DC Universe Presents, Vol. 1: Deadman/Challengers Of The Unknown (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I bought this because I'm reading Justice League Dark and Deadman is my absolute favourite character in that. But I had never even heard of him before so when I saw this origin/background story about him I was so excited. It didn't exactly live up to my expectations but was an ok story. The art was great though and looking at all the great illustrations of Deadman kept me reading. (3/5)The second part of this book is about the "Challengers of the Unknown" whom I've never heard of and wasn't really keen on reading but since it was included here, went ahead anyway. And I ended up enjoying way more than the Deadman story! Even though the basis sounded cheesy with the TV Reality Show set-up it ended up being a really good space quest adventure. The team travels around trying to find seven medallions, it turns out they've been "chosen" for this task. Several members get killed during the task and the story ends "For Now..." but I can't find that the characters have been picked up anywhere in the 'verse since. (4/5) Writer and recipient of the 2006 New York Times Academic Librarian of the Year Award, Jenkins (director, library services, Coll. of Mount St. Joseph; Batman: The Dark Knight) presents an anthology that spotlights the lesser-known but no less captivating comics characters. This first volume collects a five-issue Deadman arc and a three-issue Challengers of the Unknown arc. Boston Brand is Deadman, the ghost of a trapeze artist bound by goddess Rama Kushna to perform quantum leaps into the body of people in crisis, serving a personal path to redemption. The Challengers of the Unknown by DiDio and Ordway reimagines the classic Jack Kirby team as a group of D-list celebrities/reality show contestants globe-hop on a quest to reclaim magic artifacts.Verdict: The Deadman arc is easily the strongest part of the book, with its focus on the nature of Deadman’s mission and his relationship to Rama Kushna. The Challengers of the Unknown, on the other hand, presents forgettable characters and a worn-out plot. An optional purchase for most graphic novels collections.From Library Journal Xpress Reviews: Graphic Novels | First Look at New Books, April 26, 2013
What do You think about DC Universe Presents, Vol. 1: Deadman/Challengers Of The Unknown (2012)?
The first half (Deadman) gets 4/5, the second half (Challengers of the Unknown) barely gets two.
—Kris
Deadman's issues were great. I didn't care for the Challengers of the Unknown issues though.
—tsukasa
the deadman story was great, the Challengers of the Unknown story poor.
—Malo_Emilie
