Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Bruno Redondo; Juan Albarran; Mike S. Miller; Rex Lokus; J. Nanjan; & Wes Abbott
Cover Art by Neil Googe & Rex Lokus
SUMMARY:
Simply entitled “Dead Man,” this issue was published by DC Comics for February 2015. With John Constantine outmatched by Superman; Captain Marvel/Shazam; Sinestro; Yellow Lantern Hal Jordan; and the Spectre, it’s up to Zatanna Zatara & Deadman to make the necessary save.
Forcibly taking Captain Marvel/Shazam’s form, Deadman is ejected by an uncooperative Billy Batson. Against the Spectre’s magical blade, Deadman is critically injured. He also senses that some malevolent entity possesses the Spectre. Regrouping at the extradimensional Tower of Fate, Constantine reveals to Batman & Zatanna that it’s time to seek out the Swamp Thing.
A disintegrating Deadman retreats to Nanda Parbat where he seek a successor. In the swamp, Zatanna stays behind as Batman & Constantine seek the Swamp Thing’s mystical aid. With the Swamp Thing evidently backing Superman’s forces, a simmering Constantine acknowledges to Batman that their former ally must be exterminated. The fate of Boston Brand’s Deadman is revealed.
REVIEW:
As nihilistic as this ongoing storyline is, this issue projects an oddly compelling sense of unpredictability. Reinforcing the stellar chemistry amongst Batman’s band of renegades, this issue has it in two-fold between Deadman’s poignant last stand and Constantine’s begrudging alliance with the Dark Knight.
Additionally, the enigma of who this ghoulish Spectre really is under the cowl makes for yet another intriguing sub-plot. Further enhanced by top-flight visuals, Injustice: Gods Among Us (Year Three) # 5 proves another gem in this saga to read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The single-page “DC All Access” column hypes Secret Six # 1.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
