Spoilers for Creature Commandos
I saw a post on her critiquing James Gunnās portrayal of women in his show Creature Commandos. This post states that he usually does a very good job of writing women, but this just isnāt it and cites Princess Ilanaās sexual advances towards Flag, Ninaās nude portrayals in the bath, The Brideās backstory, and Amanda Wallerās comments on Circeās outfit. And while all these criticisms are completely valid I would like to raise a point that these scenes exist to critique the way women are viewed not just in society, but especially in comics
Creature Commandos hinges on women. Women are the center of everything.
Firstly, we have The Bride, who many point out does not even have her own name. She is made for a person who does not care for her or anyone yet feels entitled to her to the point of pursuing her for centuries, determined to capture her even if he has to knock her unconscious to do it. She is groomed by her father and taken advantage of. Ericās continued pursuant of her leads to him teaming up with Flag.
Next, we have Rick Flag who initially comes off as a stand up guy. He doesnāt like the sexual advances of Princess Ilanaā¦ until he does. Itās repeated that heās a much older man, which while heās hot, leads to him infantilizing her. He views her as this innocent princess which is why Circeās vision causes him to flip out and show his true colors. He immediately tries to accuse Circe of lying, and when no one believes him states that Themyscira isnāt event real, to which he has to be reminded that it is. His next action is then to team with Eric and try to discredit the expert on Themyscira. He refuses to see women outside of how he wants to see them, and while heās not entitled and violent like Eric they are teamed up together thematically for a reason because they will burn the world down to get the girl they believe is theirs whether that girl exists or not.
On that topic, Themyscira is brought up as a recurring theme throughout the show. Almost every episode it is brought up in some capacity and itās very existence is constantly called into question by the men of the series. The news anchor says it may not exist despite the fact that Circe is there in the present. Rick Flag denies it exists, and must be reminded it is. Despite this he stalks a woman and breaks into her house to prove that 1. Sheās full of shit and 2. Sheās not a real expert. When Themyscira is acknowledged to exist it is met with blatant misogyny.
The picture used on the news is of girls in bikinis. The Sons of Themyscira feel entitled to it because it is a land of all women. Even when Flag is corrected by someone about Themysciraās existence that man then says that a land of women sounds like heaven, implying sex. Even Waller comments on the inherent sexuality of Circeās costume.
To that comment, I think it is meant to point out how sexualized female characters are. Something we saw with Suicide Squad (2016) vs Birds of Prey, is a break down of the male versus female gaze. What does a womanās outfit look like when itās designed for sex appeal vs practicality. I think Wallerās call to attention to Circeās outfit is to call into question would SHE dress herself this way? Obviously male artists are going to draw her that way, but why does SHE choose it. It meta-reflects how women are being portrayed in comics especially when most female costumes start out hyper-sexualized.
Finally, Nina nude. I think, once again, this is done intentionally and on purpose. Nina is the only character who does not want to kill. She hasnāt. She has no abilities outside of the water and really shouldnāt be on the team. Sheās vulnerable, but you donāt see how vulnerable she really is until itās shown her naked, cramped into a tiny bathtub. Sheās alone and out of place despite literally being in her element, and she still has no protection. She is physically vulnerable the way the The Bride, Ilana, Circe and all women are vulnerable to the male gaze and menās attitudes towards them.
Female solidarity is what keeps the plot moving, and male Interference is what creates the drama and conflict. Circe views Ilana as a literal threat, not just a helpless princess. Amanda Waller believes Circe immediately, and when there are still doubts she calls in an expert. She trusts The Bride to lead the team because the Bride wonāt fuck Ilana. The Bride looks after and protects Nina because she knows Nina isnāt supposed to be in jail or in a combat situation at all. However, Flagās infantilization of Ilana + Ericās violent entitlement towards The Bride has led to a horrible team which have jeopardized the mission and may have caused Circeās future to come true.
In conclusion, let James Gunn cook.
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