Deadman born Boston Brand, was a well known trapeze artist who was targeted by newly joined member of the league of assassins, The Hook.

This mission was only for initiation purposes.

Deadman was saved and given his powers by Hindu goddess of balance, Rama Kushna, her reasons were for the many kindnesses that Brand had performed during his life and that he should find his killer and settle the score.

Finally Deadman assumes his new name and role as a protector.

He began to hunt for his assassin, knowing only that the man had a hook for a hand. When deadman learned that a villain called Hook was a member of the League Of Assassins, he he was sure it was him who had fired the fatal bullet. Along the way of his journey, Brand continued to interact in peoples lives, doing good deeds in his own way.

Deadman eventually tracked down the Hook, only to watch him die at the hands of the sensei, leader of League of Assassins. Then with his brother Cleveland and new friend Batman, Deadman then prevented the League of Assassins taking control of the fabled Himalayan land of Nanda Parbat. Deadman was subsequently called upon to do the duties expected of spirits, such as him, greeting those entering the Land of the Just Dead. In this role Deadman guided the Phantom Stranger, the Spectre, Etrigan the Demon, and Swamp Thing in order to rescue the spirit of Abby Arcane after she was murdered by her uncle. Deadman has teamed up with other spectral heroes, joining the Phantom Stranger and Swamp Thing to combat the threat of a "primordial shadow" that imperiled Heaven and Earth. When Asmodel usurped the power of the spirit of wrath, Deadman formed part of a strike force of sentinels of magic with Doctor Occult, Felix Faust, the Phantom Stranger, Ragman, Raven, and Sentinel assembled by Zatanna to oppose the fallen angel. Deadman continues to work with people on Earth, hoping one day to acheive a peaceful reward.