Who are the Creature Commandos? Exploring DC’s Task Force M

DC Comics has no shortage of superhero teams, from the iconic Justice Leagueto the Teen Titans and even the JLA. But among their roster of heroic squads, one group stands out for its decidedly monstrous makeup–the Creature Commandos. This unlikely team brings together classic horror archetypes and sci-fi creations in a unique blend of genres that only comics can deliver. As the Creature Commandos have just begun their run on James Gunn's newly revamped DC Universe, now is the perfect time to get acquainted with this band of strange monsters.

The Creature Commandos first appeared in Weird War Tales #93 in 1980, created by J.M. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick. Originally conceived as a World War II-era team, they've since been reimagined for modern times while retaining their core monstrous identities. What makes the Creature Commandos truly unique is how they subvert expectations, turning classic movie monsters and sci-fi tropes into heroes. Let's meet the key members of DC's most unconventional task force and explore how they function as a team.

Frankenstein

Image: DC Comics

One of the most prominent characters in Creature Commandos is none other than Frankenstein's monster himself. But this isn't quite the lumbering, monosyllabic brute from old horror films. DC's version of Frankenstein is a poetic soul trapped in a patchwork body, struggling with existential questions about his artificial existence. Played by Stranger Things star David Harbour, Frankenstein is a mountain of a man with incredible strength and durability. He's also a weapons master who brings all sorts of blades and guns into combat.

Frankenstein provides a steady hand to guide his fellow monstrous misfits. His centuries of experience and stoic demeanor make him the perfect counterbalance to some of the more volatile team members. In Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers series, Frankenstein's eloquent narration and philosophical musings added surprising depth to the character, cementing him as more than just a mindless brute. 

Bride of Frankenstein 

Image: DC Comics

Where there's a Frankenstein, his Bride isn’t far behind. The Bride brings her unique skills to the Creature Commandos as both a fierce warrior and brilliant tactician. Like her husband, she possesses superhuman strength and resilience. But the Bride's keen mind makes her just as dangerous as her physical abilities. She often takes point on missions, devising strategies to overcome seemingly impossible odds.

Played by Indira Varma in the animated series, The Bride's complex relationship with Frankenstein adds an intriguing personal dynamic to the team. In some comic book iterations, the characters are partners in both combat and life. But in some titles like Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E., there's tension between them, reflecting the complicated nature of their "arranged" partnership. 

Rick Flag, Sr.

Image: Warner Bros. Animation

Rick Flag, Sr., is the team's human anchor and a capable soldier with tactical expertise. Typically in more recent Suicide Squad stories, Flag is one of the featured members of the Creature Commandos to help tie things together with James Gunn’s new DCEU. Played by action aficionado Frank Grillo, Flag brings structure and strategy to the otherwise chaotic group, ensuring their missions stay on track. Flag's presence serves as a reminder of the team's connection to humanity, bridging the gap between the monstrous members and the world they're sworn to protect.

Velcro

Image: DC Comics

Rounding out the classic monster trio is the Creature Commandos' resident vampire. This bloodsucker brings traditional vampire powers like superhuman strength, flight, and hypnosis to the team. Velcro's most valuable asset may be his centuries of accumulated knowledge and experience. Of course, his vampiric nature also presents challenges. Velcro must constantly fight his thirst for blood, creating tension with his teammates.

His aloof personality and air of mystery add intrigue to the group's interpersonal dynamics. Velcro often serves as the team's infiltration specialist, using his hypnotic abilities and shapeshifting powers to gather intelligence. In the "New 52" era, the vampire character was reimagined as Andrew Bennett, a more morally complex character with ties to the wider supernatural side of the DC Universe.

G.I. Robot

Image: DC Comics

Not every Creature Commando comes from horror fiction. G.I. Robot represents the sci-fi side of the team as an advanced combat android. Armed with an array of built-in weapons and tactical programming, G.I. Robot serves as the ultimate soldier. His calculating demeanor provides an interesting contrast to his more emotionally monstrous teammates. Sean Gunn brings this odd character to life with his performance, blending layers of sweet innocence with cold calculations. G.I. Robot's computerized brain allows him to process battlefield data and devise strategies, making him an invaluable asset on missions.

The inclusion of G.I. Robot highlights the Creature Commandos' ability to blend genres seamlessly. His presence adds a sci-fi twist to a team that’s already filled with strange oddities. In some stories, G.I. Robot's struggle to understand his more emotional teammates provides an interesting exploration of what it means to be "human" in a team of monsters.

Weasel

Image: Warner Bros. Animation

Weasel is a bizarre and unpredictable character with animalistic agility and ferocity. Despite his unsettling appearance and odd demeanor, his tenacity in combat makes him a valuable (albeit unnerving) member of the team. Weasel's feral nature often puts him at odds with the other commandos, but his unpredictability can be a game-changer in tight situations.

What makes Weasel hilarious is his struggle to balance his human intellect with his animalistic instincts. This internal conflict mirrors the larger theme of the Creature Commandos – finding humanity within their monstrous natures. Weasel's character often serves as a wild card in team dynamics, stretching what it means to be a hero.

Nina Mazursky

Image: Warner Bros. Animation

Played by Zoë Chao in the animated series, Nina Mazursky is a brilliant scientist turned amphibious creature. Her transformation gave her enhanced strength, the ability to breathe underwater, and an affinity for aquatic environments. She adds a tragic, yet hopeful, element to the team's monstrous roster. Mazursky's scientific background makes her an invaluable asset in understanding and countering supernatural threats.

As one of the newer members of the Creature Commandos, Mazursky's journey of acceptance and adaptation resonates strongly with readers. Her story serves as a reminder that anyone can become a hero, regardless of their appearance or circumstances. Mazursky often acts as the voice of reason within the team, using her scientific mind to approach problems methodically, even as she grapples with her new monstrous form.

Doctor Phosphorus

Image: Warner Bros. Animation

One of the team's more recent additions, Doctor Phosphorus is a truly bizarre character even by Creature Commando standards. Once a normal scientist, an accident transformed his body into a living, radioactive phosphorus (as you can tell from his name). Now, Doctor Phosphorus can generate intense heat and deadly radiation, incinerating foes with a touch. His tragic origin and struggle to maintain his humanity make him a compelling figure despite his monstrous appearance.

Played by Alan Tudyk, Doctor Phosphorus adds another wild card element to an already unstable team. His scientific background also provides the Creature Commandos with valuable expertise when dealing with more technical or chemical threats.

The Creature Commandos occupy a unique place in the DC Universe, bridging the gap between traditional superheroes and classic horror. With the new animated series kicking off and generating some buzz, DC now has a ragtag group of strange heroes ready to go on the wildest stories anyone has ever seen. But as different as they are from your usual Batman and Superman type of heroes, the Creature Commandos serve as a great reminder that the DC Universe is filled with oddities beyond just caped superheroes.

A whole new audience is set to discover what makes the Creature Commandos such a fun and unique team. After the first two episodes, you can expect the series to introduce even more outlandish characters, potentially drawing from DC's deep bench of supernatural roster. Then as the DC Universe continues to expand both on the page and screen, the Creature Commandos stand ready to unleash their unique brand of monstrous justice.