The first official DCU project under James Gunn’s leadership, Creature Commandos, is almost here. In just a few days, fans will get to experience this animated series on Max, which is deeply connected to the greater DC Universe. This means Creature Commandos will tie into projects like the upcoming Superman movie, Peacemaker season 2, the Lantern series, Supergirl, and everything else under James Gunn’s new DCU banner.

For even the most seasoned comic book fans, the Creature Commandos are a deep pull. Not many people, even within the comic community, regularly talk about them. But if there’s one thing James Gunn excels at, it’s taking obscure characters and transforming them into fan favorites. So, while the Creature Commandos may seem unknown now, it’s safe to say they won’t remain in the shadows for long.

In this article, we’ll be diving deep into the Creature Commandos, exploring their origins, their first appearance in comics, and their journey from a forgotten team to their big return in the DCU.

Origins of Creature Commandos

Creature Commandos made their debut in Weird War Tales #93 in 1980. Created by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Pat Broderick, the team introduced a unique twist on the standard military story. Rather than being a traditional squad of soldiers, these “commandos” were a mix of classic monsters, transformed by military experimentation.

The team was assembled as part of a secret military project called Project M, designed to create a team of superhuman soldiers capable of striking fear into the hearts of their enemies—specifically, the Nazis during World War II. In essence, Project M was a way for the U.S. military to weaponize fear by using monsters to undermine their adversaries. The team was composed of several supernatural beings, each with their own monstrous origin. It was a concept as strange as it was compelling.

The Birth of Project M

Project M’s origins began on a spring day in 1942 at a high-security army base in the Midwest. The U.S. Army had long been interested in the psychological aspects of warfare, not just the physical. They wanted to understand how fear works on a deeper, almost primal level. And so, Project M was born: an experiment in recreating humanity’s darkest nightmares to use them as a weapon.

At the center of the project was Lieutenant Matthew Shreve, a U.S. Army Intelligence officer, who introduced the top military brass to the concept. At a high-level meeting, Shreve explains his plan to manipulate the subconscious fears of mankind, saying, “I want to talk to you about the dark realms, the underside of man’s consciousness, the realms where we keep our personal monsters in mental chains.”

Despite their skepticism, the military leaders were soon convinced when Shreve demonstrated his creations. He introduced them to the first batch of monsters—human test subjects transformed into classic creatures of horror.

Warren Griffith (The Werewolf):
The first subject of Project M was an Oklahoma farm boy named Warren Griffith, who suffered from lycanthropy—a condition where the person believes they are a werewolf. Using a combination of experimental chemicals and surgeries, Griffith was physically transformed into a werewolf, becoming the team’s “man-wolf.”

Sergeant Vincent Velaro (The Vampire):
Sergeant Vincent Velaro was recruited to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. He was injected with a compound made from experimental chemicals and blood extract from the New Mexican vampire bat, which turned him into a vampire. Velaro’s transformation gave him enhanced strength, speed, and the need for human blood.

Lucky Taylor (Frankenstein’s Monster):
Lucky Taylor was a good-hearted Marine private who became a Frankenstein-like monster after stepping on a landmine. Surgeons worked for weeks to put him back together, but not in the way he was originally constructed. Taylor’s transformation left him a mute, hulking figure with a heart of gold but a body that was now more machine than man.

Each of these characters had their humanity stripped away in the name of military experimentation, but they were now something more—something monstrous. With their new forms came incredible abilities, and soon, they would become the U.S. Army’s secret weapons on the battlefield.

The Creature Commandos in Action

Once the transformations were complete, the Creature Commandos were ready for action. Their first mission took them to France, where they would engage in a covert operation to stop the Nazis from deploying their own monstrous weapons. The team’s first major battle saw them face off against Nazi forces who had created android versions of world leaders, including Roosevelt, Stalin, Churchill, and Eisenhower. These “Nazi duplicates” were part of a plan to infiltrate Allied nations, taking control by replacing key leaders with their robotic counterparts.

Lieutenant Shreve’s orders were clear: stop the Nazi threat by any means necessary. As the Creature Commandos stormed the battlefield, their monstrous abilities proved more than capable of defeating the Nazis’ twisted creations. The team made short work of the android duplicates, proving that the Army’s gamble on fear as a weapon had paid off.

As they proved their effectiveness, the military brass who had initially been horrified by their monstrous transformations began to see the value in these “terrifying, reprehensible” soldiers. While they may have been monstrous, they were also the most effective secret weapons the country had ever seen. And so, the Creature Commandos were sent to the front lines of World War II, tasked with carrying out covert operations that would change the course of the war.

Their strange, unsettling appearance and abilities made them perfect for missions that required terror as much as strength—missions where fear was the ultimate weapon.

The Expansion of the Creature Commandos

As the Creature Commandos gained prominence, their story arc expanded beyond their initial battles against the Nazis. The team was featured in multiple storylines throughout Weird War Tales, a series that explored the weird and the monstrous side of warfare. By issue #110, the team grew in both size and complexity. This issue introduced Dr. Myra Rhoads, who would eventually join the team as Dr. Phosphorus.

Dr. Rhoads was a scientist who had been severely injured in a nuclear accident. She survived, but at a cost—her body was transformed into a radioactive, glowing form. As Dr. Phosphorus, she was capable of creating fiery explosions and emitting powerful green phosphorous beams. Her cold, detached personality and intellect made her a unique addition to the team.

