Review: DCeased

Quick Summary

Pros: The book is dramatic in a way that is both exciting and emotional. The world of this comic is interesting and is a great departure from the mainstream DC Universe. The artwork looks fantastic in some places.

Cons: The book feels a little too like an introduction and not enough like a standalone story.

Overall: This is a fun and energetic start to a new series. The entire read is packed with epic moments and intense action. When paired with the book’s unique setting, this allows it to get even more creative and make the most of what is happening. The primary problem is that the book feels a bit too introductory, but this isn’t a problem that has too much impact on the quality of the read. Overall, this is an interesting book that is sure to please readers looking for a zombie apocalypse version of the DC Universe.

Story

DCeased, by Tom Taylor, jump starts the latest take on an alternate DC Universe. The story here explodes off the pages and is pretty nonstop when delivering thrills. This makes for an exciting and emotional read. The world presented enhances all of this, allowing the read to do things with the main DC heroes that would otherwise be impossible. The downside, however, is that the pacing makes it feel like the entire volume is an introduction to an alternative universe, rather than a worthwhile standalone story. In the end, this is a really fun trip, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the true destination was still far ahead.

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As mentioned above, one of the most striking features of DCeased is the way it jumps right into things. No time is wasted with lengthy or unnecessary exposition and, instead, the read jumps right into the action. While this might sound intimidating, as it could easily lead to a whirlwind of confusing fight scenes, the storytelling is well-managed and leads to an enjoyable read.

The other big positive in DCeased is its setting. This book is DC’s take on a zombie apocalypse hitting its superhero community. Yet where it sets itself apart is what it does with its cast. The book is pretty quick in killing off most of the main DC Comics superheroes, including Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, in grandiose ways. This creates some pretty epic moments in the present. It also opened the door for Jon to step up as Superman and Damian to step up as Batman while also keeping the door open for a variety of underappreciated heroes to step up in future books. Overall, I enjoyed what this book was able to offer and am looking forward to seeing what it will do in the future.

The downside to the storyline in DCeased is that it feels like an introduction. The pacing is a bit rapid in the way it rips through the majority of the DC heroes in a short period of time. This makes the reading experience more intense but also robs certain moments, like the deaths of the Trinity, of some of their potential emotional impact. It also gives the whole read a general feeling like it is setting up for something else, rather than directing its attention toward itself. This isn’t a big problem for the reading experience as a whole but is something worth noting. 

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Art

The artwork in DCeased is mixed in some places but great in others. In the first chapter, things are a little rough. There are places where the visuals are unappealing and where shifts in style create a disconnect in the reading experience. However, the collection improves quickly. After the first chapter, there are incredible moments that are paired with equally incredible visuals. Splash pages by Trevor Hairsine are particularly effective in making sure a powerful scene is accompanied by visuals that match the hype. Overall, the book ends up looking nice, even if it has a few rough patches.

Continuity

DCeased is the first volume in a new continuity. This continuity is similar to the mainstream DC Comics continuity near the conclusion of the Rebirth era (Reading Order) but is separate from this continuity. Because of this, fans do not need to read anything in order to understand what is going on here.

The story in this volume continues in DCeased: Unkillables.