DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #8 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS  No. 7, May 2023

Poignantly penned straight from its start, this “final, cataclysmic conclusion” to “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” definitely delivers a fitting end to an “epic saga that began over three years ago”. Indeed, despite the mini-series’ heroes seemingly deducing just how to emphatically defeat Erebos within mere moments of them celebrating their initial victory over the “primordial deity” on the surface of Earth-2, the ‘sword of Damocles’ palpably still hangs over all the sizeable cast’s heads as their skilfully steer Warworld straight through the giant personification of darkness’s near impregnable flesh.

Much of this enthralling atmosphere is arguably due to the way Tom Taylor pens Damian Wayne as ever the secretive caped crusader, who trusts no-one except the personification of Death with the actual details of his suicidal plan. This distrustful intrigue repeatedly causes the reader to question whether or not the young Batman’s grand scheme is actually going to work, especially when it involves both an alliance with “the tyrannical Lord of Apokolips” and the mission’s super-powered strike team physically dying for a whole minute so as to allow the likes of Kal-El to be carried though a deadly Doom Tube.

Somewhat disappointingly though, there may well be the odd bibliophile who feels the Dark Knight’s eventual demise is a tad drawn out, thanks to the Spectre surprisingly deciding to allow Superboy to visit his doomed friend until the very last moment. This tearful goodbye is debatably a bit too sickly sweet and contrived considering just how long it takes for “the heart of the anti-life equation and the life equation” to collide, and perhaps the sheet space might have been put to better use depicting Ares' ultimately fatal fight against Erebos in outer space rather than a sedentary Damian being told how great a costumed vigilante he’d become.

Happily however, pencillers Trevor Hairsine and Lucas Meyer still manage to keep the readers’ attention with their excellent layouts, even whilst Batman is simply sat on the floor of Warworld alongside a tearful Jon Kent awaiting his fate. In fact, one of the highlights of this comic is the creative team’s decision to have Bruce Wayne’s son don a shining all-white Batsuit, which is subsequently wonderfully inked by Andy Lanning and coloured by Rain Beredo.

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #7 by Howard Porter & Rain Beredo

DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #7 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS  No. 7, May 2023

Successfully pulling together more plot threads than this mini-series’ audience would probably care to recollect, Tom Taylor’s narrative for Issue Seven of “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” must have left many a bibliophile utterly shellshocked at the intense ferocity of the Australian author’s “final stand for the universe”. In fact, the Stan Lee Excelsior Award-winner marvellously manages to weave so many of his epic storyline’s surviving super-heroes into this particular twenty-two-page periodical that arguably few readers will be able to ascertain just when during the chaotic battle the tide finally turns in favour of those brave warriors who would oppose “some of the most powerful entities in existence”.

Furthermore, Superboy’s determined resistance against the zombie-like “slaves to the Anti-Life” depressingly appears to be on the verge of total collapse at the start of this comic, following the shocking fall of both Damian Wayne’s incarnation of the Caped Crusader and Brainiac. These two enthrallingly penned moments are distinctly disquieting, with the Dark Knight’s demise at the hands of Undead Darkseid’s forces proving especially poignant as the protagonist is given a brief opportunity to say his goodbyes to some of his friends and family; “You’ve grown to be a very sensible young Batman.”

Indeed, this upsetting scene solidifies an engrossing theme throughout the book, where Taylor repeatedly depicts the unconquerable love given by a father to his son and the subsequent pride shown when their offspring triumph over their galaxy-ending tribulations. Such magical moments by the Melbourne-born writer should genuinely make a connection with any parent perusing this publication, providing them with both deep sadness and exhilarating joy as Mister Miracle knowingly sacrifices himself to his boy’s murderous rage, and Superman collects the badly burnt body of Jon Kent after the “Teenager Of Steel” bravely places himself in front of Warworld’s planet-destroying weapon.

Superbly sketching all these sense-shattering shenanigans is David Hairsine and Lucas Meyer, who between them add tons of world-ending atmosphere to the numerous fast-paced events as they frantically unfold. Of specific note is the sudden appearance of a thousand Kryptonians from Kandor via a stunning splash-page, who surprisingly swoop up into outer space to tackle “the biggest gun Erebos held” after their miniaturised bottle was reverse engineered by Cyborg “in a matter of moments.”

