THE DEADMAN #1 (DC COMICS)
Life and Death. The Beginning and The End.
Boston Brand knows this all too well. Once a sly circus aerialist, Brand was murdered. His soul didn’t go to Heaven or Hell. The goddess Rama Kushna had other plans. Brand now serves as a protector & the Custodian of All Souls. Defending humanity against all evil, Brand has seen much horror in his time.
There may not be anything that prepares him for what he finds now.
THE DEADMAN #1 by W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, Chris O'Halloran, & Good Old Neon (DC COMICS) reunites the team behind “Ice Cream Man” and “Superman: The Kyrptonite Spectrum” for an all new, ALL IN story!
Let’s take a look into the world of the afterlife.
THE DEADMAN #1 by W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, Chris O'Halloran, & Good Old Neon (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Prince weaves a unique tale examining the correlation of life & death. Brand’s fourth wall breaking welcomes readers into the quirky saga. The writing shows how Brand dissects the people he comes across. There’s a touch of humor added into the heavier subject matter. Readers also get a quick origin recap, giving just enough to get the jest of Boston Brand. Once the story moves to his assignments, the mood changes. It reflects how Brand adapts to each case with his own zest and flair. This softens the introduction stages right into direct horror.
The introduction of the main antagonist mimics many classic villain tropes before throwing the spotlight back onto Brand and Robertsville. Readers watch as the interactions cover many ranges. This moves events into a swift change in directions. What should be a routine visit turns chaotic as Brand is tested. This results in a violent confrontation and unknown mechanics at play. Prince moves the story to Kushna’s doorstep with a fun exchange before business begins anew. Their conversation builds up the moment to a strong point before the ending goes sideways. It leaves readers with a true glimpse of terror that will only grow stronger with each chapter.
MORE DC NEXT LEVEL!
Morazzo & O'Halloran keep the opening pages very simplistic as the hospital shift takes over. Panels show the challenging dealings of the “Hospice Hotel”. Brand’s fourth wall break hits readers directly with much charm. It plays up to dealing with his first soul. A fantastic full page gives the brief introduction with a solid twist involved. It’s a great break point before heading into the more serious matters. Brand’s confrontations show the range of his character and emotions in dealing with souls.
“Mr. M” gets an uncomfortable intro with his creepy mannerisms. This leads to a shocking panel to depart his time on for now. Brand’s treks show the random encounters and thoughts unlocked. The small details jump out with O’Halloran’s coloring. Robertsville gets a full page overhead shot. It teases innocence & simple life, which is far from truth. Brand’s interactions give way to a more important mission. The fight with his opposition gets a half panel debut. This launches into quick action and a more calm resolution. The art shows Kushna’s calm demeanor as Brand presents his case. This grows into a bold full shot of the hero in the spotlight. Good times end here as the truth behind Mr. M. is presented. It gives readers a haunting final page and more questions to ask.
FINAL GRADE: 9
The (after)life and times of Boston Brand get pushed to a new level of horror in this magnificent opening chapter. Prince blends humor with terror to examine the complex world of Brand. Morazzo & O'Halloran deliver a wide range of imagery fitting for such a unique tale. The challenges of life after death have never been more engaging.
Let me know your thoughts on The Deadman #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
