CREATURE COMMANDOS Episode 3 Opens the Door For DC Comics’ Metal Men in the DCU

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As a longtime fan of comic books, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic excitement at the prospect of the Metal Men joining the DC Universe. Growing up reading about these quirky robots, I always felt they were an underappreciated gem in the world of superheroes, often overshadowed by their Marvel counterparts, the Fantastic Four.

In the third episode of “Creature Commandos,” titled “Cheers to the Tin Man,” hints were dropped that the legendary DC super team, the Metal Men, might make their appearance or already exist within the DC Universe. Originating from the Silver Age of DC Comics, the Metal Men first appeared in Showcase #37, back in 1962. While creators Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru never explicitly confirmed it, it seems they were inspired to create this team as a counterpart to Marvel’s success with the Fantastic Four.

The Metal Men in DC Comics

The Metal Men were sophisticated robots, ingeniously crafted by scientist Dr. William “Will” Magnus. Equipped with “responsometers,” these mechanical beings exhibited human-like traits. The team consisted of six members, each designated after a specific alloy. Gold served as the team leader, capable of elongating his form. Iron was the muscle of the group. The dependable Lead shielded others from radiation, while Mercury could transform into liquid metal. Tin and Platinum displayed remarkable shape-shifting abilities. Interestingly, Platinum, who often assumed a female persona, was affectionately known as Tina. It’s worth mentioning that Tina perceived herself as a real human woman, and she harbored feelings for her creator, Dr. Magnus. Despite their occasional family squabbles, they combated various extraterrestrial threats and rogue scientists. (No worries about it being problematic.)

Similar to how Flash and Green Lantern debuted, the Metal Men initially showcased their abilities across three issues within the pages of Showcase. The impressive sales led to a dedicated series for them, which ran from 1963 to 1969 as a bi-monthly Metal Men comic book. As the Silver Age transitioned into the Bronze Age, the team’s lighthearted antics and retro design felt out of place, causing DC to discontinue the series in 1976. However, it wasn’t long before DC brought them back in 1976. By this point, their style seemed reminiscent of the past decade, leading to another cancellation in 1978. Despite these setbacks, the Metal Men continued making appearances in various DC series throughout the following decades and even received occasional mini-series. They became a consistent presence within the DC universe without having a regular ongoing title.

Metal Men’s Similarities to the Fantastic Four

Dr. Magnus, our team head, is similar to Reed Richards in the Fantastic Four, a brilliant scientist who often prefers pipe smoking and maintains a cool demeanor. Each Metal Man embodies a single distinctive characteristic, which the writers amplified, much like they did with characters such as the Thing or Human Torch from Marvel. Regrettably, Tina’s primary trait was her affection for Dr. Magnus, echoing Sue Storm, Reed Richards’ girlfriend. (A simplistic and gender-biased portrayal that was more common in the sixties.) In summary, the Metal Men’s escapades were less profound and creatively unmatched compared to the adventures of the Fantastic Four, preventing them from achieving the same level of popularity. However, it’s clear that Marvel provided the initial inspiration for this series.

Creature Commandos Teases the Metal Men in the DCU

In the third installment of Creature Commandos, there seems to be a strong implication that the Metal Men are set to make their appearance within the DC Universe. In this episode, we encounter Dr. William Magnus, played by Alan Tudyk, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his comic book likeness. He’s present at a TV variety show where the U.S. government unveils G.I. Robot. Magnus requests to examine G.I. Robot and mentions it has been two decades since their World War II days. He also hints at studying G.I. Robot in order to develop the future generation of robots. This could be a sign that we might see the Metal Men soon, possibly in a 1960s-themed storyline. However, given that they are robots, it’s possible they may have survived up until the present day as well.

As a fan, I’ve always been captivated by the whispers of Metal Men projects throughout the years. These characters seem right up James Gunn’s alley – a motley crew with family dynamics that are anything but harmonious, much like the Guardians of the Galaxy, Suicide Squad, and Creature Commandos. And just as Task Force M fits perfectly in an animated series or movie, so does the Metal Men. Yet, they could also shine in live-action. The appearance of Dr. Magnus in Creature Commandos hints at the Metal Men’s presence or imminent arrival within the DCU. The only question now is when and how they will make their entrance into our screens.

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2024-12-12 23:32