Unveiling the Mysterious Dr Nina Mazursky of DC's Creature Commandos

James Gunn has chosen an unconventional project to kick off the next chapter of DC's cinematic universe - a team of monsters that unite to fight in World War II. The Creature Commandos may not be a household name, but with Gunn at the helm, it's a promising venture. Dr. Nina Mazursky is one of the new heroes introduced, adding depth to the group. While many can easily identify the Universal Monsters, the Gill-man, or the Creature from the Black Lagoon, is often overlooked. Thankfully, this iconic creature finally gets the recognition it deserves alongside other legendary monsters.

Who is Dr. Nina Mazursky?

Dr. Nina "Mermaid" Mazursky is a member of the Creature Commandos, a group of monstrous soldiers created by her father, Professor Myron Mazursky. The professor discovered natural monsters in a hidden village in Romania and was detained by the US government to create soldiers to fight the Axis Powers. Myron's first Creature Commandos were decommissioned after the war, but Nina helped revive the program.

Nina has two different origins for her powers. In the most recent continuity, she worked as a scientist for S.H.A.D.E. and created a group of Creature Commandos, who eventually became dangerous. Nina was motivated to engineer these Commandos after losing her daughter to a terminal illness. Her first attempt was imprisoned in a microscopic zoo, but her second attempt resulted in full-fledged human beings who were changed through science. To gain the ability to breathe underwater, Nina even underwent surgery herself.

Alternatively, Nina's unique abilities could have been a result of her being born a mermaid. According to the Flashpoint storyline, Myron Mazursky found Nina as an infant and kept her hidden away. He later sought refuge in a Romanian village populated by monsters, where he extended his lifespan using their powers. When Myron decided to create a new Creature Commandos team, Nina was one of only two willing candidates. Her proficiency in being able to live both underwater and on land made her an important asset to the team, but it was her intelligence that truly made her the brain of the Commandos. Whether her gills were a natural occurrence or the result of experimentation remains unknown.

When Did Nina Mazursky First Appear In DC Comics?

Nina Mazursky first appeared in 2011 as a character created by Jeff Lemire and Ibraim Roberson for the Creature Commandos' Flashpoint reboot. However, her initial iteration was short-lived as she was quickly redesigned for Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. during the New 52 reboot. This gave her an entirely new backstory and a fresh start. Although Jeff Lemire continued to write the stories, Alberto Ponticelli was credited with the art. The new version of the Creature Commandos was led by DC's take on Frankenstein's monster, with Nina joining the team after being introduced to Frankenstein by S.H.A.D.E.'s commanding officer, Father Time. Despite Frankenstein's reservations, Nina proudly announced that she created the Commandos in Frank's image. Together, they embarked on their first mission, saving a small city from an invasion of deadly monsters. This iteration of the Creature Commandos focuses heavily on Frankenstein, but it is still a team-up vehicle.

Who is Playing Dr. Nina Mazursky in Creature Commandos?

Zoë Chao, who gained fame for her role as Isobel in Mia Lidofsky's Strangers, is set to make her debut on the big screen as Nina Mazursky. Chao has also starred in the Apple TV series The Afterparty and the well-received God Particles. In 2023, she will appear in the long-awaited continuation of Party Down. Creature Commandos marks her second voice-acting role and her first foray into the superhero genre. Nina Mazursky, the group's brain, is a vital character in the new series. Although not the most recognizable face in DC's lineup, Creature Commandos has the potential to put her and the entire team front and center in the new DCU.