When Monsters Fought Nazis: Weird War Tales and the Revival of the Creature Commandos

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Ah, the days of rifling through dusty boxes in the comic book store and uncovering hidden gems. One of my absolute favorite discoveries as a kid was the eclectic and eerie anthology series, Weird War Tales. With its ominous title and macabre covers, it was a beacon for those of us who loved a blend of horror, the supernatural, and a twist of historical fiction. 

But amidst the ghastly tales of ghosts and ghouls that haunted the battlegrounds, there was one group that stood out from the rest—The Creature Commandos. These stories from the 1980s, featured in the pages of Weird War Tales, were an eclectic mix of monsters and military might, and boy, did they capture my imagination.

The Creature Commandos hold a unique place in DC Comics history, blending the horror and war genres into a singularly bizarre concept. Originally introduced in the 1980s anthology comic Weird War Tales, this team of monstrous soldiers has seen various iterations over the decades, culminating in their recent revival as an animated series under James Gunn's stewardship. This post will dig into the origins and evolution of the Creature Commandos, their role in Weird War Tales, and how they compare to their new modernized animated counterpart.

The Origins of the Creature Commandos in Weird War Tales

The Creature Commandos made their debut in Weird War Tales #93 (November 1980), created by writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Pat Broderick. The anthology series, known for its supernatural twist on wartime stories, provided a perfect backdrop for this unconventional team. The original lineup consisted of:

- Lt. Matthew Shrieve: The human leader and hardened soldier who commanded the team.

- Warren Griffith: A timid farm boy turned into a werewolf through Project M’s experiments.

- Vincent Velcro: A vampire created to instill fear in enemies.

- Elliot "Lucky" Taylor: A soldier reconstructed Frankenstein-style after stepping on a landmine.

- Dr. Myrna Rhodes (Dr. Medusa): A later addition, transformed into a gorgon with living snakes for hair after exposure to experimental chemicals. Incidentally, she was also my first comic book crush.

The team was part of Project M ("M" for Monster), a secret U.S. military initiative during World War II designed to weaponize monsters to psychologically terrify Axis forces while achieving tactical objectives.

Key Missions and Themes in Weird War Tales

Over nearly 20 appearances in Weird War Tales, the Creature Commandos embarked on missions that were as harrowing as they were strange:

1. First Mission (Issue #93): The team infiltrated a Nazi stronghold to destroy android duplicates of Allied leaders, showcasing their monstrous abilities and moral complexities.

2. Rescue Missions Gone Awry: In subsequent issues, they attempted to save key figures like Dr. Renee Frederique, only to face grim moral dilemmas—such as being forced to kill her to prevent her knowledge from falling into Nazi hands.

3. Dinosaur Island (Issue #100): The Commandos battled dinosaurs while uncovering an Axis naval base, blending pulp adventure with wartime horror.

4. Collaborations with G.I. Robot: The team sometimes rubbed shoulders with J.A.K.E., the Jungle Automatic Killer Experimental robot, facing threats like Atlantean androids and Nazi super-soldiers.

5. Final Fate: In their last mission, they were launched into space aboard a malfunctioning rocket aimed at Berlin, leaving their ultimate fate ambiguous.

These stories often explored themes of humanity amidst monstrosity, the horrors of war, and ethical ambiguity. For instance, Lt. Shrieve’s willingness to make ruthless decisions contrasted sharply with his team's struggles to retain their humanity despite their monstrous forms.

The Creature Commandos' Evolution

After Weird War Tales ended in 1983, the Creature Commandos faded into obscurity but occasionally resurfaced in DC lore:

- A modernized version appeared in a 2000 miniseries by Tim Truman, which reimagined some characters and introduced new ones like Velcoro (a renamed Vincent Velcro) and Myrra Rhodes.

- They were integrated into broader DC continuity through appearances in events like Infinite Crisis and Justice League: Generation Lost.

- Their legacy continued with new members like Nina Mazursky (an amphibious scientist) in the New 52 series Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E..

James Gunn's Animated Series

Fast forward to 2024, when James Gunn revived the Creature Commandos as an adult animated series for Max. This reinterpretation serves as the first installment of Gunn’s new DC Universe (DCU), titled Creature Commandos. While inspired by the original comics, the show introduces significant changes.

Key Differences from the Comics

1. Modern Setting: Unlike their World War II origins, this version operates in a contemporary timeline under Amanda Waller’s leadership following Task Force X’s disbandment.

2. New Roster: The animated team includes characters like Rick Flag Sr., Frankenstein’s monster (Eric Frankenstein), The Bride, G.I. Robot, Nina Mazursky, Dr. Phosphorus, and Weasel—some of whom were absent from earlier iterations.

3. Tone and Style: Gunn’s signature blend of dark humor, visceral action, and emotional depth permeates the series, making it more irreverent yet heartfelt compared to its comic predecessor.

A More In-depth Look at The Show

The animated series kicks off with Amanda Waller (yes, the indomitable Viola Davis from the live-action films) setting up a new team of antiheroes. Unable to deploy human criminals on risky ops, she turns to non-human monsters, including our beloved Creature Commandos. The team this time features characters like the radioactive skeleton, Dr. Phosphorus, and the grizzled G.I. Robot—who's programmed to take down Nazis, much like his comic counterpart. Bride of Frankenstein (Indira Varma) takes on a leadership role, giving the series a nice, strong focal point.

Gunn's portrayal brings a fresh, irreverent energy. The show dives into each character’s backstory, blending the absurd with raw emotion. Case in point, the tragic and touching journey of Nina Mazursky, the gilled-woman hybrid, whose story is a tear-jerker.

One of the highlights is how the show retains, and even amps up, the dark humor and R-rated antics we've come to expect from Gunn's works. The animation is crisp, with a style that blends the elaborate action of traditional superhero fare with a more offbeat, punk rock aesthetic. This series is vibrant, chaotic, and wholly engaging—everything a fan of the original comics could hope for.


The animated series does great justice to the source material, handing us a heaping dose of nostalgia wrapped in new, exciting tales. Watching the Creature Commandos fend off Circe and her band of misogynistic villains in their quest to protect Princess Illana Rostovic was a wild ride.


If you're someone who grew up with these classic stories, the show offers a chance to revisit beloved characters in a new light. For newcomers, it’s a perfect introduction to a team of heroes—flawed, monstrous, but genuinely compelling. 


The revival of Creature Commandos on HBO Max isn’t just a love letter to the enduring appeal of these quirky war stories; it’s a reminder that sometimes, the weird and the wonderful can come together to create something truly special.

Thanks for reading. Stay weird, stay frosty, and keep those comic pages turning, weirdos. 

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