Throughout their appearances, the Creature Commandos fought against new and even more terrifying threats. Their battles ranged from confronting monstrous versions of soldiers created by twisted science to facing off against evil scientists with ambitions of creating even more powerful and deformed soldiers. Though they were only a part of the Weird War Tales for a few years, their brief but impactful presence cemented them as part of DC’s broader mythology.

The Creature Commandos in Popular Culture

Despite their short-lived run in comics, the Creature Commandos would not be forgotten. In the years that followed, they made sporadic appearances in various DC animated series and comics. In the Justice League Unlimited animated series, the Creature Commandos were depicted as part of a much larger supernatural army, adding to their growing mystique.

Later, in 2004, the team made an appearance in the Justice League animated series. Here, they were presented as a minor villainous team, who were eventually taken down by the Justice League. These appearances, though brief, brought them back into the public eye, offering fans a taste of their unique blend of military action and horror.

Yet, for all their appearances in animated media, the Creature Commandos had a limited presence in mainstream comic books after their initial run. Their storylines were few and far between, but that all changed when James Gunn announced his ambitious plans for the DCU.

Creature Commandos in the DCU: James Gunn’s Vision

James Gunn’s upcoming Creature Commandos animated series marks the team’s most significant return to the spotlight in decades. The series is set to launch as part of the first chapter of Gunn’s new DCU, titled Gods and Monsters. This chapter aims to explore both the heroic and monstrous aspects of the DC Universe, and the Creature Commandos are a perfect fit.

Unlike their World War II origins, the new Creature Commandos show will take place in the present day, with the team formed as part of a black-ops mission. The series will delve into their roles as covert operatives, doing the morally gray work that others can’t—or won’t—do. According to Gunn, this series will have a distinct tone, leaning into the irreverence and unconventional nature of the team, similar to the Guardians of the Galaxy films, but without the sentimentality.

Fans of the comics will recognize many of the classic characters from the original lineup, including Frankenstein’s Monster, Dr. Phosphorus, Nina Mazursky, and Weasel. However, Gunn’s series will feature some notable changes. The character Weasel, for instance, is not part of the traditional team but will have a role in the animated series, maintaining his connection to the Suicide Squad films. Another interesting change is the inclusion of The Bride of Frankenstein, a character whose origins in the comics differ significantly from what will be presented in the show.

The New Team and Characters

The Creature Commandos lineup in Gunn’s series features several updated and new characters that reflect the evolution of the team in the modern DCU. Here’s a breakdown of the key members:

• Frankenstein’s Monster: Known as Frank, this iconic figure is more than just the creation of Dr. Victor Frankenstein. He was reintroduced as part of the Creature Commandos when he was recruited by the S.H.A.D.E. organization. In the upcoming series, Frankenstein is a formidable warrior with a tragic past.
• Dr. Phosphorus: Originally a Batman villain, Dr. Phosphorus has a new life in the Creature Commandos series. After being exposed to radiation, his body was transformed into a burning, radioactive form. This character brings a lot of intelligence and tragic depth to the team, making him a key figure in their operations.
• Nina Mazursky: A brilliant scientist who experimented on herself, Nina Mazursky became an amphibian-like woman after testing her superhuman experiments. Her background as a biologist and her transformation make her a fascinating addition to the team.
• Weasel: Though not traditionally part of the Creature Commandos, Weasel’s inclusion is a nod to the Suicide Squad films. Portrayed by Sean Gunn, Weasel is an unpredictable and dangerous character who adds an element of chaos to the team dynamic.
• The Bride of Frankenstein: A major character in the series, The Bride’s backstory in the show will differ from the comics. While traditionally portrayed as Frankenstein’s wife, the show’s version will focus on her emotional and psychological journey, particularly her relationship with Frank.

These characters are set to embark on missions that explore the darker, weirder side of the DC Universe, bringing supernatural and horror elements into the fold alongside traditional superhero fare.

The Voice Cast and Talent Behind the Show

James Gunn has assembled a stellar cast for the animated Creature Commandos series, with many actors also expected to reprise their roles in future live-action DC projects. This will create a seamless crossover between the animated and live-action worlds, much like how Gunn handled the casting in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Key voice actors include:

• Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., the leader of the Creature Commandos.
• Maria Bakalova (known for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) as Princess Ilana Rostovic, an original character created for the series.
• Indira Varma as The Bride of Frankenstein.
• David Harbour (from Stranger Things) as Eric Frankenstein.
• Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus.
• Sean Gunn as G.I. Robot (and Weasel).
• Steve Agee as John Economos.

Each of these talented actors brings depth and excitement to their respective roles, ensuring that Creature Commandos will stand out in the DCU as both an action-packed and emotionally resonant series.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Return of Creature Commandos

The Creature Commandos are on the verge of making a major comeback, thanks to James Gunn’s new vision for the DCU. The team, once a forgotten oddity, is now poised to take center stage in the Gods and Monsters chapter of the DC Universe. With a fascinating backstory, compelling characters, and a unique blend of horror and superhero action, the Creature Commandos series promises to be one of the most unexpected and thrilling additions to the DCU.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the team or a newcomer, the upcoming series is sure to provide an exciting and fresh take on these monstrous heroes. As they navigate their dark and morally complex world, we can’t help but wonder: will they truly become the DC Universe’s ultimate weapon, or will their monstrous nature be their undoing?

One thing is for sure—the Creature Commandos are back, and they’re ready to make their mark in the DCU like never before.