Unleashing the Mystery of Eric Frankenstein in Creature Commandos

Classic Universal Monsters teaming up to fight for justice is a well-known concept in genre fiction. Over time, iconic characters such as vampires, werewolves, mummies, Gill-men, and Frankenstein's Monster have evolved from their original forms. The upcoming DCU animated series Creature Commandos will introduce new versions of these traditional horrors, including a unique take on Frankenstein, known as Eric.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus is considered a foundational text of the science fiction genre. Shelley spent over two years crafting the story, which had a significant impact on the genre. While the story entered the public domain in 1931, the well-known green-skinned version of the monster is owned by Universal. Numerous interpretations of the character have been created, including several by DC Comics.

Who is Eric Frankenstein?

There is no DC Comics character named Eric Frankenstein, making it a new addition to the franchise. However, the Creature Commandos have had two versions of Frankenstein's Monster and at least four different iterations in the DC Comics universe. The original team included Pvt. Elliot "Lucky" Taylor, who later became known as Patchwork. Taylor was a marine in World War II known for his height and strength until a landmine injured him, leaving him with mortal wounds. The super-soldier program Project M reconstructed him from dead tissue, turning him into an indestructible beast with incredible strength but losing his ability to speak. Taylor served with the initial Creature Commandos team.

DC Comics also features Frankenstein's Monster, known simply as Frankenstein, who underwent several redesigns but follows a traditional storyline. He was created by Victor Frankenstein in the 1800s and brought to life with the blood of an immortal alien. S.H.A.D.E. recruited him after his discovery, and he served in several wars, eventually becoming the leader of the Creature Commandos. Frank even joined the Justice League Dark and created a team to defeat the alien that helped create him. Although Eric Frankenstein is new, he may bear similarities to Frankenstein or a combination of Frank and Lucky.

When did Eric Frankenstein First Appear in DC Comics?

Frankenstein's Monster has a rich history within DC Comics, with several different iterations appearing over the years. One of the most notable debuts was Pvt. Taylor in Weird War Tales #93, created by J. M. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick. This character was part of the original Creature Commando lineup and has even made appearances in various DC cartoons under the name Patchwork.

However, the production history of Frankenstein himself is even more unique. Originally introduced as a minor villain in Batman comics in 1948, the monster known as Ivan sacrificed his life to destroy Frankenstein's lab in a time-traveling adventure involving Batman and Robin. He was later reintroduced in 1973 as "Spawn of Frankenstein," pursued by Doctor Thirteen and The Phantom Stranger. The modern version of Frankenstein, who leads the new Creature Commandos, was created in 2005 by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke. This version continues to be part of the ongoing Agents of S.H.A.D.E. storyline, which began in 2011.

Who is Playing Eric Frankenstein in Creature Commandos?