DC Comics’ Creature Commandos is one of the more unusual superhero teams in its vast multiverse. First appearing in Weird War Tales #93 in 1980, the team blends the supernatural with military action, featuring a group of monstrous characters battling on behalf of the United States government during World War II. Created by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Pat Broderick, the Creature Commandosquickly became a fan-favorite, drawing readers in with their unique premise and unforgettable characters.
The Creature Commandos were introduced as part of a secret military project known as “Project M,” a government program designed to create super-soldiers out of classic monsters. The rationale behind this strange experiment was to use terrifying figures from myth and legend to combat the Axis powers. The result was a team made up of monstrous, but noble, figures determined to prove their worth on the battlefield.
While Creature Commandos made its mark in Weird War Tales, their appearances were relatively sporadic. However, their early storylines showcased the team’s bravery, loyalty, and struggles to maintain their humanity in the face of monstrous transformations.
One of the recurring themes in Creature Commandos is the tension between their monstrous forms and their humanity. Many members, like Warren Griffith and Dr. Myrna Rhodes, had to come to terms with their altered identities, struggling to retain their moral compass despite their terrifying abilities. This inner conflict added depth to the stories and separated Creature Commandos from other war comics of the time.
The team was later revived in the 2000s, re-imagined for modern audiences. In Creature Commandos(2000), a miniseries written by Tim Truman and illustrated by Scot Eaton, the team returned with a more modern twist. Instead of World War II, the new Creature Commandos were created during the Cold War as part of a military experiment to develop new biological weapons. This version of the team included new characters and updated versions of classic members, once again exploring the consequences of combining human and monster DNA.
In more recent years, the Creature Commandos have appeared in various alternate timelines and story arcs, including The New 52 and DC Rebirth. These appearances typically see the team tackling darker, more apocalyptic threats, including zombie outbreaks and extraterrestrial invasions, but they always retain their core identity as misunderstood heroes.
While the Creature Commandos have mostly existed in the pages of comic books, they have also made appearances in other media. They had a notable appearance in the animated film Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles (2015), where they were reimagined as part of a darker, alternate universe. In this version, the team fought against a more brutal version of the Justice League.
The most exciting development for Creature Commandos fans came in 2023, when James Gunn announced that the team would be featured in an upcoming HBO Max series as part of DC Studios’ future film and TV projects. This marks the first live-action adaptation of the team and promises to bring the monstrous squad to a new generation of fans.
The Creature Commandos stand out in DC’s vast universe because they mix traditional superheroics with horror elements, creating a unique blend of genres that isn’t often explored. They bring a different angle to superhero stories, focusing on themes like the struggle to maintain humanity, dealing with isolation and prejudice, and learning to embrace what makes you different.
At its core, Creature Commandos is a story about acceptance, camaraderie, and perseverance. While they may look like monsters, the members of the team demonstrate that true heroism comes from the heart, not outward appearances. Their ongoing battle to prove themselves, both to others and to themselves, makes them some of the most relatable and intriguing characters in DC’s roster.
The Creature Commandos may not be as well-known as Superman or Batman, but their unique premise and compelling character dynamics have kept them in the hearts of comic fans for over four decades. As they prepare to make their live-action debut, their story of monstrous heroism is sure to gain a whole new audience, proving that even the most unusual heroes can leave a lasting impact on DC’s ever-evolving universe.