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #7 by Howard Porter & Rain Beredo

DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #6 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS  No. 6, April 2023

Largely focusing upon a cataclysmic confrontation between two towering juggernauts of the “DC Comics” Universe, Tom Taylor’s narrative for Issue Six of “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” pulse-poundingly depicts a bout of pugilism like few publications have arguably done before. Sure, none of this book’s readers would have initially felt Mister Mxyzptlk warranted so high a threat level as to draw the ire of a planet-sized Spectre. But this particular incarnation of the “Fifth Dimensional imp” has been completely consumed by the anti-life equation, and now threatens to wipe out every last living thing in existence with his “nigh-omnipotence.”

Furthermore, it isn’t just the Melbourne-born writer’s basic premise of two colossal forces striking each other with world-ending impacts which probably most captures the audience’s imagination. Instead, it’s more likely the Australian’s enthralling extra elements to help emphasise the sheer scale of the contest, such as an armada of insect-sized Green Lanterns desperately attempting to distract Superman’s annoying nemesis from the Forties by universally roping one of his wrists with the emerald power of their rings, and resultantly being squashed flat by an irritated sweep of Mxy’s hand.

These ‘reality tearing tribulations’ are also rather nicely supported by an excellent secondary thread concerning the galactic war reaching Earth-2 and Alfred Pennyworth shockingly stepping forward as the one entity who might thwart Darkseid’s “unstoppable army of infected New Gods, Yellow Lanterns and more…” This moment of madness comes just as Batman appears to be on the verge of being beaten to death by an utterly insane Izaya the Inheritor, and surely must have caused many a bibliophile to quite literally catch their breath; “This is the spirit of vengeance and the rage of a man. You will not take another son from me!”

Equally as adept at storytelling is artist Trevor Hairsine, who even manages to prodigiously pencil the odd black hole being punched into outer space. The British illustrator’s “detailed style” proves especially good at emphasising the utter despair flooding over Bruce Wayne’s aged butler, who having seen his entire family recently wiped out before his very eyes (and predominantly at his own hands), just cannot cope seeing another person he loves die right in front of him.

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #6 by Howard Porter & Rain Beredo

DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #5 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS No. 5, February 2023

Ordinarily depicted as something of a fun-loving figure whose formidable abilities are predominantly used to either pester Superman or at least make the Kryptonian’s life a little more difficult, Tom Taylor’s “infected” incarnation of Mister Mxyzptlk in Issue Five of “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” will probably have “DC Comics” fans never seeing the Fifth Dimensional imp in the same light-hearted way again. Indeed, once the nigh-omnipotent alien gazes upon a “corrupted Mother Box” and becomes overwhelmed by the Anti-Life Equation, the Australian author turns Jerome Siegel’s co-creation into a truly terrifying creature who genuinely threatens the entire cosmos; “Erebos cannot be stopped. The Quintessence should focus our energy on the next universe.”

Furthermore, having established a mighty meta-human force for good on Oa which is led by Superman and supported by a veritable army of Green Lanterns, the sudden sense-shattering shift in favour of Darkseid’s zombie-like villains isn’t debatably seen until the very last minute, when the overly confident trickster fatally pauses in using his reality-warping powers to transform the New God “into a tasteful flower arrangement”. This ‘sleight of hand’ penmanship leads to a genuinely shocking moment, as the likes of Kilowog and John Stewart suddenly realise their mission to save Bolovax Vik is unachievable and get treacherously crushed to death by a being whom they thought was actually going to aid them in their quest.

Similarly as sensational is Superman’s fate at the hands of Kara Zor-El, who having been poisoned by the Anti-Life Equation on New Genesis, is depicted as an utterly vindictive and deranged “Last Daughter of Krypton” who mercilessly toasts some Bolovaxians stood cowering beside the Man of Steel without a moment’s hesitation. Admittedly, this particular twenty-two-page periodical disappointingly doesn’t provide the two combatants with much actual ‘screen time’ together, courtesy of Darkseid’s aforementioned move against Mister Mxyzptlk. But the ghastly manner in which Supergirl fries three innocent lives within mere seconds of Clark Kent assuring them of their safety is bound to have ramifications in a future face-off.

Ably assisting Taylor in his terrific storytelling are pencillers Trevor Hairsine and Neil Edwards, who both add plenty of gritty realism to the cataclysm events occurring on “one of the most populated planets in the universe.” The pair appear to be particularly proficient at imbuing “Mxy” with all the visible hallmarks of an enigmatic entity who has been driven homicidally insane, as well as plenty of jaw-breaking clout to any punches thrown.

