There was a moment when I was reading an interview with David Dastmalchian that made me laugh. Dustmartian was about to tell one of his closest friends, James Gunn, that he was writing DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos, but Gunn told him about the upcoming Creature Commandos. He told me about the animated series. Although both projects are different, DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1 is definitely a great introduction to the storied team of monsters.
Dustmartian stays true to its Creature Commando origins. They are a black ops force formed under “Project M” to participate in covert missions. What differentiates it from the upcoming animated series and the original comics is its roster. There’s Mina Rose the Gorgon, Vincent Velcro the vampire (the comic itself would probably succumb to the joke), Wanda the werewolf, and a Frankenstein soldier named Lucky. It’s a very eclectic bunch, with Dastmalchaian giving each one their own unique character traits. Vincent is quite sassy since he’s a vampire, while Lucky tends to be a little more tragic.
Bringing the new Commandos to life is Jesus Helbus. His artwork is perfect for horror-oriented titles. Elbaz is not shy about the fact that they are monsters. He nails every detail, from the seams that run across Lucky’s body, to the wriggling snakes that make up Mina’s hair, to the fur that covers Wanda’s body. This is a stark contrast to the heroic characters of the DC Universe, but it works well in this book, especially when Alex Guimares’ moody colors are added.
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Another advantage of Creature Commandos #1 is that you can show off blood and make your characters swear, but thankfully the creative team uses it as decoration, giving you the most comic book-like “Oh. Rather than the trap of “I’m so cool and grown up,” creators want to tackle it head on. Dastmalchian, Herbus, and Guimarães understand that the secret to good horror is anticipation. By the end of this issue, I was definitely expecting more.
DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1 strikes the right kind of synergy between the comic and the (upcoming) adaptation. The timing is perfect, especially since October is Halloween, and it manages to set itself apart from the upcoming series while still presenting the core concept. How to attract new fans. Other publishers should also take note.
DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1 brings a human element to a tale full of monsters
DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1
DC Horror Presents: Creature Commandos #1 strikes the right kind of synergy between the comic and the (upcoming) adaptation. The timing is perfect, especially since October is Halloween, and it manages to set itself apart from the upcoming series while still presenting the core concept. How to attract new fans.
Dustmalkian creates unique creatures that I’m willing to spend more time with.
Hervas’ artwork leans completely into the horror angle.
Although it is a departure from the upcoming animated series, it still manages to attract people interested in Creature Commando.
It uses gore sparingly and builds suspense like the best horror.
