DC Comics has launched a new Deadman series under its Next Level initiative, focusing on the ghostly Boston Brand as he guides souls through the afterlife. The first issue, by writer-artist team Martín Morazzo and colorist Chris O'Halloran, introduces a mix of dark humor and tragic undertones, though it serves primarily as a setup for a larger conflict.

Boston Brand's New Mission as Custodian of All Souls

According to the review, Deadman is now formally the Custodian of All Souls, a role given by the goddess Rama Kushna. The issue shows him helping a greedy man reincarnate, giving a young girl a second chance, and ferrying stuck spirits. The source emphasizes that the series explores themes of life, death, and the messy middle, all while maintaining a bittersweet tone. Each page expands the lore of how spirits, ghosts, and the afterlife operate with a lively passion that is comforting but never overwhelming.

The Morazzo-O'Halloran Art: Vibrant Colors and Twig-Like Ghosts

The review praises the artistic partnerhsip, noting that Martín Morazzo's designs render Deadman with a long, sunken face and twig-like stature, perfectly communicating his ghostly sttaus. Chris O'Halloran's colors are described as vibrant, with bright yellows for spirits, muted blue for Deadman, and glaring pink for demons. The source calls the team “a match made in the Better Place” and highlights how the art rides the line between realistic and horrific, from a motorcyclist’s tongue extending like a frog’s to Deadman’s own shifting form in battle.

DC's Next Level Initiative: A Calculated Bet on Second-Tier Heroes

As the article explains, DC's Next Level initiative is designed to give B-, C-, and even D-tier characters a spotlight. The review notes that financial pressures typically push DC to focus on A-tier sellers, but this initiative allows for creative risks. The Deadman series is the latest example, and its success could encourage further investment in obscure characters. The source states that the first issue is a “phenomenal start” and that any reader can pick it up without prior knowledge and feel educated.

What We Don't Know About the Demon Threat and the Villain

The review mentions that demons who can eat souls appear and that a larger villain is teased in the background, described as both scary and weird enough to fit the gallows humor. However, the source does not reveal the villain's identity or the full nature of the demonic threat. It also leaves open questions about how the tonal balance will hold as the series progresses, though the first issue is praised for its “dark, honest fun” and ability to balance grim reality with hopeful beauty.