Longbox Junk Halloween - DCeased #1

Welcome back to Longbox Junk. . .the blog packed FULL of comic reviews nobody asked me for!

Even though the witching hour draws close, we're still having a bit of Halloween fun here at Longbox Junk by taking a look at some of the spooky stuff hiding in the dark corners of my (and my daughter's) comic collection.

It's been a pretty nice Halloween season here at Longbox Junk if I DO say so myself. So far we've seen Vampires (Vegetarian and otherwise), Killer Easter Bunnies,  A sci-fi take on Jekyll & Hyde, Werewolves, Frankenstein's Monster, Spirits of Vengeance, Prairie Witches, and some generally nasty people doing nasty things (like burying each other alive).  So what's missing here?

Zombies.  We need some zombies!

And so here's some zombies.

What we have here is a fresh chunk of Longbox Junk that's on the stands even as I write this.  I only have the first issue because I basically bought it for the extremely Halloween-y zombie Batman variant cover and somehow have kept missing the following issues.  I'm sure I'll spot the whole set eventually in a bargain bin, but for now I just have this first issue, so let's take a look at it!

DCEASED

ISSUE #1

DC (2019)

So I bought this thing for the cover. Let's take a look at the cover, shall we?  

*shudders* Now THAT's some creep-tastic cover art right there!  Fransesco Mattina outdoes himself with a nightmarish vision of one of DC's greatest heroes gone straight to zombie hell!  Just look at the detail in things like Batman's nasty teeth and jaundiced eyes.  This is NOT the Batman you want to meet in a dark alley.  Very well done!

That's the cover.  Let's get into the story.

GOING VIRAL

SCRIPT: Tom Taylor

PENCILS: Trevor Hairsine & Stefano Gaudiano (pgs. 1-6, 15-26)

                    James Harren (pgs. 7-14)

COVER: Francesco Mattina (Variant)

The story goes like this. . .

We begin with the Justice League defeating Darkseid and forcing him to leave after he invades Earth. But as he goes, Darkseid gives the League an ominous farewell that doesn't quite sit right with the heroes. . .

Indeed, all is not as it seems.  Darkseid's invasion was merely a distraction.  His true purpose was to capture the hero known as Cyborg. . .now held prisoner on Apokolips.  Darkseid's search for the Anti-Life Equation has led him to believe that the second half of the Equation rests in Cyborg's technology. . .

Darkseid's scientist, Desaad, informs his master that although the combining of the two halves of the Anti-Life Equation is possible, the Equation will be lost entirely if Cyborg dies in the process.  To ensure that Cyborg doesn't die, Darkseid summons Death and uses him to slightly alter the Anti-Life Equation to make sure Cyborg survives the process. . .

The change that Darkseid makes to the Anti-Life Equation has disastrous effects as the corrupted Equation combining the physical and technological drives Darkseid insane.  Desaad quickly transports Cyborg back to Earth to try and stop the spread of the Techo-Organic Virus, but he's too late.  An insane Darkseid destroys Apokolips. . .

Cyborg reappears on Earth in Metropolis, and his internal systems immediately connect him to the internet and all surrounding online devices.  Cyborg is horrified to see the Techno-Organic Virus he's infected with begin to quickly spread among the people nearby.  He is unable to do anything to stop the Virus as people begin to go insane and tear each other apart. . .

In the meantime, Superman is putting together a plan with Big Barda and Mister Miracle to rescue Cyborg from Apokolips, not knowing that Cyborg has already been sent back by Desaad.  He hears the screams of people from the street and sees the spreading insanity.  Realizing  that the situation is already out of hand and getting worse, Superman rushes to his wife and son. . .

While Superman is busy saving his family from the spreading madness, the scene shifts to the Batcave, where Batman is monitoring the situation on isolated systems safe from the Techno-Organic Virus. . .and the news isn't good.  

