The New 52 Review: DC COMICS PRESENTS # 1

"Alive, again"

DC COMICS PRESENTS # 1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Paul Jenkins
ARTIST: Bernard Chang
COLORS: Blond
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Ryan Sook
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Deadman is a DC Comics character that first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 (cover date October 1967). Created by writer Arnold Drake and artist Carmine Infantino, Deadman is the ghost of circus trapeze artist, Boston Brand, who performed under the name Deadman, a stage persona in which he wore a red costume and white corpse makeup. After he is murdered, Brand’s spirit is given the power to possess any living being by a Hindu goddess named Rama Kushna (a DC Comics version of Rama-Krishna), in order to search for his murderer and obtain justice.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the classic 1970s and 80s series, DC Comics Presents (1978-1986) returns. In this new series, it is DC Comics Presents Deadman in “Twenty Questions,” a new storyline.

DC Comics Presents #1 gives a recap of Deadman’s origin, a flashback to Boston Brand, the arrogant trapeze artist shot down mid-performance. We see how he met Rama, essentially his patron goddess who points him down the path to redemption and balance. Now, Deadman has to enter the body of Johnny Foster, injured war vet, but Deadman has plans that may shock Rama, but will certainly shock us.

This first issue of DC Comics Presents is one of the wordier first issues of a comic book that I’ve read in some time. Bruthas and sistas, if you still don’t know what Deadman is about after reading this, you’ll never get it. Writer Paul Jenkins provides a detailed introduction to Deadman that he deftly ties into Deadman’s first “client,” the tragic war vet. And Jenkins does this without taking a big crap on Deadman’s history, keeping the character intact without committing some ridiculous re-imagining that completely changes an already-interesting character.

Not to forget the artist: Bernard Chang visually and graphically recalls classic 1960s and 70s Deadman without having to copy Neal Adams. The robotic coloring by Blond often gives Chang’s drawings surreal or ghostly touches, making Chang’s striking images even more striking. There is a combat flashback scene at the top of a page near the middle of this issue. It is such an arresting series of images that it is still on mind. I would say that sequence makes this issue or art team Eisner and Harvey Awards nomination worthy.

A

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
BLUE BEETLE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/blue-beetle-1.html
CATWOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/catwoman-1.html
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/green-lantern-corps-1.html
NIGHTWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/nightwing-1.html
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-hood-and-outlaws-1.html
SUPERGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/supergirl-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html