Karl Urban's quiet rise to legend in the world of comic book adaptations is well-deserved, with a string of live-action roles from 'Dredd' to 'The Boys'. But it's his collaboration with 'Batman' animation legend Bruce Timm that adds a classic DC Comics hero to his resume. In 2019, Timm directed an animated short as part of the 'DC Showcase' series, attached to 'Batman: Hush'. This short, 'DC Showcase: Sgt. Rock', gave the U.S. Army hero from the pages of DC Comics the spotlight, with Urban voicing the title character. The story sees a battle-hardened Sgt. Rock during World War II as he is assigned to lead a company consisting of legendary monsters into battle against a seemingly unstoppable platoon of Nazi zombies. What makes this particularly fascinating is the creative control Timm had over 'Batman: The Animated Series' and his work on several DC animated movies, including 'Batman: Under the Red Hood' and 'Justice League: Gods and Monsters'. In my opinion, the fact that Sgt. Rock isn't an A-list DC hero is what makes this short so intriguing. It's a hidden gem that didn't get the attention it deserved, perhaps because it was attached to the home video release of 'Batman: Hush'. But the short is a testament to the talent of Timm and Urban, and it's a shame that the live-action movie adaptation of Sgt. Rock fell by the wayside last year. Personally, I think Urban is the perfect age and has the look to pull off Sergeant Franklin John Rock in live-action, and I hope that DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran will consider him for the role. The short is a fascinating glimpse into the world of DC Comics, and it's a reminder of the power of animation to bring these characters to life. What many people don't realize is that the Creature Commandos, who are featured in the short, would later get their own animated series on HBO Max, and even introduce the new Batman in the new DCU. This raises a deeper question: what other hidden gems are out there in the world of comic book adaptations? If you take a step back and think about it, the DC Showcase series is a treasure trove of creative talent and unique stories. It's a series that deserves more attention, and I hope that more people will discover and appreciate the short 'DC Showcase: Sgt. Rock'. A detail that I find especially interesting is the fact that the short was a collaboration between two legends of the industry, Timm and Urban. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and the ability of these two men to bring something truly special to life. What this really suggests is that the world of comic book adaptations is a rich and diverse landscape, full of hidden gems and untold stories. And that's something to celebrate.
