Creature Commandos on Max, despite being the kick-off to James Gunn’s new DCU, is chock full of Easter eggs and references to DC Comics history. That includes the main setting of the series, the nation of Pokolistan, which is indeed a location in DC Comics. But also: don’t worry about it.
Pokolistan was first introduced in 2001’s Superman: The Man of Steel #109, written by Mark Schultz with art by Duncan Rouleau. As in Creature Commandos, Pokolistan is European nation, though here it is being recruited by newly elected President of the United States Lex Luthor. But again, it doesn’t matter because this doesn’t connect to the TV show in any way.
In fact, Pokolistan has appeared about a dozen times over the years in DC Comics, usually connected to a Superman story in some way. But each time it’s less about what Pokolistan is, and more about where it is, i.e. “generic central European country with an army at its disposal.”
So no knights in armor, like on Creature Commandos. Princess Ilana (Maria Bakalova) is an original character created for the series by Gunn, and does not connect to the comics in any way. And as far as I’m aware the Creature Commandos never head to the country in the comic books, nor does the Suicide Squad, or really anyone other than Superman, sometimes, in the early 2000s.
If anything, the way Pokolistan is depicted in Creature Commandos is far more reminiscent of another fictional kingdom in DC Comics, Markovia. However, Markovia is the home to the Earth-controlling Geoforce, his sister Terra, and others. So likely the show avoided using Markovia because there might be an expectation from fans that either of those characters might show up.
Instead, Gunn and company use something from the source material that, nonetheless, has no real pre-existing expectations along with it. Pokolistan is a blank slate of a country that Gunn and company can use however they want. So despite what happens in the comics, do not expect General Zod to take over Pokolistan. Superman will not show (unless he does, since hey, they did already cast David Corenswet). This is not connected to the DC Comics in any way.
If you want, you can use this as trivia at your watch-parties: “hey, did you know Pokolistan is straight out of DC Comics?” But if anyone asks you what happens in Pokolistan to try and figure out what’s coming up on Creature Commandos, repeat after me: it doesn’t matter.
Where To Watch Creature Commandos:
Creature Commandos Premiere Dates And Episode Guide:
The first two episodes of Creature Commandos premiere Thursday, December 5 at 3 am ET / Midnight PT on Max. One episode a week premieres after that, leading to the season finale on January 9, 2025.
Here’s the full list of episodes in Creature Commandos, with premiere dates:
- Thursday, December 5, 2024: Creature Commandos, Episode 1: “The Collywobbles”
- Thursday, December 5, 2024: Creature Commandos, Episode 2: “The Tourmaline Necklace”
- Thursday, December 12, 2024: Creature Commandos, Episode 3: “Cheers To The Tin Man”
- Thursday, December 19, 2024: Creature Commandos, Episode 4: “Chasing Squirrels”
- Thursday, December 26, 2024: Creature Commandos, Episode 5
- Thursday, January 2, 2025: Creature Commandos, Episode 6
- Thursday, January 9, 2025: Creature Commandos, Episode 7
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