There are always going to be deep cuts in a James Gunn project, whether its Marvel or DC, the guy loves comic books. However some may not know just how much this guy loves comic books. Episode 4 of Creature Commandos just hit Max and told the heat-breaking true origins of The Weasel in the DCU, a character whose one of the few to carry over to from the DCEU.
WHO SHOWS UP IN CREATURE COMMANDOS EPISODE 4?
Each episode of the series has taken the opportunity to explore the background of each of these characters and explore their origins and how they ended up where they are today. Weasel is one of the more unique situations in this series, as we already somewhat know how he ended up in Amanda Waller’s hands from The Suicide Squad.
Accused of killing 27 children according to Rick Flag, however the episode showed us that that wasn’t the case and that Weasel’s legal representation was trying to prove that. However, his lawyer just happens to be pulled from the comics as well, comics from a long, LONG, time ago.
LADY-AT-LAW
When the Creature Commandos return to Belle Reve from Pokolistan, a frantic woman can be seen hounding John Economos with questions pertaining to her client. Economos has to keep telling her that he is sick right now and can’t be seen, Economos refers to her as Elizabeth Bates, who is Weasel’s lawyer and also just so happens to be voiced by the ever-so-wonderful Linda Cardellini.
When shortened, Elizabeth Bates is of course Betty Bates, and for those who enjoy checking out comic books from the 1940’s might just know who she is. Betty Bates first appeared in Hit Comics #4 in October of 1940; she would continue to appear throughout the next ten years, with her final appearance being in Hit Comics #65 in July of 1950.
Ms. Bates was considered a rather unconventional criminal defense attorney as well as a prosecuting district attorney who focused on taking down gangsters. Bates took on criminals such as Professor Bone, Mr. Malice, Killer Mack, The Barracude, and Double-Cross.
Betty was highly skilled at jiu-jitsu who enjoyed fighting with her hands, but didn’t mind having to pull a gun on someone in the right moment. Betty Bates was one of the most successful characters out of hit comics, and before the debut of Matt Murdock, was the longest running attorney character in comics.
WHAT IS HIT COMICS?
An interest fact about Betty Bates? she’s not even an original DC Comics character. Betty Bates originally belonged to Quality Comics, who published the comic book anthology title in the 1940’s.
The original Hit Comics feature characters like Hercules, The Red Bee Lion Boy, Kid Eternity, Stormy Foster, Neon The Unknown, Her Highness, Silk, and Betty Bates.
Quality Comics would go on to be purchased by DC Comics in 1956, absorbing all of its characters. Some of the characters even went onto become public domain, such as Betty Bates, the Lady-At-Law.
Multiple Quality Comics characters would find new life at DC. Characters like Plastic Man, Blackhawk, Uncle Sam, Black Condor, Doll Man, The Spirit, Miss Americana, Sgt. Rock, The Ray, The Jester, Max Mercury, Captain Triumph, Phantom Lady, and Human Bomb.
Bonus fun fact! the Red Bee just recently made his return to DC Comics in Peacemaker Tries Hard, a comic book written by Kyle Starks that released back in 2023 saw Peacemaker teaming up with the character.
The first four episodes of Creature Commandos are streaming now on Max. Check out more of our coverage of the DC Studios animated series here!
