DCeased: War of The Undead Gods is a depressing zombie epic written by Tom Taylor. After hordes of the anti-living infect Mr. Mxyzptlk, the heroes of Earth-2 scramble to protect who they can. However, it isn’t long before Erebos and his forces of darkness bring ruin to the universe.
Last issue saw the horrific destruction of Killowog’s home and demise of thousands of innocents. Superman and Kyle Rayner end up the only survivors of the massacre on the front lines. Yet, Superman remains calm enough to confront a demonic fifth dimensional being without anger. The same could not be true for Spirit of Vengeance. The Spectre fights the best it can on behalf of all the victims of Erebos, but the result is only mutual destruction. Superman and The Spectre represent light and order, while the imp stands as an emissary of chaos. In truth, this conflict only seems to say innocence in this world is as good as dead.
Alfred Pennyworth has been a key point of view character for the story. Alfred’s unique traumatic history makes him a miserable narrator to follow for this equally somber story. This version of the butler has had to bury or kill nearly every member of his family against his will. The only happiness he finds in the present, is his relationship with Damian and Leslie Thompkins. Although everything falls apart, he attempts to keep things together the best he can. Of course, all of this changes quickly when the war finds Earth-2.
Funnily enough, the universe doesn’t have to wait long for its savior! Because of his immunity, aliens hire Lobo to vanquish the anti-living. Taylor gives Lobo a page long negotiation to take hedonistic pleasures as compensation. They even go as far to offer the greatest minds in the galaxy to design complex erotica for him. It goes without saying that Lobo is hardly the figure of heroism we need, but they are obviously desperate for any kind of hero at this point. Compared to Batman and the heroes of Earth-2, the morally grey Lobo reinforces a message of detachment. Everyone who lives and loves dies, and those who don’t seem to survive. If Alfred is the heart of the series, then Lobo is simply the pragmatic parallel.
My opinion hasn’t changed on the line art. However, I can appreciate what little it can offer in terms of clear communication, despite the poor craftsmanship. The issue has decent layout and readability while mostly feeling like thumbnails. The best moments usually come in the form of battles. The fights between Mr. Mxyzptlk and The Spectre look like full on kaiju battles in space. Superman’s light speed punches streak across the panels in prismatic light, but sadly don’t capture the impact it should. Furthermore, It is hard not to admire the boldness the book takes with its titanic brutality. Taylor and Harsine definitely amp up the gore as a selling point. Readers looking forward to the morbid tone and repetitive sadism will find some satisfaction.
Recommended If…
- Heroes brutally dying doesn’t bother you.
- You wish to collect every story in the DCeased universe.
- You wish to see Alfred getting a big hero moment.
Overall
I don’t like DCeased, but I don’t speak for everyone. There are readers who don’t mind the tone, gore, or meandering direction of the story. As for me, things get far too morbid for me. Lately, each issue has been a rinse and repeat of the same horrifying and depressing beats. One character brutally dies, another succumbs to anti-life, and everyone sheds tears until we do it again. In many ways I find myself thematically grasping for meaning in something I believe to be unnecessarily mean. I encourage anyone looking for this kind of tragedy to continue reading this book, but anyone else is reading at their own peril.
Score: 4/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purposes of this review
