The many lives Deadman has lived.
WOW this is a text heavy issue. I don't think I read as much words in any of the 52 until now. Heck if you add all the comics with the controversial "Sex appeal" together I still don't think they would have as much words. But this book sold sex as well with a stripper, but that is not the point, there is a lot to read, just to warn you guys.
All the text a side the visual narration was strong, the transitions made sense and the body language conveyed what I felt was the right emotions, which is important since Deadman jumps into peoples bodies.
Speaking of Deadman, this is the DC Universe Presents. My understanding this is the anthology series where each arc will change, like Legends of the DC Universe anthology in the 90s. Instead of small arcs that are hard for DC to collect in trade, my understanding is each arc will be trade length for collection purposes. The neat thing about an anthology like this is giving readers "Spotlights" of characters. Deadman is an important person to the DCU and never really seemed to get his spotlight until Brightest Day, heck I don't think the Neal Adams Deadman is in print right now and that was great! With the new 52 aiming to be accessible this is a great character for the first arc.
Is this book accessible? Yes. The origin and the reasons Deadman is Deadman are explored in this comic. I'll be honest that it is weird Paul Jenkins is writing for DC again since he became more of a Marvel Man over the years, but the Vertigo Voice he had on Hellblazer is clearer and more mature now. Jenkins scripts a story what is text heavy, but not boring. Deadman may be dead, but he lived many lives and if pictures told a thousand words, then I really lost count of the life time of stories flood on page.
This arc has great potential being the definitive Deadman story and if you like DC's "Daredevil" then why not check this out.
Cheers
- Silkcuts