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #5 by Howard Porter & Rain Beredo

DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #4 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS  No. 4, January 2023

For those buyers expecting to read about Lobo’s reception following the Czarnian’s decision to join “the greatest heroes in the universe as they gather to fight the galactic armada of the undead”, this twenty-two-page periodical’s plot probably proved something of a disappointing headscratcher. Sure, Tom Taylor’s storyline for Issue Four of “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” contains just the sort of ear-ringing explosions and bruising body blows a reader might associate with “the Ultimate Bastich”. Yet despite the Burbank-based publisher’s solicitation promising otherwise, Roger Slifer’s demonic-looking motorcyclist doesn’t actually appear anywhere within the comic.

Instead, its audience is greeted with a somewhat lengthy look at Alfred Pennyworth’s understandable nightmares following him gunning down the anti-living incarnations of Batman, Robin and Nightwing, as well as the former butler’s current cohabitation with girlfriend Leslie Thompkins. Such character development is admittedly touching. However, the incredibly sedentary sequence takes up almost half of the book, so by the time Darkseid threatens both Maxima and her evacuating Almeracians, there isn’t too much room for many pulse-pounding panels.

Intriguingly though, an overwhelming wave of high-octane fisticuffs clearly isn’t the Australian author’s plan for this particular instalment to his mini-series, as arguably this comic’s biggest hook lies in the revelation that the Guardians of Oa are planning to annihilate seven planets and their inhabitants in an effort the thwart the Anti-life Equation, even though “we have a cure.” This horrific genocide even takes the likes of Guy Gardner by surprise and taps directly into the outrageously bloated hubris of the Green Lantern Corps when Ganthet unwisely attempts to incarcerate Superman within a bubble of emerald energy for opposing their appalling plan; “One punch. He knocked out a freaking Guardian with one punch!”

Desperate to liven up all these word-heavy discussions and arguments with their proficient pencilling are artists Trevor Hairsine and Neil Edwards. To be frank, the pair don’t really have much to work with when it comes to Alfred’s emotional farewell to Damian Wayne's cowled alter-ego. But by the time the narrative has moved on to Clark Kent’s aforementioned confrontation the layouts are much more dynamic, with Batgirl’s brutal, doubled-handed uppercut upon a self-righteous Kilowog proving highly memorable.

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #4 by Howard Porter & Rain Beredo

DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #3 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS  No. 3, December 2022

Opening with a genuinely upsetting update as to just how Adam Strange succumbed to the spread of the anti-living, Tom Taylor’s script for Issue Three of “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” must surely have disconcerted many fans of the Australian author’s alternate Earth “where a corrupted version of the Anti-Life Equation has infected most of Earth's inhabitants with a zombie-like virus.” For whilst the twenty-two-page periodical subsequently moves on to a slightly more tongue-in-cheek depiction of Lobo literally tearing up a disease-ridden Thanagarian warship, the haunting image of the space adventurer’s young daughter tearfully screaming at the sight of her undead dad permeates the entirety of this publication’s plot.

Indeed, it’s debatably difficult to imagine a more harrowing sequence for this “blockbuster final arc” as a desperate, jet-propelled archaeologist unwisely asks a certain Amazon-Olympian demigoddess for help to intercept the next Zeta-Beam transmission and discovers the Justice Leaguer to be as rabidly unhinged as his home planet has become unrecognisably ruinous; “Computer… Lock rocket pack to co-ordinates. What the hell happened here? Wonder Woman? Hey! Diana! Oh @h--"

Fortunately, for those within this book’s audience who like a little more humour in their comics, the Stan Lee Excelsior Award-winner does off-set this shocking start with an amusing depiction of Keith Giffen’s co-creation initially being overlooked as a worthy warrior to help save the Universe. Enraged by a flock of crazed Hawkmen brutally murdering the extra-terrestrial who poured his drinks in the Rylex System, the Czarnian singlehandedly outfights an entire invasion force with little more than a handful of Thanagarian grenades and his infamous large gutting hook, whilst simultaneously still quipping about him being “the Main Man”.

Just as enjoyable as Taylor’s penmanship is Trevor Hairsine’s artwork, which manages to add both plenty of gravitas to poor Strange’s fate, as well as mirth to Lobo’s interrupted alcoholic libations in equal measure. Furthermore, the former ‘Marvel Young Gun’ somehow manages to maintain the attention when pencilling this publication’s more sedentary scenes concerning Ares sudden materialisation at Princess Diana of Themyscira’s funeral. This sombre, rather word-heavy memorial is made all the more dialogue-driven when the God of War uses it to wax lyrical about the imminent death of the Universe. Yet the cremation ceremony still proves a riveting read courtesy of the physical hostility which the British illustrator manages to imbue all the Amazonians with during their interactions alongside the unpopular deity.