The computer estimates that there are ALREADY 600 million infected people, and at the current rate of spread BILLIONS will be infected in a matter of days.  This is definitely a problem Batman can't punch a solution to!

Batman quickly sets off an EMP pulse in Wayne Manor above, but he's too late.  As the Dark Knight heads upstairs to check on things, he is attacked by an infected Nightwing and Robin (Tim Drake)!

After a brutal battle with his infected partners, Batman orders Alfred to escape and we are left with a cliffhanger scene of Batman being bitten by Nightwing. . .

The End.

Okay then.  There it is.  It's not a "Dead Rising Up And Slowly Wantin' To Eat Your Braaaaaains" sort of zombie apocalypse.  More of a "Virus Driving People Insane Enough To Kill You, So RUN!" sort of thing.  Despite the unique connection to the DC Universe by having the virus originate as a corrupted form of the Anti-Life Equation, it's still. . .well. . .it's just another zombie apocalypse.

Don't get me wrong.  It's not bad.  It's actually pretty good and makes me want to pick up the next issue.  The idea of a zombie apocalypse in the DC Universe IS an interesting one.  It's just that, do we REALLY need more zombies?  Okay, sure.  There's superheroes in this zombie story.  But really, hasn't that also been done before?

There's going to be inevitable comparisons between this and Marvel Zombies. . .but from what I've read of Marvel Zombies (which admittedly isn't very much, just a few issues here and there), they are two different things.  Sort of like how there's a definite difference between a Corvette and a Pickup Truck even though at the heart of it, they're both basically automobiles.  So despite what you may think, DCeased is NOT a copy of Marvel Zombies. 

The writer does a fine job.  I want to see what happens next.  There's nothing wrong with the writing.  The art is good, but not great.  I actually enjoyed the chunkier, darker look of the art during the Apokolips sections. . .it reminds me of the artist everyone else hated on the recent X-Force series that I liked (Dylan Burnett) enough that I pulled out an X-Force issue to see if it was the same guy.  I guess I just like that chunky, dark sort of style.

So nothing wrong with the writing or art.  It's just. . .zombies, I guess.  Maybe they could have told the story of a Techno-Organic Virus destroying the world without zombies? Maybe? I think they could have.  

CONCLUSION

What we have here is a well-written story with a DC Universe-specific angle on the extremely well-worn framework of a zombie apocalypse backed up with some good art.  It's interesting enough for me to want to get the next issue, but not interesting enough to make me want to order it if my local shop doesn't have the next one sitting there.

If you're a fan of zombie stories, then definitely pick this one up.  If you're getting a bit tired of zombies then this isn't really something you'll miss out on if you don't read it.  If you don't like zombie stories in the first place, then this won't change your mind one bit.

Up Next. . .

I think there's still time for at least one more piece of Longbox Junk Halloween fun!

Be there or be square.

Longbox Junk - One Shots

That's right. . .more one shots!  What can I say?  I love 'em!

Let's get right into it!

FANTASTIC FOUR
A DEATH IN THE FAMILY

Marvel (2006)

SCRIPTS: Karl Kesel, Mark Sumerak, John Byrne & Chris Eliopoulos

PENCILS: Lee Weeks, John Byrne & Chris Eliopoulos

COVER: Lee Weeks

3 illustrated stories and a text piece in this hefty one shot. Let's break it on down. . .

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
When The Invisible Woman is accidentally killed, her brother (The Human Torch Johnny Storm) travels back in time one hour in order to save her.

Overall, not a bad story at all. It's basically a shortened superhero version of "Groundhog Day", where even though he makes changes, things still manage to turn out about the same until he's finally able to save his sister with the help of his past self. What I liked most about this story was the sad twist at the end where it's revealed that he knows that nothing will have changed in his OWN time. He just wanted to save Sue and create a timeline where she was still alive.

The art was a bit blocky and workmanlike, but it did the job. All in all, a good little story.

