The Creature Commandos
DC Comics' Monster Mash-Up
If you love horror and superheroes, you might be interested in DC Comics’ Creature Commandos, a team of military superhumans who fought in World War II. The original team debuted in Weird War Tales #93 (November 1980), created by J.M. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick. The team consisted of a human leader, a werewolf, a vampire, a Frankenstein’s monster, and a gorgon. They were part of Project M, a secret government organization that experimented with biotechnology and necromancy.
The Creature Commandos were sent on various missions against the Axis powers, often encountering supernatural threats along the way. They faced zombies, mummies, dinosaurs, aliens, and even Hitler himself. They also met other heroes of the era, such as Miss America and the G.I. Robot. The team had a loyal fan base, but their series was canceled in 1983 when Weird War Tales ended.
The Creature Commandos have made sporadic appearances since then, mostly in flashback stories or alternate timelines. They have also been revamped and reimagined several times, with new members and new origins. The most recent version was featured in the New 52 reboot, where they worked for S.H.A.D.E., a covert agency led by Frankenstein. They also starred in their own animated series on Max, written by James Gunn.
The Creature Commandos are a unique and fun concept that blends horror and superhero genres, that I simply adore. They are a tribute to the classic monster movies of the past, as well as a commentary on the horrors of war. They are also a diverse and dynamic team that showcases different aspects of humanity and monstrosity. If you are looking for something different and exciting in your comic book reading, you might want to check out the Creature Commandos.
In 2022, I came up with my own version of a super-group... The Monster Society, and recently revisited the drawing to update it.
When I read through the original Creature Commandos, what struck me was how dark it was. I expected it to be a goofy monster mash type of deal, but it was dark. Shrieve was outright abusive to his “freaks.” I remember one story where they run into children turned into bio bombs by the Nazis. They explode, and Velcro says, “Oh my God.” Shrieve replies, “You’re a vampire, Velcro. " God doesn’t want to have anything to do with you!”