I’m Officially Sold on DC’s Creature Commandos (As a Better Version of the Suicide Squad)

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for DC HORROR PRESENTS: CREATURE COMMANDOS #1!

As a first-time reader of Creature Commandos, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m now convinced that they are a darker and better version of DC’s iconic Suicide Squad. With it being Spooky Season, this horror-based comic has quickly become a favorite of mine, and now, thanks to it, I can’t wait for the TV show’s premiere in December.

David Dastmalchian, Jesús Hervás, Alex Guimarães, and Ferran Delgado’s DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1 is what I’d consider a dark horse comic—it surprised me with how great it was.

It’s a book that is most likely not on most comic readers’ radars, given it features a lesser-known team with more obscure characters. However, with the Creature Commandos TV series set to premiere on December 5, 2024, I’m hoping more fans will give this comic a chance. It offers a fresh take on the beloved Suicide Squad premise, and in my opinion, executes the concept even better. Following two humans and four creatures, this series delivers the darker, grittier version of the Suicide Squad I’ve always wanted.

DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1 Is the Perfect Jumping in Point for New Readers

The Creature Commandos First Debuted in Weird War Tales #93 (1980)

As mentioned earlier, I knew nothing about the Creature Commandos before diving into the comic. So if you’re on the fence about reading it due to unfamiliarity with the team and characters, I can confidently say that you don’t need any background knowledge to follow the story. This first issue serves as an excellent entry point. However, for those curious about the Creature Commandos’ history in comics, they first appeared in Weird War Tales #93 (1980) by J.M. DeMatteis. Known for being a team of creatures and misfits active during World War II, they’ve since become an iconic group within the DC universe.

Dastmalchian’s take on the team features Elliot “Lucky” Taylor (a Frankenstein Monster-like creature), Wanda Griffith (a werewolf), Mina Rhodes (resembling something like a Gorgon), Vincent Velcro (a vampire), Lt. Matthew Shrieve (the human leader), and Dr. Barbara West, a new addition to the lore. Dr. West is portrayed as a slightly tortured—and possibly mad—scientist who studies and oversees the health of the unit’s creatures. Interestingly, despite being a creature herself, Mina Rhodes also serves as Dr. West’s assistant, adding an intriguing dynamic to the team’s interactions.

DC Reimagines the Creature Commando Line-Up, Introducing New Faces to the Team

Creature Commandos Is a Fresh Take on the Suicide Squad Concept

What has convinced me that the Creature Commandos are a better version of the Suicide Squad is that, like Amanda Waller’s infamous Task Force X, the members of the Creature Commandos are semi-unwilling participants, with their involvement based on bribes rather than a sense of duty to serve their country. However, what sets them apart is that they offer a fresh take on the Suicide Squad, featuring lesser-known and new characters. The tone is also darker and more gritty compared to the often campy tone of the Suicide Squad. While campy can be enjoyable, I prefer a version of Task Force X that has emotional depth and high stakes, and that’s exactly what I believe we’re going to get with Creature Commandos.

After falling in love with the comic, I decided to research the history of the team and was surprised to find that Dr. West isn’t the only new name in the comic. While Elliot “Lucky” Taylor, Vincent Velcro, and Lt. Shrieve have all appeared in previous versions of the Creature Commandos, Wanda Griffith and Mina Rhodes are both new characters, who may be remixes or descendants of past members. For instance, Warren Griffith was originally the werewolf on the team, so it seems his character may have undergone a genderbend. Similarly, Medusa, originally known as “Myrra Rhodes,” has been reimagined as Mina Rhodes. As of now, there’s no explanation for these changes, so it will be interesting to see if one is provided in later issues.

The Suicide Squad’s Polka-Dot Man Writes DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos Series

Writer David Dastmalchian Played Polka-Dot Man in The Suicide Squad (2021)

I have a terrible habit of not reading the creator names until after I’ve finished a comic. So, imagine my surprise when, after reading Creature Commandos and thinking it felt like a darker Suicide Squad, I noticed the writer for the series is none other than Polka-Dot Man himself! Fans of the live-action movie The Suicide Squad will undoubtedly remember Polka-Dot Man, who was arguably the best character in the film. Well, the actor who played Polka-Dot Man, David Dastmalchian, is also the writer for DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos. This revelation blew my mind, and now I’m even more convinced that Creature Commandos is basically DC’s latest iteration of the Suicide Squad.

DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1 is available now from DC Comics!