CHILDHOOD'S END
(Reprints Fantastic Four #245)

After a humiliating T.V. interview where the Invisible Girl is called out as being a damsel in distress fifth wheel on the team, she finds herself in the position of single-handedly saving them all when their infant son somehow manages to grow into an ultra-powerful adult with the mind of a child.

I'm not sure WHY this reprint was included, but beyond the great John Byrne artwork, it's pretty bad. The dialogue is decent, but serves a laughable plot that tries a bit TOO hard to show the Invisible Girl's place on the Fantastic Four. It comes off as forced and a bit sappy, then defeats its own purpose as the story becomes all about The Thing at the end.

Good for a bit of 80's nostalgia, but not much else.

NOW YOU SEE ME
A short story about Franklin Richards getting into mischief with an invisibility ray while trying to peek into some birthday presents.

There's not much to this story. It's sort of charming, and the art has a very cartoony look to it that sells the light tone, but to tell the truth it seems a bit out of place.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR

This all-text piece looks like it might be from one of the Marvel guides to their universe. It's densely-written and pretty detailed, but the black letters on a blue background make it practically unreadable.

Overall, this one shot seemed pretty unfocused and all over the place. I'm not even sure why it even exists or what the thinking was for deciding on the other material in it along with the main story.

I guess Marvel didn't feel that the main story alone could justify the extra price they wanted to charge, so they just threw in some random stuff to pad it out.

CAPTAIN AMERICA

65th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Marvel (2006)

SCRIPT: Ed Brubaker

PENCILS: Marcos Martin, Mike Perkins, Frank D'Armata & Javier Pulido

COVER: Eric Wight

While on a secret mission with Nick Fury and His Howling Commandos during WWII, Bucky Barnes is wounded and ends up falling in love with the daughter of a resistance fighter.

In the Meantime, Captain America and The Howlers disrupt The Red Skull's nefarious scheme by way of massive explosions and punching a giant robot!

First off, I have to give good points for that excellent cover! I wouldn't mind a poster of that one. The art throughout is also nicely done. There's two artists switching off, but they share a similar style (it reminds me of Darwyn Cooke, and there's nothing wrong with that) so you can hardly tell.

As for the story, it seems a bit. . .light. . .for what is touted as an anniversary special. It's basically Cap and The Howlers putting a stop to yet ANOTHER Red Skull scheme involving a giant robot while Bucky recuperates from a wound and falls for a girl.

That's not to say it's a BAD story at all. It's actually pretty good, in a well-worn sort of way. It's just not what I'd think of being worth an extra-priced "Anniversary Special" treatment.

LOBO

IN THE CHAIR

DC (1994)

SCRIPT: Alan Grant

PENCILS: Martin Emond

COVER: Martin Emond

After Lobo is captured and humiliated by The Winter Brothers, things don't end well when The Main Man finally escapes.

The story here is basically a bare-bones excuse for a one shot full of great art in the service of hilarious sight gags. Martin Emond knocks it out of the park with his exaggerated art style.

Some of the jokes fall a little flat or seem to be trying too hard, but overall, this is definitely one of the best Lobo one shots I've seen. The panel of Lobo with a gigantic 70's afro is almost worth the cover price alone.

DARKSEID

DC (1998)

SCRIPT: John Byrne

PENCILS: Keron Grant & Sal Buscema

COVER: Jason Pearson

Following Darkseid's imprisonment, civil war rages across Apokolips. . .

For a comic named "Darkseid" and with a picture of Darkseid on the cover, there's remarkably little Darkseid in this one shot.

Instead, what you get is civil war in Darkseid's absence between the forces of Granny Goodness and Desaad vs. Virman Vundabar with a little Darkseid at the end when he animates a statue of himself and tells everyone to stop fighting among themselves and work together to destroy New Genesis.

Honestly, if you're not a fan of Kirby's "Fourth World", you're not going to like this very much. I'm not a fan of Kirby's Fourth World.

