Written by Steve Vance
Art by Leonard Kirk; Rick Burchett; Kurt Hathaway; Tom McCraw; & Digital Chameleon
Cover Art by Jose Luis Garcia López; Kevin Nowlan; & Dave Stewart
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Book One: The Quick and the Dead,” the opener for this five-part mini-series was released by DC Comics for October 2001. Decrepit sorcerer Darius Caldera’s black magic ceremony to fend off his demise meets an unknown cosmic fate. A time-traveling Boston “Deadman” Brand arrives on Earth during Crisis on Infinite Earths # 7 and # 8. Expanding upon a quick scene in Crisis # 7, Phantom Stranger and the Spectre admonish Deadman that even their formidable magic can’t survive the anti-matter universe. The cosmic entity Rama Kushna also instructs Deadman that he has a mission to complete somewhere in the anti-matter universe.
On Earth, a ghostly Barry Allen’s Flash seeks help once more, but Deadman returns with him to his fate in the anti-matter universe. Witnessing the climax of Crisis # 8, Deadman’s origin is recapped. Battling Deadman and the Flash, Darius Caldera’s mystical power grab scheme is revealed.
REVIEW:
Supported by excellent visuals, this solid Crisis team-up homage overcomes its morbid elements to make a compelling read. Though Caldera’s use of a ‘soul cage’ looks silly, writer Steve Vance revisits Boston Brand’s past to help set up the feud between Caldera and Deadman. This comic’s best asset is how Vance and the art team faithfully recreate scenes from the Crisis series and enhance them with pivotal ‘unseen footage.’ Though this story has likely been erased from DC’s ever-shifting continuity, Deadman: Dead Again # 1 is a mostly satisfying read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In addition to a cover reveal for Deadman: Dead Again # 2, the last page pays homage to Barry Allen’s supposedly last bow in 1985’s Crisis on Infinite Earths # 8.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
