and alien invasions, including the possibility of a Starro attack, collaborates with Gorilla City scientists, and even participates in seances to gather intelligence on paranormal threats. Their role bridges military strategy with occult forces, a blend that could enrich Gunn’s storytelling palette with unique angles on supernatural warfare and geopolitics.
This trajectory culminates in a daring plan to invade Hell itself. The US government, spearheaded by President Luthor in the comics, seeks to not only rescue the missing troops who were captured and used as bargaining chips but also to seize power over a portion of Hell’s demonic rulers. This storyline holds strong potential for Gunn’s DCU, appealing to his affinity for narratives about underdog groups confronting overwhelming odds.
The world-building essentials are already in place: magic is a confirmed element, A.R.G.U.S. operates with advanced interdimensional technology like the QUC, and Lex Luthor’s Planet Watch initiative closely parallels the HDC’s mission in the comics. Gunn’s openness to evolving his plans suggests this Hell invasion concept could become a cornerstone for upcoming live-action projects, blending military drama, supernatural horror, and superhero action.
Potential Expansions and Themes in the DCU’s Future
James Gunn’s creative approach embraces diversity in tone and genre across DCU movies, allowing fantastical characters such as Clayface to coexist within narratives including Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. His past interest in war stories, as seen with a shelved Sgt. Rock project, indicates a willingness to explore grounded military tales within a superhero context, aligning well with the Human Defense Corps storyline.
This direction also dovetails with Gunn’s recurring examination of American power used for morally ambiguous purposes. Suicide Squad exposed covert US efforts to conceal government projects, Creature Commandos involved interference in foreign conflicts to safeguard American interests, and A.R.G.U.S.’s cooperation with the Pentagon highlights covert operations targeting perceived threats.
If Gunn incorporates Ty Templeton and Clément Sauvé’s Human Defense Corps series into his DCU, it would invigorate the franchise by introducing a fresh narrative domain focused on supernatural military engagement. This would open avenues for exploring the consequences of US military presence in Hell, fostering storylines steeped in political intrigue, battlefield ethics, and supernatural warfare.
This concept not only aligns with the intense, serious tone Gunn pursues but also provides fans with gripping, action-packed content distinct from traditional superhero fare. The merging of military thriller elements with mystical and extraterrestrial threats promises to deepen the DCU’s world complexity and broaden its appeal.
Ultimately, the revival of the Human Defense Corps concept within James Gunn’s DCU vision suggests a renewed creative commitment to exploring the darker, more intricate facets of superhero mythology, promising engaging stories for audiences eager for innovation within a beloved universe.