This one shot very much feels like you are stepping into the middle of a complicated ongoing story where everyone and everything has the most stupid name possible.

If you're a fan of Kirby's Fourth World saga, you might get more mileage than I did from this one, but if you're not a fan I'd definitely suggest skipping this mess.

HARLEY QUINN

& THE SUICIDE SQUAD

APRIL FOOL'S SPECIAL

DC (2016)

SCRIPT: Rob Williams

PENCILS: Jim Lee & Sean Galloway

COVER: Jim Lee

Harley Quinn is invited by a mysterious message to become psychiatrist to supervillains, but it turns out in the end to be a plot by Amanda Waller to get Harley into custody and part of her Suicide Squad.

First off, the title is a bit misleading. The Suicide Squad (or at least 3 members of it, not including Waller) appear only in one panel on the last page of the book.

Although this story shows how Harley became a member of the Squad, it's definitely a solo Harley Quinn book.

That aside. . .

The story is actually pretty good. There's action, humor, and even a bit of sympathy for Harley Quinn when she realizes she's been duped and all she really wanted to do was go back to helping people like she did before she went bad.

The art is a mixed bag. Jim Lee knocks it out of the park on his parts, but the middle section of the book is drawn in an extremely cartoony and childish way by Sean Galloway and it's a pretty abrupt change in look and tone.

Overall, not a bad issue. Good story and mostly good art.

I just want to know why the hell DC put out an April Fool's Day issue in June.

And last, but not least. . .

SOVIET SUPER SOLDIERS

Marvel (1992)

SCRIPT: Fabian Nicieza

PENCILS: Javier Saltares & Angel Medina

COVER: Angel Medina

A team of Soviet superheroes and a group of Soviet mutants both find themselves in conflict with government forces as the Soviet Union collapses and criminal elements within the government make a grab for power.

It's a pretty simple story, but there's a LOT going on in this one shot. I have to admit that I wasn't familiar with ANY of these characters except for Crimson Dynamo, and there's a damn big cast in this book.

Mostly, the story revolves around a team of Soviet superheroes that are pretty much analogues of The Avengers. . .Crimson Dynamo being Iron Man, the shield-throwing Red Guardian being Captain America, there's a Thor counterpart, a Vision counterpart, a Scarlet Witch counterpart, etc. . .

There's also a group of Soviet Mutants that are basically the X-Men, led by a Professor X copy and hounded from hiding place to hiding place by the government.

Overall, the story is a bit of a hot mess because of the large amount of characters involved. The motivations of many of them are unclear and you really only know who they are and what their powers are because they shout out exposition in the middle of battle.

The pencils and inking in this book are excellent! There is a large amount of detail crammed into every panel, and there are some truly impressive pages in this comic. Unfortunately, the colors are garish and extremely sloppy. . .in places to the point of distraction. It's a damn shame because it takes away from what is otherwise a VERY nicely drawn comic.

Overall, this is a comic that is packed with too much story and too many characters, with great art marred by lousy coloring.

I found it interesting as a relic of the early 90's and the fall of the Soviet Union, and can appreciate that Marvel was trying to show us something a little different. . .unfortunately, with most of the characters being direct analogues of more popular Marvel characters, it wasn't really that different at all.

Still, despite its flaws, I'd suggest this one for a read, if for curiosity value alone.

CONCLUSION

Not too bad of a batch of one-shots. I'd have to say that Lobo was my favorite, with Captain America a close second.  To me, Darkseid was the only REAL stinker in the bunch, but if you're a fan of Kirby's Fourth World stuff, you might like it a lot better than I did.  Fantastic Four would probably be my second choice for the bottom of the pile. . .it's just way overstuffed with unrelated padding, but that's not to say it's BAD, just padded for price.

Up Next. . .

The Avengers are trapped in time, and there WILL be dinosaur-punching!
Avengers: Millennium four issue mini. . .

Be there or be square!