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #3 by Howard Porter & Rain Beredo

DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #2 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS  No. 2, November 2022

Containing one of the most gruesome deaths imaginable for a major antagonist of the “DC Comics” universe, along with a sense-shattering assault upon the planet Korugar, Tom Taylor’s penmanship throughout Issue Two of “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” must surely have bewitched many a bibliophile within this book’s audience. Indeed, it’s difficult to imagine a more spell-binding ride than the one which this particular twenty-two-page periodical provides, as super-powered parents grieve for their lost son and Soranik Natu witnesses the cataclysmic fall of the mobile weaponized satellite Warworld.

True, part of this comic does get a little bogged down with a somewhat lengthy conversational piece between Guy Gardner, Superman and Brainiac on Earth-2. But even this sedentary, wordy-heavy moment of exposition arguably proves to be incredibly enthralling, courtesy of the ex-Baltimore policeman turned intergalactic law enforcement officer demonstrating all the conceited, childish personality traits which have supposedly made him “the most despised” of all the Burbank-based publisher’s Green Lanterns; “I’m an eleven on the Guy Gardner greatness scale. And the scale only goes up to six. That’s how good I am.”

Just as arrogant though is Kyle Raynor and his medically trained wife, who together inadvertently thwart Sinestro’s Yellow Lantern Corps from inflicting a devastating opening salvo upon the unliving Darkseid. This utterly unfounded hubris is genuinely infuriating and may well have caused the odd reader to smirk with some misplaced sense of satisfaction when Ganthet’s protégé gets his clock well and truly cleaned by an insanely rabid Supergirl. However, such a feeling was probably fleeting at best, as the horrendous blow subsequently leads to the grisly demise of Korugar’s numerous would-be rescuers.

Helping to instil a palpable sense of threat and fear throughout all these pulse-pounding proceedings are Trevor Hairsine’s layouts, which do a tremendous job of depicting the unsettling ‘Elseworlds’ like environment within which this mini-series’ narrative is set. Whether it’s the heavily damaged Home of the New Gods, complete with death-dealing Boom Tubes, or Natu’s overwhelmed planet, the British artist’s pencilling conjures up all manner of nightmarish events – not least of which is the sticky fate of Hal Jordan’s arch-nemesis.

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #2 by Trevor Hairsine & Rain Beredo

DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods #1 - DC Comics

DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS  No. 1, October 2022

Lauded by its Burbank-based publishers “as the epic final chapter in the massive DCeased franchise”, Tom Taylor’s narrative for Issue One of “DCeased: War Of The Undead Gods” certainly should have satisfied the majority of its audience with its well-written resolution as to just how the likes of Superman ultimately defeated the corrupted version of the Anti-Life Equation which had so disastrously infected most of the Earth's inhabitants with a zombie-like virus. In fact, in many ways this twenty-two page periodical almost acts as a standalone aftermath for the mini-series’ previous storylines considering that both the planet and Kal-El are dramatically brought back from the abyss of madness by a youthful new incarnation of “the DC Trinity”.

Unsurprisingly however, the survivors don’t have long to enjoy the fruits of their five-year labour, courtesy of Braniac making an unwelcome visit to Earth-2 and attacking the settlement with a spearhead of his humanoid-shaped drones. This unsuccessful assault initially indicates that “The Collector of Worlds” will be this title’s central antagonist, until the book’s wily Australian author reveals the emaciated super-villain to shocking be on an errand of mercy so as to warn humanity that “the dead gods will end everything.”

Equally as engrossing as this comic’s conclusion is arguably its opening, which cleverly follows Kara-Zor-El’s horrific escape from the City of Kandor on Krypton to the equally as deadly New Genesis. Supposedly selected to be a safe haven for Supergirl, the world quickly turns in a zombie-infested hellhole where the young woman’s special abilities are inconsequential when compared to Galactica’s deity-filled denizens; “Get away from me! Get away! Hrraaaagh!”

Tying all these plot threads together are penciller Trevor Hairsine, inker Andy Lanning and Colorist Rain Beredo, who immediately somehow manage to project the sheer planetary pounding Braniac provides Jor-El’s homeworld with all the intense savagery a reader would expect from the Anti-Justice Leaguer. In addition, the trio do a fantastic job in depicting both the scorching heat and brutality of Superman’s battle with his homicidal father in the Sun’s core once the one-armed Man of Steel is lured out from where he has been patiently recuperating for a lustrum.

The regular cover art of "DCEASED: WAR OF THE UNDEAD GODS" #1 by Trevor Hairsine & Rain Beredo